Chapter 26: What If I Pay for It?

In a corner of the bar, a man with a buzz cut shuddered.

"Is this... the feeling of being watched?"

"Impossible. I'm hidden so well; who could possibly discover me?"

He had suppressed his aura entirely, to the point where even a feng shui master would mistake him for an ordinary person just there to join the crowd, rather than an evil cultivator. The man shook his head slightly, deciding it must have been an illusion.

Chen Fan and Zhao Chenxi did not bother with entry tickets; they walked straight up to Manager Song.

This move made Jiang Yueshan scoff with disdain. *Heh, how foolish. That’s what happens when you’ve never been to an auction before. Trying to bypass the entry ticket by going straight to Manager Song...*

Before Jiang Yueshan’s internal mockery could finish, Manager Song greeted Chen Fan and Zhao Chenxi with a face full of smiles and ushered them inside.

"So, the distinguished guests appointed by Brother Fu have arrived! Please, step right in! The best private box has already been prepared for you two."

Chen Fan gave a slight nod and, with Zhao Chenxi in tow, was led by Manager Song through a hidden door. Jiang Yueshan’s face turned dark as he witnessed this.

"Xiao Han, I think we should get a private box too, don't you?"

Han Chunyu’s facial muscles twitched as he smiled. "Yes, yes, of course. But since we came so suddenly, we didn't book one in advance."

He muttered under his breath, "Damn it, the family only has about a million in liquid assets, and you want to sit in a private box?"

***

Passing through the hidden door, the auction venue was well-organized, even incorporating feng shui arrangements designed to bring wealth in without letting it flow out.

Manager Song led Chen Fan and Zhao Chenxi to a private box on the second floor, directly facing the auction stage.

"Mr. Chen, if you need anything at all, just call me. With Brother Fu as your guarantor, we can arrange for payment after the auction if you prefer," Manager Song said with a smile.

Chen Fan waved his hand slightly. "No need. Just follow the standard procedures. I don't like owing money, and I like owing favors even less."

It was clear to everyone that the "guarantee" Song mentioned was actually a favor. If Chen Fan accepted, Fu Ankang would owe Song a favor. Chen Fan had no desire to be entangled in such debts.

"Understood!"

Manager Song smiled. "Mr. Chen, call me if you need anything! I’ll go back to maintaining order in the hall."

He found an excuse to turn and leave. The moment the door closed, he shook his head. "A pity I couldn't get Fu Ankang to owe a favor..."

Zhao Chenxi flopped onto the soft leather sofa. She sipped her cocktail through a straw and stared curiously at Chen Fan.

"What are you planning to bid on?"

"Let me calculate my savings... hmm, I have about a million."

Chen Fan, who was about to speak, paused. A million was a massive sum for a young person in their early twenties, but it was clearly nowhere near enough to win the Yao'an Iron Finger Ring.

"If there were many people involved in the death of your parents, I will only kill the one who actually dealt the blow," Chen Fan sighed.

The "Little Golden Retriever" nodded vigorously.

After a bit of idle chatter, the host, dressed in a vibrant red cheongsam, finished her opening remarks. A staff member brought out a palm-sized bronze tripod.

"A four-eared tripod forged in the late Ming Dynasty. The maker is unknown, but experts believe it was likely used by royalty for ancestral worship. It holds high collector value. The starting price is 800,000, with a minimum bid increment of 10,000."

Zhao Chenxi rested her chin in her hands, tilting her head to stare at the small tripod.

"This little thing is actually kind of cute."

"Do you want to bid?" Chen Fan chuckled.

"Hmm..." Zhao Chenxi hesitated for a second before immediately raising her paddle. "1.1 million!"

The bid caused everyone in the hall to turn their gaze toward her. Even Chen Fan was surprised. The minimum increment was only 10,000; why did she jump straight to 1.1 million?

"Why bid so much?" Chen Fan asked with a smile.

Zhao Chenxi stuck out her tongue playfully. "Because that’s all the money I have."

*Is this the wisdom of going all-in?* Chen Fan mused to himself.

In the hall below, some guests were shocked, some frowned, and others were furious.

Han Chunyu’s brow furrowed. "This is just driving up the cost."

"Damn it!" Jiang Yueshan gritted his teeth, his face full of indignation. "It must be him. He heard we wanted to bid on this tripod and is intentionally jacking up the price!"

Jiang Xiao kept a look of annoyance on her face, but a glimmer of joy flashed in her eyes. She interpreted this as Chen Fan still caring for her, trying to get her attention by creating obstacles.

"Brother Han, you can definitely still win it, right?" Jiang Xiao asked.

"Of course."

Han Chunyu started to speak, then stopped. "Oh no, I forgot—my father froze my card!"

"What? How can that be?!" Jiang Xiao’s voice was urgent, and Jiang Yueshan’s face showed clear panic. Their whole goal in coming here was to find a bargain and make a killing! Now, having been "maliciously outbid" by Chen Fan, failing to win would mean losing face *and* missing out on a huge profit.

"Sigh!" Han Chunyu let out a long sigh. "My relationship with my father was already strained. I fell in love with Xiao at first sight and swore to marry her. We had a huge fight last night, and I never expected him to freeze my card today..."

"It’s a shame. I originally wanted to use those two million as a dowry for Xiao. Well, there’s nothing else worth seeing now. Let’s go."

Seeing Han Chunyu looking dejected and preparing to leave, Jiang Yueshan panicked. *Two million!* If they could just secure this tripod, they could flip it for two million. Who wouldn't want to take that gamble?

"It's fine, I'll cover the cost for now," Jiang Yueshan said with a smile.

Han Chunyu shook his head repeatedly. "How could I let you pay for it, Uncle Yueshan?"

"It’s nothing. Besides, Xiao Yu, you’re practically family! What does it matter if I put up the money?" Jiang Yueshan laughed. "I'll just have to trouble your grandfather to use his connections to help us sell this tripod later."

Han Chunyu smiled.