Chapter 38: Not Worth a Damn

Soon, the slips of paper were delivered to the woman in the cheongsam. She lowered her eyes, reading through each one. Though she had asked everyone to guess the price, it was little more than a disguised bidding—ultimately, the price of the lingzhi would be determined by her alone. She merely wished to gauge their sincerity and avoid unnecessary disputes.

Most of the prices written were quite conservative; it was clear these were not genuine buyers. However, Master Bu Jingshan, renowned in martial arts, had offered a substantial sum, showing real intent. Then, she saw that Master Yi had bid exactly the same as Bu Jingshan, which made her smile inwardly.

Next, a price of twenty million appeared before her eyes, penned by the rotund Young Master Yan Hongyi. She thought to herself that the Yan family of Shangdu truly possessed immense wealth—a sum sufficient to purchase a lavish villa. Even she felt a flicker of temptation.

She glanced carelessly through the remaining slips, but the last one made her pause in surprise.

"Those words have finally appeared!" she murmured.

At that moment, everyone was watching her with anticipation, awaiting her announcement.

Yan Hongyi wore a self-satisfied smile, confident he had already secured the lingzhi.

Beside him, Bao Hongxuan felt there was little suspense, and offered a few premature compliments.

His sister, Bao Yingtong, was all smiles as well. She had introduced Young Master Yan to this place; if he was pleased, she could use his connections to expand the resort, perhaps even collaborate with the Yan family on projects in Jiangcheng.

Bu Jingshan and Master Yi exchanged glances. They understood that this guessing of prices was but a ruse; in the end, the decision rested entirely with the host. Thus, they each wrote what they hoped would be a satisfactory figure.

Yet, seeing the imposing presence of Yan Hongyi, they both shook their heads. Though they were distinguished figures, their financial clout could never match that of a capital tycoon—their bids would surely pale by comparison. In these times, who would not be drawn to great wealth? It seemed inevitable that Young Master Yan would win; privately, they lamented their poor fortune.

The woman in the cheongsam swept her gaze over the crowd, then fixed it on Chen Yuyi.

"I now announce—the winner is this gentleman!" She pointed directly at Chen Yuyi.

A wave of astonishment swept the room, all eyes turning to Chen Yuyi.

No one was more shocked than Yan Hongyi, whose plump face flushed red as he cried out, "Impossible! Did he bid higher than me?"

The Bao siblings protested angrily, "Our Young Master Yan is sincere in wanting to buy this thousand-year lingzhi. How can this fellow outbid him? Is there some trickery here?"

Everyone found it strange—the young man seemed completely ordinary, neither wealthy nor a medicine dealer, nor one initiated in the arts or martial prowess. He looked like someone merely here to watch the excitement. How could the winner be him?

They had all expected Yan Hongyi to win; never did they imagine another would claim the prize. It was enough to shock them.

The woman in the cheongsam cast a cold glance at the Bao siblings. "I said before, the winner is the one whose bid is closest to our store's price. This gentleman fits that criterion. What objections can you raise?"

"What is your store’s price, and what did he write? Could you disclose it? Since we all participated, we have the right to know!" Yan Hongyi had calmed down, but was still dissatisfied. He wanted to clarify the matter; if necessary, he could privately negotiate to buy the lingzhi.

He wanted the lingzhi for his uncle, Yan Shouzhong, whose health had recently declined, hoping to win his favor.

The crowd was curious as well.

Zhu Shaoqi was speechless; only she knew what Chen Yuyi had written—four words: "Not worth a damn!"

This was hardly a bid at all, more like a provocation. Yet, somehow, he had managed to win. Truly worthy of being called Master Chen! She sighed in admiration, her eyes filled with stars as she looked at Chen Yuyi.

Zhang Tianyou did not know what Chen Yuyi had written, but was inwardly delighted—the trip had not been in vain. He guessed Chen Yuyi must have bid a high price, recalling Chen Yuyi’s extravagance at the underground market that day.

The woman in the cheongsam now curved her lips into a faint smile, possessing a charm that could overturn kingdoms.

"I said this gentleman is the winner, and so he is!"

Her voice ensnared some, who gazed at her in a daze.

But the martial artists and those initiated in the arts grew visibly more vigilant, sensing that she was by no means ordinary.

"Everyone, this lingzhi now belongs to that gentleman. If there is nothing further, please take your leave," she said, issuing a polite but firm dismissal.

Bu Jingshan and Master Yi, though rivals, exchanged a look of tacit understanding, then politely bid farewell to the woman in the cheongsam and departed.

The others, seeing this, lost interest and dispersed.

Only Chen Yuyi and his companions remained, along with Yan Hongyi and his two associates.

At this point, Bao Hongxuan approached. "Qiqi, who is this fellow to you?"

