Chapter 488 - 295: What Is a Real Shopping Spree?

Chapter 488: Chapter 295: What Is a Real Shopping Spree?

The auction hall wasn’t very crowded, with about a hundred people at most. At a glance, the crowd was split into thirds: one-third were blond and blue-eyed, one-third wore white robes, and one-third were of Asian descent.

Without a doubt, everyone present was wealthy.

Lin Chu scanned the room but didn’t see any particularly familiar faces.

’Oh well...’

’In a circle like this, I’m probably the real stranger.’

’New money, after all.’

The old money families were all deeply intertwined. Even if they hadn’t directly collaborated, they had certainly all heard of each other by reputation.

The accumulation of wealth and prestige went hand in hand, with fame and influence compounding over time.

’And me? I’ve been at this for less than six months, all told.’

Mentally, Lin Chu had always wanted to slow down and ease his pace. He’d even considered taking three to five years to gradually consolidate everything he’d already acquired.

’But I just can’t seem to stay idle.’

’There’s always this sense of urgency, as if time waits for no one.’

’But sometimes, when I look at the bigger picture, I realize it’s true—time really does wait for no one.’

’Online, people use metaphysical theories to analyze the times, saying the next twenty years are the "Great Fortune of the Nine Li Purple Fire," an era of great change. And looking at the state of the world, it really does seem to be true.’

’Alright then.’

’Time to farm some money.’

’No point overthinking it.’

’On this trip to the Middle East and Europe, I’ll see if I can acquire some useful assets.’

’The thought of setting up a home abroad had even crossed my mind.’

’But after careful consideration, I rejected the idea.’

’Putting aside lifestyle habits and the question of fitting in, it was clear that the East was on the rise. It was only a matter of time before it became the world’s leader again.’

’The path might be a little winding, but the future is definitely bright.’

’This filled me with an incredible sense of anticipation.’

’What will the world look like in ten years?’

’I’m going to be a man above all others!’

’And not just in China!’

’In the entire world!’

’Call me... the China Boss!’

"Chu, over here!"

Rashid was sitting with a few other men in white robes. Upon seeing Lin Chu enter, he immediately stood up and waved him over.

The auction hadn’t started yet, and the room was filled with murmuring conversations.

He was the one who had given Lin Chu the invitation, so their seats were naturally next to each other.

The hospitable Rashid was eager to introduce his good friend from China to his own companions.

They had had an absolute blast these past few days!

Giving him a glance, Lin Chu shook his head with a smile and walked over.

He took his seat.

Five men in white robes.

It was rare to see local women at such an occasion, a matter of tradition.

As for the five men’s appearances...

’To be honest, it was hard to tell them apart. There wasn’t much to distinguish them, likely due to a shared bloodline.’

’Every last one of them was quite handsome, though.’

’Royal bloodlines, after all. At least one of the parents is bound to be good-looking, so when you average it out, the children can’t end up too ugly.’

’If I have a son in the future, he’ll definitely be more handsome than me.’

’After all, whoever the mother turns out to be, she’s guaranteed to be a great beauty.’

’If he’s ugly, then without a doubt, it means I’ve been cuckolded.’

Rashid’s Chinese was decent.

The others, however, didn’t really know the language.

And Lin Chu’s English wasn’t good either.

After a few awkward conversational gambits, they ran out of common topics. Using a translator was too much of a hassle, so they simply waited patiently for the auction to begin.

"Chu, see anything you like? I’ll win the bid and give it to you as a gift."

Rashid didn’t want to leave his friend out. After murmuring a few words to the others in their language, he leaned close to Lin Chu’s ear and spoke with a smile.

The Jade Necklace Lin Chu had given him when they first met was quite valuable, and Rashid certainly knew its worth. He hadn’t yet found a suitable gift to give in return, and this auction seemed like the perfect opportunity.

The Little Prince was a firm believer in returning a gift for a gift.

He was royalty, after all; spending money like water was in his blood.

’Standard international etiquette.’

"No need."

Lin Chu shook his head, flashing a white-toothed smile. "Not this time. However, I do have a favor to ask. Could you help me find a retail space in Dubai? I want to start a luxury goods business."

’I haven’t mentioned this to him before. Cashing in the favor for this is perfect.’

’As long as it doesn’t get in the way of me buying that blue-and-white porcelain.’

’That’s what I need to farm money.’

"OK, no problem. You can leave it to me."

"In that case, why not open a few?"

"One at the airport, one in the Burj Khalifa, and one in the Burj Al Arab Hotel? I own properties in all three places. If you want them, I’ll let you use them rent-free."

Rashid said with a mischievous grin, clearly pleased with his successful flex.

’Got to prove myself!’

’I can’t always be the one watching Lin Chu flex!’

’This much money is just small change, completely insignificant.’

’If you really did the math, the total rent over several years wouldn’t even come to ten-plus million USD.’

Lin Chu nodded with a smile.

"Great, that would be for the best."

’Rent-free, huh?’

’Impressive as hell.’

’Most of the local real estate is definitely monopolized by the royal family. It’s their golden goose.’

’Hanging out with them these past two days, I’d often hear him point to a building on the street and say that some sheikh uncle had given it as a gift to this or that prince or princess at some point.’

’It’s... pretty feudal.’

’Fiefdoms, buildings.’

Nearby, Yang Huixian listened to their conversation, a genuine smile gracing her lips.

’This Little Prince is certainly generous,’ she thought. ’He really carries himself with style.’

’It seems Lin Chu’s "PR campaign" these past two days was quite effective.’

’As for all the wining and dining, it was just an act for the occasion. She didn’t mind.’

’Even if she did mind, there was nothing to be done about it.’

’All she could do was choose not to mind.’

’The more she cared, the less Lin Chu would care about her.’

’This was an obvious truth.’

Yang Huixian had figured this out long ago.

...

A blond, blue-eyed woman and a sharply dressed man in a suit walked onto the stage. With an enthusiastic greeting, they announced the official start of the auction.