Chapter Forty-Four: The Auction Results

With Yang Qingqing’s bone marrow donation arranged, Zhao Fan returned home. He hadn’t been there long when he received a call from Mu Tianrong.

“Mr. Zhao,” Mu Tianrong’s voice was taut with nerves and urgency.

Recalling recent events, Zhao Fan suddenly realized that he had forgotten about the Song Dynasty porcelain wind-listening vase. One hundred and twenty million! He pressed his fingers to his brow, steadying his voice. “Have the auction results for the Song porcelain wind-listening vase come in?”

“Yes, they have, Mr. Zhao. Can you guess what the final price was?”

Zhao Fan could hear Mu Tianrong struggling to keep his composure, but the tremor in his voice was unmistakable. With a slight smile, Zhao Fan replied calmly, “It must have gone for over a hundred million.”

“You’re absolutely right, Mr. Zhao. It did pass a hundred million. The final price was one hundred and fifty million!”

One hundred and fifty million! Zhao Fan’s pupils contracted. That was thirty million more than in his previous life.

“How could it be so much?”

“Surprising, isn’t it? The auction house said the timing was perfect—just as a group of businessmen arrived.”

Businessmen just arrived?

“Foreigners?” Zhao Fan asked.

“Not exactly. They’re our own nationals living abroad.”

“Does the auction house require any paperwork?”

“Yes, some documentation is needed. By the way, Mr. Zhao, which account do you want the funds transferred to?”

Catching the implication, Zhao Fan said, “Just transfer it through Summer Bank, Director Mu. Thank you for your hard work.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Zhao. We’ll process the paperwork as quickly as possible.”

“Good.”

After hanging up, Zhao Fan’s eyes sparkled, and a few seconds later, a smile broke across his face. One hundred and fifty million—even after fees, he would be making a fortune.

He let out a hearty laugh. After the laughter subsided, Zhao Fan calmed himself. With over a hundred million, his finances were finally secure, and whatever he planned to do next, he could proceed with confidence.

And then he remembered the wager with the Bai family.

That plot of land worth fifty million… Now that the results were out, the Bai family must have received the news as well. The question was, would they honor the bet?

After tapping his fingers a few times, Zhao Fan decided to bide his time and wait for the Bai family’s response.

The next day, Yang City news covered the Christie’s auction of the Song Dynasty wind-listening vase. The final price stunned all those in the know, and waves of regret and self-reproach swept through the community.

“One hundred and fifty million! That’s one hundred and fifty million! When it was auctioned here in Yang City, the final price was only three million. This is… simply incredible…”

“Amazing. Everyone thought it was a fake, except for him. His judgment is razor sharp.”

While the city buzzed with admiration, the Bai household was shrouded in silence.

Bai Yu kept his head low, not daring to speak.

The family head, Bai Yongyuan, folded up the newspaper with a sigh. “This Zhao Fan is truly capable.”

A sale price of one hundred and fifty million was equivalent to over half a year’s net profit for the Bai family, and Zhao Fan had seized it for only three million.

One had to admit, his abilities were formidable.

“Father, Zhao Fan’s sale exceeded one hundred million. What about the land?”

The bet had been made at the Yang family banquet, witnessed by all the notable figures in Yang City.

But that was a plot of land worth fifty million. Was he really going to hand it over just like that?

Bai Yongyuan snorted, “Do you have any reason not to?”

Bai Yu lowered his head. They had none.

“That’s enough. This is none of your concern. Go do what you’re supposed to do.”

“But, Father…”

Bai Yongyuan shot him a look, and Bai Yu swallowed his words, not daring to protest further.

“The Yang family’s young lady is about to go abroad. I don’t expect you to make any progress with her, but you must at least secure a promise from the Yang family. Bai Yu, don’t disappoint me.”

Bai Yu bowed his head even lower. “Understood, Father.”

After Bai Yu left, Bai Yongyuan glanced at the newspaper and, picking up his coffee, poured it over the page.

“Send Secretary Wen to see me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Elsewhere, Zhao Fan was strolling leisurely toward his supermarket, which was under renovation. Compared to the anxious crowds that morning, Zhao Fan’s calm demeanor stood out starkly.

The renovation crew had already arrived and were surprised to see him.

“Boss Zhao, what brings you here so early?”

“Just thought I’d take a look since I was free. How’s the renovation going?”

“Quite smoothly.”

Zhao Fan glanced around. “Any chance of finishing ahead of schedule?”

“Well, that’s unlikely, but possible. It really depends on when this phase is done—as you know, if this part isn’t finished, we can’t move on to the next.”

Zhao Fan nodded, understanding.

“No problem, just asking. You handle the schedule as you see fit. Take your time, as long as the work is good. When it’s done, I’ll give each of you a red envelope.”

“Rest assured, Boss Zhao, we’ll do a great job for you!”

“That’s right, we’ll make sure it’s perfect!”

The mention of red envelopes sent the workers into a cheerful uproar.

Zhao Fan smiled, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and left.

Halfway along, he received a call from Chen Jianyu. “Can we meet at the hospital?”

“Of course.”

After hanging up, Zhao Fan headed straight to the hospital.

“Mr. Zhao, over here.”

As soon as he reached the hospital entrance, Zhao Fan heard someone call his surname. Instinctively, he looked over—it was Fan Hong.

“Are you here alone?”

Fan Hong scratched his head. “Boss is at the restaurant next door. He told me to wait for you here. Shall we head over?”

“Mm.”

The restaurant Fan Hong mentioned was a small, family-run place near the hospital, with less-than-perfect paperwork but affordable prices.

“So, why meet here today?” Zhao Fan asked as he sat down across from Chen Jianyu.

“If not here, where else but the hospital?”

Zhao Fan smiled. “You know what I mean.”

Chen Jianyu sighed. “I wanted to see you… to borrow some money.”

“Borrow money from me? What’s going on?”

A hint of embarrassment crossed Chen Jianyu’s face. “I just… wanted to borrow some money to start a business.”

“For business only?” Zhao Fan pressed, his tone serious. For Chen Tianyu’s sake, he was willing to lend the money, but he needed to know the real reason.

Time ticked by. Chen Jianyu wiped his face. “One of my brothers was injured and is in the hospital. He needs money for treatment.”

“Injured and hospitalized.” Zhao Fan repeated the key words slowly. “If I remember correctly, you once promised me that after you started working, no one would be missing. So how did someone get hurt?”

Chen Jianyu fell silent.

Zhao Fan leaned back, determined to wait until Chen Jianyu spoke.

As the silence dragged on, Fan Hong grew anxious and explained, “Mr. Zhao, it wasn’t our fault. The other side provoked us on purpose. We just lost our tempers, so…”

“So you resorted to violence,” Zhao Fan cut him off. “I understand you’re young and hot-blooded, but have you ever thought that someone could have died?”

Another heavy silence.

Zhao Fan nodded. “Exactly, you never considered that.”