Chapter 29: Helping Bring in Customers

The next morning, Jiang Ye woke up early. After a quick wash, he checked his phone and his eyes lit up when he saw a message from Jiang Kai.

That kid Jiang Kai was truly capable! He had managed to secure four leads overnight.

Jiang Ye initially considered calling him back, but checked the time. For night owls like them, this hour was still deep in dreamland. He decided to wait until later to call and get the contracts signed as soon as possible.

As usual, Jiang Ye went for a run around the community, encountering an elderly neighbor he knew well.

"Out for your morning run, Little Ye?"

"Yes, sir!"

A neighbor, Auntie Wang, was returning from the market and greeted him enthusiastically. "Little Ye, you're in such great shape! When are you going to bring a girlfriend home?"

"Hahaha, fate hasn't brought one yet," Jiang Ye replied, hastily ending the dreaded topic and slipping away. He was terrified that Auntie Wang’s next sentence would be an offer to set him up.

After two laps, Jiang Ye stopped at his familiar bun shop with the red storefront. He ordered four spicy tofu buns and a bowl of savory tofu pudding.

Back at his travel agency, Jiang Ye leaned back on the sofa, scrolling through his phone. He wondered how Zhang Minghui was doing. He checked the industry forums, hoping to find someone who had taken clients to the Yunxiang Residence community, but realized that since he no longer lived there, he was no longer an owner. After searching for a long time without finding anything useful, he tossed his phone onto the sofa.

*Sigh*, it seemed he would have to find another way.

*Ding-dong.* Jiang Ye picked up his phone, saw the message from Zhang Minghui, and immediately sat up straight.

[I have an uncle who knows an owner living in Yunxiang Residence. He and the owner are on good terms. I’ll take you to meet him in a while. Perhaps he’ll agree out of respect for my uncle.]

"Damn! Zhang Minghui is good."

Jiang Ye immediately replied, and the two agreed to meet at the entrance of the Yunxiang Residence villa district.

At nine o'clock in the morning, at the gates of Yunxiang Residence, Jiang Ye stood under a ginkgo tree. He watched as Zhang Minghui, dressed in a sharp suit, walked toward the security booth, looking every bit the polished business elite.

"Hello, I’m here to see Mr. Zhang Huaiming, the owner of Villa No. 7," Zhang Minghui stated his purpose directly. "I am Director Wang's nephew, here for a special visit."

The security guard eyed the stranger suspiciously. As a top-tier luxury residential area, Yunxiang Residence always maintained strict visitor registration. "Wait a moment!" The guard followed protocol and dialed the owner's number.

In Villa No. 7, Zhang Huaiming was in a foul mood. Between the inexplicable car breakdown in the early hours and the subsequent call from the military district abruptly canceling the deal, he hadn’t managed to fall asleep until dawn. Having only just drifted off, he was jolted awake by the ringing phone. He was beyond irritable—did people ever let a man rest?

"Mr. Zhang, there is someone at the gate claiming to be the nephew of Director Wang who wishes to see you," the guard's voice came through the receiver.

"Director Wang?" Zhang Huaiming repeated, dazed. Suddenly, he sat bolt upright. "Wait! Which Director Wang?"

"One moment, let me ask." After relaying the question to the owner, the guard turned to Zhang Minghui. "Which Director Wang? What is his full name?"

Zhang Minghui gave the name directly. "Wang Jianjun. He asked me to convey his regards to Mr. Zhang and ask if his car is still in good condition."

The guard repeated the message verbatim.

Zhang Huaiming was instantly wide awake, nearly tumbling out of bed. "Let them in! No, wait! I’ll come to pick them up myself!"

The tycoon, who had been bleary-eyed just five minutes ago, was now frantically stuffing his shirt into his bathrobe. He rushed downstairs while fastening his belt, not even noticing that his slippers were on the wrong feet. The call from the high-ranking military official last night and the suspicious cancellation of the deal had made him realize that the matter was far from simple.

Zhang Huaiming drove out. Upon seeing Zhang Minghui, his face broke into a fawning smile. "How is your uncle's health?"

"Very well! My uncle asked me to convey his best wishes."

"Hahaha, Director Wang is too kind. Quick, get in the car, let's talk at my place." Zhang Huaiming ushered Zhang Minghui into the car.

Zhang Minghui looked toward Jiang Ye.

Only then did Zhang Huaiming notice Jiang Ye. "And this is?"

Zhang Minghui smiled and introduced him, "A friend of mine."

"Good, good, get in. I'll have some good food prepared for you today." As they drove, Zhang Huaiming chatted enthusiastically about various topics.

Back at the villa, Zhang Huaiming hurried to have his staff prepare tea and refreshments.

Zhang Minghui raised a hand to stop him. "No need to trouble yourself, Uncle Zhang. We won't be staying long."

He took an exquisite gift box from his briefcase. "My uncle asked me to bring you this wild mountain ginseng to help boost your health."

Zhang Huaiming accepted it, visibly flattered, and waved his hands repeatedly. "How could I accept this! Director Wang is far too generous!"

"My uncle mentioned that you’ve been working too hard lately," Zhang Minghui said, sipping his tea with a meaningful look. "You should go traveling more often and relax."

Zhang Huaiming paused. Though he didn't grasp the deeper meaning, he followed the lead. "Yes, yes, you're right. I have been thinking about planning a vacation lately."

"What a coincidence," Zhang Minghui said, gesturing toward Jiang Ye. "My friend here specializes in unique travel experiences."

Jiang Ye seized the moment to hand over his business card. "We specialize in in-depth cultural experience tours."

Zhang Huaiming understood. "Oh! Our group is just about to organize a trip for our executives!" He slapped his thigh in realization. "You’ve come at the perfect time!"

Jiang Ye was secretly startled; this uncle of Zhang Minghui’s seemed to be someone of significant importance. The way this Mr. Zhang was acting was proof enough. Clearly, the man had misunderstood them, thinking they were just there to drum up business.

Jiang Ye decided to be direct. "Mr. Zhang, we came today to invite you to join a special travel group—a time-travel experience to the Qin Dynasty."

"Oh, a tour to a film studio? That sounds quite nice," Zhang Huaiming responded with a polite smile, though he had no interest in man-made tourist traps. As for the word "time-travel," he dismissed it entirely as a marketing gimmick, similar to shows like *Dreams of the Great Qin*.

Zhang Minghui smiled and corrected him, "Uncle Zhang, you’ve misunderstood. The tour led by Director Jiang allows you to travel back to 218 BC—the actual Qin Dynasty from two thousand two hundred years ago."

He enunciated every word clearly.

The hand holding Zhang Huaiming’s teacup trembled slightly. He looked at the two men in astonishment. Seeing the grave expression on Zhang Minghui’s face, a string in his mind suddenly snapped taut. He almost thought he had misheard, or that he was hallucinating due to his lack of sleep.

"You... you mean, it's... it's traveling to... to the Qin Dynasty? The one with the First Emperor?" Zhang Huaiming couldn't help but confirm.

"Exactly!" Jiang Ye and Zhang Minghui nodded in unison.

Zhang Huaiming nodded, his face returning to a mask of calm, while a massive storm raged within his heart.