Power and Wealth

Next morning.

The skies just turned bright, and Dong Xuebing woke up. He rubbed his eyes and stretched. He opened his mouth wide and wanted to yawn. But before he could yawn, slap! A small fair hand covered his mouth, and the other hand put the finger on her lips, telling him not to make any noise. Dong Xuebing remembered he was still in Qu Yunxuan’s unit and her mother was still sleeping on the sofa outside. He listened carefully for a while, but could not hear any movements outside.

“Xuan Xuan, you are up?”

“Call me Aunt Xuan. Where is your respect? I woke up for a while.”

“We have already done that, how can I still address you as Aunt now?”

“......”

Qu Yunxuan was hugging Dong Xuebing’s waist and resting her head on his arms. Her long hair was on his shoulders, and she looked so cute and helpless. Dong Xuebing noticed there were some changes in Qu Yunxuan and he smiled. He had a sense of accomplishment and felt fulfilled. He reached over and hugged her naked body. “You are awake for a while and is still hugging me? Huh? You still don’t want to admit that you like me all this while?”

“Stop smirking!” Qu Yunxuan heard what Dong Xuebing said and blushed. She quickly pushes him away. “Who likes you?!”

“Xiao Xuan Xuan......”

“Call me Aunt!”

Dong Xuebing cleared his throat: “Aunt Xuan, have you considered now? Are you willing to be my girlfriend?”

Qu Yunxuan looked at him and pinched his nose playfully. “I still need to consider.”

“Huh? We are already in this state, and you still want to think about it?” Dong Xuebing replied and squeezed her butt.

“I will hit you! Stop touching me!”

“Fine...... fine...... go and consider. I will listen to you.”

Qu Yunxuan laughed sweetly and pinched his nose again. “Ok. I will give you an answer when I am ready. Are you still going back to sleep? My Mum should be still sleeping. Later when she goes to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, you secretly sneak out. You cannot go out now. If you are sleepy, sleep a while more.”

“I’m not sleepy.” Dong Xuebing hugged her tightly and asked. “Shall we do it one more time?”

“Stop it! It’s still painful!”

“You should be fine. Come, let try again. If you are in pain, we will stop.”

“Go to hell.” Qu Yunxuan pinched his thigh hard. “Last night, my Mum almost heard us. We can’t do it now. If you still want, you got to wait until tonight.”

“We really cannot do it now?”

“Absolutely no!”

Dong Xuebing was itching to do it again. He had tasted Aunt Xuan once and wanted more. But Qu Yunxuan refused to do it now, and he did not want to force her. He suppressed his desire and just touched her all over her body. This time, Qu Yunxuan did not stop him. She looked at him lovingly and played with his hair, twirling his hair around her fingers and used her long hair to tickle his face.

Suddenly there were the sounds of slippers, and someone tried to open the bedroom door. “Why did you lock your door? Are you awake?”

Qu Yunxuan immediately replies: “I was drained yesterday. Let me sleep a while longer. Are you preparing breakfast, or do you want me to prepare?”

“Stop your nonsense. You are going to sleep a while more, how are you going to prepare breakfast? I will cook breakfast. You get up now. Later you got to look for a new job.” After nagging at her daughter, Qu Yunxuan’s mother went to the bathroom to wash up.

Qu Yunxuan slapped the hand which was still on her breast lightly. “Go and get dress.”

Dong Xuebing unwillingly take his hands off her and start to wear his clothes. Qu Yunxuan felt embarrassed, but she still got out from under the blanket to look for her underwear and long johns. Dong Xuebing was looking at her while she wore her clothes. She gave him a stare, and after she got dressed, she walked over to Dong Xuebing and helped him button up his shirt. She was like a newlywed wife helping her husband wear his shirt.

Dong Xuebing suddenly got an idea: “Aunt Xuan, let me hear you calling me, Dear.”

Qu Yunxuan blushed and rolled her eyes. “What are you talking about?!”

“Just once. One time will do.”

“Shameless.” Qu Yunxuan straightens his collar. “I’m not calling you that.”

“Eh, you got nothing to lose when you call me dear.”

