Approaching the entrance of the auction, after security checks and wealth verification, Allen Zhang and Old George and their group collected their bidding numbers and temporary passes, smoothly entering the auction site.
Who would’ve thought the minimum requirement for entry was to own property and assets in Los Angeles, with a ticket price of at least 2 million US dollars! Alternatively, you could have a familiar acquaintance vouch for you.
Thankfully, the General Sect Leader was a confirmed billionaire; otherwise, for a first visit, one could easily be mistaken for a deadbeat looking to freeload on the food and drink. The security staff’s attitude shifted at light speed to warm hospitality upon seeing the ten-plus million US dollars on the Foundation’s ledger.
Right after walking in, you’d see the conspicuous elevated stage, the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, the red carpet underfoot, and neatly arranged round table seats. At first glance, it seemed like attending someone’s wedding or funeral dinner.
There was still some time before the auction started, but people had already arrived quite early.
The General Sect Leader found his seat at table number 124, but he wasn’t in a hurry to take his place.
Many who came here weren’t purely after the auctioned items; they’re not here for the alcoholic drinks, but to expand contacts and exchange information - that’s their main goal.
Of course, there were also lechers, purely here to hit on female celebrities and to bed them.
Take, for instance, the balding middle-aged man Colson, who, as soon as he arrived, set his sights on a dazzlingly dressed female celebrity in the crowd, Catherine Newton.
Blonde hair, blue eyes, dressed in an evening gown, her makeup meticulously applied, she was laughing and chatting with a producer.
This old geezer, like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey, couldn’t wait to drop a line to his friends and made a beeline for her.
Old George and the others weren’t surprised by this at all, scoffing, "This guy, every time he’s dealing with a pretty female client, he’d use all sorts of sweet talk and tricks to hook up with them. And plenty of women actually fall for his act."
Allen Zhang didn’t think much of it, with a dismissive wave of his hand, "Men, huh. Exchanging resources is all about mutual consent."
Anyone who’s balding, their capabilities must be strong, right?
Being able to mix in this place, everyone is straightforward yet cunning, with hidden motives transparent as daylight – you’re lusting after my body, I’m after your money and resources; no point in playing coy, it’s a straightforward deal. Nobody loses out.
If you’re not into it, plenty are.
Don’t tell me you expect to find romance here?
Following Old George and the others, they wandered around the auction’s dining area, freeloading a glass of champagne and cake, looking at scantily clad waitresses. The General Sect Leader seemed to momentarily drift back to partying on his private island.
Last time, while doing security work, one stood in a corner like a small ant; now, one can be considered having squeezed into the upper echelons.
Turns out it wasn’t as high-end as imagined. Everyone had their circles; some were shareholders of Private Equity Foundations, some were directors of food and snack companies, or investors in film and entertainment companies; self-media personalities, e-commerce experts, YouTube celebrities, movie stars - all millionaires or billionaires, and it’s a mixed bag.
Basically divided into two types: industry moguls who provide platforms and resources, and cash cows sheltered by powerful backers and corporations.
Then there were the speculative investors like Old George who exploited loopholes for profit.
Clearly, the General Sect Leader’s circle was oriented around recycling and pawnshops. Most of his contacts were from the recycling industry, like the major shareholders of Pike Resource Recycling Company, who frowned and lamented to his peers about their unprosperous business.
Allen Zhang also spotted a shareholder from the bali food company, recalling his early days on the West Coast when he depended on their relief food trucks to get by.
Old George’s social networking obviously spanned wider than the General Sect Leader had imagined, chatting up many local tycoons and even introducing Allen Zhang and the group to the boss of Pike Resource Recycling Company.
The General Sect Leader also noticed Reko, a department manager at Pike Resource Recycling Company.
Last time, with the General Sect Leader’s aid, he exposed his wife’s infidelity in the act, dealing lessons to Craig and Black, the basketball coach. He’s unsure whether they divorced yet or what the court decided.
Reko was clearly surprised to see Allen Zhang attending the auction; after all, his understanding was that the General Sect Leader, despite some influence on the streets and running bars and recycling stations, wasn’t someone with considerable wealth.
"Burger King... no, Mr. Jin, are you here to auction or consign goods?" Reko inquired.
"What else? Buddy, surely you don’t think I came to hit on female celebrities, right?" Allen Zhang joked half-heartedly, feeling good about seeing acquaintances, "What about you? How did you manage to get in here? This doesn’t seem like a place suited for a wage worker, does it? How’s everything going with the divorce from your wife?"
Ever heard of politeness.
"I’m now a shareholder of Pike Resource Recycling Company, of course I’m qualified to attend the auction." Reko coughed lightly, "Let’s not bring up the past; I am single now."
Allen Zhang was somewhat surprised, "What happened in between that you became a shareholder of the company?"
Upon inquiring, he found out that Pike Resource Recycling Company was recently in a difficult situation, teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
The company was also troubled by legal issues because a factory Pike Company had constructed on the outskirts of Los Angeles caught fire and exploded, resulting in 120 tons of electronic waste and sorting machinery being incinerated, costing nearly ten million US dollars in damages, with 12 workers losing their lives in the incident.