The Dragon King Insists That I Raise Him Chapter 8

Chapter 8 A Small Man Fails to Recognize Mount Tai

For Chen Fengming to find so many adjectives on a fish face, he was quite the talent. He confirmed that the person was here for Xiaobai.

Tao Qingguan sized up Xiaobai with his peripheral vision but couldn’t spot anything special.

Honestly, he still hadn’t figured out what breed Xiaobai was. It didn’t show up in browser searches, and photo recognition failed. The closest match was a Betta fish, but Bettas didn’t have Xiaobai’s coloring, and their bodies were significantly shorter.

Without knowing the breed, he naturally couldn’t determine Xiaobai’s price, only that it was likely not cheap.

However, Chen Fengming seemed to know something.

Tao Qingguan admitted to being a little curious. He moved closer to Chen Fengming and probed indirectly, “Uncle, do you know where my grandpa bought this fish?”

Chen Fengming’s body stiffened. Where he bought it… He wouldn’t dare say ‘bought’ even if they sold him.

He sweated inwardly. Tao Lihe had told them that Tao Qingguan knew nothing, but he hadn’t expected Tao Lihe to leave the excuse incomplete, forcing him to fill in the blanks.

Chen Fengming swallowed, “It wasn’t bought. Your grandpa had a connection with it and encountered it by chance.”

Tao Qingguan gave Chen Fengming a suspicious look. A connection? Could it be that his grandpa, like him, had fished Xiaobai out of the small stream next to the house?

If so, Xiaobai had quite high ideological awareness to stage an accident for a meal.

The more Tao Qingguan thought about it, the more something felt off. He noticed Chen Fengming secretly glancing at Xiaobai several times while talking to him. A sudden realization struck him: Chen Fengming might want to buy Xiaobai.

Connection equals getting something for free equals zero cost.

The perfect equation, truly the pinnacle of bargaining.

Tao Qingguan looked at Chen Fengming with a hint of condemnation. This uncle looked kind and plump, but he was too cunning.

Fearing he was mistaken, he asked again subtly, “Uncle, you want to raise Xiaobai too?”

Of course, Chen Fengming wanted to raise it, but he didn’t have the guts. Just getting the Dragon King to remember his face would be a blessing. He only hoped that next time he summoned rain, the Dragon King would restrain his divine power and let him summon rain, even if it was just a drizzle.

He knew his talent was superior, but this place was full of elites. His talent wasn’t enough to impress anyone here. He could only resort to these underhanded methods. If the Dragon King was willing to follow him, he would agree with both hands and feet.

Chen Fengming cleared his throat and spoke reservedly, “If there’s a chance, of course, I’d like to.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle’s house is big enough, and we have everything you need. If we don’t, Uncle can definitely buy it…” Chen Fengming spoke fluently, getting more excited, as if he could really take the Dragon King away.

Tao Qingguan listened to Chen Fengming talk at length but heard no mention of a price. He stared at the other man with a deep gaze.

He wanted him to give it away for free?

Impossible, absolutely impossible. Don’t even think about it, no way.

Tao Qingguan righteously refused, “I’m afraid that won’t work. My grandpa cherishes this fish very much. If he knew I gave it away, he’d definitely settle the score with me when he gets back.”

Chen Fengming showed a look of regret upon hearing this. He didn’t press the issue and said, “That’s true. It seems we don’t have the fate.”

Tao Qingguan spoke earnestly, “Uncle Chen.”

Suddenly addressed, Chen Fengming jolted, “What is it?”

Tao Qingguan shook his head and guided him gently, “Sometimes things that rely on fate are the most expensive. They are often priceless and impossible to buy even if you have the money.”

Chen Fengming deeply agreed. If he could spend money to buy a Contractor position, why would he endure over a month of suffering here? “Alas, Uncle understands.”

Hearing this, Tao Qingguan raised an eyebrow. Chen Fengming was surprisingly perceptive. Having rejected the other man’s attempt to get it for free, Tao Qingguan felt he could show him out. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Chen Fengming continue.

“If it could be bought, I’d spend a few million, even a billion, it doesn’t matter, but alas.”

“It is… what!?”

Wait, how much did you say? How much!?

Tao Qingguan was stunned. His poor brain couldn’t process such a huge number. How many zeros followed ten billion?

“I know your grandpa definitely wouldn’t agree, so I won’t make things difficult for you.” Chen Fengming stood up and patted Tao Qingguan’s shoulder. “Uncle is leaving now. You’re a good kid. If you run into trouble in the future, feel free to come to me.”

