Meeting Lin Hui

The old Daoist showed not a shred of embarrassment, wolfing down food with greasy lips and gulping wine like a starving ghost reincarnated. After swallowing a mouthful, he deftly peeled a lobster without even looking up. "This old man wanders the rivers and lakes, homeless and penniless. A hundred yuan is already generous!"

Huo Xuan, of course, wouldn't haggle with the old coot. "Take your time," he teased. "Don't choke."

"No worries, there's water on the table." The old man popped the lobster meat into his mouth, devoured it in three bites, and sighed with satisfaction.

After pouring him a few drinks, Huo Xuan made to leave—but the Daoist suddenly declared: "Boy, you've decent potential... and a discerning eye. How about becoming my disciple? I'll teach you peerless physiognomy!"

At the words "discerning eye," Huo Xuan stiffened, searching the old man's face for clues. But all he found were crusty sleep-sandwiches and murky, inscrutable pupils.

Could this grubby fraud really be the legendary seer who advised the Founding Emperor?

Suppressing his suspicion, Huo Xuan grinned. "Old man, your fortune-telling's off. Back in Beijing, everyone called you a con artist."

The Daoist straightened with sanctimonious gravity. "Blasphemy! The masses cannot fathom my art's profundity—they mistake genius for charlatanry!" Then, as if struck by inspiration, he leaned in conspiratorially: "Don't forget to send customers to my stall! I'll sweeten the deal—an extra ten yuan commission!"

Watching the old man's pained expression, Huo Xuan's awe crumbled. "A hundred's already too generous."

The Daoist patted his shoulder with greasy approval. "A teachable lad! Next reading's 20% off!"

Not long after, Huo Xuan spotted Hua Buyi sitting with the Daoist—nodding intently as if being thoroughly swindled.

By afternoon, guests began departing. Those from afar were lodged at Huo Xuan's expense. Surprisingly, Lin Hui stayed overnight in Jiangzhou.

Huo Xuan knew what this meant: a formal meet-the-future-father-in-law showdown.

At 9 p.m., Lin Yue nervously confirmed it: "Little brother... Dad wants to see you tonight."

Huo Xuan squeezed her hand. "This was inevitable. Don't worry."

She exhaled, nodding.

The classical estate, steeped in history, loomed before them. As Huo Xuan and Lin Yue drove into the courtyard, a butler emerged to greet them.

The spacious living room, adorned in full European decor, transported Huo Xuan into another world. Noticing Lin Hui seated on the sofa, he bowed slightly. "Uncle Lin."

Lin Hui gestured. "Sit."

Lin Yue perched beside Huo Xuan, her gaze darting between the two men.

Lin Hui spoke deliberately: "When I first learned of your relationship, I was furious." He leaned forward. "The Lin family has built its empire over fifty years and two generations—a jewelry conglomerate spanning the nation with billions in assets. To sustain this legacy, every member must contribute, including Lin Yue. An alliance with the Jade Gang's Xu family would benefit both houses immensely."

Huo Xuan listened impassively. Lin Hui's invitation alone signaled acceptance.

"But I hadn't anticipated you being Yang Ling's grand-disciple." Lin Hui's tone shifted. "When Liu Ziguang revealed Hua Buyi's master was Yang Ling—the man who saved my life—I realized my misjudgment. Your network is formidable, and you're already forging your own sphere of influence. Thus, I've conceded to Lin Yue's choice."

Lin Yue squeezed Huo Xuan's hand. "Thank you, Father."

"Credit your own discernment," Lin Hui said. "I'd wondered how my daughter, with her standards, could favor an ordinary nobody."

Huo Xuan shrugged. "Back then, we were merely friends. I simply gave her the courage to resist."

Lin Hui studied him. "Regardless, I won't obstruct your relationship henceforth—nor meddle in its outcome." A glint of approval surfaced. "Establishing a billion-yuan jewelry venture so swiftly proves your caliber. I have high expectations."

Lin Yue brightened. "Father, Tianxing Jewelry may even supply the Lin Group's jade needs."

Lin Hui started. "You have Jade Gang connections?"

Huo Xuan interjected: "I've associates in Myanmar controlling substantial jade reserves. Should the Lin Group require premium rough stone, I can secure it."

Lin Hui's composure cracked. Myanmar contacts? This exceeded all projections. Masking his shock, he probed: "Volume? And can you procure top-grade imperial jade?"

During the planning stages of the jewelry company, Huo Xuan had already envisioned a strategy. Relying solely on himself and Lin Yue, they could only handle a fraction of the jade market—a drop in the ocean compared to the annual trade volume of tens of billions.

Rather than limiting themselves, collaborating with the Lin Group made more sense. By operating independently while also supplying the Lin family, they could profit doubly. Tianxing Jewelry would, in turn, benefit from the Lin Group's support and resources, ensuring steady growth.

Lin Hui's astonishment and skepticism were precisely what Huo Xuan had anticipated. For a young man to accomplish what even a powerhouse like the Lin Group couldn't—it was naturally hard to believe.

With a faint smile, Huo Xuan replied, "Top-grade jade won't be an issue. But how much can the Lin Group absorb annually?"

Lin Hui pondered. "Jade accounts for roughly 20% of Lin Jewelry's sales. Based on yearly revenues of 50 billion, that's 10 billion in jade. Factoring in profit margins, we'd need to source 3 to 4 billion yuan worth of raw jade from Myanmar."

Huo Xuan was stunned internally. The markup was staggering—30-40 billion in jade could yield over 100 billion in sales!