Mr. Xue would not always cover for him. The man came only for the Tie Fei Mu, not for these things. If not for knowing its whereabouts, Mr. Xue would not have been so accommodating.
He should remain compliant going forward.
With Zhu Lao San, that stirrer of trouble, gone, the subsequent auction proceeded much smoother. Zhang Liunian successfully acquired the South City Food Factory and a thousand-mu plot of empty land for four million.
The auction concluded, and it was time for the banquet.
As the host, Yan Guiguo was supposed to be present throughout, but he sought out Zhang Liunian immediately, intending to offer some comfort.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Liunian showed no sign of disappointment.
"Liunian, do you have some new idea?" Yan Guiguo asked, confused by his lack of dejection.
Zhang Liunian smiled. He did have a new idea, and if it worked out, the department store would still end up in his hands.
"Uncle Yan, you should go take care of things. I'm fine," Zhang Liunian said. He knew Yan Guiguo was busy as the host, and his taking the time to care for him was already deeply appreciated.
Seeing that he was alright, Yan Guiguo did not linger and left to attend to the banquet arrangements.
As the leading figure, his absence would be considered impolite.
However, the banquet was primarily about eating and chatting. Except for a few important guests, others did not receive Yan Guiguo's undivided attention.
"Liunian, you wanted the department store?" Jiang Qingqing, who had been nearby, overheard her husband's true desire.
But both department stores had been bought by someone else.
"Let's not talk about it. Let's go find something to eat. You must be hungry!" The auction had run from morning to afternoon, and not just Jiang Qingqing, but he too was hungry.
Seeing that he didn't want to discuss it, Jiang Qingqing didn't press further. She looked around for food while rubbing her stomach. "There are many pastries over there. Let's go have a look."
"Let's go."
Zhang Liunian took her hand and headed straight for the food area, pulled up a chair, and began to eat.
However, halfway through their meal, an unpleasant voice sounded from nearby.
"So you really wanted the department store! You little scoundrel, were you deliberately playing games with the garment factory?
Too bad, Mr. Xue bought both department stores. They'll never be yours, hahaha..."
The speaker was naturally Zhu Lao San, who had been watching them. He had heard Jiang Qingqing's words, and while furious, he was also secretly pleased.
Furious that Zhang Liunian had deliberately thrown a decoy, claiming interest in the garment factory, when his true target today was the department store.
Pleased that both department stores were acquired by Mr. Xue, leaving Zhang Liunian with nothing, which made him very happy.
Zhang Liunian shifted his position, creating distance between himself and Zhu Lao San, and told his wife, "Ignore him, he's sick."
Jiang Qingqing nodded as she ate her cake, her mind focused entirely on the delicious treat.
Seeing they were ignoring him, Zhu Lao San turned to Jiang Qingqing and provocatively said, "Your man wanted the department store, and the garment factory was just an excuse. Aren't you disappointed or upset?
A man like him is completely unworthy of you. Why don't you consider finding someone else?"
As he spoke, Zhu Lao San pulled out a cigar, lit it, and began to puff away.
Zhang Liunian saw the persistent Zhu Lao San trying to poach his wife right in front of him. He stood up, grabbed Zhu Lao San by the collar, and said coldly, "Stay away from my Qingqing, or I won't hesitate to give you a disability certificate."
Zhu Lao San laughed upon hearing this. "If you dare, hit me now!" As he said this, his eyes flickered towards Mr. Xue and his companions behind him.
Zhang Liunian followed his gaze and saw the group, guessing what he was up to. With a strong grip, he lifted Zhu Lao San up and said, "Do you really think I wouldn't dare?"
"How could you not dare? You definitely dare. But who's afraid of whom?"
After saying this, Zhu Lao San immediately cast a pleading look at Mr. Xue. "Mr. Xue, look at this shameless person who wants to beat me to death. If I die, your business will become difficult."
Zhang Liunian's eyes narrowed. Then, another large hand appeared on his arm. Looking up, he saw the overseas Chinese gentleman named Xue.
"Please release my friend, sir," Mr. Xue said. Though he appeared quite frail, the strength in his grip was formidable, not inferior to Zhang Liunian's.
"What if I don't?" Zhang Liunian wanted to see if this man would engage in a physical confrontation with him.
As it turned out, Mr. Xue did not favor fighting.
"No one can do anything to him until my business is concluded. Do you understand?"
"I understand. You're looking for Tie Fei Mu, aren't you? I have some at my place."
"You're spouting nonsense! How would a peasant like you know what that is? You probably haven't even seen it. Mr. Xue, don't listen to him, he's lying."
Before Zhang Liunian could finish speaking, Zhu Lao San immediately shouted. His urgency made Mr. Xue frown.
The surrounding merchants, who were conversing in groups, were drawn by the commotion.
Zhang Liunian looked at Zhu Lao San and sneered, truly a case of protesting too much.
Meanwhile, Zhu Lao San was in a panic, constantly thinking that Zhang Liunian, a mere peasant, could not possibly know what Tie Fei Mu was, nor that he had it at his home.
Tang Shi Tong had said that the item was not noticeable unless someone was looking for it, which was why he planned to use Mr. Xue to handle more matters before retrieving it.
But seeing Zhang Liunian's confident demeanor, Zhu Lao San panicked.
"You have it at your place? Are you sure it's Tie Fei Mu?" Mr. Xue did not care who had it; his objective was to find the item.
"That's right, I have it at my place." Zhang Liunian had thought of the bed at his home, which was neither entirely iron nor entirely wood, as soon as he heard them mention Tie Fei Mu.
If that thing was indeed called Tie Fei Mu, it would be the sacred object of the Tie Mu tribe, their belief. That was why it was priceless to them.
"If you truly have it, I can give you the two department stores I just acquired. But if you don't, be prepared to face the wrath of certain individuals." Mr. Xue released Zhang Liunian, offering both incentive and threat.
"You can come home with me later. It's in the courtyard where I live." Zhang Liunian's face lit up. He had not expected that bed to be useful, enabling him to acquire the two department stores without any cost to himself.
"He's lying! He's lying to you, Mr. Xue, don't believe him! Tie Fei Mu is not something someone like him would know about. Even I wouldn't have known that item was called Tie Fei Mu without your introduction. How could a country bumpkin be so sure it's what you're looking for?"
Zhu Lao San, seeing his helpful ally Mr. Xue leaning towards Zhang Liunian after just a few words, was overcome with indignation.
Seeing Zhu Lao San's reaction, Zhang Liunian loosened his grip, causing Zhu Lao San to fall to the ground, glaring at him through gritted teeth.
"You..."