"When did I become a consultant for your company?"
Chen Shi looked at Steven with utter disbelief.
"You have to put it that way for it to sound convincing!" Steven replied matter-of-factly, not seeing anything wrong with it at all.
Then he changed the subject. "Besides, what's so bad about being a consultant for Devon Corporation?"
"Plenty of people would kill for that opportunity."
"You should count yourself lucky."
Chen Shi's face darkened. He actually didn't mind the consultant title and knew Devon was doing it for his benefit.
But when it came out of Steven's mouth, why did it sound so irritating?
What did he mean by "count yourself lucky"?
What, did he think Chen Shi wasn't worthy?
Chen Shi originally wanted to retort, but remembering that Steven had just paid on his behalf earlier, the words that came out instead were:
"Well, if I'm really your consultant, how come I haven't seen any consultant fees?"
Steven stared at him in disbelief. "Wait, you're asking me for consultant fees?"
We help you shut people up and you're charging us?
Just how thick is your skin?
And you can actually say that out loud?
Chen Shi chuckled awkwardly. "Slip of the tongue. Slip of the tongue."
Steven opened his mouth as if to say something, then ultimately closed it again, only rolling his eyes at him.
Below them, the bidding war for the Mega Stone had officially begun. The price had already surged past 500 million Poké Dollars.
It was fierce.
Almost all of the bids were coming from the private boxes upstairs. The people in the main hall couldn't even get a word in. No one was willing to give up.
Chen Shi clicked his tongue in amazement. In such a short time, the Mega Stone's price had already surpassed that of Jirachi. At this rate, the final price might very well approach two billion Poké Dollars.
And the real heavyweights hadn't even made a move yet.
For example, Leon. He didn't look anxious at all, calmly sipping his tea.
This was only happening because Mega Evolution had just been introduced to the world. Once it became widespread, the price would probably stabilize somewhat.
"Seven hundred and thirty million!"
"Seven hundred and forty million!"
"Seven hundred and fifty million!"
"Hmph. You think you're qualified to covet a Mega Stone? One billion!"
Suzuki Yu had clearly lost patience and directly pushed the price up to one billion.
That single jump stunned many people.
One billion Poké Dollars in liquid cash was no small sum.
Even the available capital of a large corporation might not reach that figure.
Many bidders were already reconsidering whether to continue.
When Chen Shi heard the voice from Private Box No. 4, he paused. He knew this had to be the person backing Suzuki Imei.
He hadn't forgotten the earlier price manipulation.
Because of this guy, Chen Shi had wasted quite a bit of money.
If he didn't vent his frustration now, when would he?
Anyway, this Mega Stone was practically reserved for Leon. Playing around a little shouldn't hurt, right?
With that thought, Chen Shi turned to Leon.
"Want me to bid for you?"
Leon blinked, then shrugged. "Suit yourself."
He knew about Chen Shi's conflict with Private Box No. 4. They were going to spend the money anyway, so letting Chen Shi handle the bidding was fine.
Consider it doing him a favor.
"Great, thanks."
Chen Shi smiled faintly, picked up the microphone, and said lazily, "You think one billion is enough to take a Mega Stone? I thought you were someone impressive."
"I bid 1.5 billion."
The moment that price came out, not only were the people outside stunned—even Leon's eyes widened as he stared at Chen Shi.
Wait. Who taught you to bid like that?
He says one billion and you jump straight to one and a half?
Who bids like that?
Not your money, so you don't feel a thing, huh?
Leon shot him a look but didn't say anything.
Fifteen hundred million probably wouldn't secure the Mega Stone anyway. If Chen Shi wanted to shout, let him shout.
But Suzuki Yu was furious.
His face flushed red, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
"Damn you, Chen Shi!"
Beside him, Suzuki Imei wiped the sweat from his forehead and forced a bitter smile, not knowing what to say.
Who told you to provoke him earlier? Now that you're getting payback, who can you blame?
Of course, he only dared think that.
Out loud, he said, "Second Young Master, 1.5 billion isn't that high. There's no need to be so angry."
"We can just raise the bid again."
"Do I need you to tell me that?" Suzuki Yu glared at him viciously.
Was he angry about the price?
He was angry about what Chen Shi had said.
What did he mean, 'I thought you were someone impressive'?
As the second son of the Suzuki family—and the most outstanding of his generation—wasn't he impressive?
And Chen Shi already had a Charizard Mega Stone. Now he was still competing with him.
Wasn't that clearly targeted?
The next moment, Suzuki Yu refused to back down and raised the price by another five hundred million.
"I bid two billion! If you've got the guts, keep going!"
The entire venue fell silent.
Chen Shi, however, smiled.
"He's rattled."
He was just about to raise the bid again when a voice came from Private Box No. 2.
"How interesting. I suppose I'll join the fun as well. Two billion and ten million."
Chen Shi froze.
Wasn't that Wallace's voice?
Why was he involved?
After Chen Shi's earlier reminder, Wallace should've been focused on the Mega Stone for Altaria later on.
Why was he suddenly interested in the Charizard Mega Stone?
Then Chen Shi thought it through.
Wallace probably didn't truly want it. He was just playing along—and perhaps helping him needle Suzuki Yu.
Now this was getting interesting.
Below, Liko remained perfectly composed.
"Private Box No. 2 bids two billion and ten million. Any higher offers?"
Though she asked the question, her gaze was fixed solely on Suzuki Yu's box on the third floor.
"2.1 billion!"
As expected, Suzuki Yu immediately raised the bid again.
Chen Shi glanced at Leon.
Leon understood instantly and gave him a small nod, signaling him not to worry.
He had come prepared with ample funds. The price was high, but not enough to make him retreat.
Chen Shi grinned.
"I bid 2.5 billion."
Leon: ......
Fine. Do whatever you want.
As long as we get the Mega Stone in the end.
But when Suzuki Yu heard the bid of 2.5 billion, he finally calmed down slightly.
Suzuki Imei seized the opportunity to remind him, "Second Young Master, there are still two pairs of Mega Stones later."
The implication was simple: they had brought a large sum, but not enough to win all three pairs.
With Chen Shi deliberately targeting them now, it might be wiser to save funds and secure the remaining two pairs in one go.
"Shut up."
Suzuki Yu forced the words through clenched teeth.
This was a Charizard Mega Stone. How could he possibly give up?
No matter how high the price climbed, he had to try.
"2.6 billion!"
Hearing Suzuki Yu continue, Chen Shi merely smiled and shrugged at Leon.
He had only wanted to vent his frustration.
From here on, he would leave it to Leon.
Going any further would be too much.
...…
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