Chapter 652: Chapter 652

One hundred million? Although all these people were the wealthy second generation, this figure was astronomical for them.

However, to everyone's surprise, Lin Chen shook his head.

Mr. Xia frowned, "Mr. Lin, do you find it too little? Then I'll add twenty million more."

My God, one hundred and twenty million—it was true that Master Tang's paintings were valuable, but this price indeed seemed to exceed the actual worth of the painting itself.

This showed just how much Mr. Xia truly cherished the painting.

Yet, to everyone's surprise, Lin Chen still shook his head.

Seeing that Lin Chen disagreed, many voices of dissatisfaction arose in the hall.

"This guy is too greedy. Mr. Xia offered one hundred and twenty million; such sincerity is already more than enough."

"I think this guy never intended to sell the painting. He just brought it out to show off."

At this point, Mr. Xia's eyebrows knitted tightly together, his heart also feeling some displeasure.

Seeing this embarrassing scene, Emon was overjoyed inside. By offending Mr. Xia, Lin Chen would surely find it difficult to operate in Country T from now on.

Finally, Lin Chen spoke, "Mr. Xia, I won't sell this painting. I will give it to you, but I also have a small request."

Hearing that Lin Chen intended to give away the painting, the living room fell silent.

Everyone knew the Emon family was finished by now, and this sum over one hundred million was astronomical for Lin Chen; yet, he outright rejected it.

Mr. Xia was also stunned for a moment, then asked, "What is your request?"

Lin Chen smiled lightly, "I hope Mr. Xia could partner with my fiancée, Sophina, and give her some support in her business."

Hearing Lin Chen's words, Sophina was almost dumbfounded. Initially, she thought that by disrupting the deal with Mr. Xia, her business was doomed too, hating Lin Chen to the bone. Then suddenly, Lin Chen proposed that Mr. Xia take care of her business."

Hearing Lin Chen's request, Mr. Xia suddenly burst into laughter: "Good, good, no problem. Let's do this, I am willing to accept a seventy-thirty split."

"What!" hearing Mr. Xia's words, everyone was stunned; his offer just now had increased one more level.

As people were shocked, another statement from Mr. Xia left everyone instantly dumbfounded.

"We take thirty, and Miss Sophina's company will have seventy percent!"

The entire hall became as quiet as death, and everyone thought they had heard wrong.

My God, because of Lin Chen, Mr. Xia was willing to relinquish seventy percent of the profits, which was an outcome where Mr. Xia managing to break even was already good. Yet, Sophina's company would surely soar because of this partnership.

Sophina was immediately stunned. She could never have imagined that this man, whom she considered worthless and hardly worthy of her consideration, had just given her such a huge surprise.

Mr. Xia smiled and said, "Mr. Lin saved my daughter and is a life-saving benefactor to our Xia family. Besides, owning this painting has been a lifelong dream of mine, which you helped to realize. So, since it's a matter entrusted by Mr. Lin, I will make sure to do it well. Is Mr. Lin satisfied now?"

Lin Chen smiled and nodded: "Satisfied, of course, satisfied."

Meanwhile, Emon's face became even darker. The shares Mr. Xia had given up were a clear indication of Lin Chen's importance in Mr. Xia's heart.

Clenching his teeth, Emon slipped out of the hall and went up to the deck.

At this time, the banquet in the hall had already begun, and due to Lin Chen's outstanding performance just now, he had become the focus of everyone's attention.

People kept toasting to him, and Lin Chen was smiling and handling it effortlessly.

While at this time, the central figure among the rich second generations, Emon, was completely ignored, with hardly anyone paying any attention to him.

Kuri glared hatefully at the scene and stared at Lin Chen, "Kid, I won't let you steal my thunder."

Just then, a sudden alarm sounded on the steamship.

All the guests were stunned as gunshots rang out outside.

"Damn, we've encountered pirates, everyone's faces changed when they heard the gunshots.

These people were usually pampered and had never faced such terrifying incidents.

The loudspeakers in the cabin then announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have encountered pirates ahead. Please do not panic, do not move around in the cabin, and we have already notified the nearby security team, who will be here soon."

With a cold smile on his face, Kuri approached Sophina, "Miss Sophina, don't worry, I'll protect you."

Although Sophina was a strong woman, she trembled all over in this situation.

At that moment, Kuri's words were like a lifeline; she nodded and stood by Kuri's side.

Lin Chen watched the scene thoughtfully, and just then Xia Qingqing suddenly grabbed Lin Chen's arm, "Big Brother Lin Chen, you must protect us."

"Yes, Lin Chen, we're all counting on you today." Pan Jing clung to Lin Chen's other arm and spoke with coy dependence.

Although Xia Ruoyu didn't say anything, she also unconsciously moved closer to Lin Chen.

By then, Sophina had also come to Lin Chen's side, and though she didn't speak, she felt safer near Lin Chen.

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Don't worry, it's just some pirates. After they board, all they want is to loot some valuables and abduct women to take back to their island. The three of you are so attractive, you're definitely in great danger."

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, the faces of all four girls changed.

"Lin Chen, you can't let them take us away, I am your second wife," Xia Qingqing said pitifully.

"I'm your third wife," Pan Jing stated, not wanting to be left out.

Lin Chen was speechless, "Then who is the first wife?"

Xia Qingqing smiled and replied, "Of course, it's my sister."

Kuri looked with cold eyes at Lin Chen, who was surrounded by beautiful women, and said to Sophina at his side, "Just you watch, don't let his righteous appearance fool you, the moment the pirates come aboard he will definitely chicken out."

Everyone prayed that the pirates would not board the ship, though the wish was beautiful, the worst still occurred.

The pirates moved very quickly and managed to board the steamship in a short time.

Although there were a few bodyguards on the steamship, facing the armed pirates, they were quickly subdued.

Before long, over twenty masked pirates armed with guns burst in and rounded up all the guests.

The guests panicked when the pirates rushed in.

Just then, a pirate raised his gun and fired three shots at the ceiling.

The loud noises instantly silenced the entire cabin, quieting everyone in fear.

"Everyone stay quiet, any more noise and I'll shoot," one of the pirate leaders said coldly.

"Everyone hand over your money and jewelry," the pirate waved his hand and instructed the other pirates.

Soon, a few pirates, carrying bags, began collecting valuables from the guests.

Suddenly, the pirate's gaze fell on the four beautiful women next to Lin Chen, and his eyes lit up as he looked at the four beauties by Lin Chen's side.