Lin Chuan and Wang Pangzi chatted for a while before Lin Chuan gave him the boot, sending him back to his shop.
He couldn't have Wang Pangzi freeloading at his place all day.
As for himself, he began his boring and monotonous cultivation in his shop.
...
Three days later, at noon.
Lin Chuan and Jin Wantiang went to the New Moon Restaurant for their appointment.
Wang Pangzi's shop was strangely closed today.
He asked Jin Wantiang, who told him that Wang Pangzi had to pick someone up at the airport and wouldn't be able to make it.
“Lin Ye, please!”
Under Jin Wantiang's guidance, they entered a private room on the second floor.
“Wantiang, you have some clout in Beijing.”
Jin Wantiang laughed, “Lin Ye, you're joking. My business thrives thanks to the support of my colleagues.”
Lin Chuan didn't want to engage in pleasantries and went straight to the point, “Everything is arranged?”
“You can rest assured, I handle things professionally.”
“Besides, the people coming today are not simple. And there are some who specifically came for your items.”
Jin Wantiang said this with utmost confidence.
Hearing this, Lin Chuan started to examine each private room on the second floor.
Each private room had two seats.
One on the left and one on the right. The left seat in one of the rooms was already occupied.
Although a curtain obscured the person, their presence emanated an air of wealth and prestige.
The auction was about to begin.
Jin Wantiang stood next to Lin Chuan, introducing, “Lin Ye, when the auction starts, you sit on the left side. If you see something you like, just tell me and someone will ring the bell for you.”
“Remember, don't sit on the right side. That's the 'lighting the lamp' position.”
Lin Chuan waved his hand, interrupting, “I know the rules about ‘lighting the lamp’, no need for further explanation.”
Jin Wantiang nodded, “It seems Lin Ye is a frequent visitor of the New Moon Restaurant. If that's the case, I won't say anymore.”
Lin Chuan sat on the left side, with Jin Wantiang standing beside him.
They waited for the auction to start.
With a clear bell chime, the auction officially began.
The New Moon Restaurant didn't have many items up for auction.
But each one was rare and valuable.
As time ticked by.
The first round of the auction had ended.
Every private room on the second floor had already placed bids, except for Lin Chuan's, who had remained silent.
The auctioneer on stage was a beautiful woman in a stylish qipao, her figure was curvy and alluring.
Under her guidance, the second round of the auction officially began.
“The second round of the auction will now begin.”
“This round includes four items: Deer Antler Grass, Jade Gate Essence, Toad Blue, and Blue Snake Gall.”
“Due to the need for special preservation methods for these herbs.”
“The New Moon Restaurant will temporarily keep them during the auction. They will be delivered to the owner for inspection immediately after the auction concludes.”
“The first item of this round, Deer Antler Grass, starting price one million.”
“Minimum bid increment of two hundred thousand.”
As the auctioneer's words fell.
Many guests on the first floor began discussing in hushed voices.
But no one placed a bid.
“Lin Ye.”
Jin Wantiang, knowing Lin Chuan’s purpose for coming, softly reminded him.
“No rush.”
Lin Chuan waved his hand.
He wanted to see who among those present had their eyes on this herb.
Finally, after a moment of silence.
A clear bell sound echoed from the second floor.
Someone couldn't hold back.
“Two million.”
Lin Chuan looked over, seeing a man in his fifties, with slicked-back hair, his hand twirling a string of jade beads.
“Who is that?”
Lin Chuan asked.
“Liuli Sun.”
“If this gentleman is determined to obtain these herbs.”
“Lin Ye, I'm afraid you'll have a hard time today.”
Jin Wantiang introduced him.
Liuli Sun, so it was this guy.
Lin Chuan knew.
The top dog amongst Beijing's antique and curio collectors.
He only appeared when the New Moon Restaurant auctioned off rare treasures.
“Two million five hundred thousand.”
Soon, another private room echoed with a voice.
Lin Chuan looked over.
Behind the curtain of the private room, an old foreigner, his face somewhat weathered.
“Three million.”
Liuli Sun continued bidding.
“Four million.”
The foreigner was not giving up.
Except for them two, no one else bid. Even those genuinely interested were deterred by this price.
