309: 303 309: 303 In the main office hall, Wei Fang paced back and forth.
He wanted to go back to the reception room to see what exactly his uncle, Wei Zhidong, and Chen Hai were discussing.
Unfortunately, after hesitating for quite a while, he still lacked the courage to step back into that small reception room.
The incident that had occurred to him not long ago still left him shaken.
He couldn’t figure out what that terrifying monster, with its gaping maw wanting to swallow him whole, was all about!
Just recalling that monstrously fearsome appearance of the creature made Wei Fang’s legs go weak, and he couldn’t help but shiver several times.
He vaguely guessed that the monster must be related to Chen Hai.
After all, before the monster appeared in his sight, he distinctly remembered Chen Hai glaring fiercely at him and shouting for him to get out.
As a man of honor, he had initially wanted to stand his ground and throw a few harsh words at Chen Hai.
Unfortunately, the appearance of the monster had terrified him so much that he had scampered out of the room, fleeing into this main hall.
The workers in the hall were just a bunch of rural laborers, yet they pointed and mocked him?
At that moment, Wei Fang wanted to lash out at them.
However, considering they were numerous and physically imposing, he chose not to react immediately, but rather to keep his anger suppressed temporarily.
“Uncle, you’re out?
How did it go with Chen Hai…”
Seeing Wei Zhidong emerge from the reception room, Wei Fang hurriedly greeted him.
However, upon seeing Chen Hai also step out, his pace halted abruptly, and he stopped talking.
With evident fear in his eyes, he hung his head low, seemingly unable to even look directly at Chen Hai.
“Master Chen finally agreed to help.
Fang, let’s head straight to Black Stone Reservoir now!” Wei Zhidong nodded and responded.
He actually had a son and a daughter.
However, his daughter was set on becoming a movie star.
To fulfill her dream, Wei Zhidong pulled some strings and sent her to a film studio in Xiangjiang, where she had started taking on minor roles.
As for his son, a good-for-nothing second-generation, proficient in indulging in food, drink, and gambling.
Compared to his own children, his nephew Wei Fang, despite having many flaws, had studied abroad.
Wei Zhidong obviously wanted to groom him well by keeping him by his side.
If he turned out to be a promising individual and pleased Wei Zhidong with his actions, perhaps Wei’s Aquatic Products would be handed over to him to manage in the future.
Wei Fang was well aware of his uncle’s intentions.
All along, he had always tried to please his uncle in front of him and had been extremely well-behaved.
Sadly, this time, he had quite embarrassingly made a fool of himself in front of his uncle.
Fortunately, his uncle didn’t seem to blame him much.
Seeing that his uncle was still pleasant towards him when talking, Wei Fang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Are we going to Black Stone Reservoir now?” He was slightly stunned but quickly recovered, “Chen…
Master Chen, is he going with us?”
While mentioning Chen Hai, Wei Fang still sneaked a few glances at him using the corners of his eyes.
Once bitten, twice shy.
Having been frightened by Chen Hai as a small punishment, he didn’t know why, but every time he saw Chen Hai, he would remember that fearsome monster and felt weak and powerless in his legs.
“Wei Fang, you drive and take Elder Wei.
I’m worried you might accidentally drive the Jeep Cherokee into a ditch!”
With a meaningful glance at Wei Fang, Chen Hai chuckled and added, “If you’re driving, just take Elder Wei.”
“I’ll drive myself there, no need to bother you!”
“Of course, don’t drive too fast.
I’m not familiar with the way to Black Stone Reservoir, and without you leading the way, I wouldn’t know how to get there!”
While speaking, he casually smiled and pulled out his car keys, showing them off in front of Wei Zhidong and Wei Fang.
The last time, when Ye Cheng asked him to deal with the Green-haired Zombie, it was because he had chosen to ride in a car instead of driving himself.
As a result, after dealing with the Green-haired Zombie, he had trouble getting a ride back.
Once burned, twice cautious.
Having had that unpleasant experience, Chen Hai naturally felt that driving himself to Black Stone Reservoir would be much more convenient.
…
Black Stone Reservoir, surrounded by mountains on three sides.
Its area, conservatively estimated, spanned at least a few thousand acres.
A three-story western-style building stood on the reservoir’s shore.
