Chapter 29: Lin Qiqing’s Predicament

It was like a sharp sword, piercing mercilessly through Gao Yangwei's pride.

"Just you wait!"

"I'll have my revenge, sooner or later!"

...

After witnessing the scene that had just unfolded, Ye Fei finally gained a preliminary understanding of Chen Yu's second uncle.

A few minutes later, the auction officially began.

Since it had been hastily organized and the venue was not a proper auction house, entering the second floor of the villa revealed a spacious hall filled with tables and chairs, arranged around a central exhibition platform.

There were only ten items up for auction, each sealed behind glass and displayed on the platform.

As soon as they entered the hall, a man who looked to be quite senior—almost like a butler—approached and bowed slightly to Chen Bozhong.

"Second Master, you’ve arrived."

"Mhm," Chen Bozhong responded with a slight nod.

Chen Yu was also surprised to see him, but quickly recovered and introduced him to Ye Fei with a smile. "This is Uncle Fu, the butler trained by my second uncle. He now works for the Chen family. Uncle Fu, what brings you here?"

"Miss," Uncle Fu bowed again and smiled, "Second Master asked me to wait here in advance. He knew you’d come to this auction in defiance to spite the family."

Hearing the words "the family," Chen Yu snorted coldly and mocked, "They’re eager for me to attend, inviting me personally. Isn’t it just so I can witness how this scheme is set in motion?"

"The auction is about to begin. Second Master, shall we take our seats?" Uncle Fu did not respond to her sarcasm. With a polite smile, he led the three of them to their seats.

He guided them with utmost respect, yet never glanced at Ye Fei, as if he were invisible.

As the Chen family’s butler, Uncle Fu held considerable sway at this auction, rivaling even that Vice Chairman Lin. When Chen Bozhong was active within the family, Uncle Fu became a favored confidant, developing a keen eye for people.

Ye Fei, with his casual demeanor and curious gaze, clearly wasn’t some distinguished young master—more likely a friend of Chen Yu’s. Thus, Uncle Fu paid him little mind.

Soon enough, the auction commenced.

The seats around the exhibition hall quickly filled.

Gao Yangwei, Sun Shiyun, and their companions happened to be seated not far from Ye Fei. Seeing Ye Fei sitting beside Chen Bozhong, Gao Yangwei’s jealousy only grew more intense.

Sun Shiyun, on the other hand, watched thoughtfully, her expression unreadable.

The auctioneer was a mature, alluring woman whose elegance rivaled Chen Yu’s. She wore gold-rimmed glasses and wielded a small gavel, sending flirtatious glances at the guests as she began her welcoming remarks and introduced the items one by one:

"Good evening, esteemed guests—"

"All these auction items were painstakingly collected from around the world by Chairman Situ, with starting prices at ten million or above. Please bid accordingly."

"The first item is a natural diamond mined from South Africa, said to be blessed by a master’s incantations. Legend says wearing it prolongs life."

The bidding began.

Soon, offers were made.

The starting price of ten million shot up to one hundred million in the blink of an eye.

"It’s just a diamond, is it really worth that much?" Ye Fei was astonished by the number, slightly clicking his tongue.

A hundred million.

That was no small sum.

How could these businessmen toss such figures around as if it were a game?

"Mr. Ye, you may not know—" Chen Bozhong seemed to sense Ye Fei’s confusion and explained with a smile, "The purpose of this auction isn’t to sell goods, but to allow vast sums of money to flow into Hangzhou without attracting the attention of the police."

"You mean..." Ye Fei suddenly understood.

"Exactly." Chen Bozhong coughed lightly, his voice calm. "The total value of the ten items equals the total funds being raised."

"Mr. Ye, I hear from Yu’er that your senior is the chairwoman of Eternal Group. That young lady came to see Yu’er recently, hoping I’d step in and help. But Yu’er turned her away, and I hear they had quite the argument."

Chen Yu caught the hint of reproach in her uncle’s words and pouted playfully, "Oh, Second Uncle, I didn’t know Lin Qiqing was Mr. Ye’s senior. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have kicked her out and scolded her for being young and reckless."

Ye Fei rolled his eyes inwardly, finally understanding why his senior had been so furious when she found him with Chen Yu.

"Eternal Group’s rise in such a short time is bound to attract the Chen family’s attention."

...

"As far as I know, when they went public, the Chen family tried to acquire Eternal Group."

"But that young lady refused."

"I hear she even boasted that within ten years, she’d replace Hangzhou’s entire real estate industry."

"Quite an ambitious child," Chen Bozhong murmured.

"Uncle Chen, you seem to know my senior well?" Ye Fei asked curiously.

"Not exactly. When she first came to Hangzhou alone, she had some connection with my second uncle. He lent her a hand, which helped her reach where she is today," Chen Yu said softly. "But when someone stands too high, they lose sight of what’s beneath them. Only after a fall can they move forward."

"So you’re saying the Chen family played a part in Eternal Group’s predicament?" Ye Fei narrowed his eyes.

He hadn’t expected things to be so intertwined.

"Please don’t be angry, Mr. Ye," Chen Bozhong smiled. "Yu’er and I have already been quietly removed from the Chen family. The current Chen family is overseen by Yu’er’s eldest uncle, who’s closely connected with the president of Tenglong Chamber of Commerce. That young lady from Eternal Group offended them, and they just needed a reason to enter Hangzhou’s market."

"With every advantage in their favor, if they don’t act now, when will they?"

Ye Fei’s eyes sharpened at the words.

Even a fool could now see how this entire affair unfolded.

His senior, Lin Qiqing, sought expansion and encroached on Tenglong Chamber’s territory, prompting Tenglong Chamber and the Chen family to join forces. Together, they planned to topple the giant that was Eternal Group, seizing Lin Qiqing’s position and assets.

It was the swiftest, most ruthless, most precise approach.

No wonder Lin Qiqing had swallowed her pride and sought help from Chen Yu and Chen Bozhong.

Unfortunately, she had no idea that Chen Bozhong’s standing in the Chen family had long since changed.

Moreover, with Chen Bozhong gravely ill, Chen Yu would hardly show Lin Qiqing any kindness, which explained why Lin Qiqing had angrily demanded the two of them leave earlier.