chapter 4 Lao Moutai

"Beep!"
Baldwin Qi swiped open the gate of the Ninquen Estate villa. This villa, situated at the peak of Ninquen Mountain, was renowned as the "Ninquen Heavenly Palace."
"This kid really knows how to enjoy life. Considering he gifted me this villa, I'll spare him a few beatings in the future," Baldwin Qi said, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
The Night King, Drew Chu, was the most respected figure in Hua Country's underground world. He once served in the military. After retiring, he established a vast team that silently protected the nation.
However, due to an accident, Drew Chu went mad. He slew all his enemies, and even turned his blade against his former comrades. In the end, a top warrior of Hua Country stepped in, capturing the crazed Drew Chu and sent him to the Underworld Prison.
Drew Chu was indeed a legend, a myth, admired by many. Yet, his story also evoked a sense of sorrow and pity.
Baldwin Qi had now become the new owner of this mysterious villa, worth 2 billion.
"Baldwin, April is just too not understanding. She just left you at the civil affairs office and came back on her own!".
"Don't worry, I've already scolded her. Dinner's almost ready; you should hurry back. Give me your address, and I'll send a driver to pick you up."
Before Baldwin Qi could finish touring the villa, he received a call from Clyde Qiao, warming his heart slightly.
Faintly, he also heard April Qiao huff in the background.
Instead of letting Clyde Qiao send a driver, Baldwin Qi chose the most unassuming car, a Phaeton, from the villa's garage and drove to the Qiao residence.
To those unfamiliar with cars, the Phaeton just seemed like a regular Passat worth a hundred thousand or so.
Upon arriving at Ninquen Estate, Cheyenn Yu, who had just parked his car outside a villa, saw a Phaeton speeding down from the peak of Ninquen Mountain. "Huh? Is that him?" Cheyenn Yu was taken aback, utterly surprised.
"Who, Miss?" Tara Long asked, puzzled.
Cheyenn Yu hesitated, "I think I just saw Baldwin Qi coming down from the villa at the peak of Ninquen Mountain..."
Tara Long chuckled, shaking her head, "Miss, the strain from capturing the Terror King must've taken a toll on you. Even you can be mistaken sometimes!
How could Baldwin Qi, a mere junior prison officer, possibly afford to live in the Ninquen Heavenly Palace?
"Back then, you used your connections trying to buy this villa but failed. I think, you've been too tired lately, and you felt guilty for breaking off the engagement, that's why you were seeing things."
Even with her status as a major general, she couldn't secure this villa!
Sitting at the dining table in the Qiao residence, Baldwin Qi noticed a pot of drunken shrimp on the table, with a fragrant liquor aroma and a rice-yellow hue.
He paused, wondering if the two bottles of fifty-year-old Maotai he had brought were used for this dish.
"Look at this liquor. When poured, it's yellowish, obviously a counterfeit product! We probably shouldn't eat these drunken shrimps," Marisol Pang remarked with disdain. "Your son-in-law choice is impeccable, trying to deceive you with fake alcohol on his first visit."
April Qiao also looked disdainful, suggesting, "Throw it away before it upsets our stomachs."
Clyde Qiao's face displayed some embarrassment, "Qi isn't that kind of person. Perhaps he was duped. Keep the dish. If you won't eat it, I will!"
Marisol Pang frowned and said, "Joseph Guan will be here soon, do you think it's appropriate to serve him this dish?"
Before she could finish, a hearty laughter echoed, and a man about Clyde Qiao's age entered.
"Baldwin Qi, he's an old friend of mine. You can call him Uncle Guan! If he's in a good mood, he might gift you a couple of paintings, and you'll be set," Clyde Qiao said with a smile to Baldwin Qi.
Joseph Guan was a master artist of national repute. He was a renowned figure throughout Hua Country.
Baldwin Qi greeted him politely. As soon as Joseph Guan sat down, Marisol Pang was about to remove the drunken shrimp dish.
However, Joseph Guan interrupted, "Wait! Isn't drunken shrimp your signature dish? Are you displeased with me?"
Marisol Pang quickly smiled and replied, "Not at all, Uncle Guan! The wine used for this drunken shrimp today is off. It's the fake wine brought by Clyde's new son-in-law. I'm afraid it might upset our stomachs..."
Joseph Guan sniffed, his face changed instantly, and he quickly pressed the bowl Marisol Pang held onto the table.
"Wait, you're saying this is fake wine?" He was in shock, disregarding any formalities, and picked up a shrimp to taste.
Marisol Pang exclaimed, "Uncle Guan, spit it out quickly... What if you get sick from it? If you like, I'll prepare a fresh batch for you!"
But Joseph Guan was entranced and slowly said, "It's rich and smooth, and has a lingering taste... This seems like the rare 50-year-old Maotai!"
Upon hearing this, all three members of the Qiao family were stunned on the spot.
"What a waste! Lance, does your family own a mine? Weren't you stressed about owing 20 million to the Black Dragon Chamber of Commerce? How could you misuse 50-year-old Maotai like this?" Joseph Guan was so frustrated he stomped his foot, his beard trembling.
Marisol Pang, in surprise, said, "50-year-old Maotai, Uncle Guan, are you sure you’re not mistaken?"
"How could I be mistaken? The last time I tasted such wine was three years ago at an official cultural exchange event in the capital. That taste is unforgettable!"
"I didn't expect you to waste such a premium 50-year-old Maotai like this. Oh, my heart aches!”
“If you guys don't want it, you could have given it to me."
Joseph Guan was furious, using such a valuable wine to prepare drunken shrimp was truly wasteful.
Marisol Pang and April Qiao exchanged embarrassed smiles, unsure of what to say.
"How could a mere prison guard afford something so precious? He must have stolen it from the Qi family when he was kicked out..." April Qiao thought disdainfully but also felt it was a waste.
Clyde Qiao laughed, "I told you not to doubt Baldwin Qi's intentions. Why would he bring fake wine to deceive me?"
Joseph Guan shook his head in resignation, "Such a pity..."
After a few rounds of drinks, Clyde Qiao offered Baldwin Qi a job at Qiao Group.
Baldwin Qi politely declined with a smile.
Seeing this, April Qiao sneered internally. After stooping so low to be a son-in-law, he still pretended to have some cheap sense of pride? Ridiculous!
That evening, April Qiao video chatted with her best friend Polly Li for a while, ranting about the day's events.
Polly Li was also furious, saying, "What a toad wanting to eat swan meat. How does a mere prison guard think he's worthy of you? Jason Zhang has been pursuing you all this time!"
"Don't worry, April. I'll find a way to humiliate him tomorrow. Once he's embarrassed, he probably won't have the face to bother you anymore."