Originally, this small western-style building housed a restaurant and some small shops, but it had long since closed down.
Driving here, initially the road was smooth and clear, except for the last six or seven kilometers which was a bit narrow and rugged.
Chen Hai drove a Jeep Cherokee, a vehicle good for off-roading, which meant that despite the rough mountain roads, the only adjustment needed was a slightly slower speed.
Even so, as he followed Wei Zhidong and his nephew to the small building by the Black Stone Reservoir, it still took them two to three hours.
Several days had passed since the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the trees growing around the reservoir were plenty, with leaves that had already turned yellow and dry.
Due to recent neglect, piles of fallen leaves were nearly everywhere around the reservoir.
“If it weren’t for the issues at the reservoir, this season, people would be flocking here to fish,” one remarked.
“The fish from the reservoir are sold in the city for two to three RMB per kilogram.”
“Those who come here to fish pay us eight RMB per kilogram they catch.”
“For the anglers, it’s not about the money; it’s the enjoyment that counts.”
“After all, the fish they catch are theirs, and they don’t have to pay out of pocket as they have corporate reimbursements.”
“In past years, we could earn more than two hundred thousand RMB a year from these anglers!”
…
Stepping out of the car and standing in front of the small western-style building, Wei Zhidong pointed toward the surface of the reservoir, just a few dozen meters away.
He sighed and began explaining to Chen Hai.
It seemed that the restaurant and shops inside this building were specifically intended for the convenience of the anglers.
As for the prices, they likely conformed to the standards of tourist spots.
Unfortunately, these places had all since shut down, and Chen Hai couldn’t be sure if his assumptions were correct.
By the time Chen Hai and Wei Zhidong and his nephew arrived near the small building by the reservoir, a van had already parked there.
“Taoist Wang, the meal and drinks are done, and, before we knew it, it’s already noon.
When do you plan to start the ritual?” asked Zhang.
“Zhang, what you don’t know is that midday is the peak time when the yang energy is strongest between heaven and earth.”
“At this time, performing the ritual will achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Now, while the time favors us, let’s go and you’ll see just how skilled I am!”
“Taoist Wang, then we’ll leave the matter of the reservoir in your capable hands!”
…
Just as Chen Hai and the others with Wei Zhidong intended to enter the building for a brief rest.
An old Taoist dressed in a Taoist robe, with white hair and beard, looking dignified, came striding out of the building surrounded by four or five people.
“Boss!”
“Manager Wei…”
Upon spotting Chen Hai and Wei Zhidong, the group escorting the Taoist quickly jogged over and respectfully greeted Wei Zhidong and Wei Fang.
As for Chen Hai, they didn’t recognize him.
However, considering he had come with their boss, the group still gave Chen Hai a nod and a smile as a form of greeting.
“Elder Wei, your staff mentioned that you were busy and couldn’t make it today.”
“I was really a bit disappointed.
I thought maybe you doubted my abilities and wanted to find someone more capable!”
“It seems I misunderstood you.”
“Knowing that I was about to start the ritual, you rushed over here without delay.
Seeing your sincerity, I will certainly resolve this reservoir issue perfectly for you!”
Taoist Wang now turned his gaze over to Wei Zhidong and respectfully greeted him.
It must be said, this guy had the looks and demeanor of a truly cultivated master.
In sharp contrast, Chen Hai, in his sneakers and casual clothes, with a face still showing traces of youth, presented a strikingly distinct image.
To the average person, upon a first glance, it would be difficult to link him with the image of a high and mighty Taoist master.
Taoist Wang had naturally noticed Chen Hai.
Although he found him vaguely familiar, he didn’t think too much about it, assuming they had met when Taoist Wang had visited Wei Zhidong’s company.
When he saw Taoist Wang, Chen Hai’s expression suddenly turned peculiar.
“Taoist Wang, aren’t you supposed to be in a critical period of fasting, typically surviving on just tomato sauce?”
“What’s this?
Coming to the Black Stone Reservoir and starting to indulge in meat and liquor?”
“You don’t mean to tell me that you’ve failed your fast and have gone back to enjoying rich meals?”
Trying hard not to laugh, Chen Hai greeted Taoist Wang and teased him.