Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

Chapter 126: Chapter 121: Paper Gold

The Cigar Master in front of Wang Yan took the already-lit cigar, puffed on it twice herself, and then handed it to Wang Yan.

’So...’

’That’s how you test the draw.’

A flash of realization dawned in Jiang Ruan’s eyes. She silently committed every action of the two Cigar Masters to memory.

"Chairman Gu, Oscar has every brand of Cuban cigar, as well as most non-Cuban brands. We have regular production cigars from all the major labels, limited editions, and even auction pieces."

Wang Yan, acting as the intermediary, gave a simple introduction on Oscar’s behalf, then asked Gu Heng, "What would you like to see? I’ll have Oscar get it for you."

"We’ve all just sat down, let’s not make a fuss."

"We can talk about the regular production stuff later. For now, let’s see what kind of rare finds President Ka has."

Gu Heng then added, "On one condition: only the rare finds you’re actually willing to part with, President Ka. Don’t bring out anything you’re not selling. No need to tempt us with things we can’t have."

"Alright."

"Then please, make yourselves comfortable. I’m going to the vault."

Oscar gestured to the group, then stood up from the sofa and walked toward the back of the cigar room.

"Old Wang, what are your and Chairman Gu’s plans for later?"

Gao Zihang shot a glance at Gu Heng while speaking to Wang Yan. "Since this is my first time meeting Chairman Gu, if you two don’t have anything else going on, how about we grab dinner together later?"

"We just finished dinner before driving over."

"We’ll be here at Oscar’s for a bit, but we have to check out a few other places later."

Wang Yan explained briefly before declining, "We’re not sure how long we’ll take, so you guys go ahead and eat without us."

"Then how about we schedule a time for drinks?"

Gao Zihang and Wang Yan had known each other for over twenty years. In all that time, he could count on one hand the number of people Wang Yan treated with such gravity. But to have both of the Wang siblings personally entertain a guest like this? That was something he had never seen before.

That was why he’d shamelessly tried to use Wang Yan to create more opportunities to socialize with Gu Heng, hoping to secure a connection.

"We’ll discuss it later."

Wang Yan understood what Gao Zihang was getting at, but he couldn’t make decisions on Gu Heng’s behalf, so he could only deflect the suggestion for the time being.

As they chatted, Oscar, who had just left, quickly returned from the back of the cigar room with two staff members.

The two staff members behind him each carried an inscrutable black case, while Oscar himself held a long, curved-top cigar humidor with a black piano-lacquer finish.

When Oscar returned with the two staff members, he placed the humidor he was carrying directly in front of Gu Heng.

"Chairman Gu, this is the Habanos 50th Anniversary Humidor."

"It’s a global limited edition of 1,966 units. Inside are twenty specially sized Habanos Majestuoso 1966 cigars. My box here is number 1069."

Oscar sat back down in his original spot and continued his introduction with a smile, while the two Cigar Masters who had been attending to Gu Heng and Wang Yan, their hands now sheathed in white gloves, slowly opened the Habanos 50th Anniversary Humidor.

Inside the humidor, the top layer was a custom foam cloth. Once it was removed, a full row of Habanos Majestuoso 1966 cigars was revealed in the center, flanked by a thermometer and a hygrometer.

Perfect wrappers, immense size.

"Habanos Majestuoso 1966. 150mm in length, 58 ring gauge."

"Dense smoke, a rich sweetness on the palate, full-bodied aroma."

As Gu Heng looked at the row of Habanos Majestuoso 1966s before him, their stats and tasting notes immediately surfaced in his mind, and he began to evaluate them subconsciously.

If Oscar was merely a little surprised when Gu Heng had identified the Habanos GR at a glance, he was now faintly shocked.

The Habanos GR was a popular release from the last couple of years, so most seasoned aficionados knew of it. But the Habanos Majestuoso 1966 was significantly rarer.

Yet Gu Heng had recited its specs and tasting notes off the top of his head.

What did that imply?

’It means that not only has Gu Heng smoked a Habanos Majestuoso 1966 before, he’s smoked many of them. Otherwise, there’s no way he would know the flavor profile so clearly.’

"Chairman Gu!"

"Impressive!"

Oscar felt a strange excitement, and the way he looked at Gu Heng changed subtly, as if he had just met a kindred spirit.

"President Ka, name your price."

"Now that you’ve brought it out, I can’t very well let you take it back."

With the foundation of the [Cigar Appreciation Card], Gu Heng knew cigars like the back of his hand. He knew exactly what was worth collecting and what wasn’t.

This Habanos 50th Anniversary was extremely collectible.

Smoke one, and there’s one less in the world.

The construction, taste, and feel were all impeccable.

"Chairman Gu, 1.09 million."

Oscar said with a smile, "That’s the lowest price. If you want it, it’s yours."

As Oscar’s words faded, Jiang Ruan, who was sitting beside Gu Heng, felt waves ripple through her heart, which had just been as calm as a placid lake.

Twenty cigars for 1.09 million.

That was an average of about 55,000 per cigar. It was more expensive than gold; calling them "paper gold" was no exaggeration at all.

First, a private jet, and now million-dollar cigars.

Jiang Ruan sometimes truly felt that Gu Heng was like a battering ram, not only brutally forcing open her body, but also brutally broadening her horizons.

"Sold."

Oscar’s asking price was within the normal range.

All imported cigars are subject to extremely high taxes to be sold in the country, so prices on the mainland were drastically inflated compared to Hong Kong or Macau.

If one’s personal demand was small and they didn’t mind the hassle, they could always go to Hong Kong, Macau, or abroad to buy them in person.

Gu Heng was clearly not in this category. He was here today on a shopping spree. With the mission rewards from Father Tongzi as a safety net, why would he care about a little premium?

’I’ll do as I please! Time to spend like crazy!’

Seeing Gu Heng agree so readily, without even a moment’s hesitation, Oscar couldn’t help but wonder. Was Gu Heng just so wealthy that he didn’t care, or did he know the market so well that he recognized the price was fair and didn’t bother haggling?

After a moment’s analysis, Oscar concluded it was likely a bit of both.

"Chairman Gu, does this Habanos 50th Anniversary set meet with your approval?"

Oscar shot a look at the two Cigar Masters. They immediately began to seal the Habanos 50th Anniversary box right there on the spot, while Oscar turned to Gu Heng and asked with a smile.

"It meets with my approval."

Gu Heng smiled. "But if this is what you call a ’rare find,’ President Ka, then I might be a little disappointed."

"Excellent!"

"Since Chairman Gu isn’t satisfied, let’s continue!"

With that, Oscar raised a hand and gestured without turning his head.

Two meters away, one of the two staff members who had been waiting on standby immediately brought a black case forward. Then, under the curious gazes of the group, he slowly began to remove its contents...

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