"Wow~" Bai Yuqi finally understood Xia Qingtian's intention. "You're so wicked~ You did it deliberately to disgust them, didn't you?"
"This is the last time I'll use it." Xia Qingtian turned to look at Gu Yaoyang, a sly smile like a little fox on her face. "Let's play a big game."
"Naughty." Gu Yaoyang reached out and tapped Xia Qingtian's forehead. "As you wish."
Seeing Gu Yaoyang's doting gesture, Xia Qingyu, who had been silent all along, really wanted to pick up a suitable weapon and strike him with it.
Da Ya, standing beside them, immediately grabbed Xia Qingyu's hand tightly.
Good heavens, why did this girl's killing intent seem even heavier than hers?
If anyone wanted to unleash their killing spree the most tonight, it should have been her!
But why did they all seem so much more volatile than her?
It was so strange!
While Da Ya was struggling to restrain Xia Qingyu, Bai Yuqi leaned casually against the railing upstairs. He precisely timed his interruption for when Gu Yaoqing was about to raise his paddle, his voice languid as he said, "Mr. Gu bids three hundred million!"
Bai Yuqi's words successfully captured everyone's attention.
Bai Yuqi paid no mind to the scrutinizing gazes. He even arrogantly flicked his dazzling golden short hair before resting his arms on the railing, looking provocatively towards Gu Yaoqing and deliberately raising an eyebrow.
"!" Gu Yaoqing could clearly feel this deliberate provocation. He immediately clenched his fist by his side.
Noticing this, the crowd recalled the small incident before the auction. They covered their mouths and chuckled, and for those nearby who didn't know what was happening, they provided a free explanation.
Suddenly, the expressions of everyone looking at Gu Yaoqing became subtle. The previous certainty and approval were gone, replaced by looks as if they were watching a clown.
This infuriated Gu Yaoqing. He immediately turned to Gu family head beside him. "Grandfather!"
If Gu Yaoqing had noticed, how could the Gu family head not? The traitor was deliberately provoking him.
Just that day, after breaking away from the Gu family, the traitor dared to use the false title of "Mr. Gu" to make the legitimate Gu family concede.
Was he then going to establish his own faction and severely squeeze out the Gu family?
Based on him, Gu Yaoyang?
An illegitimate child who had usurped the nest?
He was dreaming!
Clenching his fist, the Gu family head immediately signaled Gu Yaoqing to continue bidding.
After all, if Gu Yaoyang wasn't completely suppressed this time, it would be even more difficult going forward.
Even if proof of funds was required this time, the Gu family head accepted it.
After all, the Miao and Tang families hadn't made any moves yet, and they would not allow this treasure map to fall into the hands of outsiders.
The Gu family's sole objective this time was to overshadow Gu Yaoyang. Whoever else wanted to snatch it could do so, but Gu Yaoyang absolutely could not be allowed to triumph today.
Gu Yaoqing, following the Gu family head's command, immediately raised his paddle and bid, "Three hundred and ten million!"
"Tch, what's the point of increasing the bid by just ten million?" Bai Yuqi, after receiving a subtle glance from Xia Qingtian, continued to provoke, "Mr. Gu bids four hundred million!"
"Hiss..."
The sheer audacity of increasing the bid by a hundred million was undeniable. Combined with the pre-auction incident, everyone's desire to watch the drama unfold grew. Even those who were genuinely interested in bidding held back their eager hands, their eyes filled with the excitement of gossip.
"Four hundred and fifty million!" Gu Yaoqing almost screamed himself hoarse.
"Mr. Gu bids five hundred million~" Unlike Gu Yaoqing's aggressive shouting, Bai Yuqi's lazy demeanor was even more insulting.
The crowd was shocked.
After all, this was merely a treasure map. The subsequent investment required for decryption and treasure hunting would be immeasurable.
Many who were truly interested in acquiring the treasure map had only thought of a price of five hundred million.
If it exceeded five hundred million, it would be better to hire assassins for a direct robbery, saving a considerable amount of money.
Moreover, according to auction rules, bids exceeding five hundred million required proof of funds. This was different from a preliminary check and was not a trivial matter.
Gu Yaoqing's hands clenched into fists, and he immediately turned to consult the Gu family head. His eyes were clearly sunken, filled with a frenzied obsession.
He had to win, even if it meant selling everything he owned!
The Gu family head clearly hesitated, but when he looked towards Bai Yuqi and met Bai Yuqi's provocative smile, the Gu family head was also angered. He looked at Gu Yaoqing and nodded, saying, "Con—"
"Grandfather!" Gu Yaolin, who had been silent all along, saw Gu Yaoqing and the Gu family head in this state and panicked.
Although he was young and had little experience, he knew that this situation was definitely not right!
So Gu Yaolin grabbed the Gu family head's arm and said, "Grandfather! Don't continue!"
"What do you know! Get lost!" Gu Yaoqing was already furious, and seeing Gu Yaolin only made him angrier. "Shut up! Useless!"
Gu Yaolin flinched at Gu Yaoqing's scolding, but he still held the Gu family head's arm tightly, persistently shaking his head at the Gu family head.
Although he didn't understand anything, Gu Yaolin felt that this was definitely wrong.
His brother… his former brother had told him that people should trust their subconscious. Once they felt something was wrong, they should absolutely not take that step, nor should they be swayed by emotions.
He believed that the person he admired most would not deceive him.
The Gu family head looked at Gu Yaolin and then came back to his senses, realizing that he seemed to have been intentionally manipulated emotionally.
He almost made another mistake!
"Grandfather!" Gu Yaoqing had clearly not yet detached himself from his emotions. His eyes were wide open, showing a stance ready to fight Gu Yaoyang to the bitter end.
Looking at Gu Yaoqing in this state, the Gu family head felt a chill in his heart. The question from before the auction resurfaced: he had actually forced Gu Yaoyang away for such a trifle…
Regret… No! He could not regret it; he had never regretted it!
"You bastard, shut up!" The Gu family head rebuked Gu Yaoqing with a glare.
Seeing the Gu family head waver, Gu Yaoqing's eyes were filled with disappointment mixed with disbelief.
The Gu family's financial strength was far from depleted; they could have fought on!
Why was the Gu family head afraid of Gu Yaoyang at this moment?
"Are you guys going to do it or not? It's time to show proof of funds. Do you know how to follow the procedure?" Bai Yuqi, seeing the Gu family head and the other two whispering, said impatiently, "If you don't have the money to continue, just say so. Don't delay people who want to participate in the auction from following the procedure!"
"An illegitimate child who appeared out of nowhere dares to call himself Mr. Gu! Do you dare to honestly answer if your surname is Gu!" Gu Yaoqing, full of anger but afraid to confront the Gu family head, directed his fury at Gu Yaoyang. "Do you even deserve to be surnamed Gu?"
"You bastard!" Bai Yuqi bristled at Gu Yaoqing's words. Just as he was about to go downstairs and beat him up, he was suddenly stopped.
"Good heavens, are we arguing about lineage here?" Xia Qingtian emerged from behind Bai Yuqi, a smiling expression on her face. "The one brought in by the Tang family next door doesn't have the Tang surname either, yet they can be groomed for the position of new family head. How interesting.
Right?
Nie Qingkong?"