Chapter 30: Deep Pockets

"16.01 million! Contentment is not constant happiness, your bid is just too unscrupulous, only ten thousand higher than mine!"

As soon as the new bid appeared, "Dog Tycoon" exploded.

Others in the live stream burst into laughter, each feeling a sense of schadenfreude.

Once the laughter died down a little, "Contentment is Not Constant Happiness" said smugly, "Learn from this, Dog Tycoon, this is called bidding strategy."

"So what if it's ten thousand more? Even if it were just one cent more, it's still higher than yours."

"This set of Wang Yeting porcelain plaques has nothing to do with you anymore."

Dog Tycoon was instantly speechless, able only to send a barrage of expressions of contempt toward his rival.

However, "Contentment is Not Constant Happiness" didn't stay happy for long.

After a succession of over twenty invalid bids and three valid bids under 16.01 million, another, more staggering bid finally surfaced.

"17.5 million RMB! Good grief, this is too exaggerated!"

When the new bid was displayed, the live stream instantly boiled over.

The person who placed this bid was that guy, "Half-Dream Half-Awake."

It was clear that "Half-Dream Half-Awake" was determined to get his hands on this set of Wang Yeting's porcelain plaques.

Amidst the chorus of gasps, the guy popped up, bursting with pride.

"I believe there won't be a higher bid than this. This set of Wang Yeting's porcelain plaques should belong to me."

Before his voice had even faded, some guys started egging him on.

"Brother Half, do you need a sidekick? This little brother offers his services—I'm mediocre at eighteen different arts!"

"Please keep me, Boss Half, this little sister will dump her boyfriend for you right now!"

After some banter, "Chimei Wangliang" said dejectedly, "People compared to others will drive you crazy! I couldn't come up with this much money even if I emptied my life savings, how can I even compete!"

"Half-Dream Half-Awake, tell us your reason for this bid. Isn't this too generous? Isn't this just giving money away to Xiao Ran?"

A moment later, "Half-Dream Half-Awake" provided an explanation.

"The reason is simple. Buying this set of porcelain plaques directly from Xiao Ran saves me twenty or thirty percent in auction commissions and a lot of taxes and fees."

"When you calculate it that way, the bid I made isn't high at all; in fact, it's on the low side."

One sentence awakened the dreamers. Hearing his words, many finally realized the truth.

"It really is like that. Why didn't I think of that? I missed out on this set of porcelain plaques for nothing."

"Well! It looks like this set of porcelain plaques is going to fall into the hands of Half-Dream Half-Awake."

Just as everyone was discussing it, Xiao Ran was secretly cheering. 17.5 million RMB was far above his psychological price point; it could be said to be a huge, pleasant surprise.

Elaine, who was standing to the side, was busy converting the bid into US dollars. Looking at the converted figure, the beautiful woman was instantly stunned.

"Wow! Over 2.6 million US dollars, this is crazy!"

"Sean, are everyone in your live stream billionaires?"

"They can just pull out such a huge sum of money so casually, just to buy a set of porcelain plaques."

"It seems the rumors are true: Chinese people are incredibly wealthy and could buy the whole world."

Xiao Ran smiled and shook his head.

"There aren't that many billionaires, but I can be sure that Half-Dream Half-Awake is definitely a billionaire, a proper rich man."

Everyone in the live stream agreed with his statement. "Half-Dream Half-Awake" didn't bother to explain—that would be futile!

***

Next, Xiao Ran opened the other private messages one by one and displayed them in the live stream. Most of the remaining bids were invalid, and the few valid ones were all lower than 17.5 million RMB.

It took nearly ten minutes for Xiao Ran to finish opening the bids and end this unique auction.

The result went without saying!

This set of porcelain plaques by the master ceramic artist Wang Yeting ultimately fell into the hands of "Half-Dream Half-Awake."

When the result was announced, "Half-Dream Half-Awake" immediately began to cheer and celebrate, ecstatic. The others who missed out were all wringing their hands, feeling a bit lost.

After announcing the auction results, Xiao Ran shifted the topic.

"Half-Dream Half-Awake, send me a private message or contact me on WeChat later. We'll discuss the transaction details; the sooner we trade, the better."

"As for the others, there's no need to feel disappointed. I will participate in various auctions in the future, and perhaps I'll discover even better treasures."

"With this experience, when the next auction comes around, the person who wins the bid might just be you."

His words immediately drew a wave of responses.

"Xiao Ran, when do you plan to attend the next auction? Hope you find something."

"Next time, bring some more common antiques and artworks so we poor folks can play too—give us something to look forward to!"

Xiao Ran was more than happy to oblige such requests.

"I will try to attend the next auction as soon as possible, but whether I can find antiques and artworks depends on luck."

