757: Chapter 752 Deal!

The attic was indeed piled high with clutter, with only a small window letting in a sliver of light.

Shen Yan barely broke a sweat before spotting that painting, "Morning Mist on the Seine," among a stack of old picture frames.

The painting was covered in a thick layer of dust, yet a stunning glimpse of dawn's purple and gold could still be seen.

He took the painting and went downstairs.

"Old gentleman, may I purchase this painting?"

The old shopkeeper took a glance and waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh, that. My grandfather acquired it when he was young. I don't know who painted it; it's just been sitting up there. If you like it, take it for a thousand Euros."

Shen Yan did not haggle.

He paid twenty thousand Euros directly.

"I like it; it's worth this price."

The old shopkeeper looked at the money in his hand, completely stunned.

He felt that the person he encountered today was likely a fool from the East.

As Shen Yan walked out of the antique shop with the painting, Liu Hui happened to step out of the shop next door.

"You bought something?" she asked curiously.

"Mm." Shen Yan handed the painting to her. "A gift for you."

"Why are you giving me this?"

"Its colors are very similar to your eyeshadow today. It's beautiful."

Liu Hui was amused by this blunt reason, but her heart felt sweet.

A man willing to spend hundreds of millions to hold a wedding for you is romantic.

But a man on the streets of a foreign land who notices the color of your eyeshadow and buys a painting he thinks matches it...

This kind of romance is even more heart-stirring.

She didn't know the true value of this painting.

That night, Shen Yan had his team invite Europe's top art appraiser.

As the appraiser's hands trembled with excitement upon seeing the painting, Chen Guangke's overseas video call came through.

"Boss! Fifty million Euros! You went out for a walk this afternoon and picked up fifty million Euros?!"

On the other end of the phone, Chen Guangke's voice cracked.

"Do you have the Midas touch now?"

Shen Yan merely gave a faint smile.

"Just good luck."

He hung up and looked at "Morning Mist on the Seine," which had been cleaned by professionals and now radiated a breathtaking brilliance.

He thought that perhaps it wasn't just luck.

It was the good fortune brought to him by Huihui and the children.

They were his lucky stars.

The second stop of the honeymoon was Geneva, Switzerland.

The "teng long no. 1" landed at a private airport, where they were met by the head of Tiangong Technology's European branch.

There were no business meetings.

Shen Yan's purpose was pure: to bring Liu Hui to experience the lake and mountain scenery of the Alps.

They went boating on Lake Leman and tasted authentic cheese fondue in a mountain town.

It was Youyou's first time seeing snow-capped mountains, and her little face was flushed with excitement.

Shen Yan held little Shen An the whole time, the perfect image of a doting father.

One day, they were strolling along Geneva's most famous luxury shopping street.

Liu Hui's gaze was drawn to a Patek Philippe women's watch in a window display.

"It's so beautiful," she praised sincerely.

Shen Yan took a look.

"You like it?"

Liu Hui smiled and shook her head.

"It's too expensive, and I don't wear watches often."

She was simply admiring it.

But Shen Yan took note of it.

Just then, the system's voice sounded again.

[High-level Intelligence Triggered]

[Intelligence Content: Tonight at 8:00 PM, a private charity auction will be held at the secret Horological Association in Bern. Among the items is a unique Patek Philippe timepiece thought to have been lost during WWII—the 'Star Sonata.' This timepiece was custom-made by the brand's founder in 1933 for a mysterious astronomer. Its internal micro-gear transmission technology is at least fifty years ahead of the current era. Starting bid: five million Swiss Francs.]

Technology fifty years ahead of its time?

The corners of Shen Yan's mouth curled up slightly.

He wasn't very interested in the watch itself.

But he was very interested in that technology.

The core power engines of Tiangong Technology's 'Skylark' aircraft and 'Dragon' aerospace plane needed exactly this kind of ultra-high-precision micro-mechanical technology.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Ning Ke.

"Get me an entry ticket for tonight's secret auction at the Bern Horological Association. The highest tier possible."

Half an hour later, Ning Ke replied.

"President Shen, it's done. Your identity is a special advisor to the Liechtenstein Royal Family. The invitation and identification have been sent to your hotel."

Efficiency, as high as ever.

In the evening, under the pretext of 'picking out a gift for his wife,' Shen Yan took Liu Hui and arrived in Bern by helicopter.

The auction was held in an ancient castle.

Not many people were present, but every one of them was a renowned figure in the European horological, collection, or even financial worlds.

When Shen Yan, a strange young Eastern face, appeared with his beautiful wife, it drew significant attention.

When they saw the royal crest on his invitation, the scrutiny in their eyes turned into a measure of awe.

Liu Hui was a bit nervous and whispered, "AYan, what are we doing here?"

"Buying you a watch," Shen Yan replied simply and directly.

The auction proceeded in an orderly fashion.

The early items were rare antique clocks and watches, prompting many to raise their paddles.

Shen Yan remained still, quietly accompanying Liu Hui as she sampled desserts.

Until the 'Star Sonata' was brought out.

It was a pocket watch with a deep blue enamel dial, inlaid with diamonds to form a star map of the entire Northern Hemisphere. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

Once the auctioneer finished introducing its legendary history, the atmosphere in the room was instantly ignited.

"Five million Swiss Francs!"

"Six million!"

"I bid eight million!"

The price climbed steadily, soon breaking fifteen million.

The bidders were all grey-haired European 'old money.'

What they valued was the watch's history and collectible worth.

Liu Hui watched from the side, tongue-tied.

A pocket watch could actually sell for a price equivalent to over a hundred million RMB.

When the price soared to eighteen million and the room momentarily quieted, Shen Yan raised his paddle for the first time.

"Thirty million."

He announced the number as calmly as a breeze.

The entire room's gaze instantly focused on him.

A twelve-million-dollar jump in a single bid?

What kind of play was this?

A Geneva banker sitting in the front row frowned and raised his paddle.

"Thirty-one million."

Shen Yan didn't even look at him and raised his paddle again.

"Fifty million."

This time, the entire hall was silent.

Everyone looked at him as if he were a madman.

Fifty million Swiss Francs for a pocket watch?

This was no longer collecting; it was blatant showing off.

The banker's face turned ashen, and he finally lowered his paddle.

To continue would no longer be a matter of money, but a matter of sanity.

"Fifty million once!"

"Fifty million twice!"

"Sold!"

The auctioneer's gavel fell, sealing the deal.