Watching the price about to skyrocket to a staggering hundred million!
Ye Shuying, sitting beside Xiao Zhan, had a face full of anxiety and helplessness.
She really… couldn't stand by and do nothing anymore!
She continuously whispered to Xiao Zhan, in a voice only they could hear, trying to dissuade him, her tone even carrying a hint of imperceptible plea:
"Dragon King! Enough! That's truly enough! Stop it."
"This thing… it's simply not worth this price! Our liquid capital… is truly running low! You can't act so impulsively anymore!"
However, Xiao Zhan was completely caught up in the moment, how could he listen to her advice?
He impatiently interrupted her, his tone filled with unquestionable dominance:
"Shut up!"
"Is Longteng Group really unable to afford such a small sum?"
"Today, I'm going to make Wanrou see clearly!"
"Who is truly the man with the power to give her happiness! To give her everything!"
Meanwhile, Lu Cheng, in the VIP section, had been watching Xiao Zhan's frantic performance, like a clown's act, with great interest, as if enjoying a monkey show.
He always raised the price just enough, like an experienced old fisherman, whetting the appetite of Xiao Zhan, this 'big fish', making him constantly maintain the illusion of 'just a little more and I can completely overwhelm Lu Cheng'.
Finally!
Under the gaze of everyone in the hall.
Xiao Zhan took another deep breath, using all his strength to announce a new, astronomical price that would suffocate most people present—
"One hundred and twenty million!!!"
After shouting this price, he looked at Lu Cheng triumphantly and provocatively, his nostrils almost flaring to the sky!
He thought Lu Cheng would definitely follow suit!
He was ready, even if it meant losing everything, to raise the price to a point Lu Cheng couldn't bear!
However—
Just as everyone held their breath, waiting for Lu Cheng to raise his paddle again and push this crazy money war to a higher climax.
Lu Cheng suddenly put down his bidding paddle.
He gave Xiao Zhan an extremely friendly, yet somewhat regretful and sympathetic, complex smile.
His tone also carried a just-right hint of admiration and concession.
"It seems… President Xiao also has a special fondness for this rare treasure, the Song Dynasty Ru ware three-legged zun, and is determined to get it."
"In that case… I, Lu, concede."
He paused, then made a 'please' gesture towards Xiao Zhan, his smile becoming even more sincere.
"This treasure… I'll let President Xiao have it."
He spoke so sincerely, so generously, as if he truly had to reluctantly give up something precious.
Xiao Zhan was first stunned!
Then, an extremely ominous, bad premonition, like a cold tide, instantly surged into his heart!
He felt like he… like he had been utterly… played by this smiling, yet extremely cunning and treacherous Lu Cheng?
The auctioneer was also caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.
But he was professional after all, and immediately seized the opportunity, raising the small gavel in his hand high, announcing excitedly:
"One hundred and twenty million! One hundred and twenty million, first call!"
"One hundred and twenty million, second call!"
"Are there any higher bids?"
"Then—"
"Bang!!!"
The small gavel fell heavily!
One strike, final decision!
"One hundred and twenty million! Sold!!!"
"Congratulations to President Xiao from Longteng Group! Successfully acquiring this unique, priceless, rare treasure—the Song Dynasty celadon three-legged zun!!!"
The auctioneer's voice was filled with professional passion and… deep admiration for this big spender.
Xiao Zhan: "…"
He froze there, his mind blank.
He subconsciously turned his head, looking in the direction where Mu Wanrou was, wanting to see a hint of appreciation, admiration, or joy in her eyes because of his generosity.
But… he only saw Mu Wanrou and the other equally beautiful women around her, as well as that damned Lu Cheng, huddled together, talking about something.
Their faces all carried a faint, extremely strange, almost… mocking smile, as if they were looking at an idiot?
That look, that expression, it was as if they had conspired long ago, ganging up to trick him, this self-important, foolishly ridiculous clown!
Xiao Zhan's heart, at this moment, instantly chilled by half!
No!
It was completely frozen!
And in an inconspicuous corner on the other side.
Shen Yan looked at the celadon three-legged zun, which ultimately sold for an astronomical one hundred and twenty million, his heart equally cold, filled with endless despair and… a hint of relief?
One hundred and twenty million?
This price… had already far exceeded the price this porcelain piece eventually sold for in his previous life after subsequent appraisals!
Longteng Group? Xiao Zhan?
This name… he seemed to have vaguely heard it somewhere in his previous life… it sounded like some Chinese power that was doing very well overseas?
But this world… this timeline… seemed to have undergone earth-shattering, completely different changes from before his rebirth!
Could it be… that his rebirth had changed all of this?
However… fortunately… although he failed to acquire that antique, at least the capital he gathered wasn't lost.
Perhaps… plainness is true happiness?
…[Ding! Host successfully tricked the Son of Destiny, Xiao Zhan, causing him to spend a huge sum of money to purchase an auction item of no practical value to him! And caused him severe financial pressure and psychological blow! Villain Value +10000!]
[Ding! Host successfully prevented the Son of Destiny, Shen Yan, from attempting to exploit a loophole with the Ru ware porcelain and change his fate! His mindset has subtly changed, and his path as a protagonist may end here! Villain Value +2000!]
[Ding! Due to the Host's superb control ability, causing Xiao Zhan to intercept Shen Yan, both Sons of Destiny suffered losses, and the Host ultimately reaped the benefits! Acquired special hidden achievement—'The Snipe and the Clam Fight, the Fisherman Benefits'! Unlocked new clues related to the Son of Destiny: Song Foundation!]
Lu Cheng listened to the series of pleasant system notification sounds in his mind, looking at the Dragon King Xiao Zhan in the distance, whose face was ashen and expression as aggrieved as if he had eaten a fly, all because he spent one hundred and twenty million on a 'broken pot'.
His mood was simply delightful!
This move was simply killing two birds with one stone!
No!
To be precise, it was killing three birds with one stone!
Not only did he severely trick Xiao Zhan, this reckless Dragon King, making him bleed profusely and lose a lot of money.
It also incidentally cut off another unrealistic fantasy for Shen Yan, that treasure-hunting rat.
Most importantly, he unexpectedly gained clues about the next'Son of Destiny'!
Song Foundation?
Interesting… it seems this evening's banquet was truly not in vain.
He raised the champagne glass in front of him, toasting from afar to Xiao Zhan, who looked aggrieved as if he had eaten a fly.
On his face, he wore the unique, elegant, yet cruel smile of a victor.
Deeply hiding his achievements and fame.