908: Chapter 93 Always a good swimmer

This place was filled with the oldest moneyed families in all of Great Xia; even the air was thick with the stench of decadent wealth.

Shen Yan leaned back against the soft leather seat, closing his eyes to rest.

Just ten minutes ago, the system panel, which refreshed punctually every day, had brought him another surprise, neither too big nor too small.

[Today's intelligence has been refreshed.]

[Level: advanced wealth intelligence]

[Location: Jinghai S, 'Wanbao Xuan' Autumn Auction.]

[Target: Lot No. 44, a box of Qing Dynasty folk kiln blue and white porcelain shards.]

[Intelligence Details: This lot is actually the 'bottom-of-the-box' waste material used to cover up the real items from the batch of cultural relics stolen from the Eastern Qing Tombs by the Beiyang warlord Sun Dianying during the Republic of China era. One seemingly ordinary black wooden block is, in fact, a solid piece of top-grade 'Qinan Agarwood' weighing 3.2 kilograms, hollowed out inside to conceal a volume of the remaining scrolls of the yongle encyclopedia.]

[Estimated Profit: The value of the cultural relics is incalculable; conservative commercial value estimate is 900 million.]

Shen Yan's fingers tapped lightly on his knee.

Nine hundred million.

For the current Shenyan Group, although this sum wasn't astronomical, it was definitely not a small amount.

More importantly, there was that remaining scroll of the yongle encyclopedia.

If handled well, this item could bring not just money, but also favors and political capital that couldn't be bought with cash.

The system was truly a devil that understood human nature.

It always knew what you lacked most at any given stage.

"Brother Yan, we've arrived."

The driver's voice interrupted Shen Yan's thoughts.

The car slowly stopped at the entrance of the most luxurious Peninsula Hotel in Jinghai S.

Today's 'Wanbao Xuan' auction was being held here.

The entrance was already packed with all sorts of luxury cars, from limited edition Bugattis to Alphards bearing dual-region license plates—it was practically a grand exhibition of international luxury vehicles.

Chen Guangke got out of the car and adjusted the Armani suit he had specifically put on to maintain appearances, feeling that the collar was a bit tight.

"There are really so many rich people in Jinghai S. Look at that one, isn't that the young master from the Lin Group?"

Chen Guangke pointed to a young man nearby who had his arm around a heavily made-up internet celebrity beauty and said in a low voice.

Shen Yan followed his gaze.

Lin Zifeng.

A notorious playboy in Jinghai S, whose family made their fortune in shipping and was trying to break into the tech circle these past two years.

Not long ago, he had boasted about acquiring a subsidiary under Shen Yan, but Shen Yan had inflated the acquisition price threefold with a perfect financial report, scaring him into withdrawing his letter of intent overnight.

"Enemies meet on a narrow road."

Shen Yan commented lightly and stepped toward the hotel entrance.

The security guard at the door glanced at the invitation Shen Yan handed over—it was a top-tier VIP entry ticket that Ning Ke had someone deliver just half an hour ago.

In this circle, the name Ning Ke was sometimes more useful than a pass.

As soon as they entered the hall, an atmosphere of extravagance washed over them.

The crystal chandeliers were dazzling, and the champagne carried by the passing waiters was expensive.

"Oh, isn't this President Shen from Jinghai?"

A slightly frivolous voice came from the side.

Lin Zifeng swayed over slowly, a glass of red wine in his hand and a playful smile on his lips.

The little internet celebrity in his arms immediately cast a curious glance, sizing up Shen Yan from head to toe.

"What, President Shen isn't busy with your Artificial Intelligence anymore, and you've come to a refined venue like this to pretend to be cultured?"

Lin Zifeng’s words were laced with thorns.

In this circle, there was an invisible hierarchy of contempt.

Those in manufacturing looked down on those in the internet industry; those in finance looked down on those in manufacturing; and those who collected antiques considered themselves at the top of the chain, looking down on everyone else.

In Lin Zifeng's eyes, Shen Yan was just a nouveau riche who got lucky, smelling entirely of code and machine oil.

Shen Yan didn't even pause his steps.

He didn't even look directly at Lin Zifeng, merely shifting his body slightly as he passed by, as if avoiding some obstacle on the roadside.

"Chen Guangke, open a window to air this place out; it smells a bit."

Shen Yan said to Chen Guangke behind him.

Chen Guangke was momentarily stunned, looking at the fully enclosed hotel lobby.

"Brother Yan, there are no windows here."

"Then turn up the ventilation system; someone has bad breath."

Shen Yan's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for everyone nearby to hear.

The smile on Lin Zifeng's face instantly froze.

The woman in his arms tried to laugh but dared not, her face turning bright red from holding it in.

"Shen Yan, don't be so arrogant!"

Lin Zifeng gritted his teeth, staring at Shen Yan's retreating back.

"The antique business is deep water. Don't think you can play around here just because you have a little money. Be careful you don't step wrong and drown!"

Shen Yan stopped walking.

He turned back, his gaze falling calmly on Lin Zifeng's face, which was slightly distorted with anger.

"Thank you for the reminder."

"But my swimming skills have always been quite good."

With that, he walked into the VIP elevator without looking back.

The moment the elevator doors closed, Chen Guangke finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Brother Yan, your tongue is getting sharper. Look at that kid's face; it's almost turning green like the aurora."

"Ignore people like that; it's a waste of time."

Shen Yan looked down at his watch.

The auction was set to start in ten minutes.

He wasn't here to argue today; he was here to stock up.

The two arrived at the auction hall on the second floor.

The design imitated the Vienna State Opera, with tiered seating surrounding the central stage.

Shen Yan's seat was in the front-row VIP section, surrounded by influential figures from Jinghai S.

Some recognized Shen Yan and nodded politely, while others, mindful of their status, merely observed with cold eyes.

The auction soon began.

The auctioneer on stage, dressed in a tailcoat, was an expert; with just his mouth, he could make the dead sound alive and the broken sound ancient.

The first few lots were famous calligraphy, paintings, and jewelry, with lukewarm transaction prices.

Shen Yan kept his eyes closed, tapping his fingers idly on the armrest, looking as if he were asleep.

Chen Guangke, however, watched with great interest, tensing up slightly every time someone raised a paddle.

"Brother Yan, that vase is nice. I heard it was used by Emperor Qianlong. It's only two million; shouldn't we bid?"

"Fake."

Shen Yan didn't even lift his eyelids.

"That's a Guangxu period imitation; it's worth twenty thousand at most."

"Damn, this auction house sells fakes too?"

"In the antique business, it's not called a fake; it's called a 'misjudgment.'"

Shen Yan explained lightly.

"Once the bid is placed, the sale is final, no returns. That's the rule."

Time ticked by.

Finally, the grand finale lot, the one Lin Zifeng was determined to win, was brought out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, next up is the highlight of this auction: a single Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup from the Ming Dynasty!"

The auctioneer's voice instantly rose an octave.

All the lights in the hall focused on that small porcelain cup.

Although it was a flawed and repaired piece, it was still dazzling and breathtakingly beautiful.

"Starting bid: Fifty million!"