Qu Yunxuan rolled her eyes again and ignored him. She quickly took out the blood-stained bedsheets and stuff it into the bottom of her closet.

There were sounds of cooking in the kitchen. Qu Yunxuan’s mother had started cooking.

“Go back now. If not, you will not have the chance to go out.” Qu Yunxuan opened the door and looked outside. She saw there was no one in the living room and turned back to pull Dong Xuebing. They quickly walked across the living to the door and opened the door softly. “Hurry up.”

Dong Xuebing said: “I need to go out in the morning and should be back in the afternoon. I will look for you when I come back.”

Qu Yunxuan nodded. “I....... will wait for you.”

“Try to ask your mother to go back tonight, so we can......”

“Just go! Stop talking nonsense here! Go!”

Dong Xuebing returned back to his unit with a good mood. He had finally bedded Aunt Xuan. He had finally tried the feeling of making love.... It was...... it was...... exciting. Dong Xuebing took off his clothes and went to take a shower. After he dried his hair, he thought if he should go and watch those type of films to learn some tricks.

Ring, ring, ring...... Dong Xuebing’s iPhone 4 rang.

Dong Xuebing looked at the number. It was Teacher Sun from Hanhai Auctions. “Hello, Teacher Sun?”

“Xiao Dong, the auctions will be starting soon. I have prepared the ticket for you. What time are you coming?”

“Thank you. It’s from Ya An Hotel? I will go over now.”

“Ok. I will wait for you at the carpark.”

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing was thinking of giving Aunt Xuan a surprise. His pearl necklace would be auctioned off in the morning, and he should get 1 million RMB. He would be able to help her set up a company she wants.

10 am.

An Ya Hotel.

There was a big open-air carpark in front of the hotel. Dong Xuebing saw Teacher Sun the moment he alighted from his taxi. Teacher Sun was on the phone not far from the entrance of the hotel. He seems to be very busy. He ended his call when Dong Xuebing walked over to him. Teacher Sun saw him and smiled. “You are here? Let’s go up together. The auctions are at the ballroom on level 7.” Teacher Sun took out a number sign. “Here. This is for you. No. 33.”

Dong Xuebing took the sign from him: “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Actually, you don’t need this sign to enter the auctions. I can just tell them to let you in.”

“Oh really? I thought I need to place a deposit to enter.”

“Hahaha, you are a seller. We will let you in. You have your own sign now. If you see anything that interests you, you can bid. I saw the list of items on auctions. There are some items which are quite worth bidding.”

Dong Xuebing nodded and thought to himself. He had less than 2,000 RMB left. How to bid?

Teacher Sun brought Dong Xuebing to the ballroom and then left. He seems to be in a hurry. He should have some work back at Han Hai Auctions waiting for him.

The small ballroom was spacious, and there were not a lot of chairs around. There was only 7 – 8 rows of chairs. Many men in business suits were walking in after registering. Dong Xuebing showed his number sign to the staffs at the entrance and entered. He chose a seat in the last row at a corner and sat there waiting for the auction to start.

10 minutes later, the auction starts.

The auctioneer walked up the stage with a mic and said: “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Han Hai Auctions’ 27th auctions. It’s an honor for me to hold the bidding hammer in front of you. I am Li Bin, a national auctioneer in the country. My registration number is 15336781.” The auctioneer was about 40 years old. After his opening, he started to count the number signs present.

It was not long before the first item appeared on the screen.

The auctioneer introduces: “This is a 3-legged furnace from the mid-Qing dynasty. The height is 13 cm, and the color is fine with good craftsmanship. This furnace is rare and very hard to find. The starting bid is 2,000 and every time you raise your number sign is an increase of 500 RMB. Ok, let the bidding start.”

Dong Xuebing heard raising the sign was only adding 500 RMB to the bid, he knew this item will not fetch a high price.

A fat lady raises her number sign.

The auctioneer says: “2,500...... No. 2 bid 2,500......”

A man from southern province raised his sign and shouted: “4,000.”

“4,000...... is there anyone higher? 4,000......”

In the end, the man from the southern province won the furnace. The transaction price was 10,000 RMB.

