Chapter 120: Help
Chapter 120: Help
“10 million!”
“10 million, going once, any other bids?”
The auctioneer’s voice was slightly hoarse.
With excitement.
He had conducted over a hundred auctions, yet never encountered such a situation before.
This piece, originally just a warm-up item, had astonishingly fetched a price one hundred times its starting bid.
“10 million, going twice!”
“10 million, going three times!”
Thwack!
Satisfied no one else would bid higher, the auctioneer decisively banged his gavel: “Sold!”
“Congratulations to buyer number 7 for winning the lot!”
Immediately, thunderous applause filled the hall!
Buyer number 7 was the renowned film queen, Young Master Zhou.
She leaned in close to the man next to her, whispered something laughingly into his ear, and he responded with a helpless smile.
It was the look worn when seeing one’s own child act playfully mischievous.
Yet looking unable to scold her.
Meanwhile, as the owner of the Hundred-Fruit Wine, Gao Jing felt even more surprised.
Suddenly having two truly important figures show up tonight was already unexpected enough.
He had thought perhaps they weren’t even here for the Hundred-Fruit Wine.
After all, this was Jiashang Auction House’s first autumn sale, featuring plenty of genuine treasures among the items.
But one bottle of Hundred-Fruit Wine ended up selling for an astronomical 10 million!
Far exceeding Gao Jing’s expectations.
Simply incredible!
Moreover, five or six parties had participated in the bidding.
Even Niu Jinxing hadn’t joined in.
Gao Jing couldn’t help turning to look at Brother Fatty Niu seated next to him — this definitely had something to do with him!
Niu Jinxing noticed Gao Jing’s look.
He scratched his head, lowering his voice to say: “That bottle you gave me last time… we shared a bit out at home.”
He hadn’t wanted to mention it earlier.
But now he had to come clean.
Ultimately, it was his mother’s fault. After she boasted about it, people started coming asking for a taste.
Though the Niu Family was a powerful local force in Beiyang, their business wasn’t confined to the region. Most dealings were elsewhere, meaning they faced obligations they couldn’t refuse and people they couldn’t offend.
So, gradually, around half a pound had been given away.
That was probably the root cause!
Actually, if Gao Jing hadn’t put these ten bottles of Hundred-Fruit Wine up for auction now, sooner or later, aside from the Qin Family, others would have sought him out.
Gao Jing had previously asked Niu Jinxing to arrange the auction house and spread the news publicly.
Which actually solved this problem!
“I made it perfectly clear when spreading the word…”
Niu Jinxing, worried Gao Jing might doubt him, insisted: “No one should come to harass you now. If anyone does, you come straight to me.”
Gao Jing truly wasn’t afraid of anyone deliberately bothering him!
But Niu Jinxing meant well.
He smiled faintly. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Brother Daniou.”
“It’s what I should do.”
Niu Jinxing wiped sweat from his forehead.
For some reason, he felt an increasing psychological pressure when facing Gao Jing.
More intense than when facing his own father!
The auction continued.
The second bottle, the third bottle, the fourth bottle…
One after another, bottles of Hundred-Fruit Wine were won.
With the first bottle’s price as a benchmark, the subsequent bottles sold for between 9 and 10 million.
The big players shared an unspoken understanding; no one would risk intense hostility or fierce bidding in this setting.
Rule-breakers faced exclusion by everyone.
The reasons behind this were complicated.
In short, the final bottle also sold for no more than 10 million.
The lowest before that was 8.88 million.
Gao Jing was quite satisfied.
The total for ten bottles reached 93.58 million, adding nearly a hundred million to his bank account!
Hundred-Fruit Wine was different from collectible treasures like Rosewood that could be passed down.
It was a consumable.
After tasting it, finding it excellent, wouldn’t these big shots want another bottle?
This resource was monopolized by Gao Jing!
No business in the world was stronger than a monopoly.
Of course, it was foreseeable Gao Jing would face new troubles because of it in the future.
But back when he was just an ordinary person, he dared venture into the terrifying unknown of the Great World at the risk of his life.
Now, as a Superhuman, Gao Jing wouldn’t fear troubles from the Primary World!
