Chapter 5: Taking Down the Yanks

Twenty-some minutes passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, dozens of suitcases were auctioned off, while quite a few others failed to attract bids. Finally, the pair of orange-red Louis Vuitton trunks took center stage, placed on the display table by the staff.

The appearance of these limited-edition antique trunks immediately caused a stir.

"Wow! It's finally time for these treasures," someone exclaimed.

"They belong to me; nobody better try to outbid me!" declared a sexy Hispanic woman, looking as though she was determined to win them.

Others, however, felt differently. Before her voice had even faded, a white man chimed in with a grin: "Sylvia, don't be so certain. I also love these suitcases; I was planning to give them to my girlfriend." He paused, then added, "If you're willing to be my girlfriend, I’d be happy to give them to you. I’m sure you’d love them!"

"Hahaha!" The crowd erupted in laughter.

"Go to hell, Frank! You aren't qualified to be my man!" Sylvia retorted with a laugh, giving Frank a prominent middle finger. The laughter grew even louder.

Amidst the banter, many buyers were already rubbing their hands, preparing for the battle ahead. Just as Xiao Ran had previously noted, many had recognized the limited-edition antique trunks and understood their value, so they were hardly about to let this opportunity slip by. The professional treasure hunters, in particular, had eyes glowing with confidence.

In Xiao Ran's live stream, the audience was equally hyped. Sister Min, who had been the first to spot the trunks, was already restless.

"Xiao Ran, you must help me win this pair of limited-edition Louis Vuitton trunks! Please!" she pleaded. "When you get back home, I'll introduce you to some beauties. They’re all curvy, fair-skinned, and long-legged—you can take your pick!"

The live stream exploded at this offer.

"Sister Min, I want a long-legged beauty too! Introduce one to me!"

"Me too! I’m a single guy—if I get one, I’ll buy an antique Louis Vuitton bag to thank you!"

"Get lost, all of you! A bunch of perverts. I’m not throwing my best friends into a fire pit!" Sister Min scolded playfully.

Just then, Xiao Ran joined in. "You said it, Sister Min, don't go back on your word! For the sake of a long-legged beauty, I’m going all out today!" The live stream erupted in laughter once more.

At the auction site, the auctioneer began his introduction. "Ladies and gentlemen, the two orange-red trunks you see before you are from the world-renowned Louis Vuitton. Our experts have verified that they are authentic, limited-edition pieces from the 1970s..."

As the details were laid out, the scene grew even more animated. Those who had their eyes on the trunks beamed with anticipation, and several buyers who hadn't known much about them were suddenly piqued, deciding to join the fray.

In the live stream, the discussion was frantic. "I just looked them up online—these antique Louis Vuitton trunks aren't cheap! Xiao Ran, the cash you have on hand might not be enough!"

Sister Min panicked. "Is there any way around it? I really don't want to miss these! Ask the auction house if they take cards—I can transfer the money to you right now!"

Xiao Ran shook his head regretfully. "I already asked. They only accept cash for this type of auction; they won't take other forms of payment. If they broke their rules, they wouldn't be able to stay in business."

Sister Min fell silent for a moment before saying, "In that case, I'll have to rely on luck. I hope I don't miss out. If the bid doesn't exceed $25,000, go ahead and win them for me. You only have $30,000 on you; I can't be so selfish as to use it all."

The live stream was filled with praise. "Sister Min is so generous! Your luck is bound to be good!"

Xiao Ran smiled softly and turned his attention back to the stage. The auction began with a starting price of $800—neither too high nor too low.

As soon as the price was called, a bid was placed. It was the beautiful woman named Sylvia. The auctioneer raised the price by $50 to $850, and it was immediately snatched up. Xiao Ran watched calmly, waiting for the right moment. With such valuable items, there were bound to be many bidders.

Indeed, in no time, the price had climbed to $2,200. Buyers with limited funds or those who hadn't brought much cash started to drop out. In a place like the United States, where thieves and robbers are common, few people carry large amounts of cash—and that applies to everyone, not just the Chinese. Professional treasure hunters, however, were an exception; they usually had the means to protect themselves, whether through bodyguards or firearms.

Only about ten people remained in the bidding, mostly professionals. They knew each other, and as they bid, they cast provocative, defiant glances at one another.

Just as they assumed the winner would emerge from their own ranks, a sudden twist occurred. As the auctioneer called for a bid above $2,200, a clear, resonant voice rang out.

"$3,000! I’m taking these trunks!"

With that shout, bidder card number 216 was held high. Everyone turned to look, and when they saw it was Xiao Ran, they were stunned.

"Ah! It’s that Chinese kid. Looks like he’s got some real capital!"

"Is he a professional treasure hunter too? He’s actually going to compete against all these experts!"

Among those watching was Leon. He was one of the bidders, and a formidable one at that. Xiao Ran’s sudden entry, combined with his aggressive price hike, made Leon’s heart sink. He felt that things were taking a turn for the worse.

As Leon glared at him, Xiao Ran met his gaze. Never one to let a slight go unanswered, Xiao Ran gestured for Leon to continue, mocking him. Leon’s teeth gritted in anger behind his sunglasses.

"Damn it! Where did this bastard come from? He doesn't know his place!" Leon cursed silently, feeling a pang of regret. If he had known, he wouldn't have provoked the guy earlier. Now, he assumed Xiao Ran was just here to cause trouble as an act of revenge. He had no idea that the antique trunks were Xiao Ran's goal all along.

The auctioneer was thrilled by the new competition. Without waiting for the murmurs to die down, he pointed at Xiao Ran. "Welcome to the bidding, Mr. 216. The current price is $3,100. Who will bid higher?"

As soon as the price was called, Sylvia raised her card. The bid hit $3,200. Before anyone else could react, Xiao Ran raised the price sharply once more.

"$4,000! I said it before: these trunks are mine!"

The crowd gasped. "Damn! This Chinese kid is generous—he’s clearly determined to win!"

In the live stream, the mood was electric. "Brother Ran! So aggressive!" "Take them down, those Americans! We’re rooting for you!"