Zhu Shaoqi snorted coldly, "Call me Qiqi again and I'll have my brother break your legs!"

"Haha, I'm a bit scared, but that was in the past. Your Zhu family used to overshadow ours, but now that we've allied with the Yan family, do you think I'd still fear Zhu Shaohui?"

As he spoke, his gaze roamed brazenly over Zhu Shaoqi, thick with possessiveness.

Zhu Shaoqi shrank away, moving closer to Chen Yuyi.

"Young Master Bao, please mind your words," Zhang Tianyou stepped forward, shielding Zhu Shaoqi.

Chen Yuyi narrowed his eyes slightly. Zhang Tianyou had protected Zhu Shaoqi before when she was in danger; now, he did so again in the face of harassment. Could this be the intention of King Xiang?

"Get lost! Who the hell do you think you are?" Bao Hongxuan barked.

Chen Yuyi’s brow twitched, and he moved coldly to step forward.

Zhang Tianyou hurriedly pulled him back, shaking his head repeatedly—he did not want Chen Yuyi to spill blood over such a trivial matter.

Chen Yuyi had no intention of killing, only to intimidate the youth, but seeing Zhang Tianyou’s concern, he relented.

"So, who are you, exactly?" Bao Hongxuan, seeing Zhu Shaoqi so close to Chen Yuyi and sensing he might intervene—especially since Chen Yuyi had won the lingzhi—grew ever more irate.

"Be sensible and hand over that lingzhi to Young Master Yan. There will be benefits for you. Otherwise, beware—you might regret it!"

Zhu Shaoqi pursed her lips, thinking Bao Hongxuan was truly reckless, daring to speak to Master Chen in such a manner. She even felt a bit sorry for him.

Zhang Tianyou, frightened, clung tightly to Chen Yuyi. "Yuyi, don’t stoop to his level. Let’s take the lingzhi and leave quickly!"

"Damn it! Not stoop to my level? You better remember—this is Lower Jiang, not Jiangcheng. Do you believe I can’t have you crippled right now?" Bao Hongxuan’s rage flared. He still nursed a grudge from Zhu Shaohui’s previous warning and was itching for a fight.

"Get lost," Chen Yuyi, restrained by Zhang Tianyou, spat out a single word.

Bao Hongxuan jumped up, fists clenched, ready to attack.

"Hongxuan, come back!" Bao Yingtong called from the other side, approaching.

She swept a cold gaze over Chen Yuyi. "Young Master Yan says he wishes to speak with you after you’ve collected the lingzhi. We’ll wait for you at Xinyu Hotel—hope you’ll come."

The woman in the cheongsam now stepped forward, addressing Yan Hongyi and his companions, "Gentlemen, the lingzhi has been sold. If there’s nothing else, please don’t linger."

Yan Hongyi’s expression darkened—he had never been dismissed so bluntly. He glanced at Chen Yuyi, then flung his sleeve and departed.

Bao Yingtong hurried after him.

Bao Hongxuan gave Chen Yuyi a vicious glare before quickly following.

"Idiot!" Zhu Shaoqi muttered, rolling her eyes once they'd left.

Chen Yuyi merely smiled. Xinyu Hotel—perhaps he would visit, if time allowed.

"Sir, please follow me," the woman in the cheongsam said, flashing a seductive smile.

Zhu Shaoqi shot her a look of disgust, cursing her inwardly.

She prepared to follow Chen Yuyi, but the woman blocked her. "Please wait outside for a moment."

"Why?" Zhu Shaoqi was wary, afraid something indescribable might happen between her and Chen Yuyi.

"No reason. My lady wishes to see him alone," the woman said coldly.

"You two just wait outside," Chen Yuyi spoke, then followed the woman through a door.

Zhu Shaoqi stared at the door, even tempted to rush in after him.

Zhang Tianyou laughed, "Just wait a bit—it’s not as if he won’t come out."

Zhu Shaoqi blushed. "What do you think they’re doing? And who is this mysterious lady?"

"How should I know? By the way, what did Yuyi write to win the bid?"

"Not worth a damn!"

Zhang Tianyou looked at her, puzzled, and kindly advised, "Shaoqi, you’re a girl—don’t use such coarse language. If Yuyi hears, he might think less of you."

Zhu Shaoqi rolled her eyes. "I was saying that's what Master Chen wrote—not a price, but those four words!"

"Ah..."

Chen Yuyi followed the woman in the cheongsam to the rear courtyard of the pharmacy, passing through several corridors until they reached a garden.

There, amidst the flowers, stood a woman in snowy white robes, her long hair cascading to her waist, exuding a classical elegance. She held a small hoe, carefully tending the earth in a flower bed...