The auction concluded, and the wealthy patrons departed.
However, as they left, they continued to discuss the auction.
After all, to casually spend hundreds of millions solely to bid on a supplement, one had to be exceptionally wealthy.
Tang Xinwan and Ye Cangtian also prepared to leave.
But at that moment, an auction house staff member approached them. "Mr. Ye, Miss Tang, our family head requests your presence!"
Ye Cangtian was momentarily stunned and asked, "Who is your family head?"
Tang Xinwan, however, seemed to have an idea and smiled at the staff member, saying, "Very well, please lead the way!"
The two followed the staff member towards the back of the auction house.
Tang Xinwan explained to Ye Cangtian, "This auction house is an asset of the Fu family, so it must be Old Master Fu who wishes to see us."
The Fu family? The number one family in Yangzhou?
Ye Cangtian had heard of them. The Fu family had deep roots, and even after facing a crisis a few years prior, they had managed to revive and re-establish themselves as a top-tier family in Yangzhou.
It was rumored that Liu Rumei was once their nominal daughter-in-law!
Following the auction staff, they soon arrived at the back of the auction house and met the head of the Fu family.
It was an elderly man, in his seventies, dressed in a Tang suit and leaning on a golden-hued cane.
Beside him stood a young girl with a ponytail.
Ye Cangtian recognized her from afar. Wasn't this Fu Qianxue, the speeding girl who always accompanied Liu Rumei?
"Old Master Fu!" Tang Xinwan bowed respectfully.
The man belonged to her grandfather's generation, and as the head of the Fu family, she ought to show him deference.
The old man smiled and nodded, "Miss Tang is indeed a representative among Yangzhou's young business people. The achievements of Haitian Pharmaceuticals today are simply incredible."
"My humble business is but small endeavors, nothing worthy of mention, not even a fraction of what the Fu family has accomplished," Tang Xinwan said humbly.
As Yangzhou's foremost family, the Fu family's status and strength far surpassed that of the He family from before.
The Fu family was involved in numerous industries, including hotels, restaurants, and even auction houses, with their businesses spread throughout Jiangnan Province.
Compared to the Fu family's enterprises, Haitian Pharmaceuticals was indeed insignificant!
"Miss Tang is too modest!"
After speaking, Old Master Fu turned his gaze to Ye Cangtian, a smile on his face. "You must be Mr. Ye? Truly an exceptional talent. Tang Wanqian has found himself a treasure of a grandson-in-law!"
Tang Wanqian was the Tang family's patriarch.
Although the Fu family kept a low profile, they were not entirely out of touch with information. Furthermore, with Liu Rumei being their nominal daughter-in-law, they had naturally looked into Ye Cangtian.
This young man, with his outstanding capabilities and his ability to effortlessly bring down a multi-billion dollar conglomerate like the He Group, was not simple.
Old Master Fu sighed slightly, "I heard that Mr. Ye was the one who helped resolve the crisis for Rumei's side. Thank you very much!"
Ye Cangtian smiled and shook his head, "It was merely a small gesture, no need for such thanks. Old Master Fu can just call me Xiao Ye."
Old Master Fu nodded and then said, "We asked you to stay for two main matters. The first is regarding the proceeds from the items your Tang family consigned for this auction."
A staff member quickly handed over a bank card.
After deducting the auction house's commission from the five hundred million bid for the Shan Hai Vine, all the money was contained within.
"The second matter is that our Fu family wishes to discuss cooperation with the Tang family!"
"Cooperation? What does Old Master Fu mean?" Tang Xinwan was somewhat puzzled.
While the Tang family was involved in other industries, besides the significant transformation in real estate this year and the steady rise of her Haitian Pharmaceuticals, most of their other ventures were stagnating.
From what she understood, although the Fu family had many businesses, they were not involved in real estate or the pharmaceutical industry.
Therefore, she was unsure what kind of cooperation Old Master Fu was referring to.
Old Master Fu chuckled lightly and said, "Although our Fu family is not involved in real estate and pharmaceuticals, we have achieved considerable success in other sectors. If the Tang family doesn't mind, we can engage in some in-depth cooperation in those other industries!"
Tang Xinwan was initially surprised, then overjoyed.
In-depth cooperation with the Fu family? This was truly a blessing from the heavens!
The Tang family's other businesses had been stagnant for a long time. Due to the recent great success in real estate, even her uncle was considering closing down other companies to focus solely on property development.
Now that the Fu family was proposing cooperation, even a fool could see that they were extending an olive branch, indirectly offering assistance to the Tang family.
Tang Xinwan was somewhat perplexed and couldn't help but ask, "Why would Old Master Fu do this?"
What benefit would helping the Tang family bring to the Fu family?
Old Master Fu chuckled, glancing at Ye Cangtian and her. "The He family is gone, leaving a vacancy in Yangzhou's three major aristocratic families. Various families in Yangzhou are currently vying for this position."
"And your Tang family has the greatest potential! Is this reason sufficient?"
Looking at Old Master Fu's meaningful smile, Tang Xinwan's body stiffened slightly. The Tang family had a chance to become one of Yangzhou's top three aristocratic families?
This was something she had never considered!
And it was something no one in the Tang family had ever thought of.
The reason the He family became one of Yangzhou's top three aristocratic families was due to the He Group's dominant position in real estate.
Now that the He family was gone, the real estate market was being carved up by numerous companies, and the Tang family had fortunately secured a large portion, coupled with the current momentum of Haitian Pharmaceuticals.
The Tang family indeed had the prospect of contending for a title among the top three aristocratic families.
If Old Master Fu's assistance in other industries were added, their chances would be even greater!
With this thought,
Tang Xinwan took a deep breath and respectfully said, "On behalf of the Tang family, I thank Old Master Fu for your support!"
Old Master Fu waved his hand and smiled, "It's not exactly support; it's mutual benefit! If the Tang family can become one of Yangzhou's major families, it would be a good thing!"
Just then.
A voice echoed from a distance, "Grandpa Fu, I've come to see you!"
A young scion, accompanied by a servant, walked in from outside with a radiant smile.
This was the same person who had been chatting with Ye Cangtian and Tang Xinwan before the auction began.
Old Master Fu looked at him and smiled, "Xiao Can? Why are you suddenly in Yangzhou? How has your grandfather been lately?"
The young scion shook his head, "My grandfather is the same as always, sickly. I originally intended to come here to bid on that 'immortal root' you mentioned, but I never expected it to be so expensive. Five hundred million! Where would I get that kind of money?"
Old Master Fu smiled and said to Ye Cangtian and Tang Xinwan, "This is Su Can, from the Su family in Suzhou!"
Tang Xinwan exclaimed in surprise, "The Su family, one of Jiangnan's three major aristocratic families?"
Old Master Fu nodded. "Precisely. The old man of the Su family and I were sworn friends in our youth. When the Fu family faced difficulties years ago, the Su family also helped us considerably."
Tang Xinwan gasped.
If the Fu family was Yangzhou's foremost aristocratic family, then the Su family was one of the top families in the entire Jiangnan Province. Compared to the Su family, the Fu family was somewhat inferior.
Ye Cangtian was also taken aback. He hadn't expected this seemingly friendly young man to be the descendant of a top-tier family.