729: Chapter 724 Money Too Much to Spend

"In Lyon, there is an opportunity, an opportunity that allows us to create an entirely new fabric, a 'God-Tier Material' that will drive every luxury brand in the world crazy."

"I'm going to get it."

The conference room fell silent.

Chen Guangke, An Ran, and Ning Ke looked at each other.

They could tell that what Shen Yan was saying was not a discussion, but a notification.

An Ran's brow furrowed even tighter.

"Mr. Shen, forgive my bluntness, but this sounds... a bit too idealistic. 'God-Tier Material'? That kind of thing is rare and cannot be sought out. Is the source of your information reliable?"

This was almost everyone's unspoken question.

They didn't know Shen Yan had a System, so they naturally couldn't understand where his one hundred percent confidence came from.

In their eyes, Shen Yan's decision seemed abrupt and risky.

"Extremely reliable."

Shen Yan uttered four words lightly.

He didn't explain further.

Because he knew that any explanation would appear pale and weak in the face of absolute strength and the final result.

What he needed to do was constantly refresh the upper limit of these people's perception of him through facts.

He looked towards Chen Guangke.

"Guang Ke, after I leave, you will be fully responsible for internal company matters. As for the Artificial Intelligence laboratory, let the project team proceed according to the original plan and wait for my return."

"Understood." Chen Guangke didn't ask further and nodded decisively.

He understood Shen Yan; once a decision was made, it wouldn't change. His job was to offer unconditional support.

Shen Yan then looked at Ning Ke.

"Ning Ke, help me prepare the fastest private jet, direct flight to Lyon. Also, assemble a top-tier legal and business negotiation team to be on standby locally in Lyon, ready to handle acquisition matters at any time."

Ning Ke's eyes lit up.

He sensed something unusual.

Shen Yan's decisive style reminded him of the scene when he single-handedly secured the Xuanwu Lake plot.

Every time, it seemed crazy, but every time, the returns were huge.

"No problem! I guarantee I'll arrange everything perfectly!" Ning Ke thumped his chest in assurance.

Finally, Shen Yan's gaze fell upon An Ran.

"An Ran, prepare the funds. This acquisition might... cost quite a bit of money."

An Ran looked deeply at him.

She tried to find the slightest hint of uncertainty or hesitation on Shen Yan's face.

But there was none.

Shen Yan's expression was calm as still water, his eyes as deep as the night sky.

It was the confidence of someone in complete control.

An Ran suddenly smiled.

She adjusted her glasses and leaned back in her chair.

"Mr. Shen, my money is always ready for you."

"I'm just curious, what kind of miracle are you preparing to create this time?"

She chose to trust this man who constantly brought her surprises once again.

"We shall wait and see."

Shen Yan stood up.

"Meeting adjourned."

A meeting that would decide the future direction of the Shenyan Group lasted no more than ten minutes from beginning to end.

This was Shen Yan's current style of operation.

Efficient, precise, and unquestionable.

That evening, a gulfstream g650 private business jet quietly took off from the VIP channel of Beijing Capital International Airport, slicing through the night sky, flying toward distant France.

Inside the cabin, Shen Yan rested with his eyes closed, his mind already beginning to conceive how to perfectly integrate that ancient 17th-century manuscript with 21st-century top-tier Artificial Intelligence technology.

The thirteen-hour flight left no trace of fatigue on Shen Yan.

When the gulfstream g650 landed smoothly at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, the dawn of the city was just piercing through the clouds.

At the bottom of the boarding stairs, an Asian woman dressed in a sharp professional suit was already waiting.

"Mr. Shen, I am Irene, the local contact arranged by Mr. Ning Ke."

Her Chinese was fluent, and her eyes held professional shrewdness mixed with a trace of unconcealed curiosity.

The man before her was too young, yet he was already the figure Ning Ke described as 'requiring the mobilization of the highest resources.'

"Thank you for your trouble."

Shen Yan nodded slightly, without unnecessary pleasantries.

"When does the auction start?"

"At three in the afternoon, at the Municipal Auction House in the Old Town. We have five hours to prepare."

"No preparation needed."

Shen Yan strode toward the rolls-royce phantom that had already been prepared.

"Let's go directly there."

Irene was momentarily stunned, then quickly followed.

She had originally prepared dozens of pages of background information and contingency plans, but now it seemed none of it would be needed.

This man was even more decisive than she had imagined.

Three in the afternoon.

Lyon Municipal Auction House.

This place was not Sotheby's or Christie's; there were no elegantly dressed socialites, no top-tier champagne.

The air was filled with the smell of old wood and dust.

This place was more like a temporary asset liquidation site, attended mostly by local antique dealers and some citizens hoping to find a bargain.

Shen Yan's appearance was like a drop of clear water falling into a pot of hot oil.

He sat in the front row, center seat, flanked by Irene and two burly bodyguards.

His bespoke suit was completely out of place with the surroundings.

Many people cast probing glances, guessing the purpose of this Eastern tycoon.

Shen Yan paid them no mind.

His gaze swept across the room, finally landing on an inconspicuous wooden carving in the corner.

A wooden statue of Joan of Arc.

About half a meter tall, made of ordinary material, with craftsmanship that could only be described as mediocre. Time had left mottled marks upon it.

Compared to the exquisite silverware and luxurious tapestries next to it, it looked like an ugly duckling.

The auctioneer was a fast-talking, fat Frenchman who was enthusiastically introducing a painting, spitting saliva everywhere.

Shen Yan closed his eyes and waited quietly.

An hour later, it was finally the wooden statue's turn.

"Next lot, number 73, a 17th-century oak statue of Joan of Arc. Starting bid: five hundred Euros."

The auctioneer clearly had no hope for this item, introducing it weakly.

The room fell silent; no one raised a paddle.

This kind of item was common in Lyon's flea markets; even five hundred Euros was considered expensive.

"Five hundred Euros."

An old man with a white beard sitting in the back raised his paddle, seemingly wanting to buy it as a decoration.

"Five hundred and fifty Euros."

A middle-aged man who looked like a merchant followed up.

The bidding was slow and tedious.

The price crept up to one thousand Euros.

The white-bearded old man shook his head and gave up.

"One thousand Euros once, one thousand Euros twice..."

The auctioneer was about to bring down the hammer.

"Fifty thousand Euros."

A cool, clear female voice sounded. It wasn't loud, but it clearly carried throughout the entire auction hall.

It was Irene.

She raised the paddle in her hand, a professional smile on her face.

The entire audience instantly quieted down.

All eyes 'swished' toward Shen Yan's row.

An item starting at five hundred Euros, suddenly bid up to fifty thousand?

Was he crazy, or did he have so much money there was no place to spend it?