Liuli Sun's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
It was obvious that the price had exceeded his expectations.
Seeing him not raising the bid anymore.
The foreigner's lips curled into a slight smile, as if the Deer Antler Grass was already in his grasp.
“Four million, first time.”
The auctioneer began the final price confirmation.
“Five million.”
Lin Chuan rang the bell next to him.
His bid did not seem to surprise the foreigner across the room.
His expression seemed to indicate it was expected.
“Six million.”
“Seven million.”
“Eight million.”
“Ten million!”
When Lin Chuan shouted out this price, he immediately attracted the attention of many present.
They all wanted to see who in Beijing this was.
To pay ten million for a single herb.
It was an outrageous price!
“Lin Ye, you… ten million for a herb, it's not worth it!”
“Oh my! You’re losing money!”
Jin Wantiang slapped his thigh, looking distressed.
He knew the price was already called out, and it was too late to say anything.
“Hopefully, the other side will keep bidding, and Lin Ye, we can just pass on it.”
Jin Wantiang felt heartbroken just listening to it.
Lin Chuan's face was calm, his heart undisturbed.
Money is easy to earn, but herbs are hard to find.
This was an herb with the same medicinal effect as Kirin Blood, he wouldn’t let it slip away.
“The gentleman on the second floor, bidding ten million!”
“Are there any further bids?”
“Ten million, first time, ten million, second time.”
“Ten million, third time, sold!”
“Congratulations to the gentleman on the second floor.”
Finally, the hammer went down, the foreigner across the room did not continue bidding.
Lin Chuan had spent all the money he made on this trip, it was hard not to feel a bit of heartache.
“The second item of this round, Jade Gate Essence, starting price one million.”
“Minimum bid increment of two hundred thousand.”
The second box was revealed on the auction stage, the auctioneer rang the bell, signifying the start of the bidding.
Lin Chuan thought the foreigner would not compete for this item.
But it was the opposite.
“Two million!”
“Three million!”
…
“Ten million!”
The price was again raised to ten million.
He got the item again.
Only this time, Lin Chuan wasn't as relieved as before.
It wasn't because of the price.
He just felt that the foreigner across from him seemed to be doing it deliberately.
“Oh my... this guy is setting you up! Lin Ye, you can't fall for it again!”
Jin Wantiang was distressed.
After all, his card was being used for each item that sold!
“Wantiang, what's the background of that foreigner.”
Lin Chuan asked.
“He is also a regular customer of the New Moon Restaurant.”
“Cox Hendry, he made his fortune by dealing in antiques from China and selling them abroad. His Chinese name is Jude Kao.”
Jin Wantiang introduced.
When Lin Chuan heard this name, his eyes narrowed.
The boss behind An Ning was this guy.
“Sir, this is from Jude Kao, across the room, he asked me to give it to you.”
At this time, a woman came over and handed him a note.
Lin Chuan took it and opened it.
“Young man, if you’re short on cash, feel free to come to me, I’m happy to help.”
The note read as such.
“Lin Ye, what does it say?”
Jin Wantiang was curious.
“Heh…”
Lin Chuan crumpled the note in his hand, scoffing, “This old man wants to pretend to be a benefactor, but in reality, he's trying to pull the rug out from under you.”
With that, he stood up from his chair.
“Whew~”
“Lin Ye, you finally gave up, if you kept bidding, my card wouldn’t be able to handle it anymore.”
Jin Wantiang let out a sigh of relief.
But the next second.
He saw Lin Chuan sit down on the right side, the main seat.
This scene.
Made everyone in the room stunned!
“Is he crazy? That seat can't just be sat in like that!”
“Who the hell is that guy?”
“I've been to so many auctions and never seen anyone sit in that position.”
“He's gone mad, definitely mad!”
For a time, murmurs spread through the room.
Lin Chuan, in this moment, attracted everyone's attention.
Including the guests.
And every staff member of the New Moon Restaurant.
The bosses on the second floor.
Their expressions were equally fascinating.
No one expected.
To see this happen at the New Moon Restaurant today.
“Lin Ye!”
Jin Wantiang looked like he was losing his mind, exclaiming, “That seat can't be sat in! Something will happen!”
Lin Chuan didn’t care, he rang the bell.
“Light the lamp.”