Chapter Fourteen: Encounter with the Business Tycoon Once More

Carrying the suitcase, Zhao Fan paid no heed to the bicycle he had ridden earlier and took a cab straight home. Once there, he carefully took out the porcelain bowl and the Listening Wind Vase, placing them solemnly on the table. Apart from the apartment, these two items were the bulk of his gains; what remained in his hands was not much.

However...

The final sale price of the Listening Wind Vase at Christie’s had been remarkably impressive.

The Song Dynasty shadow-blue porcelain Listening Wind Vase was simply too precious to keep at home.

Glancing around, Zhao Fan suddenly remembered a solution: some banks offered safe deposit boxes. As long as one paid the insurance premium, valuables could be temporarily entrusted to the bank’s safekeeping.

Regardless of other considerations, one thing was certain: the Song Dynasty vase could not be brought out or sold in the near future.

To be on the safe side, depositing it at the bank was the most secure option.

No sooner thought than done—Zhao Fan didn’t hesitate for even a few minutes. He took the items and hurried to the bank.

After a series of complicated procedures, Zhao Fan stepped out of the bank feeling much lighter. For the safety of the Ru ware bowl and the Song Dynasty vase, he had chosen the bank’s most expensive safekeeping service, only feeling at ease once he had seen the bank staff lock the items away in the safe deposit box with his own eyes.

The bank manager followed him out. “Mr. Zhao.”

“Hm? Is there another issue?”

“Oh, no problem at all. I simply forgot to give you my business card earlier. As a VIP client of the bank, should you have any questions, you may call this number at any time. I am always at your service.”

“I see, thank you very much.”

After accepting the business card, Zhao Fan took another cab home, threw himself onto the bed, only to sit up again the next moment.

He had forgotten something.

While the items were indeed under the bank’s safekeeping, it was merely a matter of storage. To be truly foolproof, he needed to buy insurance!

In his previous life, he recalled, some celebrities even insured particular parts of their bodies—surely the Song Dynasty vase deserved no less!

So, having just returned home, Zhao Fan left once more, this time heading straight to the insurance company with a clear goal.

“Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you today?”

“Our company’s insurance policies are the most—”

The staff at the insurance company were extremely enthusiastic. As soon as Zhao Fan entered, two young employees greeted him, one on each side, eager to introduce the various insurance products.

After a few minutes, Zhao Fan interjected, signaling for them to pause.

“I am indeed here to purchase insurance, so let’s keep things brief. I have one question: I want to insure an antique. What is the highest amount of coverage you can provide?”

“That depends on how much you are willing to insure, sir.”

Zhao Fan smiled, “At least three million.”

Although he wanted to invest all his money, he knew he needed to keep some cash on hand for practical reasons.

“This way, please!”

An hour later, Zhao Fan brought the insurance company staff to the bank to photograph the Song Dynasty vase.

By the time all the arrangements were complete, dusk had fallen. Finally, after signing, Zhao Fan flicked his copy of the contract with satisfaction.

The treasures he had acquired at a bargain—he would wait and see what role they would play in the future.

Strolling leisurely by the roadside, Zhao Fan was about to hail a taxi when a Rolls-Royce, rather than a cab, stopped beside him.

Hm? What’s going on?

Before he could puzzle it out, the window rolled down to reveal Wu Qingfeng’s face. There was a flicker of surprise, quickly masked by composure.

“Mr. Zhao, good evening,” Wu Qingfeng greeted him.

Zhao Fan nodded slightly. “Good evening, President Wu.”

“Are you here to buy insurance, Mr. Zhao?”

Glancing at the document folder in his hand, Zhao Fan answered frankly, “The Song Dynasty vase is exceedingly valuable. Just to be safe, I decided to purchase insurance.”

Wu Qingfeng smiled, “As far as I know, the insurance industry is only just taking off. There aren’t many in Yangcheng willing to spend money on such things.”

“True, insurance is still a new industry, but the model has great potential for expansion.”

“Oh? How so?”

Zhao Fan looked around. “President Wu, perhaps discussing business by the roadside is not ideal?”

A Rolls-Royce parked here might not be recognized by all, but anyone passing by would at least take a glance. Zhao Fan didn’t mind too much, but prolonged attention was still disconcerting.

Wu Qingfeng realized his oversight. “Ah, my apologies for being inconsiderate. Please, Mr. Zhao, get in. I got carried away in conversation…”

Inside the Rolls-Royce, Zhao Fan discreetly glanced around, set the folder aside, and naturally shifted the topic.

“What brings you here today, President Wu?”

From what he knew, Yuanhong Group wasn’t located nearby.

Wu Qingfeng replied, “Just attending to some matters. I happened to pass by and, seeing you, asked my driver to stop so I could say hello.”

After explaining, Wu Qingfeng turned slightly. “A moment ago you mentioned that insurance has great potential. Why do you say so?”

“It’s simple. Society never remains static. Right now, insurance hasn’t developed much for two reasons: people aren’t aware of it, and they haven’t reached the point of needing it. As long as the habit takes root, people will proactively insure every aspect of their lives.”

Wu Qingfeng laughed, “Just like you insuring the Song Dynasty vase?”

“Exactly.”

Wu Qingfeng nodded, “That’s an excellent point.”

The Rolls-Royce moved slowly along the road as Zhao Fan and Wu Qingfeng delved deep into a conversation about the insurance industry. The former was struck by Wu Qingfeng’s keen insight, while the latter was impressed by Zhao Fan’s forward thinking.

Halfway through, Wu Qingfeng suddenly remembered something, “Mr. Zhao, where are you headed?”

Zhao Fan gave his address directly.

The driver stopped at the destination. Wu Qingfeng glanced out the window and smiled, “Here we are. Mr. Zhao, let’s talk again when we have the chance.”

“Thank you for the ride, President Wu.”

“My pleasure.”

After the Rolls-Royce drove off, the smile on Zhao Fan’s face gradually faded as he sighed, “A true titan of industry.”

Wu Qingfeng had shown not the slightest hint of surprise at the sight of this dilapidated neighborhood; his calm composure suggested he found nothing unusual at all.

“Yes, that’s something to learn from.”

Opening the door, Zhao Fan tossed the folder aside and sat with a pen, pondering his next steps.

It was now clear that the Song Dynasty vase could not be liquidated in the near future. After all his recent expenses, Zhao Fan had less than five million yuan left.

Indeed, the twenty million he’d earned from Bitcoin, after buying an apartment, attending the auction, paying for bank safekeeping, and purchasing insurance, had dwindled to under five million.

To be precise, he had 4.85 million remaining.

He needed to set aside part of this for renovating the villa and another part for his parents.

Writing down 1.85 million, Zhao Fan circled it, indicating this sum was essential and untouchable.

With the remaining three million, Zhao Fan sighed. Money came easily, but it went just as fast. He needed to devise new strategies.

As he mused, he heard the door open, followed by the voices of his parents.

“What do you think we should do about your elder brother’s family?”