A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

Chapter 210 The Real Fool

$70...$70 million?!

Even though that was the lowest anyone had auctioned off Zhang Da-Qian's work, ten times more

meant $700 million!

$700 million!!

Yang He was so terrified that he pissed his pants. His face turned ghastly pale as he sat limply on the

ground and looked like he had lost all hope.

Even if he sold Eight Treasure Hall, it wasn't worth $700 million.

Now he understood why Ye Fan kept saying he couldn't afford it.

It was true. Despite running an antique business for many years, he only profited a little. He only had

perhaps $20 or $30 million worth of savings, so even if he sold the shop, all he could cough up was

$100 million at the very best.

Even if he sold everything he owned, it was impossible to compensate Ye Fan with $700 million.

When Yang He turned pale, Ye Fan immediately laughed. He looked down at him and said, "Mr Yang,

what happened? You were so cocky just moments ago. Why are you sitting on the floor now? Are you

trying to delay things? That won't do because I'm in a hurry. You lost a bet, so you just have to suck it

up. Hurry up and settle your $700 million debt. Have you decided how you want to pay? I accept Alipay,

WeChat Pay, and cash. Of course, if you can't come up with the money, you can always give me your

title deed.”

As Ye Fan mimicked Yang He, he smiled indifferently. He threw all the ridicule that Yang He gave him

right back at him instead.

"I...I..." When he heard Ye Fan's words, he sat on the ground and looked like he just ate a mouthful of

shit.

His face was crimson, and he was too ashamed to even show his face. After he clucked and stuttered

like a chicken for a long time with his lips trembling, no words came out.

He intended to make a quick buck from Ye Fan earlier on to make up for his loss today. But he didn't

foresee this ending at all.

Instead of making money, he had to pay him $700 million. It was a complete embarrassment for him!

This fall was simply too great.

He disgraced himself and probably made Eight Treasure Hall a laughing stock within the curio

community.

But just as he was wallowing in embarrassment and wondering what he should do, his son, Yang Wei,

came walking over. He went straight up to Ye Fan and shouted, "That's $700 million! How dare you ask

for so much money! That's blackmail! Eight Treasure Hall doesn't owe you a dime! What gives you the

right to ask us for money? You say that my father owes you $700 million, but what proof do you have?

Do you have an IOU? How can you just demand $700 million from us out of the blue? It's just wishful

thinking! And this painting is from my father's collection. It belongs to Eight Treasure Hall and has

nothing to do with you."

For the sake of money, Yang Wei disregarded all dignity and started acting shamelessly.

He reached his hand out to snatch the 'Withered Wood and Stone Painting'. But of course, Ye Fan

wasn't going to let him have his way.

First, he pulled the painting against his chest.

Then Ye Fan ignored Yang Wei and turned to look at Yang He. "Mr Yang, what is the meaning of this?

Do you want to go back on your word and refuse to acknowledge the debt? When we made a bet,

everyone here witnessed it. President Gu was a witness too. Didn't Mr Yang keep going on about what

an honest business you run? Do you want to ruin the Eight Treasure Hall's 100-year-old reputation with

your own hands?" Ye Fan's teasing and laughter continued to fill the place.

All the rich men in the room also started speaking up for Ye Fan.

"That's right, Mr Yang. Be a man and suck it up. It's despicable for you to go back on your word."

"If word gets out, how can you go on running Eight Treasure Hall?"

"Mr Yang, are you going to wreck Eight Treasure Hall's 100-year-old reputation?"

"How are you going to answer to your ancestors?” Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"Mr Yang, honesty is everything."

"Otherwise, everyone will look down on your from now on."

The people chimed in one after another and just kept fanning the flames. They spoke and waited for

him to make a fool of himself.

Gu Long-En looked at Ye Fan and said deeply, "Yang He, you have to admit defeat. Since you lost to

Little Teacher, you ought to pay up like you agreed."

"What's more, Little Teacher was kind about it by pricing this painting at $70 million. Do you know that

Su Dong-Po's 'Withered Wood and Stone Painting' can get auctioned off for at least $100 million?

