Chapter 1819: It must be malicious hype

The registration threshold for Jiqing Hall was 10 billion RMB, which converted to about 1.6 billion US dollars.

It sounded like a lot, but in reality, just based on the visible data that could be counted, there were nearly three thousand rich people globally whose assets exceeded this amount.

Besides that, there was no telling how many hidden rich people there were who never disclosed their assets to the outside world.

Therefore, Ye Chen wasn't surprised at all that five hundred people registered in two hours.

However, Ma Lan and Xiao Changkun at home, because of the news of this auction, rarely started to see eye to eye.

Ma Lan saw the news push on her phone and blurted out almost without thinking: "This Jiqing Hall must have had its brain kicked by a donkey! Holding some broken auction, and even registration requires a threshold of 10 billion in assets. Isn't this nonsense? Which auction house dares to be so arrogant!"

Xiao Changkun's heart actually always had a shadow regarding Jiqing Hall.

Back then, breaking that vase at Jiqing Hall almost scared him into a heart attack.

It was hard enough to shift the blame to Ye Chen and try to run, but he ended up being caught and slapped several times; he couldn't have been more embarrassed.

So, after knowing this news, he immediately said with an annoyed face: "What the hell Jiqing Hall, I think they are just here for hype! I've been in the Jin Ling antique industry for so many years; what level Jiqing Hall is at, don't I know? Don't talk about comparing with top auction houses like Christie's or Sotheby's; even the domestic Poly is dozens or hundreds of times stronger than it."

As he spoke, Xiao Changkun continued with great disdain: "People's Sotheby's and Christie's auctions never dare to make a big fuss about asset verification. At most, you pay a deposit of one million to participate. This mere Jiqing Hall actually dares to set a threshold of 10 billion; it's simply outrageous, outrageous to the extreme!"

Ma Lan nodded and asked with narrowed eyes: "Hey, do you think it's because this Rejuvenation Pill has something special?"

Xiao Changkun curled his lips: "What could be special about this? Is it possible that eating it makes you ascend to heaven? I think ascending to heaven is more like it! Even the Angong Niuhuang Pill only sells for hundreds of thousands per pill, right? I think they are just trying to hype it up! This Jiqing Hall hasn't made any waves for so many years; I guess this time they want to use some low-class means to fight for attention."

Ma Lan agreed: "You're right. I guess it's like that internet celebrity from before, what was her name, who shamelessly said her IQ was unmatched for three hundred years before and after. Now isn't she still abroad doing manicures for people?"

Xiao Changkun laughed and said: "I thought that Song Wanting really had some ability; I didn't expect her to come up with such a low-class trick. It's really eye-opening."

As he spoke, he asked Ye Chen: "By the way, Ye Chen, aren't you quite familiar with Song Wanting? She partnered with Bao Fugui to hold an auction before and even sent you an invitation. Did she not discuss this matter with you?"

Ye Chen laughed and said: "I don't have any business dealings with Miss Song, so she doesn't need to discuss it with me."

Xiao Changkun said seriously: "Aren't you the Master Ye in the mouths of these rich people in Jin Ling? Before they make any decisions, don't they look for you to calculate fortunes or look at feng shui? I remember before, didn't everyone who bought a house have to invite you to take a look?"

Speaking of this, Xiao Changkun exclaimed and blurted out: "Damn... Ye Chen... you wouldn't have gone bust, would you?"

Ma Lan, hearing this, also nervously asked hurriedly: "Good son-in-law, have you really gone bust?! Then will anyone still pay millions to ask you to look at feng shui?"

Ye Chen shook his head helplessly and laughed at the nervous appearance of the two, saying: "My main business now is looking at feng shui. You also know that looking at feng shui is basically looking at real objects—looking at ancestral graves, houses, and office venues. Even if Song Wanting believes in me, it's impossible for her to discuss specific business with me."

Xiao Changkun smacked his lips and nodded: "That's true..."

As he spoke, he asked hurriedly: "By the way, Ye Chen, ask Song Wanting later if this auction is a gimmick for hype or if it's really going to happen. If it's really going to happen, see if you can get an invitation or something. I'll go see which fool will come to participate."

Ye Chen said casually: "It's probably just a gimmick for hype. Dad, don't pay attention to it. By the way, how is your Calligraphy and Painting Association doing recently?"

