Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Big Shots Gather, Part Two (4)

Since the other party had come all the way to his home, they must be asking a favor of him. If he went out to greet them, he would only be lowering himself; by then the other side would take him all the more seriously and might even try to scheme against him on purpose.

Though such maneuvering was not Yang Xiaofan’s usual style, when a person becomes famous, trouble follows in abundance. At times, being amiable is not as effective as standing aloof and above the crowd.

They might even have to flatter him to his face.

That is human nature.

Sure enough.

After the village head and the others went out to receive Zhang Ten Billion, they were all respectful and ingratiating, their faces full of fawning smiles, every bit the brainless villains from a generic melodrama.

But Zhang Ten Billion only greeted them with a polite smile on the surface. In truth, his gaze never lingered on any of them; it remained fixed on Yang Xiaofan the whole time.

After exchanging a few brief words with the village head and the others, Zhang Ten Billion came straight to Yang Xiaofan and said with a smile:

“You must be Mr. Yang. I have long admired your name and have always wanted to meet you, but the company has been busy, and I never managed to find the time. I came specially today to pay my respects, and I hope you won’t mind.”

He extended his hand. Yang Xiaofan also reached out and gave it a light shake.

“Mr. Zhang, you’re too kind. You’re busy every day with a thousand matters, while I’m only a student. That you would come looking for me is my honor.”

“Not at all, not at all. I wouldn’t dare say such a thing. With your current standing, let alone me, even the top tycoons from the city and the province would have to treat you with great respect when they meet you.”

“You flatter me, Mr. Zhang.”

Just a few casual exchanges sent Yang’s father, the village head, Yang Xiaomei, and the others into a storm of shock within.

One must know that Zhang Ten Billion was a renowned figure in the county, a true entrepreneur with real accomplishments.

A man like him had well over a thousand employees under his command.

And yet he was being so respectful to Yang Xiaofan. One could easily imagine how lofty Yang Xiaofan’s status must be.

Before this, Yang Xiaofan had already displayed his wealth, but money and status were entirely different concepts.

Without Zhang Ten Billion’s appearance, Yang Xiaofan was merely the richest man in the village, respected by everyone there.

But now that Zhang Ten Billion had come, and was still showing such deference to Yang Xiaofan, his standing instantly rose to Zhang Ten Billion’s level, or even beyond it.

This was a completely different matter.

At that moment, the villagers’ respect for Yang Xiaofan had to be elevated to the same reverence they showed Zhang Ten Billion.

And this made Yang Xiaomei feel even more bitter and regretful.

She now wanted nothing more than to slap herself hard twice. How had she been so foolish back then? How had she been won over by those cheap snacks, candied hawthorns, and MP3 players from Dashan?

If she had held on and stayed with Yang Xiaofan back then, would she not now be receiving the respect of a man like Zhang Ten Billion?

She would not have to speak so humbly and submissively to him as she did now.

She felt as though she had missed out on a fortune beyond measure, and her heart was practically bleeding.

On Yang Xiaofan’s side, after a couple of polite pleasantries, he invited Zhang Ten Billion to sit down and got straight to the point.

“Mr. Zhang, you have plenty to handle every day. You probably don’t have time to run all the way out to my little country courtyard for no reason. If there is something you need, just say it plainly.”

Zhang Ten Billion gave a hearty laugh, revealing a rustic straightforwardness that did not quite match his depth of mind.

“Mr. Yang, you’re right. I really do have something I’d like to ask your help with.”

Qin Nuanyu brought over a cup of tea and handed it to Yang Xiaofan. He took a sip and said calmly:

“Go on. If it’s not too big a matter, I can help.”

“This matter is neither too big nor too small. I want to ask for a painting.”

“A painting? Then you should go directly to the North River auction. My paintings are all sold there now. I don’t sell them privately.”

Hearing this, Zhang Ten Billion immediately pleaded:

“Mr. Yang, I truly love your paintings and want to ask for an original. To tell you the truth, I have already been to the North River auction house. But only a few paintings are auctioned each day, and before my turn comes, they’ve already been taken by someone else. So I had no choice but to come to you in person. Please don’t take offense.”

Seeing this, the village head’s eyes rolled, and he realized this was a perfect chance to curry favor.

Since Zhang Ten Billion wanted a painting, if he helped him get one, then Zhang Ten Billion would owe him a favor in the future. Wouldn’t that make everything easier from then on?

Thinking this, he immediately stepped forward with a smile.

“Xiaofan, since you can paint, and Mr. Zhang likes your work, why not just paint one for him? We’re all from the same county; it won’t cost you a thing.”

Yang Xiaofan shot him an irritated glance and did not even bother with honorifics, calling him by his nickname directly.

“Old Second Yang, that sounds easy enough coming from you. This matter concerns the rules of my company. If I casually paint for people outside, then no one will go to my auction house to buy things anymore. They’ll all come to me asking for paintings instead. Wouldn’t that wreck my company? You’d have me flayed alive and you still say it won’t cost me a thing?”

“How can it be that serious? It’s only a painting. If it comes to it, I’ll pay for it myself and give you ten times the price. You paint one for Mr. Zhang. That should be fine, shouldn’t it?”

Yang Xiaofan narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting.

“Old Second Yang, are you serious? You want to give Mr. Zhang a painting? And pay me ten times the price?”

“Of course I’m serious! How could I possibly joke about such a small matter? It’s only buying a painting, not buying gold or silver.”

Zhang Ten Billion immediately darkened his face and scolded him.

“Don’t make a scene. Do you think you can afford Mr. Yang’s paintings? Show some respect.”

What a joke. He had finally managed to find Yang Xiaofan and meet the real man in person. This was his only chance to ask for a painting. And this fool, Old Second Yang, was still spouting nonsense and showing off here. If he angered Yang Xiaofan and made him refuse, wouldn’t he be the one suffering a crushing loss?

By then, his heart would truly be bleeding.

But Old Second Yang waved a hand dismissively, not taking it at all to heart, and laughed.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Zhang. I, Old Second Yang, may not be as rich as you, but I can still afford a painting. Besides, Xiaofan and I are from the same village. By seniority, he should still call me Second Uncle. Xiaofan, you have to give me this bit of face, don’t you? Just paint one for Mr. Zhang.”

Yang Xiaofan nodded.

“Of course I can. Others asking me for a painting wouldn’t do, but since the village head himself is asking, how could I refuse you this little bit of face?”

Those words pleased Old Second Yang immensely. His face beamed with satisfaction, the wrinkles on it blooming like flowers.

However, Yang Xiaofan’s next sentence sent him plummeting instantly into an icy abyss.