Based on its real price, you would be losing over $1 billion and not $700 million."

"I..." Gu Long-En's words terrified Yang He so badly that his face turned distinctly paler. He sat

sprawling on the ground like a dog while he trembled and was on the verge of breaking down.

Yang He was overwhelmed with remorse. He didn't expect a priceless treasure to be hidden behind this

lousy painting. Also, worse yet, Yang He thought there was no way the winnings could go beyond $1

million. But the bet soared astronomically to over $100 million and he lost.

If he knew this would happen, he would rather die than talk big!

Now that Yang He lost everything, he felt like killing himself!

But Yang He had no choice but to relent. He looked at Ye Fan sadly as he said regretfully, "Sir, I, Yang

He, acted like a snob. I admit that I lost. But I really don't have $700 million. Even if I sell Eight

Treasure Hall, I can't come up with that much money. But don't worry, I will certainly acknowledge the

debt. I just hope Little Teacher can give me some time to come up with the money slowly! If I can't pay

in ten years, then I'll do it in 20 years or 30. If I die, I'll let my son and my grandson pay! So long as

Eight Treasure Hall stays standing, we will honor the debt."

"There's $3 million on this card. That's all the money I can come up with now. Please treat it as my first

installment to you. Once I have the money, I will pay!" said Yang He deeply. Even though it hurt, he

gritted his teeth and handed his card to Ye Fan.

After all, he truly lost the bet. What's more, if Yang He wanted to continue making a living in the antique

trade, he couldn't deny the debt or go back on his word!

Yang He's reaction surprised Ye Fan.

He thought that Yang He would act like his son.

"I didn't expect you to be such a brave man. Forget it. Get up. I was only joking with you. You don't

have to pay me $700 million. If you feel bad, then make more money and donate it to charity."

Ye Fan had no intention of making Yang He cough up the $700 million like they agreed. He was merely

scaring him to teach him a lesson.

Yang He was unlucky enough as it was since he spent tens of millions buying a lousy piece of

porcelain and now he had sold a painting worth billions for $250. Just these two events alone were

probably enough to make him collapse. If he were to shoulder millions in debt, he might just jump off a

building tomorrow.

"Thank you, Little Teacher. Thank you, Sir! From now on, Little Teacher is my benefactor!"

Yang He even started crying. He was deeply grateful to Ye Fan.

He was going to resign himself to this debt, but in an unforeseen turn of events, Ye Fan decided to call

it off.

Of course, Yang He was thrilled by the sudden surprise.

Ye Fan didn't say much. He only advised him to be a calm and kind person in the future.

That he should be less snobbish and more peaceful.

Then Ye Fan picked up the painting and turned to leave.

When the rich men around them saw him leave, they hurried over to stop him. The spoke flatteringly to

him, "Little Teacher, are you interested in selling the painting? I'll pay $70 million for it. I can pay by

bank transfer, cash, or even with my title deed!"

"Mr Wang, do you think Little Teacher is a fool? President Gu said this painting is worth at least $100

million, but you want to pay only $70 million for it? How insincere. Little Teacher, I will offer you $100

million for it."

"$100 million? Just three years ago, this painting was valued at more than $100 million.”

Little Teacher, I'll pay $130 million! Please sell it to me!”

'Til pay $140 million plus a villa in the provincial capital, Jianghai!"

"Please sell it to me. I will offer $150 million."

In a matter of minutes, there was an uproar among the rich men. They kept increasing their offers while

they shouted at the top of their lungs. A fight almost broke out.

As Yang He listened to them make offers that easily went over a few hundred million, he felt bitter in his

heart.

How could he have sold something that worth over $100 million for $250?

He made fun of Ye Fan by calling him dumb earlier on, but he was the real fool now!

Yang He was wallowing in regret.

But he had no choice since the rules were the rules. Ye Fan already purchased the painting and even

had a receipt. It was simply too late to regret.

Yang He finally understood why Ye Fan insisted on paying for it and asked for a receipt even.

He was protecting himself, in case, he got envious and wanted to go back on his word!