I Go to the High Seas for Fishing But Get Hunted by an Aircraft Carrier

Li Fu chuckled, "Don't be impatient, when the auction starts, I'll personally introduce it to everyone, and it will definitely be a feast for your eyes."

"That would be fantastic!" Wang Peng said eagerly.

They referred to the painting as Yuan blue and white, a treasure worth a fortune, and naturally, he hoped to join the bidding.

"Ye Chen, are you familiar with this painting?" Li Fu shifted his gaze to Ye Chen and asked.

Ye Chen shook his head and replied, "Mr. Li, I don't really understand it myself, I only know that it's Yuan blue and white!"

Li Fu nodded and said, "That's right, this painting is authentic, not only unique in its style but also the craftsmanship is extremely exquisite, far surpassing any other Yuan blue and white paintings I have collected regularly, it can definitely reach a price of over a hundred million."

Hearing Li Fu's words, Wang Peng and the others showed signs of satisfaction and grew more hostile toward Ye Chen.

"Mr. Li, please start the auction, I can hardly wait," Wang Peng urged.

The auction was about to begin, and Ye Chen, along with Lin Yaru, found a place to sit down.

At this moment, Li Fu came over and said to Ye Chen, "Ye Chen, you two sit here for now, I have some other things to attend to."

Ye Chen stood up, replied to Li Fu, "Alright, Mr. Li, go ahead with your business, don't worry about us."

After Li Fu left, Ye Chen and Lin Yaru sat eating snacks while waiting for the auction to begin.

Suddenly, Ye Chen heard someone calling him from behind.

Turning around, he noticed it was one of the two men he had encountered that night.

The man waved at Ye Chen and said, "Brother, how come you're only cozying up with your girlfriend, and have forgotten the promise we made before? Today, we brothers must have a couple of drinks!"

Seeing the man, Ye Chen inwardly sighed, thinking they were not going to leave him alone.

But remembering what he had promised before, Ye Chen couldn't refuse.

After all, his main purpose for being here was to help him find the herbs needed to treat his father's illness.

Thus, Ye Chen nodded and said to Lin Yaru, "Yaru, wait here for me, I'll be right back."

With that, Ye Chen followed the man away.

Lin Yaru nodded and replied, "Hurry back!"

Then she took out her makeup mirror and carefully touched up her appearance.

...

Outside the bar, the man led Ye Chen and turned right, soon disappearing from sight.

About twenty minutes later, Ye Chen and the man stopped.

Ye Chen looked around and found that this was a secluded area, lit only by streetlights and a few isolated lamps, nobody else was around.

At this moment, the man pointed to a stone bench under a tree and said, "Ye Chen, please have a seat."

Ye Chen sat down.

The man smiled and said, "Ye Chen, tonight, it's been an extraordinary privilege for us two brothers to get to know you."

Ye Chen gave a faint smile and asked, "Did you have something to talk to me about?"

The man took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, offered one to Ye Chen, pulled out a lighter to light it for him, and then continued, "Ye Chen, my name is Yang Wenyu, I am the second son of the Yang Family, the wealthiest family in Nanyun Province. I've asked you here to have a chat."

Ye Chen frowned slightly, then exhaled a ring of smoke and said, "Do we have something to talk about? Are you sure you're not here to cause me trouble?"

Yang Wenyu laughed heartily and said, "You jest, Ye Chen, why would I trouble you? Besides, your strength in Jiangzhou City is very clear to you, who would dare mess with you?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen nodded, feeling that there was some sense in what he said.

Indeed, an average person would not dare to deal with me so lightly, let alone openly lay a hand on me.

"Young Master Yang, may I know what business you have with me?" Since the other party was willing to be frank, Ye Chen did not want to beat around the bush and asked directly.

Yang Wenyu's smile faded, and his expression turned serious as he spoke, "Brother Ye, as far as I know, are you well-acquainted with Old Master Li from this auction?"

Ye Chen was momentarily taken aback, then nodded and replied, "That's correct, Old Master Li is a good friend of mine."

Yang Wenyu continued, "Brother Ye, then I'll just get straight to the point—does Old Master Li intend to sell a Yuan blue-and-white porcelain piece this time?"

Upon hearing these words, Ye Chen immediately understood that the other party must have had another purpose for seeking him out.

After a moment of silence, Ye Chen shook his head and said,

"Young Master Yang, as much as I would like to help you, I don't have the money. Moreover, I have already promised Old Master Li that no matter how high the price, I will not participate in the competition for the Yuan blue-and-white porcelain."

Yang Wenyu hurriedly said, "Brother Ye, you've misunderstood my intention."

At this point, Ye Chen became a bit impatient and said directly, "Just say what you want from me, why beat around the bush?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Wenyu was taken aback, "Uh... Then I'll speak frankly. It's like this—I would like to ask you to try to persuade Old Master Li not to participate in the auction."

"I can buy his Yuan blue-and-white porcelain piece with money."

"Why?" Ye Chen was puzzled.

Yang Wenyu began to hesitate and then said, "This... Brother Ye, please don't ask too many questions. If Old Master Li agrees, I will also give you a good reward."

Ye Chen smiled faintly and said, "I'm not short of the benefit you're offering. Since you don't want to tell me the reason, then don't come asking me to do you a favor."

After finishing his words, Ye Chen left without looking back.

Yang Wenyu was left standing there, his face dark with gloom.

"Ye Chen, you've brought this upon yourself. Don't blame me for not being polite to you!"

...

Back at the auction, it had already begun.

The host placed each auction item on the display stand, starting the auction with the first piece.

Ye Chen returned to his seat and started drinking his wine.

Lin Yaru, seeing him return, asked curiously, "What did that person want with you just now?"

Ye Chen smiled and made up an excuse on the spot, "He wanted to borrow money."

"Borrow money?" Lin Yaru was surprised, "I didn't realize you were that wealthy, so much so that Young Master Yang of the Yang Family would come to borrow money from you."

Hearing this, Ye Chen was also curious, "Do you know that person?"

"Of course I do, I'm a Jiangzhou local, and I know almost everyone who has some status here," Lin Yaru said proudly.

"You're quite impressive," Ye Chen remarked with a smile.

Lin Yaru replied, "That's for sure. If I weren't capable, would I be able to have such a strong bodyguard like you?"

"Ha-ha," Ye Chen was amused by her.

The two drank wine while watching the auction.

The first few items were almost just for show, nothing of real value.

Only a few people in the crowd placed bids, and each was sold at a very low price.

After more than an hour, the atmosphere on the site slowly picked up, and only then did the host bring out something decent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this emerald is from the Ming Dynasty, worn by an Emperor no less. The bidding starts at a low price of 5 million, begin!"