Damn, How could my family be so wealthy?!-Chapter 478 - 477 Siege

Because of Elder Su’s silence, the atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

Old Man Gu had originally maintained an air of magnanimity, but now his face began to look somewhat unnatural due to Elder Su’s prolonged silence.

Old Man Gu knew that no matter how nice the words he said were, they couldn’t cover up the things he had done before. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Only when Old Man Gu could think of no other solutions did he feel that this might be the best way to solve his problems for now.

But Old Man Gu had forgotten to consider whether Su Junqiang would be willing to cooperate with him.

If Su Junqiang really cared so much about Tang Bohu’s "Returning Home on a Donkey" painting, why hadn’t he continued to bid against him at the auction?

After all, even Old Man Gu knew very well that the Su Family wouldn’t care about that little bit of money.

If Su Junqiang didn’t care about the money, but still stopped bidding, wasn’t the meaning clearer than clear?

Su Junqiang simply wanted Old Man Gu to dig a hole and jump into it himself.

Of course, if Old Man Gu dug his hole too deep and buried himself, Elder Su wouldn’t have a shred of sympathy.

A pitiful person must have a hateful aspect.

In Elder Su’s view, even if Old Man Gu buried himself, there was nothing pitiful about it.

They were all adults, and moreover, adults who had been mixed up in society for the better half of their lives—they certainly should take responsibility for their own actions.

Elder Su certainly wouldn’t change his mind just because of a few words from Old Man Gu.

Compared to Old Man Gu’s increasingly anxious expression, Elder Su was still very composed.

Su Mu looked at his grandfather and understood that his grandfather would not bother with this somewhat shameless Old Man Gu.

Su Mu’s thoughts were the same as the old master’s.

It was obvious that Old Man Gu was doing this because he couldn’t solve the problem himself and had come to the old master to say these things.

If Old Man Gu could produce that two billion in cash, his current demeanor would be unknowable.

And the words Old Man Gu had just said sounded as if they were for Elder Su’s benefit, which made Su Mu feel sick.

For such a despicable person, ignoring them is the best method.

After a solo act that grew tiring, Old Man Gu knew to quiet down.

"Old Master Su, didn’t you really like this painting just now? Why now..."

At this moment, Old Man Gu actually remembered to use an honorific with Su Junqiang.

Old Man Gu knew that bowing his head to Su Junqiang would be easier than paying a large sum for breach of contract.

Old Man Gu was clear in his heart that he definitely couldn’t produce two billion in cash.

If Su Junqiang didn’t take over the genuine Tang Bohu painting, then the only thing waiting for Old Man Gu was one path.

That would be to pay the auction’s breach of contract fee.

But this hefty tens of millions in breach of contract fees would hurt Old Man Gu to the core.

It was foreseeable how difficult the days for the Gu Family would be in the future.

So, at this time, Old Man Gu was actually very sensible and became polite toward Elder Su.

"I’m no longer interested in this painting."

Looking at Old Man Gu, who always stood in front of him as if he wouldn’t step aside until things were made clear.

Elder Su unceremoniously crushed Old Man Gu’s illusions.

This was a lesson Elder Su gave to Old Man Gu, so how could Elder Su possibly help Old Man Gu solve this problem?

Too foolish, too naive; using these words on a man over fifty may seem inappropriate,

But at the moment, no other adjectives really come to mind.

Elder Su’s response was unmistakably clear; Old Man Gu couldn’t feign ignorance even if he wanted to.

"No, no longer interested?"

For a moment, Old Man Gu was at a loss for words.

He knew all too well why Su Junqiang suddenly lost interest in Tang Bohu’s "Thoughts on Riding a Donkey Back Home."

Wasn’t it because Old Man Gu had spoiled Su Junqiang’s previous good mood?

But at this time, Old Man Gu couldn’t bother with that anymore.

For him, persuading Su Junqiang to change his mind was now the only way to save himself.

"Old Master Su, might you reconsider?"

"As the auctioneer said, this ’Thoughts on Riding a Donkey Back Home’ is one of Tang Bohu’s most expert works, and its value for collection is certainly extraordinary."

"I honestly want to cede this ’Thoughts on Riding a Donkey Back Home’ to you, please think it over?"