The words Tao Qingguan was about to say were choked back. The little person in his heart was screaming, Don’t make it not difficult, make it more difficult! Forget fate, I only care about money!

He shot up and followed Chen Fengming, trying to salvage the RMB that was about to fly away. Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Tao Qingguan stopped.

Chen Fengming glanced around, his gaze shifting to one of watching a good show. He knew those people, despite saying they were worried the Dragon King might be uncomfortable and bringing things for him, were actually just like him, wanting to make an impression on the Dragon King.

He snorted inwardly, proudly puffing out his large belly. A bunch of hypocritical humans.

Chen Fengming strode to the door, asking, “Xiao Guan, did you arrange to meet someone today?”

Tao Qingguan blinked and answered honestly, “No.”

Chen Fengming raised his chin and reached for the doorknob. “I’ll see who it is for you. You’re young and easily deceived. Those people don’t know what they’re plotting in their hearts.”

“I…”

Tao Qingguan didn’t get a chance to refuse. As soon as he uttered the first word, Chen Fengming stepped forward and opened the door.

He had to swallow his words, leaving two lines of bitter tears in his heart, forced to end the conversation about selling the fish.

Tao Qingguan, hoping to send the people outside away so he could resume selling the fish, hurried to Chen Fengming’s side. He noticed Chen Fengming suddenly freeze, as if seeing something terrifying. Tao Qingguan paused, then looked toward the doorway.

An elegantly poised elderly woman stood outside the courtyard gate. Her clothes were simple, and her hair was white, but it couldn’t hide her outstanding temperament. Just standing there quietly made it impossible to look away.

The old woman nodded slightly upon seeing Tao Qingguan. When she looked at Chen Fengming, her gaze became noticeably sharper, and her tone was less polite, “Aren’t you leaving yet?”

Chen Fengming trembled slightly. He immediately stood straight and replied with a fawning smile, “I’m going, leaving right now.”

He was miserable inside. He had been careless, chatting too long, and forgotten to check the time. If the inspector caught him, he wouldn’t have an easy time.

Chen Fengming forced a smile uglier than crying and said to Tao Qingguan, “I’ll be going now. Sorry to have disturbed you.”

“It’s fine.”

Tao Qingguan secretly glanced at the old woman at the door. Although he didn’t know her relationship with Chen Fengming, Chen Fengming seemed very afraid of her.

His plan to sell the fish seemed to have collapsed midway.

Tao Qingguan’s heart bled. As he saw Chen Fengming off, he was almost in tears, holding the man’s hand and begging him to come back next time.

Forget ten billion, he’d sell the fish for one hundred million. He didn’t care if it was his grandpa’s favorite; even the Heavenly King’s favorite couldn’t stop him.

Tao Qingguan turned around dejectedly. What he didn’t see was that the old woman behind him bent down and bowed the moment he turned his back. Her expression was devout, like the most loyal believer.

Yan Jiu, inside the fish tank, felt the fluctuation of Spiritual Energy in the air and knew the visitor was greeting him. He responded with little interest.

He roughly guessed the visitor was one of the inspectors. Besides the chief inspector, eight inspectors had been arranged for this assessment, all renowned geniuses, eliminating the possibility of cheating for the vast majority.

As for why he said the vast majority…

Yan Jiu’s gaze swept over Tao Qingguan, who was buried in his phone sending messages. Right now, he had a successful example of cheating right in front of him, and a rather clueless one at that.

But even the dullest person could see Chen Fengming’s unusual attitude toward him. A child using a little brainpower could guess his true identity.

Yan Jiu flicked his tail, feeling helpless. He had chosen this form precisely because he didn’t want to deal with people like Chen Fengming. If the child tried to curry favor with him later, refusing would be troublesome.

However, considering the child was good-looking, he could reluctantly be a bit more patient.

Tao Qingguan didn’t notice Yan Jiu’s gaze. He was fully focused on sending a message to his grandpa.

He always followed online trends about missing out on billions; now, he had truly missed out on billions. Next time he missed out, it would be by the billions.

Tao Qingguan soothed his wounded little heart and complained to Tao Lihe about Chen Fengming coming to sell the fish. Mainly, he complained that Chen Fengming mentioned the price too late; if it had been just a little earlier, he would have sold it.

Soon, Tao Lihe replied.

