52: Black market auction

Ambiguity blossomed as their eyes met; the experience of a single glance lasting ten thousand years touched their souls.

However, both had weathered great storms, and their self-restraint was exceptionally strong.

After a few breaths, the two parted in tacit agreement.

One sat back at the tea table, reading the newspaper upside down; the other held an ancient book, her mind wandering.

After a long while, Sheng Aiyi gently placed the ancient book, of which not a single page had been turned, back onto the shelf.

Her cold voice broke the silence: "Can you accompany me to a black market trade fair?"

"No problem!"

Lu Fan was very curious about what this black market trade fair was.

But since Sheng Aiyi didn't say, he didn't dare to ask.

He could only risk his life to accompany the lady.

The two went out, and the car drove along until it soon stopped in front of the massive sign of Paramount Hall.

"Put this on!" Sheng Aiyi, already wearing an eye mask made of peacock feathers, casually handed him a clown mask.

"It's a mixed bag inside. You've just arrived in the Shanghai, so it's best to be careful to avoid being targeted."

Lu Fan followed her advice readily. After getting out of the car, he gentlemanly took Sheng Aiyi's arm and slowly walked into East Asia's premier entertainment venue.

They didn't stop on the lower floors, which were filled with "warblers and swallows," but took the elevator straight to the top floor.

A fair number of people had already gathered in the hall, though they were all somewhat disguised.

However, acquaintances could still recognize each other at a glance.

As the former owner of this place, Sheng Aiyi knew many people and frequently raised her glass in greeting.

At the same time, their curiosity was piqued: who was this clown that could walk alongside Seventh Miss Sheng?

"Oh, isn't this Seventh Miss Sheng? Why revisit your old haunts?"

A sharp and sarcastic voice drifted over.

Lu Fan looked toward the sound and saw a young dandy wearing a gold crown, his face undisguised, walking over with a wicked smirk.

At the same time, he noticed Sheng Aiyi's grip on his arm tightening.

"Thump... thump... thump."

The dandy's phoebe zhennan cane tapped rhythmically on the ground, drawing everyone's attention.

"Miss Sheng, the trade fair is dangerous. If you're thinking of gambling with your dowry, I, Zhang Fayao, would advise you to give up.

At your age, if you lose your dowry, what man would dare to want you?"

Led by Zhang Fayao, snickers flooded the room like the frothing tides of the Huangpu River.

Even an empress would have trembled at the sight.

Lu Fan quietly leaned in to protect Sheng Aiyi, rubbed his nose, and sized up Zhang Fayao.

He countered calmly, "Your words have quite a stench. Did Young Master Zhang forget to wipe his mouth after using the toilet?"

His voice was neither loud nor soft, just right for those around to hear clearly.

"Pfft—"

As one lady burst out laughing, the others could no longer hold it in, and laughter erupted throughout the room.

"Kid, what's your background?"

Zhang Fayao thought about it and realized he had been mocked sarcastically, making him jump with rage.

"It's none of your business which path I'm on, but it's certainly not the same as yours!" Lu Fan ignored the threat and sized up Zhang Fayao again.

"You seem quite fierce. How about coming to guard my front gate? I'll make sure you have plenty of bones to eat."

"You—!"

Being mocked again, Zhang Fayao was furious.

His cane trembled as he pointed it at the two, just about to lose his temper.

Just then, the sound of uniform footsteps echoed as a group of security guards dressed entirely in black entered.

They had fierce expressions, and their entire bodies exuded a thick aura of bloodlust.

Without saying a word, they intimidated the entire room.

Under the pressure of this powerful aura, the venue instantly fell silent.

People from all walks of life scattered, losing their interest in the spectacle and waiting quietly for the start of the black market trade.

Lu Fan rolled his eyes and led Sheng Aiyi toward the window.

Leaving the speechless Zhang Fayao behind, standing dazed in the wind.

