Chapter 28: I Propose a Partnership-Você disse que me daria um divórcio digno, mas depois de se divorciar se arrependeu(Uma noite tão bela, por quê...)

Even Song Hong, a man who had seen countless people in his time, was stunned at that moment.

Did he just openly admit he had no money?

"Um." Song Hong’s expression soured. "Mr. Chen, are you planning to involve Brother Fu?"

Something worth five million had been bid up to a staggering one hundred million. Even if Chen Fan had Fu Ankang as a guarantor, one hundred million was a massive sum. Would Fu Ankang really pay that much for him?

Chen Fan shook his head slightly. "That won't be necessary."

The little blonde girl looked startled and waved her hands frantically. "I don't have that much money either!"

Chen Fan chuckled; he found the girl's line of reasoning rather amusing. He didn't need old man Fu to pay, and naturally, he didn't need the girl to pay either.

"Mr. Song, do you honestly believe you and this auction house are worth a hundred million?" Chen Fan asked calmly.

"You... what are you trying to do?" Song Hong grew nervous and quickly signaled the two security guards behind him. If Chen Fan made any sudden moves, they were to take him down immediately. This was a threat—not just to him, but to the entire auction house!

"Pixiu, Pixiu, always taking in and never letting out..." Chen Fan smiled faintly. "Don't be nervous, Mr. Song. Your auction house is set up with a 'Pixiu Swallowing Water' feng shui arrangement."

"The front hall is designed to harbor falsehoods to gather the water’s energy, and water represents wealth flowing in. Once guests pass through the dark entrance, they are like water entering the belly of the Pixiu."

Chen Fan glanced through the window at the auction floor. "A design that only takes in must also have a hidden chamber. If I’m not mistaken... there is a white jade Pixiu statue enshrined in the office behind this auction hall, isn't there?"

Song Hong hadn't intended to entertain this, but when he remembered the statue in his boss’s office, his brow furrowed. "And what does that have to do with anything?"

"For the past two months, your auction house has suffered repeated setbacks, and your income has failed to match your expenses," Chen Fan stated coolly. "Furthermore, there have been frequent accidents—either someone gets injured on the job or staff members keep quitting. If I’m not mistaken, something has gone wrong with the 'Pixiu Swallowing Water' arrangement, or perhaps, someone has broken it."

Song Hong looked hesitant. When the location for the auction house was first chosen, he had seen his boss bringing an elderly man around to inspect the grounds. He hadn't wanted to believe in such things, but the fact that Chen Fan could accurately describe the problems the auction house had faced over the past few months...

"Mr. Chen, I must consult my boss about this."

Chen Fan nodded slightly, and Song Hong immediately led the guards out, closing the door respectfully behind them.

Zhao Chenxi rested her chin on her hand, staring at Chen Fan with curiosity. "Tell me, where did you learn this feng shui and divination? Can you teach me?"

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow. "It’s a secret technique of my sect, not to be passed on to outsiders. If you really want to learn, I could send you to Dongning."

"Dongning?" Zhao Chenxi waved her hands repeatedly. "No, no way, that’s too far!" After her refusal, she looked curious again. "Chen Fan, will the owner of this auction house really come?"

Chen Fan didn't answer. He simply opened the small refrigerator in the private room and took out a bottle of iced cola.

...

Downstairs, Song Hong hurried down the stairs. Seeing this, Jiang Yueshan curled his lips into a smirk. "Heh, I knew it! Chen Fan was just putting on a brave face. How could he possibly come up with a hundred million?"

"Exactly, it's impossible for him to pay!" Jiang Xiao chimed in. She would be delighted if Chen Fan couldn't pay. But if he actually produced the hundred million to buy that nameless ring, it would be even more unbearable for her than losing the money herself.

Han Chunyu’s expression was complex; he was already thinking about making an exit. He would pull off this scam on the Jiang family and then vanish! If the Jiang family offended someone powerful while he was still here, he would be dragged down with them.

A moment later, Song Hong returned with a bloated man in a brown suit, running up the stairs.

"Sss, so that’s the owner of this auction house," Han Chunyu exclaimed subconsciously.

"Him?" Jiang Xiao asked curiously. "Brother Han, is there something special about this guy?"

Han Chunyu showed a hint of trepidation before straightening his expression. "I’ve heard my grandfather mention him. This is Ma Yangxia, 'Boss Ma,' who made a name for himself back in the days of Qingcheng."

Jiang Yueshan had clearly heard of Ma Yangxia’s reputation. He panicked for a few seconds, then his lips curled into a laugh. "Haha! He actually provoked Boss Ma. Chen Fan definitely can't pay; he's finished!"

Han Chunyu’s face twitched; he just wanted to leave as soon as this auction ended. Even if he didn't get the small tripod, he had to go!

The people participating in the auction heard Jiang Yueshan’s loud remarks and couldn't help but look back.

Ma Yangxia reached the top floor. With his heavy frame, he stood at the entrance, and his mere presence caused the surrounding bodyguards to feel immense pressure. Even Song Hong’s hands trembled as he opened the door for Ma Yangxia.

"You are Mr. Chen?"

Ma Yangxia took a step forward, his gaze instantly locking onto Chen Fan, who was still sipping his iced cola.

"Indeed, that is me," Chen Fan nodded slightly.

Ma Yangxia signaled for Song Hong to close the door, then said slowly, "Manager Song told me something—you seem to have some understanding of feng shui."

Seeing Ma Yangxia, who stood nearly two meters tall like a stone wall, the little blonde girl huddled closer to Chen Fan in fear.

Chen Fan remained calm. "It is more than just 'some understanding.' I can help you restore the feng shui to its proper state."

"And your payment to me will be one hundred million."

A faint, cold smile appeared on Ma Yangxia’s otherwise stoic face. He sat down across from Chen Fan unhurriedly. "Do you know what happened to the feng shui master who laid out this 'Pixiu Swallowing Water' arrangement for me?"

"That master caused the death of my beloved wife. I beat him to death with my own two fists and buried him beneath my feet."

"He spent his final moments repenting. And you... will you repent?"

Chen Fan took another leisurely sip of his iced cola and met Ma Yangxia’s gaze with a smile.

"I will not repent. I am offering a partnership."

"Whether you wish to cooperate or not is up to you."