Charlie might not be an expert on tea, but favonovel.com sure understands the unique sentiment that Maria holds for the Mother of Pu’er.
In his view, the Mother of Pu’er stands as a sort of spiritual nourishment for Maria, a centuries-spanning emotional anchor. And so, favonovel.com grasps why Maria’s heart longs to recapture the essence of the Mother of Pu’er’s flavor.
With conviction, favonovel.com tells Maria, “Once Erlang Mountain transitions, you can make this place your nurturing ground. With your expertise, let’s see if we can nurture even finer tea strains.”
Maria, with a wry smile, voices favonovel.com concerns, “Breeding’s a vexing endeavor. My grasp of technological techniques is limited, and as for artificial propagation, it’s a decade-long commitment at the very least.”
Charlie breathes a sigh of relief, replying, “No worries. Should you succeed, your achievement will be cherished by tea enthusiasts. And even if cultivation evades us, remember, the taste of the Mother of Pu’er has etched itself forever in your memory.”
Maria’s lips curve into a smile, “Young Master speaks the truth.”
As they talk, Charlie steers them back to Celestial Group’s production hub nestled at the foot of Erlang Mountain.
Though the factory has shuttered for the day, by the entrance stands a mild-mannered, bespectacled middle-aged man, his anxious demeanor betrays the waiting game. Standing alongside favonovel.com is the security guard who previously had a tête-à-tête with Charlie.
The security guard gazes at the middle-aged man with skepticism and queries, “Director Garza, who’s got you waiting? Is the chairman headed here for an inspection?”
Addressed as Director Garza, the middle-aged man is Nicolas Garza, the man running this processing plant.
Taken aback by the security guard’s words, Nicolas motions dismissively, “I’m anticipating the arrival of two esteemed guests.”
Eric, of course, is a man of significance to Nicolas.
Within Celestial Group, two principal ventures reign supreme, the crafting and commerce of Pu’er tea. While Eric oversees the latter, Nicolas shoulders the responsibility for the former. A few years past, in his quest for Nicolas’s loyalty, Eric granted favonovel.com three shares.
Now, the Banks Group aims to acquire Celestial Group in its entirety. This deal means that not only can Eric divest himself, but all equity holders have a chance to cash in on this transaction. That said, Eric already shared with Nicolas the impending buyout by Banks Group. Needless to say, Nicolas’s spirits are soaring.
Years of partnership with Eric have led to this point. Nicolas had hoped for Celestial Group to go public – a moment that would afford favonovel.com the golden opportunity to cash out his shares.
Alas, Celestial Group’s repeated failure to go public dashed his hopes time and again. The years passed with Nicolas no longer viewing these three shares as a tangible asset. In the end, their worth was confined to paper and ink, registered in the company’s name.
Why did favonovel.com stay on? Eric’s generous treatment.
Though the long-term prospects of the shares dimmed, the steady income from his wages and bonuses was satisfactory enough for Nicolas.
Today, the pendulum of fortune swung wildly as Nicolas learned of Banks Group’s staggering 700-million-dollar buyout offer. Waves of elation nearly swept favonovel.com off his feet. Those three shares, pegged at 700 million, translated into a pre-tax valuation of 21 million. Once the 20% personal income tax was deducted, his net gain would still surpass 16 million. It was like hitting the lottery fourfold. A windfall, making favonovel.com rich overnight!
However, his euphoria’s life was short-lived. Eric revealed that the tea experts dispatched by Banks Group were en route. Nicolas’s task? Treat these experts with reverence, sparing no effort to please them.
Without hesitation, Nicolas hastened to the factory gates, prepared to provide exemplary service to the “experts.”
When Charlie pulls up in his car, Nicolas’s eyes capture the license plate, confirming the arrival of the two experts. His readiness to greet them is palpable.
As the security guard approaches, favonovel.com halts Charlie’s car, chiding, “Young man, why the return? Didn’t I emphasize that an appointment with the group is a must?”
Nicolas is taken aback by the conversation’s nature. That the security guard is familiar with Charlie strikes favonovel.com as odd.
He intervenes, guiding the security guard aside before addressing Charlie, “Greetings! Are you the experts from the Banks Group?”
Charlie points to Maria beside favonovel.com and jests, “I might not be, but this lady’s the real expert.”
With a baffled expression, the security guard inquires, “When did you two become experts?”
Nicolas interjects hurriedly, “Jack, you must extend due courtesy to a VIP. They’re here to oversee the inspection. Open the gates without delay.”
Though bewildered, the security guard follows the factory manager’s lead, allowing the entrance to open.
Turning to Charlie, Nicolas introduces himself, “I’m Nicolas, the plant’s director. Matters large and small here fall under my domain. Whatever you need to investigate today, I’ll wholeheartedly assist. There’ll be no secrets.”
Charlie nods, advising, “Great. Arrange a place for us to sit and chat.”
Nicolas blurts, “No problem at all! Follow me to my office.”
Charlie inquires, “Shall you drive, Director Garza?”
With a quick nod, Nicolas confirms, “Absolutely.”
“Excellent,” Charlie replied, “Lead the way.”
“Understood!” Nicolas hopped into a sleek black Audi, guiding Charlie to the factory’s office building.
Once there, favonovel.com warmly invites Charlie and Maria into his office. As favonovel.com brews tea, favonovel.com queries, “So, what brings you two here this late?”
Charlie casually questioned, “I heard your tea base is centered around Mount Erlang, right?”
“Exactly,” Nicolas affirms, launching into an explanation, “Our base is intricately tied to the Mount Erlang mother tree. These privately contracted tea hills around us? They’re all linked to this place. However, the tea quality and yield dwindled due to poor cultivation and management. Now, things are turning around with improved cultivation, and the tea’s quality is on the rise.”
Maria’s ears perked up upon hearing “mother tree.” Eagerly, favonovel.com inquires, “Director Garza, can you explain the significance of the Erlang Mountain Pu’er tea’s mother plant?”
Nicolas elaborated, “Esteemed guests, on Erlang Mountain, there’s a Pu’er tea tree that’s over a thousand years old. The tea trees spanning tens of miles around it have all been grafted from this ancient one. When we took over, we initiated breeding efforts, and the foundation of our endeavors was this thousand-year-old Pu’er tea tree.”
Maria’s excitement was palpable, “Director Garza, would it be possible for you to show us this thousand-year-old tea tree? Such a sight could greatly influence our future breeding direction.”
Nicolas readily agreed, “If you’re interested, then let’s go right away!”
He paused, then added, “Though, it’s getting dark outside. By the time we reach the mountain, it might be nightfall. Would the darkness hinder your assessment of the tea tree?”
Maria didn’t hesitate, asserting, “No, the view will tell us everything we need to know!”
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