Chapter 465 - 465: Buying the Workshop
Li Shengfcng, upon hearing Chu Qingyue’s introduction, felt a surge of irritation and frustration but restrained himself from speaking out. He wanted to say that he was Chu Qingyue’s ex-boyfriend, but he did not dare to say anything.
Although he had missed out on becoming a centurion, he still had the support of his father-in-law and had hope of being selected in the future.
If his father-in-law knew that he had abandoned a woman, he would definitely not help him.
Aware that upsetting his father-in-law could jeopardize future support, he softened his tone, “Qingyue, won’t you introduce him?”
Chu Qingyue looked affectionately at Ning Yuting before casting a mocking glance at Li Shengfcng, “This is Ning Yuting, my fiance, a gentleman from the capital.”
From the capital?
Li Shengfcng scrutinized Ning Yuting more closely. Dressed in high-quality clothes and adorned with jade, it was clear Ning Yuting was wealthy.
How could such a man be interested in a village girl like her?
He must be deceiving her!
“Qingyue, you’ve married well. Congratulations.”
Chu Qingyue sensed the sarcasm in Li Shengfeng’s words. “If there’s nothing else, don’t stand in our way. We’re here to buy the workshop. See you later.” She left without waiting for his response, pulling Ning Yuting along.
Ning Yuting glanced at Li Shengfcng and followed Chu Qingyue obediently.
He was curious, but considering Chu Qingyue’s feelings, he did not ask anything. He would talk about it when he returned.
Li Shengfeng watched them leave with a dark look.
Chu Qingyue, the girl he had abandoned, couldn’t possibly find a better man than him!
On the other side, Chu Qingyue looked at Ning Yuting nervously. Seeing that Ning Yuting was deep in thought, she clenched her handkerchief tightly. If Yuting found out about her unbearable past…
She stopped her thoughts, concealing her emotions, and resolved to confess to Ning Yuting to seek his understanding.
Ning Yuting immediately sensed the change in Chu Qingyue’s emotions, but it was more important to buy the workshop now.
He held Chu Qingyue’s hand and calmed her down.
Chu Qingyue thought to herself that Yuting was definitely not someone like Li Shengfeng. When she returned, she would confess to Ning Yuting and get his forgiveness.
Thinking of this, she turned around and smiled at Ning Yuting gently. Her eyebrows were curved, and her eyes were as bright as water.
Ning Yuting liked it very much when Chu Qingyue smiled.
The auction for the workshop was held in the workshop’s open space. Second Young Master Shen started the bidding at a thousand taels, and prices quickly rose to three thousand.
Three thousand was Chu Qingyue’s limit. She only had three thousand taels saved. Any more, and she couldn’t afford it.
She tugged at Ning Yuting’s sleeve, “Let’s forget it. I don’t have enough money.”
Ning Yuting held her hand, “I’ll pay.”
Chu Qingyue thought the workshop was indeed valuable. If Ning Yuting bought it, that would be good, so she agreed, “Okay, let’s try to buy it.”
Li Shengfeng, standing not far behind them, felt even more uncomfortable seeing their clasped hands.
Chu Qingyue should be resigned to her fate, marrying an ordinary man and focusing on family life, not climbing social ladders or buying workshops.
The bidding price rose to 4,000 taels. Many people stopped. Everyone had a limit in their hearts. If it exceeded the limit, they were unwilling to bid.
Li Shengfeng could afford a maximum of four thousand five hundred taels. Only five or six people were left in the running.
After a round of bidding, eventually, it came down to Ning Yuting and Li Shengfeng.
“Four thousand four hundred taels!”
“Four thousand five hundred taels!”
The crowd watched curiously, wondering who would win the workshop.
Ning Yuting bid, “Four thousand six hundred taels!”
Li Shengfeng was out of funds but didn’t want Ning Yuting to win easily, so he sabotaged, “Four thousand seven hundred taels!”
“Four thousand eight hundred taels!”
“Five thousand taels!”
Five thousand one hundred taels!”
Li Shengfeng refused to give up. “Five thousand five hundred taels!”
Ning Yuting calmly glanced at Li Shengfeng and bid, “Five thousand six hundred taels!” This amount was insignificant for the Ning family.
Chu Qingyue gently tugged at Ning Yuting’s arm and whispered, “Let’s not do it. The workshop isn’t worth that much. It’ll be a loss.”
Li Shengfeng continued to bid, “Six thousand taels!”
Ning Yuting turned to look at Li Shengfeng and stopped bidding, drawing everyone’s attention to Li Shengfcng.
Confused, Li Shengfeng realized Ning Yuting had stopped bidding.
Second Young Master Shen, thinking the workshop would sell for a maximum of four thousand five hundred taels, was ecstatic to sell it for six thousand. He pushed through the crowd to Li Shengfeng, “Congratulations, young master, for buying the Shen family workshop.”
Li Shengfeng turned pale, sweating profusely, as he only had four thousand five hundred taels. How would he pay six thousand?
Ning Yuting did not know what grudges Li Shengfcng and Chu Qingyue had, but as a man, he did not like Li Shengfeng. “Brother, could it be that you can’t fork out so much money?”
Li Shengfeng’s face was pale as he glared at Ning Yuting. Ning Yuting’s words just now seemed to have stripped him naked and made him stand in the crowd. He was embarrassed and humiliated.
Second Young Master Shen waited happily for Li Shengfeng to take out the money. In the end, he was furious. “If you don’t have money, why arc you bidding?”
Li Shengfeng’s face turned red. He had lost all his face.
Second Young Master Shen looked at Li Shengfcng in disdain. “How much money can you take out at most?”
Li Shengfcng had no choice but to tell the truth. “4,500 taels.”
Second Young Master Shen walked towards Ning Yuting and smiled obsequiously. “Young Master, how much do you think you can buy it for?”
Ning Yuting looked at Li Shengfeng, whose expression was extremely ugly, and slowly said, “Four thousand five hundred and one copper coins.”
This price was purely to humiliate and disgust Li Shengfeng. Who asked him to disgust others first?
The crowd chuckled at the comical bid.
When Li Shengfeng heard this, he glared at Ning Yuting fiercely and ran away in exasperation.
Ning Yuting smirked, noting Li Shengfeng’s lack of composure. He thought Li Shengfeng had more resilience.
Second Young Master Shen said kindly, “Young Master, shall we sign the contract?”
Ning Yuting nodded. “Let’s go.”
After signing the contract, Second Young Master Shen handed everything over to the two of them and quickly left the workshop. This place did not belong to him anymore.
Ning Yuting and Chu Qingyue went to see the workshop together.
The things in the workshop were half new and half old, but they were all good. As long as there were people, they could start work immediately. They bought it for 4,500 taels and it was considered a good buy.
Ning Yuting said, “In order to open the workshop, other than manpower, we also have to have a source of silk.”
Chu Qingyue said, “Can’t we use the Shen family’s suppliers?”
Ning Yuting replied, “We can, but changing owners might not guarantee the same loyalty. We need to build good relationships with the suppliers first.”
Chu Qingyue nodded. “I understand. Let’s go take a look..”