Chapter 85

Five days is enough for a lot to happen.

Xiao Yuchuan's mood was like a roller coaster, changing almost every day.

First, Yan Lijun recovered his ability to move, then he learned that his time was limited, and decided to visit the places where he had once fought.

Yan Zhishan was a filial son and had reached retirement age. After some hesitation, he decided to retire early to accompany his father in fulfilling his last wish.

As a ministerial-level official, especially in a very important department, his retirement meant a significant redistribution of power, which was highly attention-grabbing. However, the Yan family was large and powerful, and although many coveted his position, no one dared to openly propose a replacement, for fear of offending the Yan family.

After various negotiations, Yan Zhishan's recommendation ultimately became the decisive factor. Basically, whoever he recommended had an 80% chance of taking over.

Upon learning of Yan Zhishan's decision to retire, Xiao Yuchuan was overjoyed. He visited the Yan family late that night and left with great confidence, exuding the air of a wise man who had seen through the world.

Who knew that the next day, a prominent figure from the Wang family also visited Yan Zhishan and left with a smile.

Xiao Yuchuan immediately became anxious.

But since he had already visited once, another visit would make him appear too eager, which would be detrimental to his future career.

Compared to Xiao Yuchuan's anxiety, Lu Li seemed relaxed and carefree, practicing the Three Yang Fist after taking the Great Nourishing Soup. He had a feeling that at his current rate of practice, he would definitely reach the peak of the Later Heaven stage before the summer vacation ended. At that time, he would definitely go to explore the sealed area on the back of the school.

"Peak of the Later Heaven stage, it's just around the corner!"

Lu Li clenched his fist and growled softly. Hearing a knock on the door, he went over and opened it, seeing Xiao Qiang standing outside with a DSLR camera in hand.

"Lu, Brother Lu, I just came back from the Huan Yu Auction Company. I took photos of all the auction items as you instructed." Xiao Qiang looked at Lu Li with reverence.

His leg injury had recovered quickly, and now he could walk without much difficulty, though he couldn't run around.

"Have the procedures for the auction been completed?" Lu Li took the camera, scrolled through the photos, and asked.

"Absolutely. I registered under my name and paid a one million yuan deposit."

Lu Li nodded. "Well done. Come to the hotel to pick me up tomorrow, and bring Xiao Yuan."

"Okay."

Xiao Qiang nodded quickly. Seeing Lu Li wave him off, he quietly left and closed the door behind him.

Only after leaving the hotel did he truly relax, his back drenched in cold sweat. Despite following Lu Li for two days, he still felt a sense of fear, worried that Lu Li might have a bad day and let the fierce ghost eat him.

"Qingming calligraphy auction! Tsk tsk, a genuine Fang Gang work? How come I don't remember writing this? Zheng Banqiao's ink bamboo, Liu Yong's calligraphy, this is an imperial brush of Emperor Qianlong?"

The digital camera was a high-end product with over 50 million pixels. With Lu Li's expertise, he could make accurate judgments based on the photos alone. Especially for Qing and Ming dynasty calligraphy, he had seen so much of it, and some were even genuine works of old friends, so the chances of making a mistake were minimal.

After carefully studying all the auction items, Lu Li put away the digital camera and took out a talisman from his pocket, a faint smile on his lips: "A tracking talisman from the Dragon Tiger Sect, it's perfect for this."

The next day, after receiving a call from Xiao Qiang, Lu Li left the hotel.

"Once the auction starts, bid double the starting price for the first item."

Xiao Qiang, after hearing Lu Li's instructions, was taken aback and asked, "Brother Lu, aren't we here to cause trouble? Why are we paying money?"

"You'll know soon enough."

Lu Li glanced at him and said no more.

The auction was held at the Huan Yu headquarters. Huan Yu held auctions of this scale every quarter, four times a year, each one being very important and even affecting the company's annual performance.

Therefore, even Wang Rong took it seriously, arriving early at the chairman's office on the 50th floor to monitor the auction site through surveillance.

Half an hour later, Lu Li and the Xiao brothers arrived at the Huan Yu headquarters. After parking the car, the Xiao brothers walked ahead with their heads held high and a look of arrogance, while Lu Li followed a step behind, walking leisurely.

Today, he did not plan to act personally.

They smoothly passed the inspection and entered the venue. Lu Li deliberately chose a conspicuous spot. After sitting down, he scanned the room and strangely found Xue Weijun there.

"Why do I keep running into this guy?"

Xue Weijun soon noticed Lu Li and waved at him, but did not come over.

As time passed, more guests entered, and the venue quickly filled up.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Hearing the voice behind him, Lu Li turned his head and asked curiously, "Why are you here? Where's Old Fang?"

Fang Zhen Ting looked at Lu Li, silent for a long time, then sighed, "Father said he's old and just wants to return to his hometown to live out his days, but I'm still young."

"You're doing well."

Lu Li nodded upon hearing this. He understood Fang Zhen Ting's meaning: he was old and didn't want to continue, but he wouldn't interfere with his son's choice.

"Follow my instructions. Xiao Qiang, Xiao Yuan, discuss with Zhen Ting and make as much noise as possible."

Since Fang Zhen Ting had made his choice, Lu Li naturally wouldn't be polite to him. After all, in such a setting, Fang Zhen Ting's identity was still very useful.

Of course, he himself wasn't much, but the key was that he had a well-known father!

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Qing and Ming calligraphy auction. This auction is hosted by Huan Yu Auction Company. Many of you may know me, but I still need to introduce myself. It's a legal requirement."

This statement elicited a friendly laugh from the audience.

Wang Jiayang continued, "I am Wang Jiayang, a nationally registered auctioneer, with license number 3397933. Let's get started. The first item is 'Moonlit Night Visit' by Dai Jin of the Ming dynasty. Dai Jin was skilled in landscape, figure, and flower-and-bird painting, with bold and hard brushstrokes and rich and free ink. 'Moonlit Night Visit' is one of his representative works and has been authenticated by Huan Yu as genuine. The starting price for the first item is two million yuan, with a minimum bid increment of 200,000 yuan. Please place your bids. Is there anyone willing to bid two million yuan?"

Generally, the first item to be auctioned has a lower price and relatively less collection value, so after Wang Jiayang's words, the audience's enthusiasm was not high.

After waiting for a while with no one raising their paddle, Wang Jiayang looked a bit puzzled. Just as he was about to use his silver tongue, he suddenly saw a young man in the center raise his paddle. He quickly pointed to him, "Mr. 17 has raised his paddle, good, …"

"Shut up."

Xiao Qiang roared, interrupting Wang Jiayang, and looked around the room with a haughty expression, "I'm bidding four million yuan!"

***

There's something important I need to say!

"Nine Turns" officially passed the new book period on Friday, and I will start updating more frequently without delay. However, this also means I can only compete for the member click and recommendation rankings.

I checked, and the last place in the urban recommendation ranking only needs 4,000 votes, which means I need 600 votes per day to get on the list.

"Nine Turns" already has 6,000 collections, so I am earnestly requesting your recommendation votes.

Starting from tomorrow, if I can get on the category recommendation list, I will update three times a day.

To show my sincerity, I will update three times tomorrow, with the first update at 3 AM, and the other two updates at the usual times.

Please give me your recommendations and support!

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