"Eight million!" Liu Fa roared, his voice like a lion's.
Lin Fan got up and left without a word.
Zhou Yi's face turned icy. "Liu, we'll see about this!"
Liu Fa was stunned.
This shouldn't have happened!
This kid was clearly interested in the Condensing Water Bead. He'd just made a tentative offer, and now the person was leaving.
"President Zhou, the price can be discussed slowly."
Qian Xiangrong quickly stopped Zhou Yi and Lin Fan, speaking in a gentle tone. "You ask for the sky, and we'll negotiate to the ground."
Zhou Yi scoffed, "You quoted five million last time, and now, just a day or two later, it's jumped by three million. Are you messing with us?"
Qian Xiangrong glanced back at Liu Fa, signaling him to be quiet.
"Alas," Liu Fa sighed, completely abandoning his greedy thoughts.
Perhaps the Condensing Water Bead was just an ancient trinket, looking magical but ultimately ordinary.
Everyone sat down again.
"Old Liu, give a realistic price," Qian Xiangrong took the initiative to mediate.
"Five million, not a penny less. I'd rather smash it and see what's inside," Liu Fa stated resolutely.
Zhou Yi sneered, "One million, and not a cent more."
Qian Xiangrong looked embarrassed. "Please, don't argue. Even if the deal doesn't go through, we can still be friends."
"How about this, let's meet in the middle. Three million, what do you say?"
He patted Liu Fa's shoulder. "Don't be stubborn. Nothing is more practical than money."
Then he turned to Zhou Yi. "With your hundreds of billions in assets, a few million is nothing to you. Do it for my sake, help me out."
After persuading them, Qian Xiangrong approached Lin Fan. "Mr. Lin, why don't you ask your friend and see what she says."
"Alright, I'll ask."
Lin Fan took out his phone. "Boss Liu, can I take a picture?"
"You can," Liu Fa nodded after a brief hesitation.
The Li siblings were also figures in the martial world, and esteemed disciples of Lin Xingnan, prominent members of the Jiangxiang Sect. They adhered to basic martial world ethics.
Liu Fa wasn't afraid of them playing dirty tricks, as that was a grave taboo in the martial world, one that would earn them everyone's contempt.
The sandalwood box was placed back on the coffee table. Lin Fan opened the lid, took a photo, and sent it to Li Yurou.
"Buying or not?" Lin Fan didn't mention the price, asking directly.
After waiting for a while without a reply from Li Yurou, Lin Fan grew impatient, contemplating whether to call her.
Qian Xiangrong, smiling like the Maitreya Buddha, tried to ease the tense atmosphere by striking up a conversation, probing for connections.
"Buy!"
"I want it!"
"How much?"
Suddenly, Lin Fan's phone buzzed. Li Yurou was typing rapidly, her urgent mood evident.
Hmph, you want to buy it? Dream on!
Lin Fan sent a crying-laughing emoji. "My friend says she wants it."
"Old Liu," Qian Xiangrong signaled Liu Fa to haggle.
"Add a little more," Liu Fa pretended to be reluctant, sighing.
Lin Fan smiled and nodded. "Alright, three and a half million."
He pointed to the bronze wine vessel on the coffee table. "Let's add that to what I was saving. That way, no one loses out."
Liu Fa nodded emphatically. "Deal!"
Lin Fan suppressed his excitement, not letting his emotions show on his face.
This was a massive profit!
Zhou Yi promptly transferred the money. "Boss Qian, notify me next time you have something good. But don't introduce me to crude and rude people; it ruins my mood."
This was clearly a jab at Liu Fa.
Liu Fa's expression darkened, but he held back his anger out of respect for Zhou Yi being a potential client.
Qian Xiangrong just kept smiling, not wanting to offend anyone.
"President Zhou, please go slowly. I'll see you out."
"No need, you go back. Having Xiao Fan with me is enough."
Exiting the hotel, Lin Fan let out a long sigh, his face then breaking into a radiant smile.
Zhou Yi looked knowing and chuckled. "Xiao Fan, did we just strike gold?"
"Sister Zhou, how did you know?" Lin Fan was surprised, thinking Zhou Yi was oblivious.
"Tsk, tsk, I've been in business for so many years. Your little tricks can't fool anyone but me," Zhou Yi playfully poked Lin Fan's chest with her finger.
Lin Fan gave a dry laugh. "Let's talk in the car."
"Okay, I want to hear what this mysterious treasure is," Zhou Yi said with a grin.
As the two got into the car, Lin Fan's phone rang.
"Annoying."
He chuckled. You want to steal my thunder? Not in this lifetime!
"Huh? Ayue!"
Just as Lin Fan was about to hang up, he realized the caller ID wasn't Li Yurou.
"Sister Zhou, I need to take this call."
He apologized and pressed the answer button.
"Ayue, what's up?"
"Can't I call you if there's nothing?"
Zheng Yue's tone sounded displeased.
Lin Fan inwardly smiled bitterly. Why do women always like to play these games?
"Of course not. You can call me anytime."
"But I'm a bit busy right now, it's not convenient."
Lin Fan glanced at Zhou Yi, who was openly eavesdropping.
"You got the treasure, didn't you?" Zheng Yue's voice held a hint of slyness.
"How did you know? Oh, Li Yurou contacted you." Lin Fan suddenly realized.
"What good thing did you get? Yurou even threatened to break off ties with me," Zheng Yue said with some frustration.
"Just a small bead. I haven't figured out what it is yet, but it's definitely something good," Lin Fan told the truth.
"Oh, well, bring it to me to have a look when you have time." Zheng Yue came from a wealthy family and had seen all sorts of treasures, so her curiosity wasn't that piqued.
She cleared her throat. "Yurou asked me to tell you that if you don't answer her calls, she'll reveal your plot to deceive the Northern and Southern Sects. It'll be a mutual destruction."
"How dare she!" Lin Fan was furious.
The Li Qi Sect would benefit from this. As long as they weren't too embarrassed, they could publicize it.
"She also said that if you ignore her, she'll tell her brother that you..."
Zheng Yue snickered. "That you've been secretly sending her flirtatious messages with ill intentions."
"Give me a break!" Lin Fan scoffed. "You think I'd be interested in a flat-chested, no-butt little girl?"
"Alright, Xiao Fan," Zheng Yue changed her tone, speaking seriously. "Yurou and I are good friends. Do it for my sake."
Lin Fan nodded helplessly. "Fine, fine, fine. She's got some nerve."
The call ended.
Zhou Yi pursed her lips and smiled. "Xiao Fan, which girl has caught your eye?"
Lin Fan didn't hide anything, speaking openly. "A friend of mine, Zheng Yue. She's recently been investing in the pharmaceutical industry in Shimen County."
Zhou Yi was greatly surprised. "You mean Zheng Yue of the Siamese Zheng family?"
"Yes, it's her. Why, Sister Zhou, have you heard of her?" Lin Fan sounded surprised.
Zheng Yue had only arrived three days ago, and hadn't made a grand show of it. Very few people should know about her.