The fax wasn’t in color.

With its poor clarity, only the vase’s shape and general pattern were visible, with no discernible details… Could such a vase truly captivate Young Master Du at first sight?

Chai Hai instantly understood – buying antiques was just a pretext; Du Zhaohui had come seeking information.

“May I ask where Young Master Du saw this vase?”

“In America. I only know a Hong Kong buyer won the auction. As for who that buyer is, I’ll need Master Qiu’s help to find out. Ideally, I’d like to meet this buyer in person and negotiate directly. Whether they’re willing to part with it or not, I’ll be in Master Qiu’s debt!”

Du Zhaohui placed the paper on the table – it was a photocopy, easily reproducible, and necessary for the search.

Chai Hai expressed his concern: “Young Master Du if the vase is with a Hong Kong collector, they might not wish to disclose their information. Please be prepared for that.”

Du Zhaohui gave a cryptic smile, “If it were simple, why would I need Master Qiu’s help?”

Indeed, the buyer’s information wasn’t public.

If there were records, Jim would have found them. Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t have asked Du Zhaohui for help, and Du Zhaohui wouldn’t be seeking Master Qiu, who had extensive connections in Hong Kong’s antique trade.

Unable to refuse, Chai Hai could only agree.

After Du Zhaohui left, he needed to consult Master Qiu about this matter.

The vase looked familiar to Chai Hai – it had been auctioned from America through their channels, but the buyer’s information was confidential, known only to Master Qiu.

Now that the Du family was following the trail to them, Chai Hai was wary.

In this business, they needed to cater to the wealthy to move merchandise.

Whether Du Zhaohui would become an antique-buying customer was uncertain, as they’d never dealt with him before.

But with the Du family’s background, Du Zhaohui’s persistence could become troublesome.

Would Master Qiu reveal the buyer’s identity to Du Zhaohui?

Chai Hai couldn’t be sure.

Even after following Master Qiu for several years, he often couldn’t fathom his master’s thoughts!

…

As soon as Du Zhaohui returned to Hong Kong, Du Chengrong caught him.

Du Chengrong ordered him to come to the company, “When you need money, I’m ‘father,’ but after borrowing, I’m just some old man you avoid?”

“Not at all, you jest – I’ve always respected you,” Du Zhaohui responded with a cheeky smile.

The old man seemed rather radiant lately. That woman Xia Ziyu had some use after all. From their initial casual encounter to their recent frequent meetings, judging by the old man’s demeanor, was he planning to keep Xia Ziyu as a mistress?

He hadn’t seen Xia Ziyu during his earlier company visit.

The three concubines had allied to help Du Zhaoqi – he wondered how Liu Keying would react when this affair came to light.

Seeing his eldest son’s eyes darting about, Du Chengrong knew he wasn’t thinking anything good… Good or bad didn’t matter – being too virtuous only led to losses. Du Chengrong maintained a stern face:

“Did you interfere with Zhaoqi’s production line purchase in America?”

Du Zhaohui feigned confusion, “What production line? I don’t know anything about it!”

Du Chengrong smirked, “You don’t know? Even with an extra million US dollars, they won’t sell to him. If it’s not your interference, who does business like that? I underestimated you – having such capability to extend your reach to America.”

Du Chengrong wasn’t being sarcastic; he genuinely felt he’d underestimated his eldest son.

Du Zhaohui exploded in anger: “Second Brother’s buying what production line? Adding a million US dollars? Where did he get that kind of money?”

Du Chengrong gave him a look – his acting was too exaggerated.

“You borrowed 50 million Hong Kong dollars from me, sold houses and cars, got bank loans. Your current investment far exceeds the initial 20 million Hong Kong dollars. You can do all this, but Zhaoqi can’t raise his own money?”

Du Zhaohui remained skeptical, “Didn’t you secretly give it to him?”

“…Get out!”

Du Zhaohui obediently left, grinning as he went.

After he left, Du Chengrong couldn’t help but shake his head. Despite the banter, his son hadn’t admitted to meddling in America, but who else would do such a thing?

Zhaohui had accomplished something legitimate on the mainland. Business was about dealing with people – partners, competitors, officials, and others – and he’d developed his approach. Success wasn’t far off!

With Zhaohui’s mainland connections, the Chengrong Group’s next investment would progress smoothly. Sincerity was mutual – this time, they should yield.

“Zhaoqi will just have to bear with it,” Du Chengrong muttered to himself.

Though he spoke of hardship, Du Chengrong thought differently.

Without him as father and without the Chengrong Group, which Du family member could enjoy such prosperity? Facing the group’s overall interests, Du Zhaoqi must yield unconditionally.

This wasn’t targeting Du Zhaoqi specifically – Du Zhaohui would face the same treatment!

Of course, having made this decision, he’d face complaints from the women at home. Du Chengrong considered it and decided to meet Vivi today.

After their intimate encounter at the hotel, Du Chengrong caressed Vivi’s smooth skin:

“I’ve arranged a house for you to move into.”

Xia Ziyu, docile as a satisfied cat, softly murmured agreement.

Du Chengrong found it curious – Vivi was quite independent, increasingly uninhibited in bed, alluring yet never cloying with affection.

Unlike other women who, after becoming intimate, would constantly ask for bags and jewelry, or more ambitiously, cars and houses.

Vivi never asked, not out of pride – she’d accept what Du Chengrong offered voluntarily.

Neither demanding nor refusing, she was fine whether Du Chengrong came or not, unlike other women who’d desperately call him and use various tactics to seduce him.

Du Chengrong was getting older, with three concubines at home needing occasional consolation. He had no time for young girls’ mind games. A discreet, independent, and seductive companion like Vivi was perfect. From their initial one-night stand, they quickly arranged second and third meetings… now he visited Vivi twice weekly.

An uncomplicated yet satisfying woman was exactly what Du Chengrong needed now, and Xia Ziyu had correctly gauged this.

From regular companion, she’d finally progressed to having Du Chengrong arrange accommodations.

Now she was truly Du Chengrong’s “kept woman.”

Du Chengrong thought she was without desires, but that wasn’t true.

Xia Ziyu simply felt the time wasn’t right to truly influence Du Chengrong, so she remained silent to avoid annoying him.

This lesson she’d learned from Du Zhaohui!

She’d told Du Zhaohui about the Soviet leadership change, but he hadn’t taken it seriously.

To make these wealthy men trust a woman, one couldn’t be too hasty.

Xia Ziyu’s hands returned to Du Chengrong’s neck. She needed to make Du Chengrong want to marry her as his fifth concubine – which she would then refuse without attachment.

These men were all base – they didn’t treasure what came too easily. Did Du Chengrong think she was docile and conquerable?

She had to let him taste a different approach.