"Very good!" Xiao Changkun said spiritedly: "Our Calligraphy and Painting Association's influence in the city is getting bigger and bigger. We are about to join hands with the city to hold a series of cultural promotion activities. Our city is a sister city with Daejeon in South Korea. The city plans to hold a cultural exchange activity with Daejeon recently. If this matter is settled, I will also go along."

Ma Lan, hearing this, was instantly overjoyed and blurted out: "Xiao Changkun, are you going to South Korea for exchanges?"

Xiao Changkun thought Ma Lan wanted to mock him for not being qualified enough, so he subconsciously asked back: "Why? Is it not okay? I, Xiao Changkun, am now at least the vice president of the association, a solid second-in-command!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Ma Lan smiled and said: "You are really successful now. If you go to South Korea, take me along too? I've lived this long and have never been abroad!"

Xiao Changkun hurriedly said: "Forget it! I'm representing the Calligraphy and Painting Association to conduct cultural exchanges with the Koreans. Do you understand exchange? It's a contest between cultural people. What does it count as if you follow? If people don't know, they'll think I deliberately brought a family member to sponge a public-funded trip!"

Ma Lan, hearing this, was instantly dissatisfied and said: "Aren't you the vice president? You're already second-in-command; can't you even bring your own wife when you go out for exchanges?!"

Xiao Changkun thought to himself: "I wouldn't bring you even if I could! I'm not crazy..."

But he said seriously: "This exchange isn't organized by our Calligraphy and Painting Association; it's organized by the city. By then, two people will be sent from each cultural field, and everyone will form an exchange group and take a chartered plane together. No one is allowed to bring family members."

Ye Chen, hearing this, couldn't help but ask him: "By the way, Dad, is the University for the Elderly going?"

Xiao Changkun said casually: "Yes, this time it's mainly cultural exchange at the middle-aged and elderly level."

Ye Chen understood instantly. If the University for the Elderly was also going, then with Han Meiqing's education, temperament, and appearance, she would definitely be the representative of the University for the Elderly.

In this situation, even if he beat his father-in-law to death, it was impossible for him to bring his mother-in-law.

Ma Lan didn't hear the hidden information in the conversation between the two. Hearing Xiao Changkun say this, although she was somewhat disappointed, she didn't insist much.

Xiao Changkun stood up at this time and said: "It's getting late, I have to go to the association."

After speaking, he hurriedly left the villa and drove away.

Ma Lan felt uncomfortable in her heart, always feeling that she had looked down on Xiao Changkun for half her life, but didn't expect Xiao Changkun to be doing better and better instead. The sense of disparity suddenly pressed down like a big mountain.

She asked Ye Chen cautiously: "Good son-in-law, do you think Mom can also do some kind of elderly career?"

Ye Chen was slightly startled, then asked her: "Mom, what career do you want to do?"

Ma Lan sighed: "Hey, I can't say, but I always feel that your dad is thriving in the Calligraphy and Painting Association, and I've been idle at home for too long; it's not a thing..."

Ye Chen laughed: "Your leg hasn't fully recovered yet."

Ma Lan hurriedly said: "It's almost fully recovered... I've been stifled at home for too long, I want to find something to do..."

Ye Chen thought for a moment and said casually: "How about you go square dancing when you're free? I see many old men and old women dancing very energetically all day long. Some teams even have unified clothing, and the old men and old women inside look very spirited."

Ma Lan waved her hand: "Dancing is a pastime; it can't be a career! Unless the city also has some kind of square dance association, let me be a vice president or something..."

Ye Chen chuckled twice and said: "I really can't say about this, but don't be too anxious. It's not too late to study it after your legs are fully recovered."

As he spoke, Ye Chen suddenly received a document sent by Song Wanting on his phone, along with a message: Master Ye, this document contains all the registration information so far, a total of 740 people.

Ye Chen really wanted to see which famous figures were among the registrants so far, especially wanting to know if there were any Rothschild family members, or people related to his mother's family.

Thus, he immediately said to Ma Lan: "Mom, I have something to deal with, I'm going back to my room first."

Ma Lan hurriedly said: "Good son-in-law, don't go yet. Think for Mom, what career can Mom actually do? Mom can't let Xiao Changkun compare her!"

Ye Chen, while walking toward the stairs, dealt with her: "Mom, don't be anxious, I'll think about it for you later."

Ma Lan asked anxiously from behind: "Good son-in-law, when exactly will you think about it!"

Ye Chen said casually without looking back: "When your legs are fully recovered, I will definitely think of one for you!"

After speaking, he strode upstairs... ===== CHAPTER 1820 =====