The small piece of Soul-Stabilizing Incense quickly burned down. With everyone taking deep gulps of air, its refreshing, subtle fragrance was soon completely gone.
Everyone was left wanting more.
The effects of a small piece of Soul-Stabilizing Incense couldn't compare to a full stick. Before long, its medicinal properties wore off, and the group returned from their serene, comfortable, yet energetic state back to normal. This stirred a unanimous feeling of disappointment in their hearts.
President Lin, who had previously questioned Fang Yi, let out a heavy breath, swallowed his pride, and pleaded, "Boss Fang, Little Brother Fang, hurry up and light the other half for us!"
His expression and tone would have made anyone who didn't know better think he was an addict jonesing for a fix.
"Yeah, Brother Fang, don't be so stingy. Come on, bring out the other half."
"How much for the other half? Name your price. We'll just buy it, how about that?"
"Old Formula, I thought you were just blowing smoke before, but now I realize you weren't exaggerating in the slightest. In fact, you were being way too conservative about the effects of this Soul-Stabilizing Incense! This stuff is a true treasure. So, uh, look... can you do your brother here a favor and light the other half?"
These nine prominent figures from Rongcheng City's business world all swallowed their pride and abandoned their dignity, relentlessly begging Fang Yi with the most sycophantic expressions imaginable. Fortunately, they were in the VIP room of Hundred Herbs Hall with no outsiders present. Otherwise, the scene would have made more than a few jaws drop!
Fang Yi was secretly reveling in the moment. 'To have these nine people sucking up to me like thisā¦ Never mind just Rongcheng City; even in the entire Western Shu Province, or hell, the whole country, how many people could command this kind of treatment?'
But happy as he was, there was no way he was going to bring out the other half of the Soul-Stabilizing Incense.
Shaking his head, Fang Yi said, "My friends, it's not that I'm being stingy, nor is it an issue of money. The simple fact is, I don't have much of this Soul-Stabilizing Incense. For the near future, there are only these six boxes for sale. Personally, I only have three sticks to my name. Bringing out half a stick for you to try was already extremely generous. If you were in my shoes, would you be willing to part with it?"
The group wasn't buying his explanation. Some were about to argue further, but one of them had a faster reaction. He whipped out his wallet, pulled out a thick wad of cash, and slapped it on the table. "Here's ten thousand yuan! I'll take all six boxes of Soul-Stabilizing Incense!"
"Sorry, Boss Ma, you can't buy them all." Fang Yi blocked the man's hand and said with a chuckle, "This Soul-Stabilizing Incense costs ten thousand yuan per box. And there's a limit of one box per person!"
"What? Ten thousand yuan a box?"
Boss Ma was stunned. He had originally thought the Soul-Stabilizing Incense would cost a thousand yuan or so per box, and that by offering ten thousand for six, he would even be doing Fang Yi a favor. He never dreamed that the price would so drastically exceed his estimate.
"Isn't that price a little ridiculous?" Boss Ma said, frowning. "There are only ten sticks in one of these boxes, aren't there?"
Fang Yi just smiled. "The effects of Soul-Stabilizing Incense justify the price."
"Boss Fang is right. The Soul-Stabilizing Incense is definitely worth the price. Here, ten thousand yuan. I'll take a box!" President Lin reacted with incredible speed. Backing Fang Yi up, he had his secretary quickly produce the ten thousand yuan, then snatched up a box of Soul-Stabilizing Incense and clutched it to his chest as if terrified someone would steal it from him.
Boss Sun was no slouch either. He immediately pulled out his money and claimed the second box. As he did, he casually asked, "Boss Fang, there are nine of us here, and you only have six boxes. That's not going to be enough, is it?"
Fang Yi gave Boss Sun a mental thumbs-up. 'Now *that's* what you call a god-tier assist! This is it!'
After a deliberate cough, Fang Yi spread his hands and said with feigned regret, "My hands are tied. For now, I only have these six boxes of Soul-Stabilizing Incense, so it's first come, first served. But for those who don't get one today, don't worry. When the next shipment comes in, I'll be sure to give you priority!"
After a moment of stunned silence, the VIP room erupted. The remaining seven men all lunged for the coffee table, scrambling to grab the boxes of Soul-Stabilizing Incense.
"Boss Fang, we go way back! You have to sell a box to me!"
"And why should he sell it to you? You think you're the only one who knows Boss Fang? Boss Fang, here's ten thousand yuan! Quick, give me a box!"
"Old Formula, I'll pay twenty thousand! You have to save a box for me!"
"Don't grab! Everyone, stop! Listen to me! I've been suffering from nervous exhaustion lately, I can never seem to pull myself together. But after smelling that Soul-Stabilizing Incense, I feel completely refreshed, so much better. Please, do me this one favor and leave a box for me. I'll owe you all big time..."
"You think you're the only one with nervous exhaustion? I've got it too, and it's way worse than yours!"
"Holy shit, are we having a misery competition now? Because you can't beat me! I don't just have nervous exhaustion, I have anxiety too... Long story short, I'm getting my hands on that Soul-Stabilizing Incense one way or another!"
The seven men fell into a fierce scramble over the last four boxes, nearly coming to blows. In the end, it took all of Fang Yi's persuasive powerāand a promise to restock as soon as possibleāto calm the tempers of the three who came away empty-handed.
Those who managed to get a box were beaming with delight. The ones who missed out could only watch, filled with envy and resentment, as they repeatedly urged Fang Yi to restock. "Boss Fang, we have a deal, right?" one of them reiterated. "The moment that Soul-Stabilizing Incense is back in stock, you have to call me first!"
"Rest assured, the second they arrive, I'll call you," Fang Yi said, slapping his chest emphatically. He had already repeated some version of this promise no less than ten times in the last few minutes.
After finally seeing all nine men out, Fang Yi sank into his chair and heaved a long sigh of relief. He took a sip of his tea, then couldn't help but break into a laugh. He'd been in business for many years, but this was the first time he'd ever seen buyers waving wads of cash, practically crying and shouting, even making threats just to purchase something. This only solidified his confidence in the Soul-Stabilizing Incense.
As it turned out, Fang Yi's instincts had been correct.
The day after the six boxes of Soul-Stabilizing Incense were sold, word was already spreading. Fang Yi's phone started ringing more and more with people inquiring when he'd have more in stock.
In the fiercely competitive world of business, many elites appeared glamorous and successful on the surface but secretly endured immense suffering. Ailments triggered by excessive stressānervous exhaustion, insomnia, anxiety, and the likeāwere all too common. For these conditions, the Soul-Stabilizing Incense was nothing short of a miracle cure. Not only that, but it also boosted work efficiency and improved physical functions.
How could something so good not be popular? How could it not be a massive hit?
For the past few days, Fang Yi had been so happy he would literally laugh himself awake in his sleep.