2 minutes later, the bidding started for the second item.

This was the first time Dong Xuebing went to an auction. He was looking at those people bidding with interest. Suddenly, someone opened the door, and 4 young men entered with their number signs. After entering, they started to look for seats. The leader of them, about 30 years old, with long hair looked over toward Dong Xuebing. There were 3 empty seats beside him.

The man with a mole said to the long-haired man. “Wei Nan, let’s sit over there.”

The long hair man nodded and walked over with his 3 friends. “Hey, friend.”

Dong Xuebing had seen them and knew they will be going to him as there were 3 empty places beside him. He moved his legs to let them pass. But those people did not move. Dong Xuebing was puzzled. “You all are not going in?”

That Wei Nan said: “Friend, can you sit some other places?”

Dong Xuebing was stunned for a few seconds. “What do you think?”

Wei Nan replied. “There is an empty seat in front. We are here together and would want to sit together.”

Dong Xuebing was frustrated. Damn. You all want to sit together, and I got to give up my seat for you all? Why should I? Who do you think you are? “If you all want to sit together at the auction, come early next time. I want to sit here. You all can look for other seats.” Dong Xuebing had been a leader for a month. His way of talking had changed slightly and sounded like he was teaching others. If these people were here before the auctions, Dong Xuebing would not mind switching seats with them. But the auction started, and they were late. Yet they still want to choose seats? You want me to give up my seat to you all and then go to the front to look for an empty seat? Are you crazy?!

“Hey!” That man with a mole was furious. “You think you are some sort of big shot?”

Wei Nan frowned and stared at Dong Xuebing. “Bro, give me some face.”

Dong Xuebing thought to himself. You all don’t even know basic courtesy and still, want me to give up my seat? He smiled coldly and said: “You want me to give you face? Then who will give me face?!”

A young man at the back banged the table: “F**K! Are you going to change seats?”

Dong Xuebing looked at that man in his eyes and said slowly: “Watch your language! I am not changing!”

That young man was furious, but Wei Nan pulled him back and shook his head. He looked at Dong Xuebing and then told the person beside him: “You go and find a place in front.” That man seems to be his follower. He nodded and quickly walk to the front. Wei Nan and the other two men sat down beside Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing can’t be bothered with them and continued to watch the auctions.

The 3rd item......

The 5th item......

Wei Nan and his men seem to be waiting for some item. They did not raise their number signs even once.

Suddenly, the auctioneer on the stage announced: “The following item...... is an item lots of you are waiting for. This is also the last item up for auction in the morning. Pearl Necklace. The pearls are all-natural and are all golden pearls. Every pearl has a diameter ranging from 1.4 cm to 1.8 cm. You can never find such a necklace elsewhere....... The starting bid is...... 500,000 RMB! Every time you raise your number sign is 10,000 RMB. Bidding starts now!”

It’s here! Dong Xuebing brightens up and starts to look around!

A man with a mustache raised his sign.

“510,000....... Is there anyone higher? 510,000.......”

A middle-aged woman raised her sign without hesitations and shouted: “550,000!”

A young man in the front roll raised his sign. 560,000.

That middle-aged woman shouted again: “600,000 RMB!”

The auctioneer shouted: “600,000...... No. 6 bid 600,000...... is there anyone else interested? 600,000 once......”

Dong Xuebing also got excited when he saw people fighting over his item. He secretly prayed that there are a few tycoons among the crowded. If only two people were interested in this necklace, then the prices will not go up. Can it be higher?

“620,000!”

“No. 21 bid 620,000...... 620,000...... Oh, that lady over there. No. 6 bid 630,000...... is 630,000 the highest bid? Ah! No. 21 bid 650,000! 650,000 once...... 650,000 twice...... Over there! 690,000....... Is there anyone higher?”

That No. 6 middle-aged woman gave up.

Just when Dong Xuebing was nervously looking at the auctions, a loud voice shouted beside him: “750,000!”

