Chapter 473 Doing Charity
This photograph, likely taken from an airplane, captured the surrounding mountains and waters.
The ancestral hall of the Huo family was situated in a place of exceptional feng shui.
"Dragon Ascending!" a prime location among excellent feng shui spots.
Furthermore, from a feng shui perspective, it was second only to the Yu family villa, which was located at the "dragon's eye."
Chen Xuan couldn't help but marvel that the provincial capital, being on a dragon脉 (dragon vein), could still yield such a feng shui treasure. Finding a spot of this caliber in Jiangzhou would be impossible.
However, a question soon arose in Chen Xuan's mind.
If the Huo family possessed such a prime feng shui location, how could they have gone bankrupt and ended up selling their ancestral hall?
"The starting bid is two million!"
"Additionally, I have good news for everyone: two percent of all auction proceeds will be donated to a charity to build hope primary schools."
This announcement immediately elevated the auction's prestige, giving it an air of sophistication.
It instantly ignited the enthusiasm of many.
"See? We're not just splurging; we're engaging in charity."
Chen Xuan, with his clear mind, frowned.
A feng shui spot with "Dragon Ascending" starting at two million?
For three hundred hectares of land, two million was not a high starting price at all.
Yet, even so, people were still looking around hesitantly.
Businessmen paid close attention to feng shui and metaphysics. The Huo family's current decline likely stemmed from issues with their ancestral graves, and no one wanted to be associated with such misfortune.
However, two million for three hundred hectares of land was still very tempting.
Someone couldn't hold back any longer and called out, "Two point two million!"
With the first bid, a second soon followed.
"Two point three million!"
...
Bids were coming in sporadically.
After two minutes, the price had reached two point four million.
There was a long pause, and no one bid further.
Tang Chen casually stated, "Two point five million!"
But at two point five million, the price seemed to hit a wall, with no one willing to increase it.
It was a profound irony.
Even Huo Xin wished he could disappear into a crack in the floor, but as long as he could ingratiate himself with Tang Chen, it was all worth it.
Two point five million was acceptable; it was better than having nothing.
"Hahaha, the Huo family's ancestral hall is only worth two point five million!"
Seeing that no one was bidding, Tang Chen slammed the table, clutching his stomach, laughing so hard his sides ached.
He turned to Huo Yuhao and taunted, "Did you hear that? Your Huo family's ancestral hall is only worth two point five million! Two point five!"
Everyone else was also suppressing their laughter.
What surprised them even more was that not only Young Master Tang had arrived, but also the Huo family's eldest young master, Huo Yuhao.
"I think even two point five is too much!" Tang Chen sneered, his condescending gaze sweeping over Huo Yuhao.
Some people couldn't help but let out audible chuckles.
"Twenty million!"
Just then, a voice echoed through the hall!
Chen Xuan had bid!
Twenty million?
The surroundings fell silent, and everyone looked at Chen Xuan with astonishment.
Tang Chen had bid two point five million, clearly intending to humiliate the Huo family. Yet, someone dared to compete with Tang Chen, and with such a high bid.
This was clearly an act of provocation!
Had they forgotten the fate of the Huo family?
This price made Tang Chen pause slightly, then he scoffed, "Twenty million? What a provincial fellow."
"Twenty-one million!"
Tang Chen also bid, then turned his gaze towards Chen Xuan, "If you have the guts, keep bidding!"
"Thirty million!"
Chen Xuan spoke again.
This statement caused an uproar!
It seemed a fierce competition was about to erupt between Chen Xuan and Tang Chen!
Tang Chen gritted his teeth, "Thirty-one million!"
"Mr. Chen, isn't the price a bit too high? If it's not feasible, perhaps you should let it go," Huo Yuhao kindly advised Chen Xuan.
"High?"
Chen Xuan smiled and waved his hand.
Not high at all! This was a "Dragon Ascending" among feng shui treasures!
If this land were developed into villas, each selling for fifty million, any knowledgeable person would definitely buy them!
Moreover, this was three hundred hectares of land; who knew how many villas could be built?
Tang Chen's ridiculous idea of building an amusement park on such prime land was truly wasteful.
Chen Xuan raised his hand again, "Forty million!"
A wave of shock went through the crowd!
Everyone's gaze turned to Chen Xuan once more.
Tang Chen's expression finally changed.
To fund the amusement park, Tang Chen had received fifty million from the Tang family, which he could use freely.
If he continued to bid, he would have no money left for amusement park facilities, and building those was also costly.
However, Tang Chen was unwilling to be outdone. He would reluctantly dip into his own pocket.
He opened his mouth, about to bid again.
Unexpectedly, Chen Xuan spoke again, "Fifty million!"
This declaration stunned everyone!
Was he bidding against himself?
Who was this wealthy patron?
Tang Chen's eyes widened as he stared intently at Chen Xuan, his gaze icy and sharp, as if he wanted to tear Chen Xuan apart.
Fifty million completely defeated Tang Chen; he couldn't afford to bid any higher.
The auctioneer, Jiaojiao, looked at Chen Xuan with sparkling eyes.
This was the first time she had seen someone engage in a bidding war with themselves. Were rich people always this capricious?
"Fifty million, first call!"
"Fifty million, second call!"
"Congratulations to this gentleman for acquiring this land at the price of fifty million. Please proceed to the backstage after the auction to collect your item."
Finally, with the auctioneer Jiaojiao's announcement, Chen Xuan successfully secured the land.
Seeing the deal go through, Huo Yuhao breathed a sigh of relief and sank back into his seat.
At this moment, the auctioneer Jiaojiao looked at Chen Xuan with a gaze full of curiosity and couldn't help but ask, "Sir, may I ask you a question?"
Chen Xuan replied calmly, "Feel free to ask."
The auctioneer Jiaojiao's eyes, clear as a mountain spring, showed expectation, "Sir, I wanted to ask, your bid was already the highest, so why did you increase it yourself? And by ten million?"
Chen Xuan pondered for a moment.
"Sir, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but I am very curious."
The auctioneer Jiaojiao smiled charmingly, her red lips pursed, revealing a seductive allure.
"There's no particular reason."
Chen Xuan said lightly.
The auctioneer Jiaojiao looked at Chen Xuan expectantly.
Others also focused their attention on Chen Xuan.
Everyone was equally curious.
Chen Xuan smiled faintly, "I recall you mentioning earlier that a portion of the auction proceeds would be donated to a charity to build hope primary schools. I wanted to do more for charity."
The auctioneer Jiaojiao covered her red lips in surprise, her eyebrows trembling as she stared at Chen Xuan.
She hadn't expected Chen Xuan to simply want to do more good deeds!
Wow!
What a kind person!
The hall fell silent for a moment, and then erupted into thunderous applause!
"See? To him, money is just a number. He increased his bid by ten million solely to donate more to charity and help build hope primary schools."
"Not only is he rich, but he is also exceptionally kind!"
His impeccable character made Chen Xuan shine even brighter in their eyes.
Tang Chen, on the other hand, glared at Chen Xuan with venom, his teeth nearly ground to dust.
His spotlight had been completely stolen by Chen Xuan!