Volume Two: Anbei Corporation Chapter Four: Hopefully the Price Is Right

“Heh, this isn’t something you can just attend because you say so. You need an invitation,” Li Gang said with a cold laugh.

His family was in real estate, with assets exceeding a hundred million. Even so, if his father hadn’t happened to acquire an antique at a construction site, they wouldn’t have been eligible to attend. From what he knew, this auction was for a very exclusive circle, and that was why he mocked Li Yu—he was certain Li Yu was just bluffing.

“What if I can get in?” Li Yu raised an eyebrow and asked.

“If you can get in, I’ll call you ‘dad’!” Li Gang replied confidently.

“Alright, we’re just about done eating anyway. Let’s go. Looks like I’m about to gain a new son!” Even a clay figurine has some fire in it—Li Yu stood up and led the way out.

“Let’s go, and if you can’t get in, you’ll be my son,” Li Gang said. He had already realized he had no chance with Huang Xiu, so he might as well go all out; he wanted everyone in the class to see Li Yu thrown out in embarrassment, hoping that sight would make Huang Xiu leave him.

Tension flared between the two as everyone in the private room followed out in a noisy group, heading upstairs.

“Brother Yu, can you really get in?” Huang Xiu whispered, worried. She didn’t know anything about this auction, and since Li Yu’s family was similar to hers, she doubted he would know either.

“Are you planning to run away?” Li Gang sneered, having overheard Huang Xiu.

Li Yu couldn’t be bothered to respond. He simply took out his phone and started playing with it.

There was no direct elevator to the top floor; they had to take the stairs. Around the corner stood several security guards, all looking fierce.

One of the guards blocked their way. “Kids, you can’t just go upstairs.”

“I have an invitation!” Li Gang said, taking out an invitation and handing it over.

Not just anyone could get an invitation. The head guard scrutinized it carefully before returning it respectfully, “Please, go ahead.”

He handed the invitation back and added, “But you can only bring one person with you!”

Li Gang strutted upstairs, looking back at Li Yu. “Why don’t you come up? Remember what you just said?”

“What’s the rush?” Li Yu glanced up. “Can’t wait to call me dad?”

At this, the guards perked up, and a few classmates couldn’t hold back their laughter.

“Sharp-tongued, aren’t you!” Li Gang snorted. “No point in dragging it out. I’ll give you one minute—if you can’t make it, just accept your fate.”

Just then, Li Yu noticed a familiar figure. He said, “No need to wait. You can call me dad now.”

Before Li Gang could retort, someone walked by.

Chen Chengde came hurriedly down the stairs. Seeing the crowd gathered below, he was a bit puzzled, but then he spotted Li Yu.

“You’re here, my young friend. Come with me upstairs,” Chen Chengde said.

“Mind if I bring someone?” Li Yu gestured to Huang Xiu.

Chen Chengde was relieved—he’d worried he’d have to bring up the whole group, which would have been a problem. But just one more was no trouble.

“Of course not. Bring as many as you like.”

“Just her.”

Li Yu shook his head and led Huang Xiu upstairs. He was young, not stupid. He could tell Chen Chengde was just being polite; he would never actually bring everyone along.

After all, these people had nothing to do with him. Why should he care?

“Mr. Chen!” “Hello, Mr. Chen!” The guards recognized Chen Chengde and greeted him with deep respect.

As he passed Li Gang, Li Yu lowered his voice, “Son.”

“You—” Li Gang’s face flushed, but he dared not say anything more. It wasn’t just about losing a bet; he’d recognized Chen Chengde. He’d seen this man from afar at events his father had taken him to, always surrounded by powerful people, while he and his father were stuck on the sidelines. Anyone with sense knew what kind of status this old man held.

Li Yu shook his head, finding it all meaningless. In the other world, he’d experienced massacres and kidnappings, and after so much, his horizons had broadened. Once he’d settled down with the Qing family, he’d been treated as a seedling of promise, with two maids, Little Emerald and Little Red, always by his side.

Those were real maids.

What was the point of squabbling with a kid his own age? After his anger faded, Li Yu realized how childish he’d been.

He suddenly wondered what was happening with his puppet back in the other world. It must have been several days by now—had anything interesting happened?

He decided he would check on things once today was over.

“How does Brother Yu know someone so powerful?” Huang Xiu asked in awe as they walked upstairs. The top floor was a wide, open space, with suited men standing straight at every turn, some with bulges at their waists.

More astonishing was that every one of these men bowed and greeted the old man, who was exceptionally friendly to Li Yu. Huang Xiu was suddenly at a loss—she didn’t understand Li Yu at all.

“This seat gives you a clear view, and no one in front,” Chen Chengde said with a smile.

He led them to a table in the first row, where a young, beautiful woman was already seated. As Li Yu had guessed, this must be Chen Chengde’s granddaughter.

“Her features are just as in the photo,” Li Yu thought, noticing the calluses on the young woman’s hands. He mused—she clearly practiced martial arts. Anyone who mistook her delicate appearance for weakness would be in for a harsh lesson.

The young woman’s gaze fell on Huang Xiu. At Chen Chengde’s prompting, she extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Chen Jingfu. I’ve heard my grandfather mention you often—this is our first meeting.”

Chen Jingfu... such a masculine name.

Li Yu quickly shook her hand and smiled. “Li Yu. I should thank your grandfather for giving me the chance to broaden my horizons.”

Chen Jingfu said, “The name’s indeed masculine. My grandfather thought I’d be a boy, so he only prepared a boy’s name. When I was born, they never changed it.”

Li Yu thought, “...Wait, did I say anything about the name just now? I don’t remember.”

“Isn’t it customary for young people to exchange contact info when they meet?” Chen Chengde interjected.

Under his insistence, Li Yu reluctantly added Chen Jingfu on WeChat. Only then did Chen Chengde smile warmly and say, “There was a minor incident earlier, so we started late. Now, you can watch from the first auctioned item.”

Li Yu didn’t dwell on it, instead turning to Huang Xiu. “Perfect timing. See if there’s anything you like. If you’re short on money, I can lend you some.”

If his memory was correct, a beloved elder of Huang Xiu’s was about to celebrate a birthday. The ginseng he’d given her previously was meant for that elder, but he hadn’t expected Huang Xiu to want to buy an antique as well.

Huang Xiu nodded obediently. She’d been preparing for this for years, saving up in hopes of finding something valuable at the auction. If the price was right, she was ready to bid.