Dong Xuebing was shocked and turned to look at the long hair man sitting beside him. It was Wei Nan who made that bid. Dong Xuebing thought to himself. So, these people are here for my pearl necklace. No wonder they did not bid on other items. But when Dong Xuebing looked at them, they were also looking at Dong Xuebing proudly. Their eyes were looking down at him. It was like saying ‘look, we made a 750,000 bid. Can you bid so much?’

Damn! The necklace you all are bidding is mine! Do you all need to be so proud?! Dong Xuebing could tell that this Wei Nan was wealthy and look down on others. He took a glance at Dong Xuebing arrogantly, and look away.

“750,000...... No. 36 bid 750,000...... any more bids?”

A middle-aged man, who had made a bid for the necklace, turned and saw Wei Nan. He looked surprised and then smiled.

Wei Nan returned his smile.

That middle-aged man put down his number sign. He decided to give up on that necklace.

Dong Xuebing was surprised too. These two people knew each other? Damn! They are not going to outbid each other? Come on! Increase the bids! It’s only 750,000 now!

That man from the southern province continued to bid. “800,000!”

Wei Nan did not even think about it. “850,000!”

That man thought for a while: “860,000!”

Wei Nan shouted loudly: “880,000!”

Dong Xuebing also realized that quite a lot of people at the auction knew Wei Nan. A lot of them turned and smiles at him. Dong Xuebing immediately knew this Wei Nan must be someone prominent, or someone from his family had lots of connections. If not, those people in their 40s and 50s will not give in to a young man in his early 30s.

Someone powerful? Who cares! Hurry up and raise the bids! 880,000 is still too little!

Dong Xuebing did not care about anything else. He was only concern about how much his necklace could fetch. He needed the money to set up a company!

“880,000 once...... Any higher bids? 880,000......” The auctioneer shouted. “880,000 twice......”

Dong Xuebing was worried.

No more bids?! No one at the auction dares to compete with this man?!

F**k! What was happening? Come on! Don’t end this so early!

Dong Xuebing’s heart was thumping. The starting bid was low and increased very fast. But now, the necklace had only fetched a low price of 880,000 RMB. Dong Xuebing still have to pay the auction house commission. He might as well sell the necklace to someone at 1 million. These people at the auction might not be interested in this necklace, or they might have stop bidding because of some other reasons.

Dong Xuebing would only get about 600,000 RMB after deducting the commission if the necklace was sold at 880,000!

God damn it! I put in so much effort for this necklace, and I can only get 600,000 RMB?! It was too far from 1 million!

“880,000...... any more bids?” The auctioneer had already raised his hammer.

Wei Nan was smiling confidently. This was a surprise. He had expected this necklace to reach 1.2 million. He had got a big bargain! The people here were not interested in pearls. Hahaha...... I will save quite a bit.

Damn! Dong Xuebing was pissed when he saw Wei Nan’s smile.

This is it? Let this fellow get this bargain? I can only get back about 600,000 RMB? I wasted my time to go to Zhejiang?

“880,000......” The auctioneer moved his hammer and was about to drop it. “Going thrice......”

Before he could finish saying his sentence, someone quickly raises his number sign and shouts: “1 million!”

Everyone at the auction turned and look!

It was Dong Xuebing who had bid!

Wei Nan was stunned for a while and looked at Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing did not look at anyone. He was just looking at the necklace.

“1 million...... No. 33 bid 1 million......”

A young man sitting beside Wei Nan cursed and then whispered something to Wei Nan. After that, Wei Nan raised his sign “1.05 million!” Wei Nan was thinking to himself. ‘I shall see if you dare to continue.’ Wei Nan was from a wealthy family and had met lots of successful businessmen before. He could tell from Dong Xuebing’s dressing and body language, that he was not someone rich.

But Dong Xuebing did not even hesitate. He just raised the bid: “1.2 million!”

Wei Nan was shocked. His friends beside him were also shocked. This young brat dares to bid more than 1 million?

“Oh...... 1.2 million...... anyone else with higher bids? No. 33 had bid 1.2 million...... Going once...... 1.2 million...... Going twice......”

Wei Nan gritted his teeth. “1.3 million!” He felt Dong Xuebing should not dare to raise his bid any further.

But Dong Xuebing dares: “1.4 million!”

