Chapter 32: Gao Yangwei's Provocation!

"Alright, I'll place a bid in a bit." Chen Yu nodded slightly, her curiosity piqued. "But I don't quite understand—what's so special about this jade seal?"

"What makes it special?" Ye Fei pondered for a few seconds before replying, "Let me put it this way: I can't say for certain whether this jade seal was carved by a descendant of some emperor, but if it’s used properly, its value may not be any less than that cold-bone wood from earlier."

"I see." Chen Yu nodded, half-understanding, then widened her beautiful eyes again to ask, "Then, what the auctioneer said before—about it being able to increase one's fortune—is that true?"

"Half true, half false," Ye Fei replied indifferently, offering no further explanation.

Indeed, spiritual energy could boost one's fortune, but the spiritual energy within a single jade seal was clearly insufficient.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the bidding begins—" The auctioneer, graceful and alluring, called out.

"Three hundred and thirty million."

Very soon, the first bid was placed by a portly businessman with a receding hairline.

"Four hundred million."

"Five hundred million."

"Eight hundred million."

The numbers climbed higher and higher.

In the end, as if it had been arranged in advance, the price paused at nine hundred and ninety million.

Chen Yu seized the moment. With her second uncle's nod of approval, she calmly raised her slender hand and, before everyone’s eyes, announced, "One billion and ten million."

This sudden bid instantly drew all attention her way. Even the female auctioneer, who was about to bring down the gavel, looked toward Ye Fei's section with a surprised expression.

Not far away, Gao Yangwei and Sun Shiyun both furrowed their brows, glancing over as well.

The hall was silent as a tomb.

"What’s wrong?" Chen Yu asked. "No one wishes to bid further? Then bring down the hammer."

Faced with this scene, Chen Yu remained unflustered; the poise of a noble lady radiated from her, her expression calm and composed.

"Well..." The female auctioneer appeared at a loss. As an insider of the Tenglong Chamber of Commerce, she knew well that every item in this auction already had a predetermined final price. The wealthy businessmen present were also aware, their bids mere formalities put on for the higher-ups. Their true aim was to pool funds, to cover their tracks.

Thus, what was being auctioned didn’t matter. The amounts bid didn’t matter. Only the money itself mattered.

But—

Chen Yu’s unexpected bid had clearly broken the unspoken rules, leaving the auctioneer momentarily unsure how to proceed.

However, she quickly received instructions through her earpiece. Her expression returned to normal as she smiled and said, "Thank you to this lady for her bid! One billion and ten million, first call—any further bids?"

No one responded.

"One billion and ten million, second call!"

The second gavel fell. The businessmen exchanged glances but offered no further bids.

Clearly, they had counted Chen Yu among the arranged bidders.

But just as the third gavel was about to fall—

A voice, ill-timed and jarring, suddenly rang out.

"I’ll bid one billion, two hundred million!"

All eyes turned to the other side of the hall.

There, dressed in an expensive suit, Gao Yangwei gave a faint smile, lowering the hand he had just raised in full view of the crowd. At the same time, he looked toward Ye Fei’s direction, the corner of his lips curling in a provocative smirk.

Chen Yu and the others witnessed everything.

"This fellow..." Chen Yu’s beautiful eyes narrowed in displeasure.

She quickly realized Gao Yangwei’s intention: he was simply driving up the price.

But her proud nature would not let her back down. She replied coolly, "One billion, three hundred million!"

The female auctioneer, once again at a loss, hesitated.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense and adversarial.

Soon she received further instructions through her earpiece, cleared her throat, and smiled, "Thank you both for your bids! It seems you are both fond of this jade seal and wish to vie for it. One billion, three hundred million, first call!"

"One billion, four hundred million!" Gao Yangwei called out again, his tone even more provocative.

"One billion, five hundred million," Chen Yu retorted, unfazed.

"I’ll bid one billion, six hundred million!" Gao Yangwei continued, glancing at Chen Yu and Ye Fei, the taunt in his smile obvious—as if daring them to keep bidding, to see who would outlast whom.

"One billion, seven hundred million!" Chen Yu gritted her teeth and raised the stakes.

"One billion, eight hundred million!"

"Two billion!"

"I’ll bid two billion, one hundred million!" Gao Yangwei declared, the number finally fixed on his side.

Many guests wore expressions of shock.

Clearly, the price had far exceeded the true value of this Qilin Jade Seal. In fact, it was enough to buy three such seals.

Most people could see through Gao Yangwei's transparent attempt to inflate the price.

"This guy!" Chen Yu’s chest heaved with anger.

Something she could have acquired with just a billion was now being forced up by another billion, all because of Gao Yangwei! No one could swallow such humiliation.

"Yu’er," Chen Bozhong urged, "Keep bidding. If Mr. Ye wants it, we must get it—no matter the cost. Even if we have to bankrupt ourselves, bid!"

Seeing her hesitation, his tone grew harsher. He was a man of his word—always had been, always would be.

Ye Fei took in the scene, narrowing his eyes but saying nothing.

"But... Second Uncle... That sum..."

"Enough!" Chen Bozhong snapped.

"Yes," Chen Yu sighed inwardly, and just as she was about to continue bidding—

A cold hand rested on her shoulder.

"Let me handle the rest," Ye Fei said to them with a gentle smile.

Then he spoke out to all present.

"Two and a half billion."

A collective gasp rippled through the hall as he raised the bid by a staggering four hundred million in one go.

Even those accustomed to the extravagant were visibly shaken. Was this man mad?

"Two point six billion!" Gao Yangwei’s voice followed immediately.

He even stood from his seat, sneering at Ye Fei.

Now you can’t hold back, can you? Finally forced to step in and bid against me. This is what I’ve been waiting for! I’d like to see if you can really come up with that much money!

"Three billion," Ye Fei said coolly, taking a sip of tea before calling out the new number.

"What the...!?"

"Did I hear that right?"

"Another four hundred million jump?"

"My god, this bidding is—"

Exclamations surged like waves.

Even Gao Yangwei, not far away, was momentarily stunned.

"Th-three billion, first call!" The female auctioneer stammered, her voice trembling slightly. "Sir, would you like to continue bidding?"

All eyes in the hall focused on Gao Yangwei.