Power and Wealth

Evening.

The backyard of the mansion.

Dong Xuebing sat at the stone table drinking his tea. Opposite him is Xie Hao, bugging him to teach martial arts. But Dong Xuebing ignores him and is deep in his thoughts.

"Brother Dong, what are you thinking?"

"Nothing. I am thinking about my work."

"Stop lying. Are you thinking of how you will propose to my Sis?"

"You think you are smart?! Then tell me, how am I going to propose to her?"

"It's simple. Just get a diamond ring and propose to her. What's so difficult?"

"It is not as easy as you think. You should know your sister. She is problematic."

"What problems does she have?"

"I don't want her to nit-pick on me for being shabby."

"Stop talking rubbish. My Sis is not like this. Brother Dong, she might have said all those things but don't listen to her. She doesn't mean what she said."

"Yes, I know."

"Just listen to me. She will agree regardless of how you propose."

"You still don't understand the situation. It is not about whether she agrees or not."

Dong Xuebing is thinking about this problem. Xie Huilan had hinted to Dong Xuebing to propose to her, and he couldn't ask her how she wanted the proposal to be. Marriage is not a joking matter, and he needs to make his proposal impressive to make her happy.

Proposal….

Dong Xuebing thought about the wedding ring. He must prepare the rings. No other rings can be compared to the pink diamond rings shown on TV. His status is far from Xie Huilan. She is lowering herself to get married to him. he is grateful to her for accepting him and doesn't want others to say he is not good enough for her.

No! I cannot let Huilan suffer.

I must give her a surprise, and must buy that pair of pink diamond rings!

Dong Xuebing is determined once he sets his mind. A diamond ring worth over 200 million fits Xie Huilan's status.

Dong Xuebing immediately says to Xie Hao. "Xiao Hao, go back to the house first."

"Huh? Why?"

"Just go in."

"Fine…. I am going back to watch TV."

After Xie Hao left, Dong Xuebing immediately called Qu Yunxuan. "Hello, Aunt Xuan? How is everything?"

"Everything is fine. I am taking a stroll with Qianqian."

"Err…. I want to ask you how much money we have?"

"Check yourself. There's a platinum ICBC card in your wallet."

"Huh? What card?" Dong Xuebing is puzzled. "I don't have any platinum card. I only have an ICBC Elite Club card."

Qu Yunxuan laughed. "I put it in your wallet when you were sleeping before leaving. We sold the company and can't use the checkbook. So, I deposited the money into this account for you."

"Why are you giving me all the money? Don't you need money?"

"I had kept five million for myself. It is enough to buy an apartment and send Qianqian to school. There's around 190 million left, and it's all in that card."

"Why are you doing this?"

"You had provided the antiques and jades. You own all these after we sold the company. I also don't have much use for this sum of money."

"Why are you so clear on separating our money?"

"I have enough to spend, and I don't have any use for the money. You can use it to invest in whatever you want. You don't need to ask me. If our child grows up and needs money, I will ask from you." Suddenly, Qianqian cried loudly. Qu Yunxuan quickly comforts her. "Shh…. Shh…. She must be hungry. I am going to feed her. Bye."

"Alright. Go and feed her."

After hanging up, Dong Xuebing checked his wallet and saw the ICBC Platinum card. 190 million, and he is still short of 200 million after including his money in his account. How is he going to buy the rings at the auction? He has to prepare at least 300 million to win those rings.

Dong Xuebing is short of 100 million.

Dong Xuebing will not have enough even if he borrows and sells his house.

How is he going to raise 100 million?"

After becoming wealthy, Dong Xuebing has never been bothered by money. Now, he realized that money is never enough.

Money….

Money….

Money….

Dong Xuebing wants to surprise Xie Huilan, but it's too difficult. He doesn't even have money to buy the rings.

Dong Xuebing returns to the mansion, and Xie Huilan, Xie Jing, and the rest are watching TV. It's the same program, showing a series of antique paintings. Madam Han and Xie Huilan are interested in antique collections.

Suddenly, the TV showed a painting.

Xie Huilan was surprised. "This is Xu Yang's painting."

Dong Xuebing knows a bit about antiques. "Xu Yang? The Qing dynasty painter?"

"Yes. Come and watch over here." Xie Huilan patted the space beside her.

Dong Xuebing went over and sat beside her. "This is one of his earlier paintings, but it is worth at least tens of millions. Although his works are not as famous as Qi Baishi's, his paintings can fetch high prices at auctions."

Xie Hao suddenly exclaimed. "Oh, Wei Nan had come earlier, and I heard the painting destroyed by the fire is one of Xu Yang's paintings. It was kept in a safe, and it's worth 100 million."

Xie Huilan nodded. "It's a pity."

Dong Xuebing asked. "The painting should be fine if placed in a safe."

"How can it be fine?" Xie Huilan explained. "The fire had reached almost 1000 degrees Celsius, deformed the safe from the heat. The fire might not burn the painting, but it was reduced to ashes in the safe. I heard Wei Nan had hired people to see the safe open. What's left is only a pile of black ashes. It's such a pity. That was the <Surrender of the Western Route Army and presentation of the slaves> painting. It's a rare beautiful painting."

Reduced to ashes in the fire?!

Worth 100 million?!

Dong Xuebing suddenly got excited. "Where is that painting now?"

"What do you mean?"

"The painting's ashes. Is it still in the villa?"

"I think so. I heard no one had touched the villa after the fire."

Dong Xuebing clenched his fist. "Auntie, I will make a move first. I suddenly remember I got something to do. Xiao Hao, Xiao Ran, Xiao Jing, I am leaving."

This is an opportunity to make money.

I can raise enough money to get the rings!

Suddenly, Dong Xuebing is full of energy.

Translator's notes:

Xu Yang

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xu_Yang_(Qing_dynasty)