Wei Nan was furious. This person had made him lose face in front of his friends earlier. He could have won this necklace at 880,000 RMB, but this person purposely increases the bid. Trying to compete who have more money with me? I am not scared! He raised: “1.45 million!”

Dong Xuebing shouts: “1.5 million!”

Wei Nan clenched his teeth: “1.55 million!”

Dong Xuebing turned and took a look at Wei Nan, before raising his sign: “1.6 million!”

The rest of the people at the auction stirred.

Everyone at the auction could feel the tension and keep quiet. They were looking at both Dong Xuebing and Wei Nan. 1.6 million...... This was a ridiculous price. Was he bidding this necklace for his girlfriend?

Wei Nan’s face changed and looked furious for a while, before calming himself down. He knew he should not continue to bid. It was not because he did not have the money. It was because he felt it was not worth it. He smiled coldly to himself. 1.6 million for a necklace which was worth only about 1 million RMB? Are you stupid? He turned to the two young men beside him and said something. Those two young men looked at Dong Xuebing and smiled. With the commission, Dong Xuebing got to pay at least 1.8 million!

“1.6 million once...... 1.6 million twice......” The auctioneer raised his hammer and hit it hard. “1.6 million thrice! Sold!”

Wei Nan was pleased. He laughed to himself and called Dong Xuebing fool in his heart.

Dong Xuebing turned and looked at Wei Nan. He was also calling him a fool in his heart. He smiled at Wei Nan and said: BACK!

The scenes before his eyes flashed!

Dong Xuebing could feel his hand was raised. He looked up and saw he was holding his number sign.

The auctioneer, which had dropped the hammer earlier, had returned back to the time when Dong Xuebing and Wei Nan were competing. He pointed to Dong Xuebing: “Oh...... 1.2 million...... anyone else with higher bids? No. 33 had bid 1.2 million...... Going once...... 1.2 million...... Going twice......”

This was the time before the bidding ends!

Dong Xuebing had saved his powers, and he could use it 3 times. Now, he had used once, and he still have two times left.

Dong Xuebing suddenly got this idea when Wei Nan was about to win the necklace at 880,000 RMB. He had almost forgotten about his powers after not using it for a few days.

Wei Nan gritted his teeth and looked at Dong Xuebing coldly. “1.3 million!” It was as if he was daring Dong Xuebing to raise the bid.

Dong Xuebing shouts: “1.4 million!”

Wei Nan frowned and raised the bid: “1.45 million!”

Dong Xuebing shouts: “1.5 million!”

Wei Nan looked at his two friends and then shouted: “1.55 million!” Wei Nan calmed down and took a few deep breaths. He had thought about this. From Dong Xuebing’s previous few bids, Wei Nan felt Dong Xuebing would surely increase his bids. You are so confident about getting that necklace? But I am not! I will not waste my money like this. Hahaha, this will teach you a lesson!

“1.55 million....... Any more bids? 1.55 million once......”

Wei Nan lowered his head and said something to his friends.

Those two young men seem to understand what was happening and were looking at Dong Xuebing. They were trying to dare Dong Xuebing to bid.

But after Dong Xuebing shouted 1.5 million, he did not say anything else and closes his eyes!

Wei Nan did not expect Dong Xuebing to react this way. He was stunned.

“1.55 million twice...... Anyone with a higher bid?” That Auctioneer looked at Dong Xuebing in the crowd and noticed that Dong Xuebing looks like he had fallen asleep. The auctioneer was speechless and then raise his hammer: “1.55 million...... thrice! Bang!” He dropped the hammer hard: “Sold!”

Wei Nan and his friends’ face changed! Why this person did not carry on bid? He had been bidding without hesitation earlier. He seemed to be determined to get this necklace, and that’s why he bid 1.5 million.......

Clap, clap, clap...... Everyone at the auction clapped. They were clapping for Wei Nan!

Dong Xuebing was overjoyed in his heart. The returns this time was huge!

1.55 million RMB!

After deducting the commission and other charges, Dong Xuebing would get about 1.3 million RMB! This was 300,000 more than the 1 million he expected!!!