Dragon Raja 2; Chapter 76: Dragons’ Feast (4)

Dragon Raja 2

“Ready? The mission is about to begin. Remember your identity. You are Lu Mingfei, an art lover from China…” Anjou handed Lu Mingfei a cigar in an aluminum tube.

“I’ve memorized it. I’m Lu Mingfei, a nouveau riche, a country bumpkin, cultivating a taste for art because I like a girl from an art school… I’ve finally made it to such a prestigious auction, I must collect something impressive to put in my waterfront mansion! I don’t know how to smoke cigars, or cigarettes.” The mission profile included his fake identity, which Lu Mingfei had memorized thoroughly. He imagined himself as an actor trying hard to get into character.

“You don’t have to actually smoke it—just hold it and inhale a bit. You’re going to an auction. You need an expensive-looking hobby to show your worth. This is a fifty-dollar Cuban cigar!”

“Pretty flashy,” Lu Mingfei held the cigar, looking like he was biting down on a sausage.

“That’s why I chose you instead of Chu Zihang or Caesar. Playing the role of a nouveau riche suits you.”

“True, I am a country bumpkin.”

Anjou handed him an envelope. “Inside is your invitation card. Hold on to it, don’t lose it. You need two million dollars as a deposit in your account. Norma has opened an account for you at a Zurich bank and deposited two million.”

“Wow! Two million!” Lu Mingfei imagined that if he looked in a mirror right now, his wide eyes would be rolling with dollar signs.

“It’s for the mission, and after it’s over, the money will be withdrawn from your account.”

“Who cares about forever, just let me enjoy it today.” This kind of nonsense spilled from Lu Mingfei’s mouth without a second thought. “Speaking of which, Principal, with your taste and wealth, wouldn’t it be easier for you to just buy it yourself?”

“Auctions are a psychological game, especially for rare items that seldom appear in the market. No one can instantly assess their value, so psychology becomes very important. The price of an artwork depends on how many people want it. More bidders mean higher prices. If an experienced buyer bids aggressively, many will follow, driving up the price. And I am that experienced buyer—almost everyone there knows me.”

“So if you bid, it means the item is valuable?” Lu Mingfei nodded. “So basically, I’m there as a decoy.”

Anjou gave a thumbs-up. “Exactly, you’re the decoy! I’ll just be bidding on a few minor items to keep up appearances. As for the real target, I won’t be raising my paddle. I want that item to become an unnoticed, unpopular piece. But you will bid, and the crowd will think, ‘That nouveau riche is wasting money on that useless thing,’ allowing you to get it at a low price.”

“Understood!” Lu Mingfei replied, then added, “By the way, Principal, do you know where Chu Zihang went? And we met a new student named Xia Mi yesterday. We stayed in the same room last night, but when I woke up, they were both gone.”

“Norma arranged another task for Chu Zihang. He’s currently taking Xia Mi on a tour of Chicago, while also giving her some pre-enrollment guidance. Usually, this job is left to professors, but since we have an extra seven days, we should make good use of it.” Anjou paused for a moment, then said, “I believe they went to Six Flags amusement park.”

“No way? I haven’t been to Six Flags either… I’d love to take a beautiful junior to ride the roller coasters!” Lu Mingfei blurted out, unable to hold back his true feelings.

Anjou paused for a moment, then hesitantly said, “I am the Principal. I’m more important than a pretty junior… students would cancel their dates just for a chance to have afternoon tea with me…”

“You’re a bit old to be competing with girls for attention, don’t you think?” Lu Mingfei shrugged.

“Get out!”

“Wait… is this for the sake of male pride? Come on, really?” Lu Mingfei widened his eyes.

“You’re a decoy, so you can’t be seen with me. Someone will pick you up shortly. Remember to change your clothes—an entire Armani set. It’s the brand beloved by nouveau riche from China. Walk with your chest out; you’re here to spend two million dollars, you should look down on everyone else. Don’t think highly of those Sotheby’s auctioneers in their fancy suits—they’re just taking a commission.” Anjou patted his shoulder hard. “You failed two subjects last semester…”

“Hey, Principal, no need to rub salt in the wound… How am I supposed to act confidently when you bring up my failures?” Lu Mingfei grimaced, and the cigar fell from his mouth onto the car seat.

“What I mean is, as the Principal, I have the authority to grant you extra credit. If you complete this task well, I’ll mark you as passed.” Anjou extended his hand. “Deal?”

“Really? Deal!” Lu Mingfei’s fighting spirit immediately flared up, and he grabbed Anjou’s hand.

“I should have known it’d be better to follow the Principal rather than a pretty junior…”

“…Are you still hung up on what I said earlier?”

“Of course not. I’m always magnanimous…” Anjou pulled out a jet lighter and lit Lu Mingfei’s thick cigar. “Now smoke your Cohiba cigar, put on your Armani suit, and go to the field of wealth, our young Chinese millionaire!”

The car door swung open, and the Principal kicked the stunned Lu Mingfei out. The Maserati roared away.

“Hey! So violent? You really were embarrassed and angry, weren’t you?” Lu Mingfei pounded the pavement, shouting after the car.

His stomach growled audibly, extinguishing all his indignation. He remembered that he had only eaten half of his breakfast. He got up reluctantly, dusted himself off, and rolled his eyes towards the sky, which was clear and blue. A white-winged seagull from Lake Michigan soared between the skyscrapers.

Pennsylvania Street was a narrow alley hidden in the bustling city, flanked by towering gray walls of skyscrapers. These buildings were constructed during Chicago’s most opulent metropolitan era, in the 1950s. Over time, the limestone surface had weathered, giving them a sense of faded nobility. The sun was completely blocked by the tall buildings, and the narrow street had a chill to it. At the end of the street stood a massive, box-like building with tall walls and no windows—only a row of large exhaust fans near the top slowly spinning.

Chicago Civic Opera House.

This place was once the haunt of the elite. Sixty years ago, every night was filled with luxury cars and stylish women. Polite gentlemen escorted their young companions here to enjoy elegant music while attendants called out the names of distinguished guests.

But it had fallen from grace. Nowadays, young people went on dates to the movies or downtown shopping centers. The opera house was the glory of a bygone era.