Chapter 16 The Law of Market Equilibrium! Balance Surpasses Seven Figures!

Li Yan first nodded at Chen Feng, then continued, “But whether there was a misunderstanding doesn’t matter anymore. Now that these fish are out, no one will acknowledge the fish Liu Dong provided as top-quality.”

“That’s true!” Chen Feng naturally understood the reasoning.

It’s not just fish, it’s the same with people.

Back when he was in school, there were certain types of girls; they’d always be invited to parties to liven things up. Among them, a few always commanded the highest prices. But once even more beautiful girls joined their ranks—even just one or two, it was manageable, and a special premium category could be created. If their numbers grew, would anyone still pay the original top prices? Absolutely not. The previous top-priced girls would now be relegated to second-tier status.

This is the law of market equilibrium. Except for a few special things, nothing can escape this law.

It applies now as well: the market price for top-quality Neptune grouper is over forty thousand per fish. With Mr. Chu’s batch of Neptune groupers—over a hundred of them—no one will pay that price for Liu Dong’s so-called premium fish anymore. They’ll only be willing to pay over forty thousand for the ones right in front of them.

Chen Feng and Li Yan hurriedly scooped a few more fish from the tank at random; each one was of the same superior quality.

Chen Feng turned to Chu Lin and said, “Mr. Chu, the current market price for premium Neptune grouper is over forty thousand apiece, but I hope you’ll leave me some room. I’m willing to take the entire batch at forty thousand each, and I’d like to pay the taxes on behalf of our shop.”

Chu Lin understood the market equilibrium law, and had already considered offering some concessions. Chen Feng’s offer matched his expectations, so he had no reason to refuse. Smiling, he replied, “Let’s do as you say, Young Master Chen.”

He was puzzled about the matter of paying taxes on behalf, but since they were in business, everyone had their own methods. The price was satisfactory, so there was no need to pry further.

With the deal settled, Chen Feng called his people to make arrangements. After all, these hundred Neptune groupers needed specialized transport to be moved.

Soon, the aroma of grilled food drifted through the air.

“Looks like the seafood’s nearly ready.” Chu Lin, with Chen Feng and Li Yan, headed to the courtyard of the prefab house. Huang Bin was busy at two barbecue grills, roasting scallops and sea cucumber. Liu Fa emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of clam soup, placing it on the table. There was also a bowl of boiled Atlantis prawns.

“Young Master Chen, Mr. Chu, the scallops and sea cucumber are almost done,” Huang Bin said with a smile as he spotted them. He continued to raise Chu Lin’s stature, honoring his brother without embarrassment.

Chen Feng’s gaze was immediately drawn to the boiled prawns. Knowing these were the very Atlantis prawns supplied to Zhi Zhen, he stepped forward, grabbed one, peeled it, and popped it into his mouth.

Moments later, he exclaimed in surprise, “It’s just as delicious as before! Last time I ate these prawns at Zhi Zhen and asked Cai Yao where they sourced them, she kept it secret. But I still found out it was from Mr. Chu here.”

Chu Lin was surprised. “You know Miss Cai?”

“Cai Yao and I have known each other since childhood. Our families come from the same town,” Chen Feng explained, then added, “Mr. Chu, next time we’re free, let’s invite her and have a get-together.”

Chu Lin didn’t take the polite words to heart and instead said, “Young Master Chen, try this clam soup!”

“Just the size of Mr. Chu’s clams is remarkable—I must taste it.” Without hesitation, Chen Feng ladled himself a bowl. He drank a couple sips of the broth and ate a piece of clam, then couldn’t help but praise, “It really is delicious! Li Yan, give it a try—I guarantee you’ve never had clams this tasty.”

Li Yan thought his boss was just being courteous. After all, clams were nothing new, and no matter how expensive, they were still just clams. But when he tasted a bowl, his face showed the same surprise. “Mr. Chu, how do you raise these clams? I’ve truly never eaten clams so delicious!”

Huang Bin chimed in, “These clams aren’t found on the market. Only Mr. Chu has them. Young Master Chen, try the scallops and sea cucumber too—the sea cucumber, especially, will blow your mind!”

“Is it really that amazing?” Had it been before, Chen Feng would have scoffed, but now curiosity drove him forward. He picked up a piece of grilled sea cucumber and tasted it.

He frowned. “It just tastes like sea cucumber—no different from the usual ones.”

“Don’t rush, Young Master Chen. You’ll see after a while,” Huang Bin said, smiling, as he distributed the grilled scallops and sea cucumber to Li Yan and Liu Fa.

Chen Feng was full of doubts. He’d already tasted it; the flavor was as expected—how could it possibly change? What was there to wait for?

The grilled scallops, however, were indeed exceptionally delicious—unlike any he’d tasted before.

Suddenly, he was caught off guard. His body began to feel warm and comfortable in a way he’d never experienced.

This wasn’t normal. He instinctively looked at Huang Bin. “What’s happening?”

Huang Bin smiled, “Young Master Chen, you feel it? Comfortable, right? Sea cucumber boosts physical constitution—it’s highly nourishing. How could you not feel it?”

“Ah?” Chen Feng gaped in astonishment.

Eating sea cucumber for nourishment, to enhance constitution—was that really the result of eating it? Surely, he thought, this must be a joke. Sea cucumber has such effects?

Then it dawned on him—only these sea cucumbers had this effect; ordinary ones did not. In fact, all the seafood he’d tasted today was unlike anything he’d ever eaten before—not even his father had tried such delicacies.

Chen Feng immediately requested, “Mr. Chu, your sea cucumbers are extraordinary. How much do they cost? I’d like to buy a batch.”

Chu Lin explained, “Young Master Chen, these aren’t farmed by me. I just managed to acquire a few this time. If you like, I can gift you a few, and if I get more in the future, I’ll notify you.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng quickly agreed, “Mr. Chu, it’s settled then.”

He didn’t pry any further. He knew well that just because Mr. Chu could get such things didn’t mean he could, even if he tried. A rat has its own paths, a snake its own ways—the circles are different.

He was a second-generation rich kid; his father had plenty of assets. But in certain circles, people didn’t necessarily acknowledge their status. Otherwise, how could they never have tasted such exquisite seafood or such miraculous sea cucumber in Min City?

No matter what, this seemingly simple and rough seafood meal was the most delicious and unforgettable feast he’d ever had in his life.

After the meal, two special transport vehicles drove into the shrimp farm.

The drivers got out and opened the cargo compartments, revealing large holding tanks equipped with oxygen and filtration systems.

“Mr. Chu, shall we begin packing and inventory?” Chen Feng asked as the vehicles arrived.

Chu Lin nodded.

Both sides began the formal handover.

One Neptune grouper after another was scooped from the farm, registered, and loaded onto the trucks. Each was of premium quality. In the end, all one hundred were loaded.

The price for the batch came to four million; after taxes, it was three-point-six million.

“Mr. Chu, here’s your contract. The money will be transferred shortly. I’ll pay the taxes online—just give me your ID number and phone number,” Chen Feng said, handing Chu Lin a contract. He added, “But before I leave, don’t forget the sea cucumbers you promised me.”

Chu Lin took the contract and smiled, “How could I forget? I’ll fetch them now!”

In a short while, he scooped up four sea cucumbers and handed them to Chen Feng.

At that moment, his phone vibrated with a bank notification:

“Your account ending in… has received 3,600,000.00 yuan. Balance: 3,897,238.00 yuan.”

Seeing the message, Chu Lin couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

In an instant, his account balance had soared past seven figures.