Money exchanged for goods.

Along with an appraisal certificate issued by Wuji Group.

Since these items were auction remnants that failed to sell multiple times, Ye Chen and Zhang Jingshan were treated warmly by the auction house.

After all, if these two generous buyers hadn't stepped in, who knows how many auctions these unsellable items would have been stuck in?

With such interactions, Ye Chen and Zhang Jingshan naturally became like "Gods of Wealth" in the eyes of the auction staff.

Walking out of the Four Seasons Hotel:

"Ye Ge, didn't you notice how those staff members were looking at us? It's like they think we're gullible fools. For items costing a few hundred thousand yuan, they were so enthusiastic it gave me goosebumps! If not for the fact that Wuji Group is such a reputable name, I'd seriously feel like I got scammed!" Zhang Jingshan said, thoroughly annoyed.

Thinking about the wooden sculpture he held, square and box-like, unease crept into his heart.

It wasn't a matter of the price-he didn't care about the extra tens of thousands spent.

The problem was, if his old man found out he spent almost a million yuan on a piece of wood, he might get beaten to a pulp.

"They were auction leftovers-stock that failed to sell after multiple rounds. Of course, they're enthusiastic when it finally gets sold! If they weren't, that would mean Wuji Group's corporate culture has problems!" Ye Chen laughed.

"But Ye Ge, since you know these are unwanted items, why did we buy them? To admire them at home?" Zhang Jingshan was even more puzzled.

"Nope. I don't appreciate antiques like this, nor do I have the time for such things," Ye Chen replied with a smile.

"Then why?"

Zhang Jingshan's eyes widened.

Then it dawned on him: "Could it be... is this a hidden gem?"

"Even the sharpest hunter gets blinded by prey sometimes," Ye Chen remarked.

"Ye Ge, is it really a gem?" Zhang Jingshan was visibly excited.

"Gem or not, you'll find out soon enough. Let's go." Ye Chen shook his head.

"Where are we going?" Zhang Jingshan asked, his breathing quick with anticipation.

"Wuji Group's headquarters in Jiangzhou," Ye Chen replied.

"Huh? Wuji Group? Why?"

"To sell these items-along with that wooden sculpture in your hand-back to Wuji Group."

As Ye Chen spoke, he walked toward his Mercedes G-Class.

Zhang Jingshan, utterly bewildered, stood frozen for a moment.

Sell it back? They had just bought these items from Wuji Group's auction, and now they were going to sell them back?

After a brief pause, he noticed Ye Chen's car already started. Hurriedly, he ran toward his Porsche.

Half an hour later, at Wuji Group's grand and imposing headquarters:

"Can you get in touch with someone from Wuji Group's upper management? I'd like to have a word with them," Ye Chen asked.

"I... I've never dealt with Wuji Group before, but I can try. I'll give my name at the front desk and see if that works. If not, I'll find someone who knows their senior management. But Ye Ge, what are you up to?" Zhang Jingshan was still confused.

"Why so many questions? You'll find out soon enough," Ye Chen replied irritably.

"Well... alright, I'll try the front desk!"

At the reception desk, Zhang Jingshan strode confidently forward.

"Hello, please contact your general manager for me. Tell them Zhang Jingshan from Yuntian Network would like to meet. See if they're available."

"Sir, that doesn't seem to align with our protocol..." the receptionist frowned slightly.

Before she could finish, another receptionist suddenly exclaimed, "You... You're Zhang Jingshan, the CEO of Yuntian Network?"

"And? Don't I look like it?" Zhang Jingshan smiled charmingly.

"You do!" The receptionist nodded immediately, no hesitation.

Unbeknownst to Zhang Jingshan, he was already a topic of gossip among many career women. As the CEO of Yuntian Network, the heir of Yong'an Construction, and the grandson of a highly respected former official, he was the dream bachelor in Jiangzhou.

"Mr. Zhang, while this isn't standard protocol, I'll take the liberty of contacting the general manager's office for you," the receptionist said enthusiastically.

"Thank you so much!" Zhang Jingshan replied, suddenly polite and gentlemanly.

"Not at all, Mr. Zhang!" The receptionist immediately made the call.

The conversation was brief, lasting less than a minute.

When she hung up, the receptionist smiled. "Mr. Zhang, the general manager asked his secretary to come down and escort you. Please wait a moment."

"Thank you!" Zhang Jingshan nodded.

"There's a waiting area over there. You can rest there while you wait," the receptionist offered.

"No need; it won't take long." Zhang Jingshan waved her off, then suddenly looked at her thoughtfully.

"Mr. Zhang, is something the matter?" the receptionist asked nervously, blushing under his gaze.

"You have potential as a live-stream host. Ever thought of switching careers? If you're interested, come to Yuntian Network and say I sent you," Zhang Jingshan teased.

"Really? Are you serious?" The receptionist's eyes widened in disbelief, as if happiness had fallen from the sky.

"Of course!"

Zhang Jingshan's playboy charm was in full effect.

Ye Chen, standing aside, couldn't be bothered to intervene.

Thankfully, the awkwardness didn't last long.

The general manager's secretary soon rushed out of the elevator.

"Mr. Zhang, thank you for waiting. Mr. He asked me to take you upstairs!"

Recognizing Zhang Jingshan immediately, the secretary greeted him warmly.

"Thank you!"

With that, Zhang Jingshan ended his banter with the receptionist and followed the secretary, Ye Chen trailing behind.

In the conference room:

When Ye Chen and Zhang Jingshan entered, He Zhijun, Wuji Group's general manager, quickly approached them.

"Haha! Mr. Zhang, if you wanted to meet, you could've just called me directly. No need to go through reception! Even though Wuji Group and Yuntian Network haven't worked together, your family's Yong'an Construction built this very building, and your grandfather has always been a strong supporter of ours. The Zhang family and Wuji Group have deep ties!" He Zhijun laughed heartily, shaking Zhang Jingshan's hand.

"You're too kind, Mr. He!" Zhang Jingshan replied with a modest smile.

After a bit of small talk, He Zhijun noticed Ye Chen.

"And this is?"

"This is Ye Ge. He's the one who wanted to meet you. I'm just here as backup," Zhang Jingshan explained.

"Oh? Nice to meet you, Mr. Ye!" Surprised but polite, He Zhijun extended his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. He," Ye Chen replied casually, shaking hands.

"So, Mr. Ye, what can I do for you today?" He Zhijun asked, smiling as he got straight to the point.

"It's a small matter. I recently bought three items from your auction: a Qing Dynasty wooden sculpture, a Kangxi-era porcelain cup, and a replica of Songyang Hanbaitu. I'd like to sell them back to you," Ye Chen said, smiling.

The moment those words left his mouth, He Zhijun's smiling face froze.