“Li Quan, speak up quickly, which stock is it?” Li Feng’s expression showed some impatience, urging incessantly.
“Yuanfu Construction.”
Li Quan hadn’t studied any stocks. He was merely using stocks as a pretext to manipulate Li Feng. When pressed by Li Feng, he could only name a stock at random. He had only heard others mention Yuanfu Construction and had no idea what the company did or how it was performing.
Li Feng sneered inwardly. Yuanfu Construction, really taking him for a fool. This time, while countering Su Xin and Sun Xipeng, he had looked into this year’s financial market. Though his knowledge was limited, he knew about Yuanfu Construction. It was a volatile stock that had surged several times in China’s falling stock market this year. To suggest buying it now, hmph.
“Shao Feng, actually, I have something important to tell you. I know a Hong Kong tycoon who wants to meet you,” Li Quan said mysteriously.
“Meet me? Why?” Li Feng asked.
“This Hong Kong tycoon has some pre-Qin dynasty antiques he wants to sell. I thought, Shao Feng, you have many friends in the antiques circle. This is a great opportunity to make money, so I told him about you. When he heard, whether he had heard of your name or not, he asked me to introduce you to him.”
Li Quan said with a look of regret, “Shao Feng, what was I thinking? I was so focused on the stock thing that I forgot about this big deal. Damn it.”
“Antiques? I’m not interested. Besides, I don’t know any friends in the antiques circle,” Li Feng said, shaking his head.
“Shao Feng, this is an opportunity,” Li Quan said, already expecting this reaction. He leaned in and whispered something to Li Feng.
“Is that true?” Li Feng’s eyes lit up, clearly intrigued by Li Quan’s words. Indeed, Li Feng was interested, provided Li Quan was telling the truth.
But Li Feng knew Li Quan’s words couldn’t be trusted. Still, the allure was too strong. Whether true or not, Li Feng decided to check it out.
“Of course it’s true,” Li Quan said, a glint of joy in his eyes. Li Feng’s interest was great news for him.
“Then let’s go now,” Li Feng said urgently.
“Alright, I’ll lead the way for Shao Feng,” Li Quan said with a smile, a cold glint flashing deep in his eyes.
Led by Li Quan, they arrived at a residential complex in Tianhai City. The facilities were basic, clearly decades old. Seeing the complex, Li Feng frowned slightly.
“Shao Feng, that Hong Kong tycoon lives in this complex,” Li Quan said, noticing Li Feng’s expression. “This tycoon is originally from Tianhai City. He went to Hong Kong during the war years and made his fortune there. Now that he’s old, he decided to return to his roots and retire in Tianhai. This complex is where his old home was, so when he returned, he bought a place here to live.”
“Are you sure he has antiques?” Li Feng asked, skeptical. The place seemed too unsafe.
“Shao Feng, rest assured, I wouldn’t deceive you,” Li Quan said quickly. “We’re already here. Just go in and see for yourself.”
Li Feng thought it made sense. He had come with a try-and-see attitude. If the antiques were as Li Quan described, great. If not, he had nothing to lose. Though he didn’t know what Li Quan was up to, he wasn’t worried.
“Lead the way,” Li Feng said.
“Shao Feng, follow me.”
Li Quan led Li Feng to a two-story private villa in the complex. The villa, clearly built recently, was quite distinctive and grand.
“Shao Feng, this is it. This is the villa the Hong Kong tycoon built a few years ago, in a Western style, fitting his status,” Li Quan said.
Li Feng nodded. This villa suited a Hong Kong tycoon’s status. If they had been heading to an ordinary apartment in the complex, Li Feng would have lost all confidence in this trip.
“Mr. Lai,” Li Quan called out to a young man reading a newspaper on a sofa as they entered the villa.
Li Feng looked up. The man was a young fellow in his thirties, dressed in white, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, giving a refined impression.
