Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1949: Chapter 1852: Not Ruthless Enough

Semiya was both skeptical and somewhat expectant about Clayflo’s remarks, and his face involuntarily showed a trace of nervousness and anticipation. The staff on the side, after receiving instructions from Clayflo, immediately went to prepare.

Huo Sining was of course unaware of Clayflo’s plans. However, after the auctioneer confirmed with the gavel and announced that the first Beast Head was theirs, Huo Sining’s heart finally settled.

One hundred million, this price was definitely not low, even beyond everyone’s imagination, but it still hadn’t reached a completely unacceptable level. At least in Huo Sining’s view, this price was understandable, and she even let out a sigh of relief.

It seemed that although Clayflo was cunning, he was not that ruthless, at least not as ruthless as she imagined.

Of course, while Huo Sining thought the price was bearable, Zhou Shitao, Huang Zhenlong, and others thought it was somewhat crazy and outrageous.

”This Duke, he’s simply disgusting, openly hiring shills to drive the price so high, suddenly raising the price of this Beast Head by nearly ten times. He truly is greedy!”

Huang Zhenlong was almost furious. One hundred million US dollars, which is equivalent to six or seven hundred million RMB. Although these old men were all wealthy, suddenly having to shell out so much money was simply impossible.

On the side, Zhou Shitao and Qin Lianshan unconsciously frowned, not to mention Xie Daoyuan. He was just a poor university professor, even though he specialized in collections and appraisals, his total assets were only a few tens of millions at most. In such circumstances, his little money was nothing, he couldn’t even afford the ear of a Beast Head.

”The first Beast Head is ours from the auction, meaning the previous right of first refusal agreement with Clayflo doesn’t apply. According to the rules of the Philadelphia Black Market, transactions with the Black Market Trade Center within half a month are legal and valid. In other words, we have half a month to raise funds, and us old fellows will think of a way when we return home, to gather the money within half a month.”

Zhou Shitao certainly knew that winning these two Beast Heads at auction was a big loss for them, but if they didn’t do it, who knows where the Snake Head and Rooster Head might end up later, and it would be hard to get them back then.

”But Old Zhou, even if the price of that Rooster Head is the same as the Snake Head later, combined it would at least be twelve or thirteen billion RMB, where can we come up with that kind of money in half a month?”

Huang Zhenlong couldn’t help but ask anxiously.

On the side, Qin Lianshan offered a suggestion: ”How about we contact Chief Lu to see if the Ministry of Finance can allocate some funds to the Cultural Relics Bureau? These two Beast Heads, if bought by the state later, I think such a big matter, Chief Lu will certainly not refuse.”

Zhou Shitao frowned tightly: ”I’m afraid that’s not feasible. The black market is secretive by nature. If the state gets involved, the auction price of these two Beast Heads will definitely be leaked. Once the price becomes known to the public, it will be unrealistic to cheaply buy back the remaining few, which are currently lost.”

”Moreover, if the state really spends more than a billion RMB to buy back two Beast Heads, there will definitely be many citizens who don’t understand and question this matter, even attacking the Ministry of Finance, and at that time the government’s credibility will fall to the bottom again.”

Qin Lianshan was stunned by Zhou Shitao’s words, then he smiled bitterly and said, ”Old Zhou, you’re right, I was being naive. Spending more than a billion to buy back two Beast Heads, such a price, ordinary people would definitely not understand or accept, and at that time, we wouldn’t be greeted with applause and acclaim, but with curses and slander.”

Zhou Shitao sighed: ”I don’t care about applause and praise, if curses and slander could ensure these two Beast Heads safely return to the country, for me it wouldn’t be a big deal, I’m just afraid this matter might be used maliciously to attack the government, or even bring Chief Lu into trouble, then it wouldn’t be as simple as just two Beast Heads.”

Huang Zhenlong agreed deeply: ”Chief Lu is impartial, but Huo Girl, after all, is his goddaughter. If this matter leaks, someone might make an issue of it, and at that time, not only us, but Chief Lu and Huo Girl might get dragged into it, so Old Qin, unless it’s absolutely necessary, we better not use your idea.”

Huo Sining stood by quietly, not interrupting while the old gentlemen were discussing. It wasn’t until now that she slyly smiled, looked at the elders, and asked:

”Master, while you were discussing this matter, why didn’t you ask me first? I plan to buy and place the Beast Heads in my private museum as the centerpiece. If you rashly let Grandfather Lu take action, whose are they when they’re bought back?”

Zhou Shitao and the others were taken aback, turning to look at Huo Sining, their expressions varied.

Zhou Shitao had a serious expression, a bit angry at Huo Sining for thinking about this matter at this time: ”Girl, this is no time for jokes, these Beast Heads are national treasures, if we buy them back, they’re to be handed over to the Cultural Relics Bureau for proper handling.”

Huang Zhenlong and Qin Lianshan, both amused and irritated, couldn’t help but reach out and point at Huo Sining, saying:

”Huo Girl, since when did you become so money-minded, if these two pieces could just enter your museum, why would we travel all this way?”

Hearing the old men’s words, Huo Sining’s expression dimmed, she shrugged and said: ”Oh, if buying them back means I can’t have them, then forget it. I won’t bother anymore, if it ends up being for nothing, wouldn’t it be wasted effort? At least I save money!”

Huang Zhenlong, upon hearing Huo Sining’s self-talk, suddenly raised his head to look at her: ”Huo Girl, what do you mean by that?”

Huo Sining laughed: ”What do I mean? Exactly what you think, I have no other intention.”

Huang Zhenlong was baffled by Huo Sining’s series of ”meanings”, he quickly shook his head, looking intently at her: ”Are you saying you intended to spend your own money to buy these Beast Heads yourself?”

Huo Sining nodded, naturally saying: ”Yes, I originally planned to purchase them for my private collection. My collection museum has been completed, and I expect after the new year, the renovations will be finished, and then the opening can be organized. These two Beast Heads are perfect to be the centerpiece.”