"That... that..."
"That... ahhh..."
Fu Changping and Lin Dafu were momentarily speechless when their ruse was exposed.
However, embarrassment was a luxury these old hands of the business world could ill afford.
Soon, the two were arm in arm.
"Fu Hanhan, your acting isn't good enough; you were seen through so easily," Lin Dafu chuckled.
Fu Changping glared, indignant, "Lin Da Zui, your acting wasn't much better either; weren't you seen through just as easily?"
With their act failed, they descended into mutual recrimination.
Zi Linling yawned and said, "So, tell me, what do you two want with all this effort?"
Fu Changping and Lin Dafu froze for a moment, then looked at each other, a flicker of pleasant surprise in their eyes.
"We..."
"We..."
They both spoke at once, then fell silent simultaneously.
Zi Linling smiled knowingly and said, "What, are you two addicted to acting? Want to continue?"
Before they could reply, she continued, "If that's the case, then please do! I'm busy, so I'll be leaving!"
She then made to leave.
Seeing this, Fu Changping and Lin Dafu panicked.
"Miss Zi, please don't go!" Fu Changping called out urgently.
"Yes, yes, Miss Zi, we were just joking with you; don't be angry!"
Lin Dafu, also flustered, quickly chimed in.
Zi Linling retracted her departing step and said, "You have ten breaths of time!"
"Ah?"
Fu Changping and Lin Dafu were clearly caught off guard by this sudden turn in the conversation.
But as seasoned businessmen, they quickly recovered.
"We wish to purchase the Heaven-grade premium pills you have," Fu Changping replied truthfully.
"Allow me to elaborate. It's not just the two of us who wish to purchase them, but our Huatian Chamber of Commerce wishes to collaborate with you, Miss Zi. What do you say?"
Lin Dafu, with his more nimble tongue than Fu Changping, quickly clarified the situation.
Zi Linling smiled, "Can you two make decisions for the Huatian Chamber of Commerce?"
"They can!"
Before Fu Changping and Lin Dafu could answer, a voice rang out.
Zi Linling turned towards the sound and saw a slightly plump middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man wore a genial smile, exuding an aura of wealth, yet devoid of the arrogance that often accompanies it.
"And you are?"
Zi Linling looked at the middle-aged man with a hint of confusion.
Before the man could reply, Lin Dafu quickly introduced him, "Miss Zi, this is Vice President Su Lie of our Huatian Chamber of Commerce."
Vice President?!
Zi Linling was somewhat surprised. She truly hadn't expected the Vice President of the Huatian Chamber of Commerce to appear.
Su Lie stepped forward and smiled politely, "I've already heard about yesterday's events. Miss Zi, you truly are a hidden dragon, a crouching tiger!"
His smile was very approachable, perfectly embodying the merchant's creed of choosing amiability to foster prosperity.
Give an inch, and they'll reciprocate a foot.
Zi Linling reciprocated with a smile, "President Su flatters me!"
She omitted the "Vice" from his title, showing respect.
Su Lie smiled, "What are your thoughts on collaborating with our Huatian Chamber of Commerce, Miss Zi?"
Zi Linling's smile remained undiminished, "I naturally trust the golden signboard of the Huatian Chamber of Commerce, and collaboration is not an issue. However..."
She glanced around at the onlookers and smiled, "This place isn't quite suitable for discussing business, is it?"
Su Lie paused for a moment, then smiled, "Miss Zi is right; it was indeed my oversight. How about this: after the stone gambling convention concludes, would you honor us with your presence at the Huatian Chamber of Commerce?"
Zi Linling nodded and smiled, "Very well!"
Su Lie nodded with a smile and said to Fu Changping, "All of Miss Zi's expenses today will be discounted by twenty percent!"
Fu Changping blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded, "Yes, President!"
Twenty percent off!
Such a generous gesture greatly surprised Zi Linling.
However, adhering to the principle of not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Zi Linling happily accepted.
Of course, by accepting the twenty percent discount, she had implicitly agreed to collaborate with the Huatian Chamber of Commerce, a fact that was understood without further explanation.
After instructing Fu Changping, Su Lie smiled at Zi Linling and said, "Miss Zi, I still have a pile of mundane matters to attend to, so I must take my leave. Please forgive any impropriety!"
Zi Linling smiled, "President Su is too kind. As the head of the chamber, it is only right that you are busy. Please, be on your way!"
Su Lie smiled, "Thank you for your understanding, Miss Zi. We shall speak again later. Excuse me!"
"Farewell, President Su!" Zi Linling replied courteously.
"Farewell, President!"
"Farewell, President!"
Fu Changping and Lin Dafu said respectfully in unison.
After Su Lie departed, Fu Changping, seeing that time was drawing near, cupped his fists and smiled at Zi Linling, "Miss Zi, the auction is about to begin. I must go prepare!"
Zi Linling nodded, "Yes, go attend to your business. I should head over as well!"
Fu Changping nodded and turned to leave.
Of course, before he left, he instructed Lin Dafu to transfer yesterday's five million to Zi Linling's black gold card.
Lin Dafu naturally complied. Not only was Zi Linling about to become a major client of the Huatian Chamber of Commerce, but even an ordinary customer's money would not be misappropriated by them.
By the time Zi Linling returned to the auction venue, almost everyone had taken their seats.
Indeed, the Huatian Chamber of Commerce was worthy of its reputation as a major enterprise. While the auction venue wasn't as luxurious as their Huatian Auction House, everything was arranged in an orderly fashion.
Seeing Zi Linling approach, a waiter quickly came forward and said, "Miss Zi, my name is Nan Shu. I am responsible for your reception. Please follow me!"
Zi Linling nodded and, led by Nan Shu, was guided to the VIP area in the front row.
"Miss Zi, please!"
Nan Shu pulled out the chair in the center and said respectfully.
Zi Linling nodded and said, "Thank you!"
She then sat down.
"Who is this young lady? She's in the VIP section and has a dedicated attendant!"
"She doesn't look very old; could she be a prodigy representing some major sect?"
"Such a beautiful woman, I wonder which sect she belongs to."
"This woman looks unfamiliar; she's not on the list of prodigies, nor does she seem to be from a sect!"
"Even if she's not on the list of prodigies, her presence in the VIP section indicates her status is not simple!"
"..."
While some speculated about Zi Linling's identity, others were discussing a different topic.
"This woman is so beautiful. If the Holy Son of the Joyous Union Sect, Nie Rufeng, were to see her, it would be quite a spectacle!"
"Your news is too outdated! That Holy Son of the Joyous Union Sect, Nie Rufeng, should be enjoying himself in the underworld by now!"