Chapter 30: Disdain

Inside the villa, the alluring auctioneer continued to introduce the exhibits without pause.

“The second item is a porcelain piece from the Ming dynasty, discovered in the tomb of a nobleman…”

“The third item is a broadsword left behind by a frontier general at the end of the Tang dynasty…”

“The fourth item is…”

In the main hall, the total bids had already reached nearly three billion. These numbers were spoken by the merchants as casually as if they were discussing a meal or a glass of water. Only those heirs of wealthy families standing on the outskirts of the hall—unable even to take a seat—were left aghast, their jaws dropping as they heard the sums. They were not privy to the real purpose of this auction, and naturally had no idea what it was for.

“So, once this auction ends, my senior sister’s Wangu Group will face a tremendous crisis?” Ye Fei took a sip of the Longjing tea on the table, smiling as he asked, “I suspect, Miss Chen, your purpose in bringing me here isn’t simply to thank me and share this information, is it?”

He remembered quite clearly that when Chen Yu handed him her hotel room card last night, the two had barely met. In such a short time, she couldn’t possibly have figured out his background. There was undoubtedly more to this.

“Mr. Ye is indeed a clever man.” It was not Chen Yu who replied, but Chen Bozhong, who smiled and said, “But please don’t be upset, Mr. Ye. My niece acted with good intentions but made a misjudgment, treating you as an ordinary person unfamiliar with the ways of the world. I apologize on her behalf.”

“Just be direct. I dislike beating around the bush,” Ye Fei replied indifferently. He was not fond of getting involved in disputes—let alone being used by others. However, if his senior sister was in trouble, he would certainly not stand by.

“Mr. Ye, after the auction, Chen Yu will discuss matters with you.” Chen Bozhong left him in suspense, snapping his fingers. Uncle Fu, who had been silent at his side, handed over a black card with a smile. “Mr. Ye, this card contains five hundred million. Consider it a reward for saving my life.”

“Additionally, should any item at the auction catch your eye, Yu will help you acquire it.”

“Oh?” Ye Fei couldn’t help but smile. Saving a life on a whim, and earning five hundred million in the process—what a profitable deal.

“I hope Mr. Ye won’t refuse.”

Ye Fei accepted the bank card without hesitation, tucking it into his pocket. Although he was not in need of money himself, his senior sister’s Wangu Group would likely find this sum particularly useful.

“Mr. Ye, do any of these auction items appeal to you?” Chen Bozhong asked, curious.

Ye Fei glanced around casually, then lightly shook his head. “None of them are remarkable; in fact, a couple of them are imitations. The craftsmanship is so refined that even ordinary experts can’t distinguish them from the real thing.”

He had seen many antiques during his years with the old man, and with his discerning eye, these items were nothing extraordinary.

“Imitations?” Uncle Fu’s gaze darkened with displeasure. After all, these items were painstakingly collected from around the globe by the president of the Tenglong Chamber of Commerce, only to be dismissed by a young man barely in his twenties. Was this not a bit too frivolous?

“Second Master, all these items have authentication certificates.”

“Tenglong Chamber of Commerce would never dare to pass off imitations on our Chen family’s territory,” Uncle Fu protested. His words sounded unremarkable, but the underlying disdain was palpable—directed, naturally, at Ye Fei.

Yet Chen Bozhong merely cast a faint glance at him, saying, “If Mr. Ye says they are imitations, then they are.”

“Yes,” Uncle Fu quickly lowered his head, daring not to argue, though a spark of curiosity grew in his eyes. Who exactly was this Mr. Ye, to be so favored by both Second Master and Miss?

“The ninth item up for auction is a heavenly treasure called ‘Cold Bone Wood’. It is said to regulate the body’s magnetic field and draw out internal cold. Legend has it that whoever carries it, even wearing only light clothing on winter nights, will not fear the chill.”

“It is as rare and elusive as lingzhi, born amid the cold of winter.”

“Starting price: fifty million.”

“Minimum increment: ten million.”

The auction was clearly nearing its end: ten items in total, and now the ninth was up. The auctioneer personally brought the item before each guest. Inside a transparent glass box lay a piece of bone wood exuding a chill, appearing truly mysterious.

Uncle Fu smiled as he explained, “Second Master, this Cold Bone Wood cannot simply be bought with money. It is said that Mr. Situ found it in the Himalayas. This time, it is brought out mainly for everyone to admire.”

“Oh?” Chen Bozhong and Chen Yu gazed over with interest. The latter’s expression was first puzzled, then suddenly awakened, exclaiming in surprise, “Isn’t this quite similar to our Chen family’s Lightning-Struck Wood?”

“Exactly,” Uncle Fu replied, smiling with pride. “Our Lightning-Struck Wood is likewise a heavenly treasure.”

He then looked toward Ye Fei, only to find Ye Fei’s expression unchanged, as if the item hadn’t even caught his attention. This made Uncle Fu even more scornful inside. This Cold Bone Wood was no stranger to these wealthy businessmen; usually, one’s gaze would be drawn to its chilling aura at first sight, as if falling into a whirlpool and only waking after a long time. Ye Fei, it seemed, was nothing more than an outsider, unaware of its true value.

“Mr. Ye, have you never seen such an item?” Recalling Ye Fei’s earlier critique, Uncle Fu couldn’t help but ask, “The auctioneer actually hasn’t revealed its true effect. It is said that if it is worn by a newborn, their constitution will grow ever stronger over time.”

“It is indeed extraordinary,” Ye Fei nodded in praise.

Uncle Fu’s smile grew wider—so this young man did know a thing or two about antiques.

But Ye Fei’s next words left him frozen.

“However, what you described pertains to the genuine Cold Bone Wood. This, on the other hand, is merely a counterfeit imitation.”

Uncle Fu’s heart sank, though he did not show it. Instead, he asked, “So, Mr. Ye is quite familiar with this item?”

“Of course I am,” Ye Fei clicked his tongue, smiling. “I’ve seen the real Cold Bone Wood in the distant Arctic. In those freezing temperatures, hardly any plant can survive, but Cold Bone Wood can. That’s its wonder—anyone who wears it can temper their constitution. It’s truly a rare treasure.”