Chapter Eight: The Auction

Zhao Fan hurriedly stopped his vehicle. Ahead of him was a red BMW, the latest X series by the look of it—worth about eight hundred thousand.

The driver was a young man wearing sunglasses, his hair slicked back and his face delicate, exuding the air of a pampered rich kid.

“I’m talking to you! Are you deaf? This car is brand new, fresh off the lot. Any repairs will start at fifty thousand. You scratched my car—how are you going to pay for it?”

Fifty thousand?

Zhao Fan frowned slightly. This was sheer extortion.

He wasn’t short of money these days, but that didn’t mean he was going to let someone take advantage of him.

He examined the barely noticeable scratch, then let out a soft laugh. “A bit of paint will fix that. And you’re asking me for fifty thousand? Are you insane?”

The young man immediately bristled, his tone rude and condescending. “Who do you think you are? Do you even know what a luxury car is, you broke delivery boy? There are only five of these in all of Yang City, and the parts are shipped from overseas. Look at how deep that scratch is—fifty thousand is already letting you off easy!”

In the future, luxury cars would be everywhere, and even Lamborghinis and Rolls Royces would seem common. A mere BMW was nothing to Zhao Fan.

The man looked Zhao Fan up and down and sneered, “You look so poor I doubt you could afford to pay anyway. Fine, I’ll chalk this up to bad luck and go through insurance.”

“But don’t think you’re off the hook. Don’t even think about leaving—when the insurance company gets here, you’ll pay every cent you owe!”

Zhao Fan frowned again. The auction was starting in an hour, and he didn’t have time to waste here.

Suddenly, a sweet, slightly uncertain voice called out:

“Zhao Fan?”

Startled, Zhao Fan looked toward the BMW’s passenger seat. He’d been so caught up arguing with the young man that he hadn’t noticed the girl inside—long-haired, clear-featured, and graceful.

She looked familiar. He stared at her, searching his memory.

“And you are…?”

The girl got out of the car, her face lighting up with surprise. “It really is you, Zhao Fan! I’m Yang Yuqing—we were classmates in high school. Don’t you remember me?”

With her words, Zhao Fan’s memory stirred. Yang Yuqing, the school beauty from his high school days. Back then, he’d been young, handsome, and talented, attracting a crowd of admirers and making him something of a legend at school.

He and Yang Yuqing had once shared a subtle, ambiguous affection—the innocent, bittersweet crush of youth. But before anything could blossom, his family encountered trouble and he’d had to drop out to support them, losing touch with Yang Yuqing entirely.

After that, he’d met Wang Ying and lived a life full of hardship and frustration. Seeing Yang Yuqing again now, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

Yang Yuqing was clearly excited. “Zhao Fan, I heard back in high school that your family went through some hard times. Are you all right now? It’s been years since we last met. What a coincidence to run into you here.”

She turned to the young man. “Bai Yu, this is my friend Zhao Fan. For my sake, can we just forget about the scratch?”

Bai Yu replied in a mocking tone, “Yuqing, where do you find such poor friends?”

Yang Yuqing glanced at Zhao Fan apologetically and quickly said, “Don’t talk nonsense. He was my high school classmate—talented and an excellent student. It’s just… oh, never mind. There’s no point telling you all this.”

“Zhao Fan, forget the compensation. We’re heading to the auction at Tianmao Tower. Where are you going? Maybe we can give you a lift.”

Yang Yuqing smiled, as outgoing and lively as she’d been in high school.

Zhao Fan, realizing they were headed in the same direction, replied, “Perfect, I’m going to the auction as well. Thank you, Yuqing.”

Before Zhao Fan could say more, Bai Yu couldn’t help sneering, “Did I hear that right? That auction is the biggest event Yang City’s ever seen. If you don’t have at least a million to your name, you wouldn’t dare step inside. What could a pauper like you possibly hope to buy?”

“Bai Yu, can you stop talking rubbish?” Yang Yuqing interrupted. Bai Yu was her suitor, and their families were old friends, but deep down she resented being bound by family interests. She just wanted to pursue her own love.

Seeing Zhao Fan again, she sensed he’d changed—more composed and mature than before, and that new air about him was unexpectedly captivating. Her heart brimmed with hope.

Zhao Fan ignored Bai Yu’s provocations, chatting happily with Yang Yuqing along the way.

Bai Yu sensed something off between them, his jealousy flaring. How could a penniless nobody compete with him for a woman’s affection?

Just wait until they arrived—he’d make sure Zhao Fan was humiliated!