C59 Using a Gold Card.

As Ye Yu emerged from the office, he noticed Kong Youqian lingering outside the door, lost in thought. Ye Yu shut the door behind him and shot a sideways glance at Kong Youqian. "Well? Are you satisfied now?"

Snapping out of his reverie, Kong Youqian regarded Ye Yu with an odd look. "Is minimalism the new trend in gift-giving? Ye Yu, can you explain why Teacher Wu is so delighted over a mere bottle of water?"

Ye Yu clasped his hands behind his back and cleared his throat pointedly. "Ahem! And what should you be calling me?"

It dawned on Kong Youqian that he had previously made a significant vow. "My lord, Student Ye Yu, here's my business card. Please command me if you need anything!"

With a beseeching look, Kong Youqian extended his business card to Ye Yu. Ye Yu couldn't help but find the gesture amusing. As he accepted the card, he noticed its unusual chill—a metallic coldness.

Examining it closely, Ye Yu's eyebrows lifted in amusement. He toyed with the card and chuckled at Kong Youqian, "Is this gold?"

Kong Youqian's grin widened as he let out a hearty laugh, his demeanor simple and earnest. "18K."

Ye Yu gave Kong Youqian an exasperated look. It was clear that Kong Youqian was flush with cash; even his business card was crafted from gold.

Kong Youqian.

Chairman of the Too Much Money Jewelry Company.

18683758493.

The card bore only a sparse inscription, but its golden composition was anything but ordinary.

"Ye Yu, now that I've given you my card, just call if you need anything," Kong Youqian said, eyeing Ye Yu before adding, "Regarding the earlier incident..."

"I can't seem to recall any incident," Ye Yu replied, choosing to feign a temporary memory lapse on account of the business card.

Kong Youqian clapped his hands together, his laughter booming. "That's the spirit! I admire people like you, Ye Yu. But could you tell me why Teacher Wu is so taken with your gift?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Realizing Ye Yu had anticipated this, Kong Youqian watched as Ye Yu pocketed the business card and strode away.

Leaving the school grounds, Ye Yu headed straight home. He found a suitable box for the monarch shellfish and packed it away, remembering he had an appointment with Qian Youwei later that afternoon.

With the box in tow, Ye Yu settled into a teahouse and dialed Qian Youwei's number.

"Ye Yu?" came Qian Youwei's voice, tinged with a hint of despondency.

"Qian, meet me at the Green Tea Elegant Loft. I've brought the auction item with me."

"I'm on my way!" Qian Youwei's voice lifted with a surge of hope, dispelling the clouds of gloom from his heart.

"Sir, your guest has arrived," announced the waiter from the doorway.

"Please, come in."

Qian Youwei entered and found Ye Yu seated at the tea table, savoring a cup of tea.

"Take a seat, have some tea, and relax a moment," Ye Yu suggested, noting the beads of sweat on Qian Youwei's brow from his hurried arrival.

Qian Youwei took a seat, seized the teacup, and gulped down the contents.

Gudong.

Setting the cup back down with a thud, Qian Youwei looked expectantly at Ye Yu, his voice quivering slightly. "Ye Yu, you haven't deceived me, have you?"

Ye Yu gestured to the box beside him. "Open it and see for yourself."

Qian Youwei shifted his attention to the box, pausing for a considerable moment. Finally, he drew in a deep breath, steadied his nerves, and opened the lid.

A faint, soft glow flickered briefly as the massive monarch shellfish lay silently within, awaiting its unveiling.