Chapter 137: The Xie Family Estate on Nine Dragon Mountain

When Lin Le, Ji Xiaorui, and the others woke up and arrived in the living room, they found Ji Ronghao standing there in a state of ecstasy, clutching the pot of Sky-Reaching Orchid from the day before.

As Ji Xiaorui and Ji Xiaohai looked at the orchid, their faces were immediately filled with shock. The plant, which had been withered and sickly just yesterday, was now vibrant, lush, and crystalline. Not only that, but a flower bud had subtly emerged from the stalks, and it seemed it would be in full bloom before long.

"It’s miraculous! Simply miraculous!" Ji Ronghao was so excited he was practically incoherent, looking at Lin Le with pure disbelief.

"I’m glad it revived," Lin Le said with a faint smile. It seemed the old God of Food hadn't lied to him; the God of Food’s spiritual liquid was indeed effective.

Ji Ronghao’s inner excitement was beyond words. Until the moment he saw the orchid regain its vitality, he had viewed Lin Le as nothing more than a pretentious charlatan. Now, however, he saw the young man as a miracle worker capable of turning decay into something extraordinary.

"Xiao Le, you have no idea how much this orchid means to me—it’s like my own lifeblood! I truly don’t know how to thank you for saving it!" One look at Ji Ronghao’s reaction was enough to show just how precious the plant was to him.

"Uncle Ji, you’re being too polite. It was just a small effort," Lin Le replied calmly.

Ji Ronghao felt a wave of emotion. What was a trivial matter to Lin Le was, to him, nothing short of a life-saving miracle. The way he looked at Lin Le now was filled with newfound respect.

"This... this is a miracle! It’s absolutely incredible!" Professor Cui and his students, who had followed them in from outside, were equally stunned, almost suspecting they were dreaming. Yesterday, they had dismissed Lin Le’s methods as mere trickery, but they never expected it to actually work.

"Tell me, what exactly was that potion? Our team is willing to pay a high price for it! Name your price!" Professor Cui asked, brimming with excitement. His team specialized in plant growth research and believed that Lin Le’s potion could significantly advance their work. Furthermore, with their team’s resources, they were certain they could unlock its immense economic potential.

"I’m sorry, but that potion is a secret formula. I’m afraid I cannot sell it," Lin Le replied with a smile. He was counting on the spiritual liquid to help him build his own fortune, so he wouldn't sell it easily. Besides, the liquid was no ordinary substance; even if Lin Le gave them the recipe, they wouldn't be able to replicate it, as it required techniques from the world of cultivation that modern industrial technology simply could not achieve.

After hearing the refusal, Professor Cui was quite dejected. Having studied botany for years, he never expected to be bested by a high school student, and he left with his team in low spirits.

In the mansion’s living room, staff had already prepared a meal, and a jubilant Ji Ronghao invited Lin Le and the others to dine. Following the incident with the orchid, his attitude toward Lin Le had shifted dramatically; the entire meal was centered around the young man, much to Ji Xiaorui’s playful annoyance at her father.

After the meal, once Ji Xiaorui and Ji Xiaohai had stepped away, Ji Ronghao finally opened his heart to Lin Le.

"Xiao Le, do you know that this Sky-Reaching Orchid was left behind by Xiaorui’s mother while she was still alive?"

"Oh?" Lin Le was taken aback. It finally clicked why Ji Ronghao valued the plant so much, and why he had been so devastated when it began to wither.

"The hobby of tending to flowers and plants was her favorite. I didn't know anything about it back then; I was too rough and unrefined. It was only after she passed away that I slowly learned how to care for them. It’s just a pity that it was already too late..." As Ji Ronghao spoke, his face was filled with memories, as if he were reliving the past.

Seeing him like this, Lin Le felt a sense of empathy. He realized then that Ji Ronghao didn't truly love gardening for its own sake; he had turned it into a way to cherish the memory of Ji Xiaorui’s mother. He never imagined that this seemingly coarse and wealthy tycoon possessed such a sensitive and delicate side.

Moments later, a thought occurred to Lin Le, and he took the small bottle of spiritual liquid from his pocket and placed it in front of Ji Ronghao.

"Xiao Le, what is this?" Ji Ronghao asked, puzzled.

"I’m giving this half-bottle of liquid to you, Uncle Ji. If the orchid ever gets into trouble again, you can use it for an emergency."

"But didn't you say it was a secret formula? You wouldn't sell it to Professor Cui even for a high price, yet you’re giving it to me?" Ji Ronghao was deeply surprised.

"They wanted to use it to make money. You are using it to honor a memory. That is different," Lin Le said calmly.

"This... then I shall accept your kindness!" Ji Ronghao looked at Lin Le, deeply moved. He had seen too many young people like Zhang Yang—either hypocritical or reckless and shallow. He had almost never encountered a youth like Lin Le, who possessed both talent and such a humble, sensible nature.

Ji Ronghao felt a great fondness for this young man. He couldn't help but think that the relationship between his daughter and this boy seemed to be more than just that of teacher and student or friends. Judging by how Xiaorui treated him, she clearly had feelings for him. If such an outstanding young man could become his son-in-law, that would certainly be a wonderful thing.

After chatting a while longer, Lin Le checked the time and, feeling it was time to go, told Ji Xiaorui he was leaving. He headed out of the Ji mansion, prepared to visit his mother, Xie Qiushan, at the Xie family estate.

Before leaving, Ji Xiaorui led Lin Le to the mansion’s parking lot, picked out a Cadillac, and tossed him the keys. Knowing he was heading to the prestigious Xie family, and not wanting to embarrass his father, Lin Le accepted the keys without protest.

The Xie family estate was located on Kowloon Mountain, situated within the Third Ring Road of Shangjing. Kowloon Mountain was the only peak within the city's Fifth Ring Road. As the capital of China and the historical residence of emperors, Shangjing was considered a land of true dragons. It was said that Kowloon Mountain had once been an imperial retreat, and its location and prestige were unmatched. It represented the pinnacle of status for any citizen outside the imperial court.

As one of the most prominent families in China, the Xie estate was truly spectacular. It occupied the entire summit of Kowloon Mountain, offering a view of all of Shangjing—and in terms of perspective, a view of all of China. This unique location symbolized the Xie family’s unparalleled status as the premier family in the country.

Although Lin Le was technically part of the Xie family, he had never stepped through their gates since he was born. The reason was that the Xie family had always looked down upon his father, Lin Tenghui’s, background. As a family with centuries of history, the Xies held strict rules regarding social standing, placing immense value on marrying into families of equal status. To them, a marriage was a tool to secure vast connections and strengthen the family’s future—a far more useful endeavor than associating with an ordinary family.

Lin Le’s mother, Xie Qiushan, had been cast aside for defying the wishes of the family head, her father, Xie Jiuling. Even Lin Le, despite carrying the Xie bloodline, had been treated with contempt and never once acknowledged by them.

Lin Le looked at the towering Kowloon Mountain in the distance, his expression darkening slightly.

"Shangjing Xie family," he whispered, "I have arrived."