Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Why Are You Still Putting Others Down?

Of course, there were also people who did not believe in this and thought the ones who got in trouble before were just unlucky and paranoid. In the end, they threw themselves in too, ended up bankrupt, and even got a lifetime “all-inclusive package” out of it.

With so many living examples, even though the others still felt unwilling, they had no choice but to put away those shameful thoughts. Some settled down and worked honestly, and some simply left the auction house and started new businesses elsewhere.

Yet after they left the auction house, they found that things which had been easy to handle before suddenly became full of obstacles again.

Heart Like Still Water: “Do you understand now? The Wen Family really did put a lot of effort into this auction house, but your Master did not let them work for free. However much effort they put in, they received the same amount of protection from your Master. It was just an exchange of benefits.”

Du An Rao’s eyes flashed. No wonder Old Master Wen kept saying he treated her Master as a Household Guardian Spirit and worshiped him. He had probably long noticed that his family’s luck and wealth were all under her Master’s protection.

However…

Spare Others When You Can: “How come I never knew you were this powerful before?”

Heart Like Still Water: “There are many things you don’t know. Hmph!”

Even through the screen, Du An Rao could imagine her Master’s proud little expression right now, and the corners of her mouth could not help lifting.

Spare Others When You Can: “No wonder Old Master Wen was so warm to me today, like he couldn’t wait for me to take over the auction house right away. He’s probably afraid if he doesn’t handle your instructions well, the Wen Family will lose your protection.”

Heart Like Still Water: “Exactly. I protect my disciple’s businesses, my disciple’s assets, and the people who work to earn money for my disciple. If that auction house becomes the Wen Family’s private property, why would I still protect it?”

If someone has never enjoyed special treatment, that is one thing. But once they have and then it is taken away, the pain will be a hundred times worse than before. That was why the Wen Family not only had to obediently hand the auction house over to her, they also had to do everything they could to stay on her good side, just so they could keep this hard-won protection.

“So you can take over the gift your Master gave you with an easy heart. Unless every single person in the Wen Family has gone crazy, no one will dare to mess around with it.”

His words were very similar to what Du De Sheng had said. It was not only confidence in his own strength, but also a sign of his special favor toward her.

Du An Rao felt a warm rush in her heart and could not help but smile.

With her Master’s confirmation, Du An Rao finally felt steady inside. Early the next morning, she told Du De Sheng about it.

Du De Sheng was not surprised. From Old Man Wen’s behavior and from Du An Rao’s description, it was clear that her Master was not a simple person. Since he dared to be a hands-off boss for so long, he must have his own reasons and backup plans.

“Since your Master said so, you should take the auction house back. After that, if you want the Wen Family to keep managing it for you or you want to find someone else, either way is fine. You just need to sit at home and collect the money.”

Du An Rao: “…” [The way you say it makes me sound totally useless.]

“Then I’ll call Mr. Xi in a bit.”

As soon as Du De Sheng heard that, his hair almost stood up.

“Why are you calling him? If you want reliable accountants and lawyers, your Grandfather has them too. Do you really need to look for some outsider?”

Du An Rao got a fright. She thought: last night the two of them were getting along quite well. Granduncle might not have liked him much, but he did not act like he was facing a great enemy.

Du De Sheng: “…” [He already wants to steal my cabbage. Of course I have to guard against him.]

Last night was last night. Today is today. Last night, the boy was useful. Today, he is not. This was a vivid example of “use and then toss.”

“It’s not just for this matter.” Du An Rao scratched her small face in embarrassment.

“The main thing is to thank him for helping out in our time of need last night. I want to treat him to a meal at Uncle Fu’s place.” And, while she was at it, ask what special issues she should pay attention to in this kind of asset transfer.

When Du De Sheng heard this, he really felt sour: “You’re generous. How come I’ve never seen you invite Grandfather to eat at the Gourmet Pavilion?”

He had forked out one billion last night. That boy only paid five hundred million and even took two pendant plaques home, and in the end, he was the one who got a free meal out of it.

“Grandfather, you want to eat at the Gourmet Pavilion? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I can take you and Grandmother anytime.”

“Go, go, go. You think your Grandfather is that pathetic, drooling over your two bites of food. If there’s nothing else, hurry up and get out of here. I don’t care who you eat with.”

He truly understood the phrase “saying no while meaning yes.” He clearly cared a lot, but he still had to act stubborn.

Du An Rao did not call him out on it and simply changed the topic.

“Right, Grandfather, do you know any stone-cutting masters? They need to have good character and keep their mouths shut.”

“Stone cutting? You still have a stone that hasn’t been opened? Didn’t you only buy one yesterday?”

“Yes, I only bought one. But nobody said a single stone can only contain one piece of treasure.”

Du De Sheng was speechless. He had never heard of that before, but he had also never heard of anyone cutting several good pieces out of one stone.

Still, Du De Sheng knew his own child’s personality. She would not say things carelessly.

“You mean the leftover piece of stone you brought back still has other material inside?”

“Mm. That’s my feeling.”

Other people’s “feelings” might be illusions. But his own child’s intuition was absolutely real.

“Then why didn’t you ask the auction house’s master cutter to take everything out for you yesterday?”

“Because you’re not supposed to show off your wealth. Last night I spent a huge sum to buy two plots of land, and then just casually spent a bit of money on an ugly stone that turned out to have several hundred million worth of rare jade inside. That was already eye-catching enough.”

“If people learn that there’s more than one piece of treasure inside this ugly stone, wouldn’t some of them get jealous to the point of bleeding and want to tie me up right there and steal everything I have?”

Hearing this, Du De Sheng was both angry and amused. He finally understood what Xi Jing Yue meant last night when he said this girl was sometimes very smart and sometimes a little dumb.

This little one had plenty of schemes, but she never used them on her own family. She guarded only against outsiders.

This was good in some ways and not so good in others. At least now, when he thought about how everyone in the family had joined together to keep something from her, he felt a bit guilty.

“You want a master with good character and a tight mouth because of this?”

“I’m just afraid the treasure left in that stone will be too eye-catching. If word gets out and people find out, wouldn’t all the caution I showed last night be wasted?”

“You’re pretty clever. Don’t worry, the people under Granduncle are much more reliable than those random guys outside that we know nothing about. Their mouths are definitely tight.”

Du An Rao: “…” [Why are you putting other people down again?]

“You come home early after eating with that kid tonight, and I’ll call someone over for you. Remember, you’re not allowed to stay out overnight. Be back by ten, no, nine at the latest. If you’re not back, I’ll get someone to pick you up myself.”

Du An Rao knew the old man was worrying about her safety. He was afraid a girl out late at night would suffer losses. But still…

“Grandfather, I’m having lunch with Mr. Xi.”

“…Then come back early anyway!”

“Got it!”