144: unexpected

On the way back, Julia was very puzzled as to why Qin Yun would agree to an unfair competition with Haishizi.

In Haishizi's home, facing his dazzling power and majesty, she hadn't dared to ask.

"Qin, wasn't it a bit rash to agree to Haishizi's excessive demands?"

Julia knew Qin Yun had his reasons, but she couldn't help asking anyway.

"I must get that half-volume of the yongle encyclopedia. We have no leverage, and negotiating with Old Foxes like Haishizi is pointless."

"The Warehouse Auction is my home turf; I definitely won't lose to him. When he needs something from me later, we'll be the ones in control."

Qin Yun answered straightforwardly without a second thought.

Even with the rich rewards, he knew it wasn't good to passively fall into someone else's schemes.

He had some fame and status now, but it was incomparable to a tycoon like Haishizi, who dominated an entire industry.

Only by continuously improving his strength to the point where others couldn't ignore him...

...would others take him seriously. Then, when they needed his help, they wouldn't resort to such unreasonable actions but would instead come to his door and ask politely.

Qin Yun understood that strength was the ultimate truth, so he didn't waste words.

What he needed to do now was seize every opportunity to enhance his strength and strive for a higher position.

Julia nodded thoughtfully. "What if you win and Haishizi goes back on his word?"

Qin Yun sneered. "If he dares to renege, I'll make him pay back a hundredfold at the Warehouse Auction."

"I don't think Haishizi is that kind of person; he's a bit different from other tycoons. The fact that he only took half a volume of the yongle encyclopedia shows he doesn't care about its value at all; he just wanted to bring me to the negotiating table."

Qin Yun wasn't a pushover either. If Haishizi dared to break their agreement, he would set a trap for him at the Warehouse Auction that Haishizi valued so much.

Even if they had a falling out, he had enough connections that he didn't fear Haishizi's retaliation.

Only then did Julia feel at ease.

She had been afraid Qin Yun hadn't considered this, but since he had a plan, there was nothing to worry about.

Carrying a box of Xia Country antiques and half a volume of the yongle encyclopedia, the two finally arrived in Borton City after a three-hour drive.

Julia had called Hank long ago, and when they returned home, a sumptuous dinner and hot tea were already laid out on the table.

Seeing the two return, Hank quickly stood up to greet them.

"Did you get the yongle encyclopedia back?"

Hearing her father's question, Julia quickly recounted everything that had happened.

Hank thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Since Haishizi regards Qin Yun so highly, I believe that half-volume of the yongle encyclopedia will be returned."

"Many big shots in Borton City have been asking me about your thoughts on the last city-wide Warehouse Auction; they're all waiting for your reply."

Hank wasn't worried at all about Qin Yun's skills at the Warehouse Auction.

What he cared about was whether Qin Yun would participate in the next Borton City Warehouse Auction.

This would be very helpful in boosting Qin Yun's fame and status.

Qin Yun replied without hesitation, "Of course I will."

"I promised to invest three million dollars into the Warehouse Auction. I don't trust anyone else with that money. Julia is a law student; she can help me manage it."

"If this large-scale Warehouse Auction goes well, I'll have more influence among Treasure Hunters and might even get involved in the operations of other Storage Companies."

Qin Yun had already planned to take control of the large-scale Warehouse Auctions.

Since he made such a huge contribution the first time, Qin Yun believed no one would have any objections.

It would take several years of Borton City Warehouse Auctions to have a major impact, and he was very comfortable leaving these matters to Julia.

Julia covered her mouth exaggeratedly, an expression of disbelief on her face.

Ignoring her father's presence, she opened her arms and threw herself into Qin Yun's embrace.

"Really? Thank you! You're so wonderful."

After giving Qin Yun a kiss on the cheek, Julia noticed her father standing aside with an unpleasant look. Blushing, she hopped off Qin Yun.

With the softness in front of him acting as a buffer, Qin Yun didn't feel any discomfort, but seeing Hank's expression, he quickly changed the subject.

"You have twenty or thirty years of experience in Treasure Appraisal. Is there any advice you can give us so we can do a better job as organizers of the Warehouse Auction?"

Qin Yun gave Hank a little flatter and asked for advice humbly.

Hank was very satisfied with Qin Yun and hadn't intended to be angry; he was just a bit jealous seeing Julia's forward behavior.

Hearing Qin Yun flatter him like this, and since it concerned his daughter's future and was in his area of expertise, he began to talk incessantly about the experience he had accumulated in Borton City.

Who could be befriended, who must be guarded against, following procedures, not breaking rules for convenience, keeping a tight grip on the money... Qin Yun chimed in occasionally, praising Hank for being right.

Hank's vanity was greatly satisfied, and he forgot about what had just happened.

The meal was delicious and very filling, much more satisfying than the fancy but meager dishes at Haishizi's house.

After dinner, Qin Yun and Julia went to the shop to organize the inventory and ledgers.

Adding the income from the auction and subtracting the three million promised for organizing the Borton City Warehouse Auction,

the amount he could use in his account was as high as over thirteen million dollars.

Facing so much cash, Qin Yun laughed out loud with joy.

He was now a multi-millionaire.

Along with the Xia Country national treasures that couldn't be sold, his assets could be described as incredibly vast.

But soon, Qin Yun started to get a headache; money just sitting there would only depreciate.

He would continue to get treasures from Warehouse Auctions and reap large amounts of cash from selling them; losing money was impossible.

Only by spending the money could its influence be realized. Now was the time to consider investing in some industries.

But there was no rush; it wouldn't be too late after finishing the bet with Haishizi.

The next morning, Qin Yun and Julia went to the airport.

Arriving at the runway agreed upon with Haishizi, they found him waving at them from beneath a silver plane.

The plane gleamed in the sunlight, looking like a fighter jet from a sci-fi world.

"As expected of Haishizi, he really takes the road less traveled. He even painted his private jet in fighter jet colors."

Seeing the showy silver, Qin Yun couldn't help but complain inwardly.

"I feel quite bad having to trouble you to wait for us by the plane."

Qin Yun said, half-complimenting and half-joking.

"Get on the plane. This Warehouse Auction trip will definitely give you a surprise."

Haishizi didn't mind Qin Yun's words and spoke with a mysterious look on his face.

Qin Yun shook his head, somewhat speechless at Haishizi.

It was just a Warehouse Auction; he had participated in plenty. What was there to be mysterious about?

He thought this to himself but didn't say it aloud, following Haishizi onto the plane.

He was dumbfounded when he saw a squad of Mercenaries wearing bulletproof vests and holding firearms.

What on earth was going on?

Was Haishizi going to war or a Warehouse Auction?