Old Man Gu was sounding like a salesman now, desperately pitching the painting he initially had been determined to snatch from Su Junqiang’s hands.

Once Elder Su had spoken, naturally, he wouldn’t change his statement.

Without wasting further words with Old Man Gu, Elder Su simply gave him a glance.

The message was clear, Elder Su intended to leave, and it would be better if Old Man Gu got out of the way.

Blocking the path like this simply didn’t seem like something a person of quality would do.

Of course, if Old Man Gu had been of quality, today’s events wouldn’t have transpired.

If Old Man Gu had any decency, he wouldn’t have started by insinuating against the young master of the Su Family to elevate himself.

Consequently, as the saying goes, you reap what you sow. It was questionable whether Old Man Gu had yet grasped where he had gone wrong.

"Old Man Gu, since Elder Su is no longer interested in the painting, you can just take the one you bid on and enjoy it at your leisure," someone said.

"What you’re saying, it’s not as if you can just take auction items home, is it? If Old Man Gu doesn’t settle the payment, he won’t even have the chance to admire the painting," another one chimed in.

"Right, right, Old Man Gu, you should go make the payment, the auctioneer is waiting for you to sign the contract," a third one added.

"Exactly, Old Man Gu, don’t tell me it’s like your grandson said, that you literally can’t come up with the two billion?"

"Looks like it. No wonder you’re desperately begging Elder Su to take the painting off your hands; turns out you actually don’t have that much money," remarked yet another.

"Bidding so vigorously earlier without the funds? Old Man Gu, what were you thinking?" someone jeered.

"This is poetic justice, Old Man Gu started with ill intent, and now he’s tasting the bitter fruit," someone else pointed out.

With Elder Su’s stance made clear, naturally, no one was inclined to be courteous to Old Man Gu anymore.

A volley of merciless words was hurled at Old Man Gu.

Old Man Gu had been prepared to further persuade Su Junqiang to buy the painting he had bid on, but all his planned words crumbled under the assault of these attacking statements.

These words were harsh but true, and Old Man Gu truly found himself without a rebuttal.

Moreover, Old Man Gu was just one man with one voice.

Against the strong onslaught of so many, Old Man Gu could only brace for defeat.

Old Man Gu’s dim eyes were fixated on Elder Su.

It was as if he believed that elder Su would change his mind the next second and pull him out of the quagmire he was in.

Unfortunately, this quagmire, as reluctant as Old Man Gu was to remain, was of his own making.

No one else really had the obligation to rescue him.

Especially since Old Man Gu had initially dug this pit for Elder Su; it would already be generous if Elder Su didn’t cover it up while Old Man Gu was falling in.

Thinking that Elder Su would throw him a lifeline, Old Man Gu was indeed overestimating himself.

"Old Man Gu, you better move aside quickly."

"Even good dogs don’t stand in the way, you’re worse than an animal, aren’t you?"

Everyone believed that Elder Su and the young Master of the Su Family would definitely not say such foul language.

Words unfit for Elder Su and the young Master of the Su Family to utter, naturally there were others happy to do the dirty work.

"You, you all..."

Old Man Gu now truly felt like a rat crossing the street, despised by everyone.

Seeing person after person scolding him, Old Man Gu’s face turned green with anger.

Old Man Gu realized he had made a colossal mistake today.

And that was to even think about provoking the Su Family.

Now, he not only had a mess that he probably couldn’t clean up waiting for him.

Old Man Gu felt that having lived for so many years, he was now being equated to a dog.

This was a most humiliating, disgraceful humiliation.

But what could be done about it?

In the end, wasn’t it himself who had invited the trouble first?

Old Man Gu was now aware of his problem.

But it was already too late.

If Old Man Gu had gained this realization sooner, Elder Su would not have set this trap for Old Man Gu.

The incident from the beginning had passed, and Elder Su was not a petty man.

He was not someone to cling to an issue without letting go.

One could only say that Old Man Gu was bringing trouble upon himself.

If he was truly intent on bidding for that last auction item, then Elder Su would only have stopped bidding, nothing more.

This was a very normal course of action; Old Man Gu need not have come begging Elder Su to buy the painting in the end.

