Chapter 70: Producing One Hundred Million in Cash at Record Speed

Yu Zhu stopped in front of Yun Fu, yet the other woman did not spare her so much as a glance. When had Yu Zhu ever been so thoroughly ignored? The smile on her face stiffened, almost faltered.

"Miss, may I ask if you need this piece of wood urgently?" Yu Zhu humbled herself as much as she could. "My family member is injured and we need it. If it’s not essential to you, could you let me have it?"

Though Yu Zhu stood while the other sat, she still felt her own presence dwarfed. At her words, the woman finally lifted her head, revealing eyes as luminous as the stars and the moon.

Beautiful eyes—this was Yu Zhu’s first impression. A mask concealed her face, her attire loose and unrevealing. Perhaps only her eyes were fit to meet the world, Yu Zhu thought to herself.

"To the highest bidder." The woman lifted her teacup with a casual ease, draining it in a single, bold motion.

Vulgar—this was Yu Zhu’s second impression.

Her forced smile faltered further. "But if we keep bidding against each other, it won’t do either of us any good. I’m not short on money. Why not compromise?"

"I’m not short on money either."

Yu Zhu was close to exploding. She hadn’t come all this way to be stonewalled by such curt replies.

"Do you know who I am? Yield this wood to me, and you’ll find the Yu family’s gratitude is not easily forgotten." Yu Zhu leaned in, her voice low enough for only the two of them.

But Yun Fu’s senior brother was unmoved; he even yawned lazily, pulled out his phone, and started playing a game.

Yu Zhu ground her teeth, exchanging a glance with the bodyguard behind her. The man nodded, stepped forward, and yanked off Yun Fu’s mask.

A flash of anger darted through Yun Fu’s eyes, turning them suddenly deep and inscrutable. She raised her gaze to meet Yu Zhu’s.

Seeing her face, Yu Zhu’s fury only intensified.

"Yun Fu!" Yu Zhu sneered. So it was just an actress, after all.

Her confidence restored in an instant—she would claim this piece of wood without fail. "Yun Fu, with your current earnings, it must take you years to make a hundred million. Give this up, and the Yu family will see you well rewarded in the industry."

Onlookers found the notion laughable. They’d expected a formidable rival, but it was only a minor celebrity daring to challenge the Yu family.

But Yun Fu’s eyes held no fear. Her cold gaze flicked to the mask now lying on the table, a chill glint flashing there.

Her voice was frostbound. "At auctions, the prize goes to the highest bidder. If you can’t afford it, get out."

"You—!" Yu Zhu glared at Yun Fu’s flawless face, longing to scratch it. Still, she restrained herself, forcing a chill smile.

"Fine, you’re right. Since it’s to the highest bidder, let’s see who can outdo the other—if you dare."

Yun Fu shot her a frosty glance, silent.

"Here’s the deal: we’ll both produce cash at the same time. Whoever brings out the most, wins. The wood is already near a hundred million; let’s each put out a hundred million in cash. How about it?"

The Yu family’s standing and Yun Fu’s were worlds apart. For an ordinary person, producing a hundred million in cash might take a week.

Yu Zhu had already decided: if Yun Fu refused, she’d have even more reason to take that wood. And she was certain Yun Fu couldn’t possibly produce the cash.

Truthfully, Yun Fu hadn’t intended to engage this woman further—money was not in short supply for her these days, or she wouldn’t be here. But seeing Yu Zhu’s self-satisfied expression, she felt the urge to put her in her place.

A hundred million in cash, was it? Let’s see who can bring it out.

Yun Fu sat back down, casually running her fingers through her hair, every gesture a perfect painting.

"All right, let’s see it then."

Yu Zhu’s resentment deepened. Her looks had always been her greatest insecurity, so she’d thrown herself into her studies and perfecting her makeup—only then did she feel worthy of the one she loved. Seeing Yun Fu only made her grit her teeth all the harder.

With a gesture to her bodyguard, the man obediently pulled out his phone and made a call.

The crowd of onlookers swelled, including those upstairs—Su Changzhou and his companions.

"Zhou, aren’t you going to help?"

Su Changzhou glanced at his phone, judging the time. "No need."

"This Yu Zhu, honestly—never seen someone so shameless. But that’s the Yu family for you."

"The Lian and Yu families have always wanted to be in-laws, haven’t they? That’s all Yu Zhu relies on."

"But that young woman doesn’t seem simple. Maybe Yu Zhu will finally meet her match."

Downstairs, the opinions were different. Nearly everyone believed Yun Fu was out of her depth.

"The Yu family’s status—one phone call and the cash will be delivered."

"I heard Miss Yu say she’s an actress. Why is she meddling here?"

"Don’t underestimate women in show business—their means are formidable."

Yu Zhu sat beside Yun Fu, listening to the talk around her with a slight smirk. Yun Fu, for her part, made no move at all—perhaps accepting defeat, she didn’t even bother to make a call.

After a while, the bodyguard received a call, leaning in to whisper, "Miss, it may take some time. The banks in S City have just been cleaned out, they’re transferring funds from elsewhere."

Yu Zhu waved it off. "No matter, we’ll wait." She glanced at Yun Fu again, who seemed utterly unbothered, already playing a game on her phone.

Yu Zhu snorted.

After about five minutes, a man in a suit hurried over. Everyone recognized him: Zhao Guangquan, Minister of Finance for S City.

Yu Zhu’s face lit up—she hadn’t expected her family to send Minister Zhao in person. Smiling smugly at Yun Fu, she reached out. "Minister Zhao, what an honor—"

But before she could finish, Zhao Guangquan walked right past her, straight to Yun Fu, who was still reclining and playing her game. He greeted her with respectful deference.

"Miss Yun, as you instructed, one hundred million in cash has been prepared."

He gestured to the entrance, where a team of burly men in black carried in silver briefcases in unison. At Zhao Guangquan’s signal, they opened them as one, and the gleam of pink banknotes filled the room.

Only then did Yun Fu put away her phone and stand, nodding to Zhao Guangquan. "Thank you for your trouble."

"It’s no trouble at all. If you have any further instructions…?"

"That will be all."

"Then I’ll take my leave."

Yun Fu nodded, and Zhao Guangquan departed as swiftly as he’d come, never sparing Yu Zhu a glance.

Yu Zhu remained frozen in place, her face cycling between red and white.