The Young Master Storms the City
Chapter 165 The Gift from Xu Yourong_1

Chapter 165: Chapter 165 The Gift from Xu Yourong_1

Ding Hongxia, although initially unimpressed with Xu Yourong, softened her stance little by little after their recent conversation and observing Xu Yourong during the meal.

As for her proactive suggestion to go to River City together, Ding planned to use the travel time to chat more with Xu Yourong, to understand her better, so as to properly vet her for Ning Fan.

After all, which mother doesn’t want to learn more about her son’s girlfriend?

The four quickly set off, driving towards River City.

Qiu Li was driving, Ding Hongxia sat in the passenger seat, while Ning Fan and Xu Yourong took the back seats.

Throughout the trip, Ding Hongxia kept talking to Xu Yourong, feeling a mixture of happiness and concern.

She was happy because Xu Yourong was excellent in every aspect, very sincere, without a hint of pretension unlike daughters from wealthy families, and she was truly good to Ning Fan—indeed the best choice for a daughter-in-law.

The concern was that Xu Yourong’s background was too impressive, especially her family’s wealth being so substantial, that the difference in family status was stark and unmatched.

After all, from the older generation’s perspective, marriages that weren’t between social equals wouldn’t last.

Shortly after the four left, several men in black arrived at Ding Hongxia’s doorstep—they were the henchmen sent by Zhao Xinghui.

"Master Zhao, we didn’t find anyone," the men reported over the phone after failing in their search.

"You can’t even find an old woman? Useless! Keep searching!" Zhao Xinghui bellowed in anger.

...

Two and a half hours later, Ning Fan and his group arrived at the River City auction house.

Just in time, they had barely sat down when the auction for the 150-year-old Lingzhi mushroom came up.

"Starting bid for the 150-year-old Lingzhi is five million," announced the host on the stage, loudly.

Upon hearing the price, Ding Hongxia couldn’t help but twitch in the corners of her eyes.

Just the starting bid alone was probably more than what many ordinary families could afford in a lifetime.

"Six million!"

"Ten million!"

"Fifteen million!"

The 150-year-old Lingzhi was extremely rare, and the bidding below started at once, one offer after another.

The cacophony of bids made Ding Hongxia’s heart quiver even more.

Ning Fan was about to place a bid but was stopped by Xu Yourong.

"Ning Fan, at the last auction, you wouldn’t let me buy that ginseng for you, so how about letting me buy this Lingzhi for you this time?" Xu Yourong whispered.

"Miss Xu, I should do it myself. In fact, I now have sufficient funds," Ning Fan said.

These days, sales of the Rejuvenation Pill kept improving. Even after deducting the dividends for Li Wanshan and Baldy Qiang, as well as the expenses of Tianling Pharmaceutical, Ning Fan’s net profits were already several billion.

"No, you already gave me an amulet as a gift, how could I not give you something in return? Besides, I’m going back to the provincial city tomorrow, wouldn’t you accept even my last gift?" Xu Yourong added.

"You should give me something else as a gift," Ning Fan continued to shake his head.

The hundred-year-old ginseng from the last time had cost him ten million to procure.

And once a medicinal herb reached a hundred years old, its price would skyrocket exponentially with each additional year.

The final price for this 150-year-old Lingzhi would certainly be staggeringly high!

In short, whether it was because he didn’t want to "live off a woman" or for some other reason, Ning Fan did not want Xu Yourong to spend so much money on him!

"Okay, if you don’t let me buy it, then forget it..." Xu Yourong murmured.

Ning Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

The next moment, Xu Yourong sighed leisurely, "Then I guess I have no choice but to return the amulet you gave me."

As she spoke, she reached out, attempting to take the amulet out of her pocket to give back to Ning Fan.

"Miss Xu, please, don’t. You must carry the amulet with you at all times. I, I’ll buy it for you..."

Ning Fan had no choice but to say helplessly.

"Hehe, that’s more like it."

Xu Yourong chuckled, withdrew her hand from her pocket, then raised it high and declared loudly:

"Fifty million!"

As soon as Xu Yourong called out this price, the auction hall immediately felt silent, and countless eyes looked over.

This was Sea City, not River City, and so nobody recognized Xu Yourong.

Though everyone present was wealthy, buying a Lingzhi herb for fifty million was not something the average wealthy person was willing to do.

"Fifty-one million!" a white-haired elder suddenly said through clenched teeth.

"Sixty million!" Xu Yourong said without hesitation.

"Sixty-one million!" the white-haired elder shouted.

"Seventy million!" Xu Yourong called again.

"Seventy-one million!" Despite continuing to bid, it was clear that the white-haired elder was beginning to feel the pinch.

"One hundred million!"

Xu Yourong declared with overwhelming confidence.

The true value of the one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Lingzhi was around thirty to forty million. By naming a goal price, Xu Yourong was already bidding more than double its value!

Even if the white-haired elder was reluctant, his limited funds meant he had no choice but to give up. With an incredibly unwilling look at Xu Yourong, he turned and left the auction house.

"This person... seems somewhat familiar."

Ning Fan keenly noticed the white-haired elder’s gaze and, upon reflection, quickly recognized him.

Wasn’t it this white-haired elder who initially bid against Xu Yan for the hundred-year-old ginseng at the last auction in River City?

Soon after, Xu Yourong quickly went backstage to make the payment and returned with a small wooden box, which she handed to Ning Fan.

Ning Fan opened the box, and the one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Lingzhi lay inside, instantly unleashing a rich herbal fragrance.

This was the first time Ning Fan had ever obtained such high-quality old medicine, and he couldn’t help but ponder in his heart what kind of elixir he could concoct with this one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Lingzhi...

At that moment, envious and astonished gazes were shot from all around.

Xu Yourong’s appearance and demeanor were outstanding, and her willingness to spend one hundred million at a stroke clearly marked her as a wealthy heiress.

In contrast, Ning Fan and Ding Hongxia were dressed simply, looking every bit the part of penniless paupers.

The onlookers instantly misunderstood the situation.

"Who is this woman? So generous! When did Sea City get such a young and wealthy lady?"

"Hehe, no matter who this rich lady is, I’m really envious of that man! He’s definitely a gigolo!"

"Turns out he’s a ’kept man,’ huh? Those gold-digging women lure in rich men to buy them handbags, cars, villas; but this guy’s ruthless, having a rich woman spend a billion on Lingzhi for him?"

"Could it be that consuming the one-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Lingzhi improves that aspect? Hahaha!"

People’s discussions soon became unrestrained and crass.

Xu Yourong frowned slightly, and Qiu Li was furious.

Ding Hongxia’s face turned beet red with anger.