Tao Qingguan, unprepared, clicked on the voice message as usual, and a thunderous roar echoed through the hall.

“You brat, dare to sell that fish? I’ll break your legs when I get back!”

His eardrums buzzed painfully. Tao Qingguan moved the phone farther away, not understanding why his grandpa was so furious. If he wasn’t buying, why the threat? He pouted and replied with an ‘Oh.’

The old man was vigorous and getting younger, seemingly regressing to his menopause.

But since Tao Lihe had said so, Tao Qingguan had to give up the idea of selling the fish. He turned off the phone screen and sighed deeply.

Once, a massive fortune was placed before him, but he didn’t cherish it. If he had another chance, he would definitely cherish it and say two words to it.

Give it to me!

Tao Qingguan put away his phone. When he looked up, he met Xiaobai’s gaze. He felt no guilt about being caught making secret moves, standing righteously in front of Xiaobai and saying, “Bai, I didn’t realize you were so valuable. It was my lack of vision, failing to recognize Mount Tai.”

Yan Jiu, who had heard the whole exchange: …

Hmph, not only lacking vision, but also stupid. That little money wasn’t enough to buy him.

He flicked his tail and turned away, ignoring whatever Tao Qingguan said, leaving the other with an arrogant back.

Tao Qingguan didn’t mind. He looked at Xiaobai with the utmost tenderness. That back, that tail, tsk tsk tsk. How had he not noticed how extraordinary Xiaobai was before? Who said Chen Fengming’s jokes were bad? He told them perfectly.

Simply dashing, majestic, and miraculous… what came after that?

Tao Qingguan sighed again, unable to vent his frustration. He decided to treat Xiaobai better. He walked to the feeding area and dug out another portion of food for Xiaobai.

But he hesitated before pouring the food. With Little Black, the big dummy who choked himself to death, around, Tao Qingguan was afraid Xiaobai would follow Little Black’s example. He thought about it and decided not to pour the food in. Killing Xiaobai would be a huge loss.

However, the fish food was a mix of several types, and he couldn’t separate them now.

Tao Qingguan rested his chin on his hand, looking at the fish food in his hand. The pellets were full, colorful, diverse, and had a faint fragrance. Such an expensive fish like Xiaobai must eat expensive food too.

It couldn’t be wasted.

He successfully convinced himself and extended his sinful little hand, picking up a pinch and putting it in his mouth. It was sweet and salty, getting more fragrant the more he chewed. It was a bit like eating fried rice, but the texture was much richer.

Hmm… one more bite.

Tao Qingguan chewed crunchily. He noticed Xiaobai turning to look at him, so he deliberately shook the food in his hand and said playfully, “Want some? Not for you. Be good, little fish can only eat once a day.”

Yan Jiu looked at the fish food, then at Tao Qingguan, a complex expression on his fish face.

Forget it, no need to argue with a fool.

Tao Qingguan sat on the sofa, chewing and chewing. Suddenly, he felt his phone next to him vibrate. He thought it was his grandpa nagging like a death warrant again, so Tao Qingguan ignored it.

But the phone kept ringing. He glanced over and saw it was a voice call. Tao Qingguan scoffed at the familiar name on the screen, then pressed the answer and speakerphone buttons.

“Lu Manman, do you have to be so persistent? Do you have to drag me along to get your money’s worth from that crappy postgraduate exam prep class?”

Lu Manman on the other end snorted and said, “It cost over three thousand yuan, it can’t be wasted. How much of the books I gave you have you read?”

Tao Qingguan wanted to say he hadn’t read any, but remembering he had finished one today, he vaguely replied, “Haven’t read much.”

Having been friends for so many years, Lu Manman knew Tao Qingguan well enough to know he probably hadn’t read any. He let out two cold laughs, but as he laughed, Lu Manman inexplicably felt uneasy. His tone lost its teasing quality, and he said sternly, “What are you really thinking? If you hadn’t taken leave, the Associate Chief Physician position would have been yours. I heard you didn’t even take the last exam. Didn’t you prepare for that certificate for a long time? Why are you just giving up?”

“Don’t use poor health to fool me. If you want to take it, you should crawl there and take it.”

The smile on Tao Qingguan’s face faded. He lowered his eyes, his dark eyelashes casting a shadow on his eyelids. He fiddled with the fish food in the scoop with his slender fingers and chuckled lightly, replying casually.

“Why? Can’t I just slack off? Being a Chief isn’t that great. Look at the chiefs in our department, how many aren’t bald?”