Qu Jianping had intended to leave but stayed, still holding out hope for Ying Chen.
She believed Ying Chen would keep his word.
However, not only did Ying Chen not keep his word, but he also didn't participate in Shi Boqiong's bidding even once!
It was akin to a man promising you a diamond ring, a grand wedding, and a villa by the sea with blooming flowers.
Yet, in the end, he didn't even give you a ring made from a soda can tab!
The immense disappointment and anger caused by such a drastic difference were something no woman could accept.
A hint of coldness involuntarily flickered across Qu Jianping's brows.
She began to suspect Ying Chen was deliberately toying with her.
Meanwhile, the auction hall fell into a brief silence.
The bid of two hundred and fifty million yuan had stunned most attendees.
Even the host, after a moment of astonishment, resumed his habitual incitement: "Two hundred and fifty million! Shi Boqiong's current bid has reached two hundred and fifty million! This price is enough to be etched into the history of auctions in Long Country! And the creator of this history could be him, or it could be you! You only need to bid one yuan more than two hundred and fifty million, and the names of Shi Boqiong and the history creator will belong to you!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, why hesitate? Quickly raise your bidding paddles!"
"Two hundred and fifty million once, two hundred and fifty million twice…"
Just as the host was about to announce the third "two hundred and fifty million," which would signify the gavel falling and the sale concluding, leaving no further opportunity for others.
"Three hundred million!"
Unexpectedly, a voice rang out at this moment.
Everyone was startled.
Qu Jianping's eyebrows also shot up, and she instinctively looked in a certain direction.
She thought Ying Chen had finally made his move!
But to her profound disappointment, Ying Chen remained with his eyes closed, appearing indifferent to worldly affairs!
"It seems he really was just playing with me," Qu Jianping said with a complex expression, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
"Damn, I thought that guy had finally made a move. Turns out it wasn't him!"
"What dreams are you having? That guy gave up long ago, and you still have hopes for him?"
"Look closely, the one who bid three hundred million isn't that show-off who was just posturing. It's the big shot who previously bid two hundred and fifty million! He clearly felt two hundred and fifty million wasn't secure enough and immediately added another fifty million to seal the deal! His meaning is clear: Shi Boqiong belongs to me, and no one else can snatch it!"
The one who bid three hundred million was none other than that overseas magnate.
After announcing his bid, the overseas magnate stood up and cupped his hands in a circle to the surrounding attendees.
It was both a gesture of goodwill and a declaration: he was determined to have this item.
However, when he extended his cupped hands towards Ying Chen, he paused, looking at Ying Chen with a challenging gaze.
Although the overseas magnate said nothing, his eyes conveyed everything.
"Aren't you very capable? Aren't you very arrogant? Bid!"
"Mr. Ying..." Min Ziqiong gently tugged at Ying Chen's sleeve.
Ying Chen calmly replied, "No rush."
With that, he resumed his posture of resting his eyes.
This scene left Min Ziqiong speechless.
And the gazes of the surrounding people towards Ying Chen became even more contemptuous.
"Three hundred and ten million!"
Unexpectedly, right after Ying Chen uttered the words "No rush," a voice suddenly erupted in the venue.
Someone had suddenly jumped out and challenged the overseas magnate!
The overseas magnate was clearly taken aback.
He then raised his bid: "Three hundred and twenty million."
"Three hundred and thirty million!"
"Three hundred and forty million!"
...
The two engaged in a back-and-forth, increasing the bid by ten million each time.
The constant stream of numbers echoing in everyone's ears made them feel somewhat numb!
Was this still about money?
Was it a game of numbers?
At this moment, Ying Chen slowly opened his eyes and looked at the latest bidder, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Finally couldn't hold back, could you?"
This bidder was actually a shill arranged by the young master Liao Yifan!
Liao Yifan had deliberately elevated Ying Chen earlier, intending to corner him here.
To "slaughter the pig," Ying Chen!
As long as Ying Chen bid, this shill would keep increasing the price, forcing Ying Chen to either give up and lose face publicly or be severely fleeced!
In either case, Liao Yifan was guaranteed to profit.
However, he hadn't expected Ying Chen to not bid even once from beginning to end!
This left Liao Yifan bewildered.
Just as he was unsure what to do, the overseas magnate suddenly made a move, giving Liao Yifan hope of "slaughtering a different pig."
And so, this scene unfolded.
By this time, the bid for Shi Boqiong had reached the four hundred million mark!
The overseas magnate's face, which had previously been calm and confident, couldn't help but show signs of tension.
"Four hundred and thirty million!"
The overseas magnate gritted his teeth and announced the price.
This was his limit.
If the other party bid any higher, he would withdraw.
To his surprise, after a moment of silence, the person who had been competing with him abruptly left the venue!
"Phew..." The overseas magnate exhaled a long breath.
He had finally won!
The overseas magnate failed to notice that as the competing bidder departed, he exchanged a glance with the young master Liao Yifan and shared a knowing smile.
"Hahaha, killing two birds with one stone, everyone's happy! Not only did that guy lose face in front of Jianping, but we also managed to fleece a fat pig!" Liao Yifan was immensely pleased.
If not for the crowd present, he would have been dancing with excitement!
Four hundred and thirty million, a truly astronomical price!
Rarely seen in the entire history of global auctions!
This achievement would make him famous, and his father, who had always looked down on him, would finally regard him with respect!
"Four hundred and thirty million! The price for Shi Boqiong has reached four hundred and thirty million! I don't think anyone will bid higher, will they?"
"Please forgive my breaking of protocol, but I would like to invite this magnate to personally step onto the stage and strike this world-shattering, monumental gavel!"
The host said excitedly.
The overseas magnate nodded and gladly agreed.
However, just as the overseas magnate rose to step onto the stage, a voice leisurely echoed.
"I'm sorry, I was feeling sleepy just now and took a short nap. I don't think I've bid yet?"
"What's the current price? Four hundred and thirty million?"
"Then I'll reluctantly offer..."
"Eight hundred million!"
Boom!
The entire venue exploded as if a heavy bomb had been dropped. Everyone was stunned.
Eight hundred million is a reluctant offer?
Then what would be a sincere offer?
Most crucially, this person had directly doubled the bid!
People had seen bids increasing by tens of millions, but never by hundreds of millions!
It was terrifying!
The overseas magnate, who had just risen from his seat, instantly sank back into it.
All eyes in the venue simultaneously turned towards the source of the voice.
They wanted to see which divine being or colossal figure had dared to make such a mind-boggling, sky-high bid!
However, upon seeing the bidder, everyone's pupils contracted violently, as if struck by lightning, leaving them frozen in place!