Gao Jing didn’t watch the remainder of the auction.
Accompanied by Niu Jinxing, he completed the final paperwork with Jiashang Auction House.
They would transfer the auction proceeds to Gao Jing’s account at Heng Hui Bank.
Then Gao Jing, along with Ji Yu, Niu Jinxing, and Zhang Ying, returned to the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Following their prior agreement.
Gao Jing gave two bottles of Hundred-Fruit Wine to Niu Jinxing.
The price per bottle was 8.88 million.
“Then I won’t disturb you anymore.”
Niu Jinxing beamed with delight as he took the wine. “Brother Gao Jing, let’s catch up later.”
“See you around.”
Gao Jing saw the two off.
Back in the living room, he spotted Ji Yu holding Nine Apertures on the sofa, staring blankly into space.
Gao Jing sat down and pulled her close. “Senior Ji, what’s wrong?”
Ji Yu rested her head against his chest, murmuring softly, “I never realized how much money you can make.”
Senior Ji knew Gao Jing was wealthy.
Her own family was well-off, and she used to earn a good income—money wasn’t why she’d chosen to be with Gao Jing.
If it were, she’d have married some rich kid ages ago.
But tonight’s events shook Ji Yu deeply.
It made her feel the gap between them widening.
“Don’t overthink it,” Gao Jing whispered, kissing her forehead. “I actually need your help with something.”
Ji Yu straightened up. “What is it?”
She never intended to be anyone’s trophy—not even Gao Jing’s.
Helping him felt like the best path forward.
And what Gao Jing asked stretched longer than she’d imagined.
First, he wanted her to go to Hong Kong Island to get his shell company up and running.
She’d need to rent office space, hire two staff, and secure a large warehouse in the port area.
Then return to the Provincial Capital to set up the Great World Trading Company branch office.
His bulk trades would now use proper import-export channels.
No more hustling back and forth.
It saved time, reduced headaches, and avoided awkward questions.
He also planned to acquire a factory.
For mining coins.
“Hold on!” Ji Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You want me to handle all this alone?”
She’d studied law and knew business basics,
but real management experience? Zero.
Plus, Hong Kong Island felt daunting.
“You can hire people,” Gao Jing urged casually. “However many—salary isn’t an issue.”
Any problem solvable by money power?
Wasn’t a problem at all!
One revenue stream after another
unfolded before him.
Originally, he’d considered Zhang Hongyuan for the role,
but the moment passed unspoken.
So Ji Yu became the top choice—
trustworthy above all.
Senior Ji pouted playfully. “What’s in it for me?”
Gao Jing chuckled, reaching beside the sofa.
He drew out an earthen jar. “Hello, care for a drink?”
Ji Yu froze.
Rosy blush instantly dusted her cheeks.
These were his first words when they’d first met!
Her gaze followed as he uncorked the jar and miraculously produced two crystal cups.
He poured shimmering jade-green wine into each.
Enchanting fruit notes filled the air.
Staring at the offered cup, she whispered shakily, “This… this is Hundred-Fruit Wine?”
She’d witnessed identical bottles auctioned for sky-high prices moments ago.
What was one sip worth now?
“Exactly,” Gao Jing answered gently. “Try it first—it’s good for you.”
Ji Yu moved as if spellbound.
She stiffly took the cup, brought it to her lips, and drank.
Her liver did a little dance of fear!
Yet the taste was divine—
honeyed sweetness woven with spring-kissed freshness, endless wonder unfolding on her tongue.
It slid down her throat, warming her stomach… her entire being.
So luxuriously soothing.
“Mmm,” Ji Yu breathed out, her gaze foggy and soft.
She giggled dreamily,
setting the cup aside to caress Gao Jing’s face.
Her man…
Why did he look so crazily handsome?
Her hand never reached him.
Instead, she collapsed limply against Gao Jing’s chest—out cold!
That was it?
Gao Jing sighed.
Tonight’s planned workout session was officially canceled.
Serving her that wine really hadn’t been wise.
Resigned, he scooped Senior Ji up and carried her toward the bedroom.
Meow?
Nine Apertures watched from the sofa, little question marks practically popping up over his furry head.
Something felt… off about his human.