The actions of Old Man Gu now just proved the words of his grandson earlier, that Old Man Gu simply didn’t have that much money.

Since Old Man Gu didn’t have the money and still persisted in raising his bidding paddle, his intentions couldn’t have been clearer.

Therefore, at this moment, Old Man Gu had no explanation left.

Old Man Gu knew that any forced explanation here would only make Su Junqiang think he was insulting his intelligence.

Old Man Gu had already offended Su Junqiang and now dared not provoke him further.

Old Man Gu hadn’t thought of a solution to the auction item mess.

Should he provoke Su Junqiang again, Old Man Gu clearly knew how serious the consequences would be.

Old Man Gu was truly frightened now, he didn’t dare talk back even to those standing beside Su Junqiang and cursing him.

Because Old Man Gu knew that these people were all helping Su Junqiang curse him.

Old Man Gu naturally didn’t dare to retaliate recklessly.

Elder Su didn’t like to hear those dirty words either.

But now that they were directed at Old Man Gu, Elder Su didn’t say anything.

In Elder Su’s view, Old Man Gu must bear the consequences of his own actions.

Now it was very obvious that Old Man Gu simply did not want to bear them.

He even thought about seeking out Elder Su.

Elder Su was also quite speechless.

Elder Su suddenly wondered if it was because he had been retired for too long that Old Man Gu thought he was so easy to talk to now?

But Elder Su would certainly not discuss this issue with Old Man Gu.

Whether he was easy to talk to or not, Old Man Gu probably had a profound understanding now, right?

Sometimes reality teaches a person many principles.

Now, for Old Man Gu, Su Junqiang was the last lifeline.

But seeing the indifferent look on Su Junqiang’s face, showing no intention of dealing with him, Old Man Gu knew there was no hope for this matter.

Old Man Gu’s so-called win-win initial idea was after all just his own fantasy.

"Old Man Gu, move quickly. Where did all the energy you had when raising your paddle go? Now you’re dawdling like a little wife."

"Move it already—if you delay Elder Su and the young Master, can you afford the consequences?"

The word "compensate" was now what Old Man Gu feared facing the most.

Hearing that word, Old Man Gu subconsciously moved aside.

"Elder Su, young Master, Mr. Fook, after you."

Seeing Old Man Gu stepping aside, the crowd didn’t want to ponder why Old Man Gu had changed his attitude so suddenly.

To everyone, Old Man Gu, and even the Gu Family, would no longer be seen in Huadong City’s upper society.

After today’s events, it wasn’t just whether the Gu Family would decline due to compensation.

As soon as the news of Old Man Gu offending Elder Su and the young Master of the Su Family today spread,

nobody in Huadong City’s high society would dare to associate with the Gu Family anymore.

Everybody clearly understood the wisdom of staying out of trouble.

Elder Su and Su Mu walked towards the auction hall’s exit.

The auction had ended; there was no point in lingering.

...

"Boss Gu, it’s time to sign this contract, isn’t it?"

Because of Elder Su, the auctioneer had been very patient, waiting on the side.

Now seeing Elder Su and the young Master of the Su Family leave, with only Old Man Gu standing alone in the passageway,

the auctioneer certainly was not going to waste more time.

The auctioneer’s words were not rude, but they lacked any warmth.

It was as if the two billion Old Man Gu shouted out were considered utterly worthless by the auctioneer.

The auctioneer already knew Old Man Gu couldn’t pay the full amount.

This also meant that no matter how high Old Man Gu’s bid was, the auctioneer would not receive a cent from the commission of this final auction item.

Old Man Gu’s actions had truly infringed upon the auctioneer’s interests.

Without Old Man Gu’s meddling, Tang Bohu’s "Riding Donkey Returning Thoughts" would probably have already become Elder Su’s possession.

Moreover, Elder Su’s bid was not low, and the auctioneer naturally would have received a sizeable commission.

Compared to that, the auctioneer’s current stance was solely due to a minimum level of professional conduct.

Had he lacked any decorum, he might have been cursing by now.

Whether Old Man Gu could pay in full or not, the entire auction process was over.

The auctioneer naturally wanted Old Man Gu to sign a contract.