A chilling thought surged through Ying Chen's mind.
By rights, the old man surnamed Wei, having purchased the Ming Yue Liu Su Zhu, was no longer related to Ying Chen in any way.
Ying Chen had no right to question how the old man surnamed Wei dealt with it.
However, the old man surnamed Wei had previously vowed to Ying Chen: he would never display the item publicly, nor would he ever sell it. He intended to donate it to the country on the day of his burial, so that future generations could know the exquisite craftsmanship of the Long Kingdom's artisans.
If the old man surnamed Wei was now selling it, wouldn't that be a deception of Ying Chen?
Using such words to win Ying Chen's favor?
Fortunately, Liao Yifan's father soon provided the answer.
It wasn't the Ming Yue Liu Su Zhu, but something else, something whose value was truly comparable to the Ming Yue Liu Su Zhu!
"A Jade Burial Suit!"
Liao Yifan's father said with a hint of pride.
"To acquire this antique, our Jiadelie Auction House had to exert immense effort! Most importantly, its owner was initially unwilling to part with it, let alone auction it. We were forced to use some other means, appealing to their emotions and reason, before we could persuade the owner to transfer it to our auction house at a high price."
"If it weren't for spending over a billion to acquire the Jade Burial Suit, it wouldn't have been impossible to fully settle your debt in cash..."
Liao Yifan's father inadvertently revealed the purchase price of the Jade Burial Suit!
Acquired for over a billion, it was ultimately used to offset thirty billion for Ying Chen.
Liao Yifan's father had indeed played a clever game.
Realizing his slip of the tongue, Liao Yifan's father immediately looked at Ying Chen with trepidation.
Unexpectedly, Ying Chen showed no reaction and coldly stated, "Bring the item here to be inspected before we decide."
Indeed, the Jade Burial Suit was a rare item; no more than twenty had been unearthed in the entire Long Kingdom.
Even those in poor condition were valued at over two billion on the market.
If it were in good condition, a final price of thirty billion would be entirely plausible.
Most crucially, any Jade Burial Suit unearthed was a national protected cultural relic.
Private individuals had no channels to acquire them!
To think that the Liao family had somehow obtained one. It was imaginable that countless private collectors would be immensely interested and willing to spend a fortune to purchase this top-tier artifact.
Therefore, if the Jade Burial Suit were truly used to settle the debt, it would not be difficult to find a buyer.
"Uh... the item is not here currently; it's at the auction house."
"And besides..."
Liao Yifan's father hesitated.
Finally, he said cautiously, "According to the planned schedule, there is an auction tonight, and the Jade Burial Suit will be presented as the main attraction for auction."
Ying Chen frowned.
Was Liao Yifan's father making an empty promise with an item that was already slated for auction?
Seeing Ying Chen's displeased expression, Liao Yifan's father quickly explained, "Young Master, don't rush. We can still make it to the auction house to intercept the auction of the Jade Burial Suit."
"After all, as the highlight, the Jade Burial Suit will be auctioned at the very end. We still have time..."
With that, Liao Yifan's father looked at his filial son beside him, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and get the car!"
"If we're late and delay the Young Master from obtaining the Jade Burial Suit, I won't be able to live, and do you think you'll be able to?"
Liao Yifan shuddered at the words, quickly got up from the ground, and dashed towards the garage.
Ying Chen, however, seemed to have little faith in the father and son. He said flatly, "Tell her the auction address, and let her drive me there."
Ying Chen intended to travel with Zhuang Ruoting.
Liao Yifan's father looked at Zhuang Ruoting with a complicated expression, then sighed, "Ruoting, I was wrong about things before, please don't take it to heart. From today onwards, your engagement with the Liao family is annulled; that unfilial son truly isn't worthy of you."
"Our two families will remain close friends, our relationship unchanged. If you encounter any trouble in Xiangjiang, you can always find me, and I will do my utmost to resolve it for you."
Liao Yifan's father spoke while secretly glancing at Ying Chen.
Clearly, he had misunderstood the relationship between Ying Chen and Zhuang Ruoting, assuming Ying Chen had feelings for Zhuang Ruoting.
These words, ostensibly spoken to Zhuang Ruoting, were in reality meant for Ying Chen.
How could Zhuang Ruoting not understand the implied meaning?
Her face immediately flushed, and she stammered, attempting to explain, but Ying Chen was too impatient to waste time on such matters.
He cut to the chase and urged, "The address."
"Let's go."
Liao Yifan's father quickly relayed the auction address to Zhuang Ruoting.
Zhuang Ruoting also quickly silenced herself, walked out of the Liao residence, started the car, and drove Ying Chen towards the auction house.
It was at this moment that Liao Yifan drove over from the garage.
Looking at his son, who was slow to act in everything, Liao Yifan's father slapped him, "You useless scoundrel! If I rely on you, the Liao family will be ruined sooner or later!"
"Drive! We'll deal with you after this is over! Your wings have grown strong, and you dare to betray even your own father?"
Liao Yifan cowered, his eyes darting away.
"Dad, don't misunderstand. It's just that that ominous star was present before, so I had no choice but to say that. No matter who that ominous star chooses to kill in the end, at least our Liao family will have a successor, won't we?"
"It's like an ancient powerful minister facing a succession struggle, where one side supports one prince, and then has their son support another. This way, no matter which prince ascends to the throne, the minister's family can continue."
"Dad, can you understand my intentions?"
Facing Liao Yifan's sophistry, Liao Yifan's father snorted, "You're quibbling!"
"Hurry up and drive!"
Liao Yifan breathed a slight sigh of relief, stepped on the accelerator, and followed Ying Chen and Zhuang Ruoting.
On the road, Liao Yifan's gaze flickered as he asked, "Dad, are you really planning to give that ominous star 5.7 billion?"
A mocking smile appeared on Liao Yifan's father's lips, "I *intend* to give it, but he truly won't be able to take it!"
"What do you mean?"
Liao Yifan was confused.
They were already on their way to the auction house, and he was already preparing to intercept the Jade Burial Suit and hand it over to Ying Chen.
Yet, he said Ying Chen wouldn't be able to take it?
Liao Yifan wanted to ask his own father: Where did that courage and confidence come from?
Liao Yifan's father seemed to have seen through his son's thoughts and sneered, "You dim-witted pig's head, you can only think about frivolous things like wine, women, wealth, and pleasure!"
"You haven't learned any of my strengths!"
"Use your pig brain and think carefully, why did I choose to use the Jade Burial Suit to settle the debt? Why did I choose to take him to the auction?"
Facing his father's questions, Liao Yifan fell into deep contemplation.
However, as the car sped along, half an hour passed, and they were nearing the auction venue. Liao Yifan still hadn't figured it out.
Just as Liao Yifan's father let out a long sigh, completely giving up hope on his useless son, he saw Liao Yifan suddenly point at a car at the entrance of the venue and exclaim, "I get it, Dad, I get it!"