“Shao Feng, this is Mr. Lai, the eldest grandson of Old Mr. Lai. What a surprise to meet Mr. Lai here,” Li Quan explained to Li Feng.
“Mr. Lai, hello,” Li Feng said with a nod. He sensed a sharp, cold aura from the young man. Though he didn’t know him, Li Feng’s instincts told him this was a man with deep schemes beneath his cultured exterior.
“Li Quan, what’s the matter?” Mr. Lai glanced at Li Quan and Li Feng without standing up.
What a rude guy, Li Feng thought.
“Mr. Lai, Shao Feng is interested in Old Mr. Lai’s antiques. I brought him here today to meet Old Mr. Lai. Is Old Mr. Lai around…” Li Quan said hesitantly.
“Oh, you’re here to see my grandfather? Sorry, he’s not here,” Mr. Lai said flatly, showing no intention of hosting them.
“Oh, Old Mr. Lai isn’t here? Mr. Lai, do you know when he’ll be back? Shao Feng wants to buy your grandfather’s antiques. Could you call Old Mr. Lai and ask his opinion?” Li Quan said after a moment’s hesitation.
“Well…” Mr. Lai’s gaze fell on Li Feng. “Him? Can he afford my grandfather’s antiques? My grandfather’s antiques are genuine treasures, each worth a fortune. Can you afford them?”
“Li Quan, do you think I can afford them?” Li Feng didn’t answer, instead turning to Li Quan with a question.
“Haha, Mr. Lai, you don’t know. If there’s something in this world Shao Feng can’t afford, then no one can. Mr. Lai, rest assured. With me here, how could you doubt? I’ve known you for so long. When have I ever deceived you?” Li Quan said quickly.
Mr. Lai nodded and stood up. “Fair enough. You’re an honest man, Li Quan. If I don’t trust you, who do I trust? You want to see the antiques, right? My grandfather isn’t here, but I can make the call. Follow me. If the price is right, I’ll sell them on his behalf.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lai,” Li Quan said with a broad smile.
“Follow me.”
A security door, a combination lock, and they entered the villa’s secret room.
Li Feng followed Mr. Lai inside and found the room elegantly decorated, filled with antiques, jade, calligraphy, paintings, and rare classics, exuding an ancient charm.
“Shao Feng, these are Old Mr. Lai’s treasures. There’s Song dynasty Jun porcelain, Wang Xizhi’s authentic Lanting Xu calligraphy, and Wu Daozi’s Lady Painting. And that Lantian jade. Every piece is a rare gem, worth a fortune!” Li Quan explained to Li Feng, sounding as if the antiques were his own.
“I’ve long heard Old Mr. Lai is a titan in the collecting world, renowned and unmatched. Seeing is believing. Today, my eyes have been opened. It’s truly breathtaking!” Li Feng exclaimed, showering praise. “It seems I came to the right place. Among all these treasures, there must be something I need.”
“Shao Feng is right. Old Mr. Lai’s reputation in the collecting world is legendary,” Li Quan added.
Li Feng stepped forward, closely inspecting the antiques in the room. He sneered inwardly. He wasn’t a collector and didn’t know much about antiques, but he knew that truly ancient items carried a lingering spiritual aura, like raw stones. The more aura, the older the item. As he walked, running his Nine Heavens Heart Sutra, he found these so-called antiques had pitifully little aura. It was clear most were fakes.
“Shao Feng, these antiques could fetch tens of millions at Hong Kong auctions. They’re priceless. In a few years, their value might grow exponentially,” Li Quan said, sidling up to Li Feng.
“Such priceless items, Li Quan, why don’t you buy a few?” Li Feng said with a sly smile.
“With Shao Feng here, how could I compete for what you fancy?” Li Quan replied with a grin.
“These antiques are nice, but none catch my eye,” Li Feng said, stopping and fixing his gaze on Li Quan. “Li Quan, where’s the thing you told me about? Don’t tell me it doesn’t exist?”
