After the Tang brick was smashed open, there was nothing inside.
Zhang instantly realized he’d been tricked.
“You bastard, you dared to scam me!”
Zhang glared at Ye Qiu, trembling with rage.
Ye Qiu smiled serenely. “Young Master Zhang, you can eat recklessly, but you can’t speak recklessly, when did I scam you?”
“It’s just an ordinary Tang brick, if not for you, would I have spent ninety million on it?”
Thinking of ninety million for a brick he’d smashed himself, Zhang’s heart bled.
Ninety million, gone just like that—who could stomach that?
Worse, this would soon spread through the capital, and he, Young Master Zhang, would become a laughingstock.
He could already hear the taunts.
“Look, the second Zhang son’s a fool.”
“No kidding, ninety million for a broken brick, who does that?”
“The Zhangs birthed a wastrel.”
Ye Qiu grinned. “Young Master Zhang, that’s not fair, if you hadn’t raised the bid, this brick would’ve been mine, you insisted on buying it.”
“Besides, all these eyes saw it.”
“You didn’t find treasure in the brick and now blame me, that’s not right, is it?”
Zhang, furious, sputtered, “You—”
Ye Qiu continued, “Young Master Zhang, don’t assume that because I found treasure in the tablet, you’d find some in the brick, if every stone held treasure, why bother with auctions? We’d all grab hammers and smash roadside rocks.”
Hahaha…
The room erupted in laughter.
Ye Qiu added, “Young Master Zhang, if you feel cheated, you can return it.”
Honestly, Zhang wanted to, it was ninety million.
But he’d smashed the brick, no returns possible.
With a small-time auction house, he’d demand the boss refund him or face consequences, but not here.
This auction house’s owner was too powerful, he couldn’t afford to cross them.
Otherwise, he’d have already sent his lackeys after Ye Qiu.
“Kid, you wait, this isn’t over.”
Zhang spat a threat and stormed back to his seat.
It was just a hiccup, the auction rolled on.
…
Backstage.
The girl’s lips curled as she watched Zhang get duped.
“Zhang’s really down on his luck, ninety million for a brick, tsk tsk tsk, what a spendthrift.”
“After today, he’ll be the capital’s joke.”
The bodyguard’s gaze shifted to Ye Qiu. “Thought he was a coward, but he turned the tables on Zhang like that, impressive.”
“For him, this little trick’s nothing,” the girl said.
The bodyguard glanced over, seeing the girl fixated on Ye Qiu on the monitor, her eyes bright and unblinking.
Her heart jolted.
“Miss, you’re not falling for him, are you? I’m telling you, stay away, he’s no good,” she urged.
“Why’s he no good?” the girl asked, puzzled.
The bodyguard said, “Miss, look at him, that pale face, classic bad guy, I grew up hearing village elders say, ‘pale face, dark heart.’”
Pfft—
The girl burst out laughing. “Ever heard this one?”
“What?”
“‘Men aren’t bad, women don’t love.’”
The bodyguard gaped. “No way, Miss, you’ve already fallen for him?”
“Not quite, he’s still under my test.”
…
Two hours flew by at the auction.
“Everyone, please quiet down.”
The host announced, “We’re nearing the end of tonight’s auction.”
“Next up is today’s grand finale—the Celestial Master Token!”
“Some may not know its history, so let me explain.”
“Legend says the Celestial Master Token was carved from thunderstruck wood by Zhang Daoling, founder of Dragon Tiger Mountain, it’s one of the mountain’s three sacred treasures and a holy Daoist relic, enshrined there for a millennium, imbued with the mountain’s incense aura, it repels evil and keeps spirits at bay.”
“Worn long-term, it wards off curses, extends life, and restores youth.”
“Please bring up the Celestial Master Token.”
A young woman in a qipao, wearing white gloves, carried a tray onstage.
On it sat a black token.
Square, about the size of a matchbox, its base bore cryptic runes.
Elder Longmei’s breathing quickened. “No mistake, that’s the Celestial Master Token.”
“Heavens be praised, ancestors’ blessings, I’ve lived to see it before I die.”
“Little brat, you’ve got to help me get it.”
Ye Qiu said, “As the finale, it’ll fetch a sky-high price.”
“No matter the cost, you must get it for me.”
Just then, a middle-aged man in front turned back, whispering, “You want the Celestial Master Token?”
“I’d advise you both to give up.”
“It’s already been reserved!”
Reserved?
Elder Longmei’s face darkened. “By who?”
“Who else? Young Master Zhang, of course,” the man said. “Since retiring, Old Master Zhang’s taken to chanting and fasting, he’s fond of Daoist trinkets.”
“Zhang was abroad but rushed back to the capital for his grandfather’s seventieth birthday.”
“He wants the token as a birthday gift for the old man.”
“Before you arrived, Zhang’s people warned all us bidders, no one’s to compete with him for it tonight, or face the consequences.”
“Take my advice, drop it.”
“The Zhangs are one of the capital’s four great families, we can’t afford to mess with them!”
As they spoke, the host began.
“Ladies and gentlemen, no more delays, let’s start.”
“Celestial Master Token, base price thirty million, increments of at least one million.”
“Begin bidding.”
Right as he finished, Zhang’s voice rang out.
“Thirty-five million.”
Sure enough, no one countered.
Everyone present had been warned by Zhang’s crew, none dared cross him.
Elder Longmei saw Ye Qiu stay silent and panicked. “Little brat, bid already!”
“Why don’t you?” Ye Qiu shot back.
Elder Longmei wailed, “I’ve got no money.”
Damn, what do you take me for, an ATM?
Ye Qiu glared at him, then called, “Fifty million!”
Instantly, all eyes locked onto Ye Qiu.
What’s this kid up to?
Was he challenging Zhang?
“Fifty million from this gentleman, any higher bids?” The host’s gaze flicked to Zhang.
“Fifty-five million!”
Zhang smirked, his face calm.
That sum was pocket change to him, if it pleased his grandfather, the payoff would be bigger.
But—
“One hundred million!”
Ye Qiu’s second bid stunned the room again.
Zhang’s face turned icy, he spun around, staring coldly at Ye Qiu. “My grandfather loves Daoist stuff, if you’re smart, you won’t compete with me…”
“Five hundred million!”
“Kid, you really want to cross me? I’m warning you, messing with the Zhangs won’t end well for you…”
Ye Qiu didn’t even glance at him, dropping the hammer.
“One billion!”
