Yin Ping leaned in close to Chen Fan's ear, explaining, "This is the proprietress of Zhen Ge, Madam Xu."
As soon as he finished speaking, Madam Xu, on stage, also opened her mouth leisurely.
"We are honored by the support and patronage of people from all walks of life. Zhen Ge shines brightly with your presence," Madam Xu said, dressed in a fiery and sexy black cheongsam.
"I know everyone is eager to see the treasures, so I won't delay. We will proceed directly to the bidding."
Madam Xu wasted no more words and opened the auction.
As her voice fell, another graceful woman in a cheongsam walked from the side of the stage, holding a tray in her hands.
On the tray lay an antique box, which was opened to reveal a kingfisher feather hairpin.
The jade hairpin was a pleasing green, and the craftsmanship of kingfisher feather hairpins was now lost. It was rare to see so many well-preserved kingfisher feather hairpins in the world.
The crowd vied for it, and the price increased rapidly.
Compared to the astonishment of the others, Yin Ping sat calmly in his seat. He knew their purpose was the Gu Ling Pill, and nothing else was part of their plan.
However—
"One million."
Chen Fan slowly raised his hand and bid.
Yin Ping looked up at him in surprise. It wasn't that their Dark Fox organization lacked money. On the contrary, as mercenaries, Dark Fox had no shortage of wealth.
It was just that, when had their leader become interested in such things?
Sensing his questioning gaze, Chen Fan smiled and shook his head, "I'm bored and want to conduct an experiment."
Huh?
Yin Ping was confused when, in the next moment, Ouyang Yu, who had seemed indifferent to the kingfisher feather hairpin, instantly raised his bidding paddle. "One million two hundred thousand."
Heh.
Chen Fan chuckled and nodded at Yin Ping, "See? Tested it out?"
Ouyang Yu and Sheng Qi, who were in that private room, both had grudges against them. Given their vindictive nature, they probably wouldn't let him successfully bid for anything today.
As expected, Ouyang Yu thought exactly that.
He didn't lack the money, but the thought that Chen Fan had made him lose face like that earlier made him unable to swallow his anger. Even if it meant overpaying for an antique, he had to crush that man's spirit.
"Dong!"
Madam Xu, satisfied with the kingfisher feather hairpin fetching a higher price, gestured towards Ouyang Yu. "Congratulations, Mr. Ouyang, for successfully acquiring our kingfisher feather hairpin for one million two hundred thousand. This item is from the Ming and Qing dynasties and will surely appreciate in value."
"Mr. Ouyang has excellent taste."
Ouyang Yu smiled and cupped his fists towards Madam Xu. At the same time, he couldn't help but cast a triumphant glance at Chen Fan, pointing at him, then moving his thumb from left to right across his own neck—
Kid!
You're dead.
This silent declaration was nothing more than a clown act in Chen Fan's eyes.
He leaned back into his seat with a light laugh. "Understood his meaning?"
Yin Ping nodded. "Do you need me to bid against them?"
Chen Fan raised an eyebrow. "Is Dark Fox's money grown on trees? Why bother with that idiot!"
"Later, you just need to drive up the price. Someone else will pay."
Yin Ping's eyes lit up, and he gave Chen Fan a thumbs-up. "So sly..."
As the two were talking in low voices, Zhou Lu, sitting beside them, interjected with sarcasm, "Do you really think you're someone important? Daring to compete with the Ouyang family in wealth?"
"Don't you know how much business the Ouyang family has in Europa?"
Chen Fan had heard a little.
The Ouyang family's strength was the least presentable among the five major families.
Their current standing among the five major families in Europa was entirely built on money.
It was precisely because of this that the Ouyang family was extremely dependent on the Divine Temple.
This long-term prosperity, which relied on the Divine Temple to gain status within Europa.
Chen Fan glanced indifferently at Zhou Lu. "Why are you meddling in matters between me and the Ouyang family?"
He might as well have thrown the words "sticking your nose into other people's business" in Zhou Lu's face.
Indeed.
Zhou Lu's face turned red at his words.
Chen Fan had embarrassed him repeatedly, and Zhou Lu had long hated him in his heart, wishing someone would teach him a good lesson.
Meanwhile.
Ouyang Yu was smug. He thought that by repeatedly snatching what Chen Fan wanted, he would make them spit blood with anger. However, Ouyang Yu didn't know that they didn't care about these items at all.
They were merely toying with him, wanting to see him spend money unnecessarily.
In the subsequent auctions, precious items appeared one after another.
There were late Qing dynasty antiques and calligraphy, famous Song dynasty paintings, and even rare Tang dynasty artifacts up for auction.
And these items, without exception, fell into Ouyang Yu's hands.
Before the Gu Ling Pill had even appeared, Ouyang Yu had already spent over ten million. Such a lavish display of wealth left others who didn't know the truth stunned.
Sheng Qi glanced at the pile of antiques and curios on the table and frowned slightly. "That's enough. We've played with them long enough."
Sheng Qi was not foolish.
He could see Ouyang Yu targeting Chen Fan and his group.
However, he also harbored dissatisfaction with Chen Fan. Therefore, seeing Ouyang Yu's intention, he did not stop him.
But as money flowed out like water, Sheng Qi worried that he would spend all the money meant for the Gu Ling Pill, making it not worth the loss.
Ouyang Yu heard this and nodded respectfully. "Rest assured, Elder. The financial strength of my Ouyang family is beyond what those people can reach."
"This Gu Ling Pill will definitely belong to you, my venerable sir!"