"Oh, Mr. Li has taken a fancy to these items?" Elder Long asked, looking at the pictures of ancient artifact fragments in the catalog with some surprise.
If it were anyone else, he would have dismissed it as poor eyesight or a lack of discernment. But Li Yang not only saw through the provenance of his treasured possessions but also managed to identify several fakes among so many artifacts, indicating his extraordinary vision.
Could the things this person fancied be ordinary?
Li Yang smiled and said, "There is something good among these fragments, and I need it very much. However, it may not be useful to you, Elder Long."
"Since you need it, we won't call Boss Feng for now. Let's see what expression he has when he sees me alive and kicking at the auction," Elder Long sneered.
As evening approached, Long Lingling went to the gambling stone场 to oversee things, while Li Yang, in Elder Long's chauffeured car, arrived at the auction venue.
Almost all the attendees at this auction were wealthy magnates and influential figures. The organizers had prepared fine wines and delicacies for everyone present.
A man in his fifties, dressed in a stylish green suit with his hair dyed a vibrant green, was holding a glass of wine, with a beautiful woman in his arms, looking utterly content.
However, just as he was about to lift his wine glass to take a sip, he suddenly spotted Elder Long. His fingers trembled, and with a clatter, the wine glass fell to the ground and shattered!
"Elder, Elder Long?"
"Boss Feng, it's been a while. Seeing me suddenly, why aren't you happy? Instead, you seem to be afraid of me?" Elder Long walked over, looking at him with a smile.
Boss Feng quickly pushed the woman beside him away and stood up from his seat, chuckling nervously, "Not at all, not at all! I'm just so surprised and delighted to see Elder Long after such a long time."
"Elder Long, you've been away for so long, are you in good health?"
"Thanks to Mr. Li's divine medical skills, I am very well," Elder Long stared at him and said, "Boss Feng, did you think I was going to die soon?"
"How could I? I've always longed for the day I could meet Elder Long again and have a chat," Boss Feng quickly replied, "Please, have a seat, Elder Long."
"Boss Feng, he's already identified you. What's the point of continuing to pretend?" Suddenly, a duck-like voice cut through the air, sharp and grating.
Boss Feng's face changed drastically. He turned to look at the man who had spoken and said in a panic, "Mr. Huang, you mustn't speak carelessly. What am I pretending about?"
"Heh heh," Mr. Huang scratched a mole on his face, then stroked his handlebar mustache. His small eyes held a hint of coldness as he stated directly, "We both know what you did to the gilded Guanyin and Buddha statues you gave to Elder Long."
"And I imagine Elder Long knows very well now, doesn't he?"
"Was it you who cast the curse?" Elder Long asked, staring at him.
Mr. Huang smiled and said, "Yes, it was me."
"Did I do anything to offend you?" Elder Long's gaze held a hint of confusion as he stared at him.
With no prior enmity, this fellow cursed him? He was either mentally ill or psychologically twisted, definitely a pervert!
Mr. Huang chuckled coldly, "We indeed have no enmity, but Boss Feng doesn't want to remain second forever. By eliminating you, he can expand his business from South Myanmar to here."
"But you just didn't die. Now that's troublesome."
"Shut up!" Boss Feng glared at him angrily, but with things having gone this far, there was no point in acting anymore.
He sneered at Elder Long, "Hmph, I admit it. It was indeed me who wanted to harm you. You're truly lucky to have survived such a curse. And you have a good daughter who managed the Haolong Gambling Stone场 meticulously when you were on the brink of danger."
"Otherwise, not only would you be dead now, but the title of China's number one jade tycoon would also belong to me, Feng Bu'er!"
"It's good that you admit it, Boss Feng," Elder Long glanced at him coldly and said to Li Yang, "Mr. Li, let's go sit over there."
"Certainly, Elder Long," Li Yang nodded.
Watching them leave, Mr. Huang scoffed, "I thought this Elder Long was quite capable. I wonder how he would deal with you after knowing you harmed him."
"But it seems he's just famous for nothing."
"Indeed, only I, Feng Bu'er, am truly deserving!" Feng Bu'er said with a stern face, also feeling a sense of relief.
He hadn't expected Elder Long to be so calm after learning the truth.
Li Yang's lips curved slightly, and he smiled, "Elder Long, things aren't that simple, are they?"
"Of course, it won't be settled this easily. Later, when that fellow fancies something, Mr. Li, please help me bid aggressively against him," Elder Long said with a grim expression. "As long as the loss isn't too significant, anything is acceptable."
"I understand," Li Yang nodded.
The auction soon began. The host, a mature man in his early thirties, delivered some opening remarks with a microphone before getting down to business. "I've said all that needs to be said, so I won't waste everyone's precious time."
"We will now begin the auction. The first item is fragments of unknown ancient artifacts. The starting bid is one thousand yuan, with no limit on bidding increments."
"Interested guests may now bid."
"What's so good about these fragments?" Everyone shook their heads, and many showed little interest.
Generally, such fragments were bought by antique restorers or those who specialized in making fakes. Otherwise, museums would purchase some for exhibition.
But as times changed and archaeological work progressed, almost no public museum needed to purchase fragments anymore.
"Two thousand yuan," Feng Bu'er suddenly called out. "It's the first item, so we shouldn't let it go unsold. It would be bad luck."
"Boss Feng is considerate," everyone smiled at him, and even the auction host couldn't help but feel more favorably towards him.
The host smiled, "Two thousand yuan once, twice, thri—"
"Three thousand!" Suddenly, a voice called out.
The host was taken aback and looked towards the source of the voice. He saw a young man bidding. "This gentleman bids three thousand yuan. Are there any higher bids?"
"Four thousand," Feng Bu'er glanced at Li Yang suspiciously and bid a higher price.
This kid!
Mr. Huang said, "Boss Feng, it seems this kid is deliberately trying to provoke you. Why don't you just let him have it? For such a piece of junk, I wouldn't even pay eight hundred yuan. If he buys it for eight thousand, he's a complete fool."
"We can't let him have it!" Feng Bu'er said in a deep voice.
"Why? Is this kid angering you?"
"No, it's because this kid's name is Li Yang!" Feng Bu'er said with a grave expression. He had watched the entire live broadcast yesterday morning!
He hadn't recognized Li Yang when he was with Elder Long earlier, but the more he looked, the more familiar he seemed, realizing it was the young appraisal expert from the broadcast.
"Whatever this kid fancies, it must be something significant!"
"Thirty thousand yuan!"