Mind reading saves the whole family; I'm firmly in the role of a charlatan.

Chapter 214 It’s broken, I’m a substitute
"Cough cough cough..." This time, Du Anrao really couldn't hold back and drank the water directly into his nose, choking and feeling dizzy.

After all that gossip, I found out I was the real protagonist?!
"Duo... Duobao Pavilion?" Jiang Changbin was also shocked and bewildered. "Does this mean Duobao Pavilion..."

“That’s right. Duobaoge is an asset that my father and I purchased and managed on behalf of Master Yuan’s apprentice, Miss Du. Theoretically speaking, Miss Du is the true owner of Duobaoge.”

Jiang Changbin: "!!!"

Qiu family mother and son: "!!!"

Du Anrao: "..." So I reached the pinnacle of life just by relying on my master?
Xi Jingyue: "..."

"Are you sure you're not mistaken? My master does have some real skills, but..." This is too ridiculous. I've become a millionaire, no, a billionaire, without even realizing it. Even cheat codes wouldn't dare to be this powerful, and even wish-fulfillment novels wouldn't dare to write something like this!
“There’s no mistake.” Old Master Wen was absolutely certain of his deduction. “Twenty years ago, before your master left, I asked him how I could find you and hand over this shop to you. He only said that the time was not yet right, and you would appear when the time came.”

Du Anrao: "..." But I wasn't even born twenty years ago! And this sounds like some kind of dubious charlatan's talk, it's too much, help!!!
"That's a rather broad statement. How can you be so sure that the people you're looking for are me and my master? What if you accidentally mistake one for another..."

Before Du Anrao could finish speaking, Old Master Wen interrupted him, saying, "Hahahaha, that's what I thought at the time too. There are so many people in this world, and so many years have passed. It's no joke to mistake someone for someone else and repay the wrong favor."

"I pestered him for a long time before I finally got some relatively specific information from him. He said that his future disciple's surname is Du, and he will appear in twenty years, which is the year you turn eighteen. He will use the copper coins in his hand at that time as proof, which is the string of coins you have now."

Du Anrao froze, looking down at the string of copper coins in his hand.

Before I could think further, I heard Grandpa Wen add, "Oh, right, and that stone from earlier too."

"That rock? What happened to that rock?"

“That stone is not actually from my collection; it was left behind by your master before he passed away.”

"Left by my master?" Du Anrao's eyes widened in surprise. "Why would my master leave this behind?"

“I don’t know either. He left this thing behind, only saying it would be useful to you. When you turn eighteen and come to this auction house, you’ll see this stone and you’ll understand what to do. In other words, the person who bought this stone today is the one we’re looking for.”

Jiang Changbin frowned slightly: "That's why you set that rule and came here personally to wait for the person who won the bid for this stone."

"That's right. Of course, I am also curious about what kind of treasure is hidden inside this stone that Master Yuan specially left for his beloved disciple."

Du Anrao pursed his lips and remained silent.

This explains why the stone exhibited strange phenomena upon touching Du Anrao, as if it were deliberately trying to attract her attention.

Those were originally old items left behind by a deceased friend.

Not to mention, the raw stones inside also contain spiritual essence that Du Anrao had only seen with his master before.

Du Anrao gripped the Five Emperors Coins tightly in his hand, recalling what Old Master Wen had just mentioned, and a subtle feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

But she quickly suppressed this feeling and let out a long breath, saying, "Even so, I still have to go back and confirm with my master. Besides, this auction house was founded by you, and you have been running it for so many years. It seems a bit like a pie falling from the sky to me. I don't know if this pie is really delicious or if it contains poison."

Many gifts from fate come with a price tag; she cannot be blinded by the allure of the present and let her guard down.

When Grandpa Wen heard her say that, he turned to look at his son, and the smile on his face became even more genuine.

Few people can remain vigilant and true to themselves when faced with sudden wealth, let alone a young girl like this, which speaks volumes about her character.

"Of course, but you don't need to worry about it too much. It was agreed back then that this auction house was opened for you. Although our family has been running it all these years, we've never been shortchanged on our salaries."

In short, you are the boss, and we are just your employees working for you. It's perfectly reasonable for us to do things for a salary.

"Furthermore, your master's kindness to our family is such that even if we had to give up all our wealth, it wouldn't be too much. It's just an auction house; it's nothing."

Du Anrao: "..." This is an auction house that occupies an entire mountain, and it's nothing. Is this the worldview of wealthy families?

"And to be honest, business people like us often worship auspicious beasts and immortals to protect our homes and wealth. Your master is no different from one of them to our family, so..."

In other words, they used the money the auction house had earned over the years as offerings to Master Duanrao.

Du Anrao: "..." So that's how it is. I feel like laughing for some reason.

Master: "..." Oh no, I've become a substitute!
"I understand what you mean, but let me confirm this with my master first."

"Of course, our auction house doors are always open for you and Mr. Yuan."

This night was truly eventful; although I gained a lot, I was also exhausted.

After Qiu and her son entered the private room, they, like Xi Jingyue and his companion, dutifully served as background figures, without uttering a single word throughout the entire process.

After leaving the private room, he couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined that Miss Du's master had such a connection with this auction house. But then again, it is precisely because of a reclusive master like your master that such an outstanding talent as Miss Du could be taught."

"...To be honest, I didn't expect it either." Du Anrao gave a dry laugh, clearly still reeling from the shock that his master was actually a master.

But you can't blame her for that. Her master was always a bit unreliable in front of her, and most of the time she had to clean up his messes. She couldn't see any semblance of a master in him.

"Let's not talk about that anymore, Aunt Qiu. I'm entrusting that piece of jade with the auspicious symbols of fortune, prosperity, longevity, and happiness to you. I'd appreciate it if your company's craftsmen could help me finish the bracelet as soon as possible, as I need it urgently. I'll repay you the labor fee and the 100 million yuan you lent me today after I've sorted things out when I get back."

“Since you entrusted us with this task, it means you trust us. Auntie guarantees that we will handle it perfectly and will not delay your important business. As for the money, there is no rush. I also have something I would like to discuss with you.”

(End of this chapter)