Call me Yunqi.

Zhong Yun gazed at the largest plant in the center and asked, “How old is that one?”

Qi Lingyu glanced at the information in her hands. “That one is the oldest; it’s already one hundred and twenty-three years old.”

“How many here are over a hundred years old?” Zhong Yun inquired.

“Twenty-three in total,” Qi Lingyu quickly replied.

“So few?” Zhong Yun frowned slightly. Though the number was small, it was better than nothing. He made his decision at once. “I want them all.”

“All of them?” Qi Lingyu thought she must have misheard and couldn’t help but ask, “All twenty-three?”

“Is that a problem?” Zhong Yun countered.

“No problem at all…” Business is business, after all. If this deal went through, her commission would be enough to cover two months of her base salary. Moreover, since these had been transplanted here, not a single one had been sold. Clearing so much backlog, her manager would surely praise her.

Yet she couldn’t fathom why this man wanted so many black daturas. They weren’t particularly attractive, nor were they edible. Was he simply overflowing with money?

She had thought he was merely curious, but to buy twenty-three at once? These wealthy people’s mindsets were beyond her understanding as an ordinary citizen. Perhaps he really did have nowhere else to spend his money and just wanted something rare.

Thus, in Qi Lingyu’s mind, Zhong Yun transformed from a talented young man into a prodigal son endowed with wealth. If he had paid with Liu Yunqi’s card instead of his own, he would have been crowned the ultimate king of freeloaders.

After receiving payment, Qi Lingyu respectfully returned the bank card to Zhong Yun. She had glimpsed the balance—a string of zeros so long it made her eyes blur.

“Mr. Zhong, would you like to take them now, or shall we deliver them to your residence?”

Zhong Yun handed her his home address. “In seven days, please deliver them to this location.”

“Certainly.” Qi Lingyu carefully recorded the address, then asked, “Is there anything else you need?”

Zhong Yun turned to Liu Yunqi with a smile. “Shall we see the orchids?” Seeing her nod in agreement, he said to the guide, “Please take us to the orchid section.”

“Follow me, please.”

The orchids were in a different section, requiring a bit of a walk. Qi Lingyu led the way, with Zhong Yun and Liu Yunqi walking side by side behind her.

“Why did you buy so many black daturas?” Liu Yunqi finally couldn’t hold back her curiosity. Black datura was rather obscure, and her favorite was the orchid family. She knew little about camellias and had never heard of this flower before.

From the guide’s earlier introduction, black datura had no practical value and wasn’t particularly ornamental. Apart from its rarity, it seemed utterly useless.

“I use it to brew tea,” Zhong Yun replied.

Liu Yunqi frowned in thought. Of all the famous flowers known for making tea, black datura wasn’t among them.

Qi Lingyu, walking ahead, silently noted this. Although research showed black datura had no medicinal properties, she believed this wealthy young man wouldn’t act without purpose.

As they chatted, they arrived at the orchid section. Liu Yunqi’s attention was immediately captivated by the dazzling array of orchids.

Seeing her so absorbed, Zhong Yun tactfully wandered off to appreciate the various orchids, each possessing its own distinct beauty.

Only valuable specimens were displayed here, yet the sheer number of orchids was astonishing. Zhong Yun and his companions spent the entire morning browsing, and still hadn’t seen them all.

Checking the time and realizing lunch was approaching, Zhong Yun went to find Liu Yunqi, locating her at a corner.

The three returned to the main hall, surprised to see the elderly man holding a wilted crystal rose still there. A staff member was speaking to him; the two seemed to be arguing.

Drawing closer, they overheard that the crystal rose was beyond saving, but the old man refused to give up, insisting they check it once more.

As Zhong Yun passed by the old man, he couldn’t help but glance back as he exited. The old man’s deeply wrinkled face was full of pleading, evoking pity in anyone who saw it.

The facilities here were excellent; next door was a restaurant. After escorting them there, Qi Lingyu took her leave.

The two sat facing each other at a window-side table. Outside the enormous transparent floor-to-ceiling glass was a lush green lawn, with flowers and trees partially concealing a corner of a white building.

On the other side lay a vast emerald lake. Willows lined the shore, and beneath their shade, small groups of people rested on benches, enjoying the cool breeze drifting across the water.

Soft music played in the restaurant. The white floor was impeccably clean. Everything exuded a relaxed, leisurely atmosphere—truly a perfect place for travel and rest.

After ordering, Zhong Yun poured out the water from their glasses and took a thermos from his backpack. “Try this, I brewed it myself.” He poured out a jade-green liquid.

“No, thank you…” Liu Yunqi started to refuse, but paused at the sight of the liquid in her cup. “What is this?”

“Tea I brewed from some flowers.” Zhong Yun poured himself a cup, gently sipping it, savoring the fragrance lingering on his lips.

“It’s nothing special, but it took quite some effort to prepare. You should try it.” With that, he finished the rest in one gulp.

Liu Yunqi held the tea to her nose; a faint, refreshing aroma invigorated her spirits. “You brewed this yourself?”

Her expression was somewhat odd, but Zhong Yun didn’t notice, simply nodding.

Liu Yunqi smiled slightly and, imitating him, took a sip. After savoring it, she drank the rest in one go, contemplating the lingering taste. “It’s a very unique tea.”

Zhong Yun was about to speak when the waiter brought their dishes—local specialties, including some fresh vegetables he’d never seen and hearty, freshly grilled meat skewers.

He had to admit, the cuisine here was superb—far better than the food at the school’s hotel.

Enjoying the delicious meal and admiring the beautiful girl across from him, Zhong Yun felt a sense of wonder and emotion he’d never experienced in either this life or the previous one.

This, he thought, was life.

“Liu…” Zhong Yun hesitated, unsure how to address her. “Classmate Liu” sounded too distant, and calling her “Yunqi” felt too abrupt.

“Just call me Yunqi,” Liu Yunqi graciously helped him out.

“Yunqi…”

Zhong Yun felt both flattered and stirred. So many nights had he dreamed of this name, echoing in his mind. He never imagined he could one day say it to her face.

Calming himself, he asked the question that had been on his mind. “Why did you agree to be in a group with me? I mean, you’ve never gone out alone with a boy before.”