43: Chapter 43 Silent Slap in the Face

“Six hundred thousand, twice!”

“Six hundred thousand, third time!”

“Sold!”

The gavel struck the round table.

The woman felt both resentful and relieved in her heart.

Six hundred thousand was truly too much for her.

She genuinely could not shout out a price higher than six hundred thousand.

What if Shen Yan stopped bidding later? Then she would be finished.

“Congratulations, Mr. Shen, you have successfully purchased this painting for six hundred thousand. Will that be by card or cash?”

Shen Yan did not speak immediately.

The moment he fell silent, the woman started causing trouble again.

“Don't tell me you can't actually produce six hundred thousand, can you?”

Shen Yan’s eyes darted, and he spoke up:

“Who said I can’t produce six hundred thousand?”

The woman was certain he was hesitating because he felt guilty.

She threw the handkerchief in her hand aside and began addressing the crowd gathering below the stage.

“Look clearly, everyone, it’s this man!”

“I said a couple of words to him, and he became defensive, then started bragging and competing with me in the auction!”

“I could actually bid a higher price, but I didn't want to make things difficult for him, so I gave him a chance. Unexpectedly, he can't even afford six hundred thousand!”

As soon as she said this, the guests below the stage began whispering again.

They never thought Shen Yan was some big shot to begin with.

Now, hearing what the woman said, they were even more convinced that Shen Yan was just pretending to be rich.

“Bragging shouldn't be done like this; isn't he intentionally causing trouble?”

“Why not just call the police? What is there to say to someone like this? Kick him out!”

“Kick him out! Kick him out!”

The clamor from below grew louder, and Liu Hui became somewhat anxious.

She secretly tugged at the gallery owner's sleeve, urging him to stop these people.

Unexpectedly, the gallery owner not only failed to do as she wished but publicly asked Shen Yan one more time.

“Cash or card?”

Shen Yan knew the gallery owner was intentionally trying to embarrass him.

He raised an eyebrow, and an idea popped into his mind.

“You just told me that if I could buy this painting, you would kneel down in public and apologize to me. Do you acknowledge that?”

The woman nodded without hesitation, admitting it.

Because in her mind, Shen Yan certainly could not afford this painting.

“Of course, I admit it, but you must be able to pay for this painting right now.”

“Don’t tell me you plan to mortgage a house or take out a loan; pay now.”

Shen Yan chuckled in response: “Fine, payment it is. Here, swipe the card!”

The gallery owner’s brow twitched slightly.

He wondered if Shen Yan really had that much money in his card.

If he did, then this little trick of his would be useless.

“Alright, please follow me.”

The gallery owner led Shen Yan to the cashier to process the payment.

Seeing the two of them move locations,

The crowd watching nearby immediately followed.

“Beep! Beep!”

After entering the PIN, the POS machine made a sound.

The screen displayed the words: Insufficient Balance.

As soon as these four words appeared, the corner of the gallery owner’s mouth couldn't help but curve up.

“Your card has insufficient balance…”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the woman burst into loud laughter.

“Hahahaha, I knew you couldn't afford six hundred thousand, you country bumpkin pauper!”

“Hurry up, you kneel down and apologize to me, say sorry, and admit you shouldn't have been bragging here!”

Shen Yan completely ignored her and directly took out another card, handing it to the gallery owner.

“I grabbed the wrong card just now. This card has the money in it.”

The gallery owner nodded, took the card, and started processing the transaction again.

Meanwhile, the woman was still fiercely mocking Shen Yan.

“Stop taking out cards; no matter how many cards you take out, you can’t produce six hundred thousand!”

“I say, just admit defeat!”

“Don't worry, my request isn't excessive. As long as you kneel down in public and kowtow three times saying, 'Grandma was wrong, I shouldn't have been bragging here,' I'll let you go and let you leave.”

Just as she finished speaking, the electronic receipt for successful payment popped out of the POS machine.

Seeing the electronic receipt, the woman was stunned.

“How is that possible? It’s impossible!”

Hearing this, Shen Yan laughed and replied:

“Why is it impossible? I said from the very beginning that I had the ability to afford the paintings here.”

“Now it’s your turn to fulfill your promise: kneel down in public and apologize to me.”

The woman gritted her teeth, her eyes immediately turning red.

“No! I will not apologize to you!”

Liu Hui frowned: “You say you won't apologize, so you won't? You casually suspect and insult others. Even if someone like you could afford the painting, you wouldn't appreciate it!”

The woman snorted heavily and turned to leave.

Shen Yan did not stop her.

From the beginning, his goal was not to compete with this woman; he was there for the painting in his hands.

Seeing Liu Hui about to chase after the woman, Shen Yan quickly stopped her.

“Forget it, it’s fine, just let her go.”

Liu Hui said unwillingly, “But she insulted you so much just now…”

Shen Yan shook his head.

“It’s alright, as long as I bought the painting I wanted, that’s enough.”

The surrounding crowd heard this and spontaneously gave Shen Yan a round of warm applause.

“Clap, clap, clap! What magnanimity!”

“Someone like that deserves to succeed!”

“No, I need to seriously reflect on how I could have judged someone by their appearance!”

The farce ended, and everyone began to disperse.

Soon, only Shen Yan, the gallery owner, and Liu Hui were left at the cashier area.

“Ahem… There are many more interesting things on the second floor. Why don't we go up and take a look?”

The gallery owner spoke first, attempting to break the awkward atmosphere.

Shen Yan shook his head and said, “I have already bought the painting I wanted, so I won't disturb you all any longer.”

With that, he picked up the packaged painting and turned to leave.

Liu Hui wanted to follow him, but the gallery owner stopped her.

“A Hui, where are you going?”

“None of your business! Chen He, I never thought you were this kind of person. I misjudged you!”

After saying that, Liu Hui rushed out to chase Shen Yan.

Watching Liu Hui’s retreating figure, the gallery owner felt extreme heartache.

Damn it! How was he supposed to pursue Liu Hui now?

...

Not long after leaving the private collection gallery, Liu Hui caught up with Shen Yan.

“I’m sorry!”

Shen Yan didn't expect Liu Hui to apologize the moment she arrived.

He paused for a moment, then asked Liu Hui with a wry smile, “Why are you apologizing to me?”

Liu Hui replied with a face full of guilt, “After all, I was the one who brought you to the second floor. If I hadn't brought you up, you wouldn't have run into that woman…”

Seeing her look so guilty, Shen Yan sighed, thinking this girl was truly naive.

“What does this have to do with you? I was going to buy that painting anyway. I should thank you for taking me to the second floor.”

Liu Hui blinked and asked, “Really?”

Shen Yan nodded.

Liu Hui breathed a sigh of relief; as long as she hadn't caused trouble for Shen Yan, that was enough.

Just then, Shen Yan suddenly received a phone call. It was Chen Guangke calling.