As an old man in a black cloak sat firmly on the throne on the rostrum, the trade began.

A line of young girls in high-slit cheongsams entered one after another, holding signs.

They stood in an orderly fashion next to the black-clad security guards.

The signs displayed a wide variety of supplies for people to bid on.

The black market trade fair was not a conventional auction; the organizers did not sell any physical goods but merely provided a platform.

Sellers provided the goods and set a minimum transaction price.

Buyers bid, and the highest bidder wins.

The organizers guaranteed the smooth transaction and delivery, taking a commission from it.

Soon, a crowd gathered in front of the girl holding sign number 11.

"Sihang Warehouse, Unit 2-11."

"A total of one thousand tons of canned food, rice, and flour. Starting price: 100,000 silver dollars!"

Food was always a hot commodity, especially when it included long-lasting canned goods.

"One hundred thousand! My Zhang family will take this unit." Zhang Fayao's cane was the first to be raised.

For a moment, no one else in the venue dared to bid.

This was the tyranny of the black market trade fair; one could use their influence to bully others.

Using the name of the Boss of Hooligans, Zhang Fayao was blatantly trying to buy at the bottom price.

Sheng Aiyi gently shook Lu Fan's hand and whispered, "I want to use these supplies to make a name for our company!"

Lu Fan thought that made sense; for a trading company to establish itself quickly, its reputation was crucial.

Others feared the Boss of Hooligans, one of The Three Tycoons of the Shanghai and a leader of hooligans.

But he wasn't afraid. Why fear a Traitorous dog?

Besides, who would know who he was behind the mask?

"I bid one hundred thousand..."

Before he could finish, Zhang Fayao turned his head and mocked him, "Country bumpkin, I already bid one hundred thousand. If you want it, you have to raise the price.

Do you know the rules, you Little Bastard?"

Lu Fan didn't give him the time of day and finished his sentence slowly, "... US dollars."

As soon as "US dollars" was mentioned, the whole room erupted in an uproar.

One hundred thousand US dollars?

For real?

The black market exchange rate for US dollars to silver dollars had already reached 1:5; one hundred thousand US dollars was 500,000 silver dollars.

Spending 500,000 silver dollars to buy something worth at most 200,000.

How could everyone not be shocked?

Zhang Fayao stood up in a rage: "Little Bastard, empty talk at the black market comes with a price. Think carefully."

"They say a biting dog doesn't bark. With all your yapping, it wouldn't be worth wasting bones on you to guard the door.

Go wherever you want."

As Lu Fan spoke, he took a checkbook from his pocket.

"Sir, are you sure you're bidding one hundred thousand US dollars?"

The girl holding the sign took a long time to recover before confirming again.

"My Yifan International Trade always means what it says. Our company bids one hundred thousand US dollars for these supplies."

Lu Fan's forceful bid crushed the entire room.

Taking the key handed over by the girl, he raised the check in his hand. "A cashier's check from Huifeng Bank for one hundred thousand US dollars,

My Yifan Trade will take this lot of supplies."

With the display of the check, Yifan International Trade was etched into everyone's minds.

The first transaction came to a close.

He turned and winked at Sheng Aiyi, handing her the key: "Sorry, since the company is just opening, don't mind that I'm giving you mountains of rice and flour."

"Thank you!"

Sheng Aiyi accepted the key, her eyes full of affection.

After all, who wouldn't love a wealthy young master who spends money like water?

While those one hundred thousand US dollars seemed like a waste, Lu Fan felt it was definitely worth the price of admission.

He used the one hundred thousand US dollars to intimidate the room while also advertising Sheng Aiyi's trading company.

Presumably, after this deal, the name of Yifan International Trade would be thoroughly established.

As Lu Fan was thinking, he suddenly felt Sheng Aiyi's grip on his arm tighten again.

He quickly pulled his thoughts back and scanned the venue; right now, a large crowd was gathered around Booth 22.