Following that, he chatted with everyone for a while longer and then began to display the ceramic pieces he had placed on the floor. These items were inexpensive but quite exquisite, immediately piquing many people's interest.

A few of the ceramics, which were only engraved with initials, became the focus of everyone's attention. What if they were the works of some Hollywood superstar? That would have at least some collection value.

Through the live stream, Xiao Ran sold most of the ceramics. However, he kept a few to display in his and Elaine's rooms to decorate their lives.

This unique live stream lasted until about eleven o'clock in the evening. After the stream ended, Elaine returned to her apartment to rest. She did not refuse the thousand-dollar payment Xiao Ran offered.

After she left, Xiao Ran tidied up a bit and then began discussing the transaction details with "Half-Dream Half-Awake." They agreed on the time and place for the trade, the method of transfer, and so on, before ending the call.

As with previous transactions, Xiao Ran kept the location at the UCLA campus, as it was safer. As for receiving the payment, he used the bank account he had opened in the United States. According to David's warning, the IRS had started to pay attention to him, keeping tabs on his income and tax status. Under such circumstances, Xiao Ran dared not pull any tricks.

...

The next day, around noon.

At a restaurant inside the UCLA campus.

After receiving the auction payment transferred in person by the family of "Half-Dream Half-Awake," Xiao Ran handed over the set of Wang Yeting porcelain plaques, completing this antique art transaction. Along with them, he also handed over two storage bins of ceramic works, which they had agreed to help bring back to China last night.

The family of "Half-Dream Half-Awake" had also brought an antique appraisal expert to verify the items on the spot. Furthermore, they contacted two top-tier appraisal experts in China for a remote verification. The result, needless to say, was that the provenance and value of the porcelain plaques were beyond doubt.

After completing the transaction, the other party took the Wang Yeting porcelain plaques away. As for how they would bring these valuable plaques back to China, that was no concern of Xiao Ran's.

...

After seeing them off, Xiao Ran did not leave but returned to the restaurant with David. Sitting down, David couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Sean, you really are the luckiest guy I've ever met. It's incredible."

"You are also the fastest money-maker I've ever seen—faster than printing money!"

"Haha, my luck is indeed quite good."

Xiao Ran nodded with a smile, not without a sense of pride.

"David, I will continue to participate in similar auctions in the future, and I will definitely encounter many legal issues."

"After these two collaborations, I've found that you are a highly professional and trustworthy lawyer."

"Given this, I think we can sign a long-term cooperation agreement. What do you think?"

David would never refuse such a windfall. Without the slightest hesitation, he nodded eagerly.

"I would be very happy to, Sean. I am willing to provide you with professional legal services to ensure your interests are protected to the maximum extent."

"That's good, David. I hope we have a pleasant cooperation."

As he spoke, Xiao Ran shook hands with David. With that gesture, they had reached an agreement to cooperate.

Following this, they began to discuss the details of their partnership. The discussion lasted for half an hour. Afterward, Xiao Ran asked about another matter.

"David, how much longer will it take for my gun permit to be processed? I need a weapon for self-defense."

"Yesterday, after leaving the auction venue, I noticed someone following me. I had to drive to the police station to shake off those ill-intentioned guys."

David's expression changed instantly, and he said coldly, "Sean, if something like this happens again, remember to notify me immediately. I will take those idiots to court."

"If you need a bodyguard, I know some professionals who are very skilled."

"As for the gun permit, since you are an international student, the process is a bit complicated. I estimate it will take about another week. That is actually quite fast."

Xiao Ran nodded lightly and replied, "I can wait another week to get the permit."

"If I encounter such things in the future, I will contact you. As for hiring a bodyguard, I need to think about it."

"All right, Sean," David nodded in response.

Immediately, Xiao Ran changed the subject.

"Through these two transactions, I have generated millions of dollars in tax revenue for the US and California governments. I wonder if that can be exchanged for a green card?"

"You know, David, flights between China and the US are currently suspended, and I'm about to graduate. I'm afraid I won't be able to return to China immediately when the time comes."

"If that happens, my status might become problematic. I won't only be unable to continue treasure hunting, but I might be targeted by immigration authorities and thrown into jail."

"To avoid such a thing, I must plan ahead and resolve my status early to prevent future trouble."

David smiled and shook his head, saying firmly, "Don't forget, you are a rich man! Sean, in the United States, as long as you have money, there is nothing that cannot be done."

"Based on the huge amount of tax revenue you've generated for the California and US governments, they will fight to issue you a green card!"

Hearing this, Xiao Ran felt much more at ease. This was a last resort; he didn't want to be deported by the US government and have all his assets swept away!