Chapter 20: His Determination to Win
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She hadn’t recognized him at first, but now she understood. The man with the high nose bridge was none other than the legendary fiancé promised to her—Lu Yan.
Ah, damn!
Fortunately, the Jiang family never truly acknowledged her, or else this cursed engagement would have fallen upon her head.
She quickly calculated in her mind and raised her paddle once more: “Fifteen million!”
The other party snorted coldly and slowly replied, “Twenty million.”
Pei Heng’s competitive spirit was ignited, but Jiang Zhiyue quickly pressed it down: “Enough, if you keep bidding, they’ll refuse to continue.”
Pei Heng’s eyes sparkled: “Little Jiang, are you doing this on purpose?”
Jiang Zhiyue shook her head: “No, no, no, a gentleman helps others succeed. Hey~”
“Twenty million, first call!”
“Twenty million, second call!”
“Twenty million, third call!”
“Sold!”
In the end, under Jiang Qingyan’s triumphant and provocative gaze, the exquisite Han Dynasty multi-jade necklace was auctioned off to Lu Yan for a stunning twenty million.
After that, Jiang Zhiyue set her sights on several other items but could only stamp her feet in frustration as Lu Yan consistently outbid her.
Throughout the process, Jiang Zhiyue didn’t spend a single cent but thoroughly enjoyed the exhilarating feeling of spending lavishly.
With the appetizers concluded, the main event of the day finally arrived.
A waiter carefully wheeled out a glass display case draped in black velvet.
In an instant, every eye in the room was drawn to the item on the stage.
“Next, we present a special auction item.”
“First up is a talisman excavated from a mysterious ancient tomb.”
“Experts have verified that this talisman was created 800 to 900 years ago and has the power to ward off evil spirits and protect homes.”
“The starting bid is one million, with each bid increasing by at least one hundred thousand.”
“Let the bidding begin.”
Almost immediately after the host’s announcement, fierce bidding erupted.
As the saying goes, if you have a clear conscience, you needn’t fear ghosts knocking at midnight.
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These people were throwing money around over a talisman, fiercely competing with flushed faces. One might think they’d committed countless misdeeds to be so afraid of ghosts!
Jiang Zhiyue steadied Pei Heng, who was itching to raise his paddle:
“You don’t need to buy this. Although the talisman is authentic, after so many years, its spiritual power has almost entirely faded. At best, it can fend off ordinary wandering spirits, but it’s useless against anything stronger.”
“If you want something like this, give me the materials and I’ll draw one for you. I guarantee it will work better than this. For a million, I can draw you a whole batch.”
Pei Heng’s eyes lit up, and he flattered her instantly: “Little Jiang, you’re amazing! Fine, just tell me what you need and I’ll have it prepared!”
While they spoke, the first talisman was snapped up by a slightly plump middle-aged man for eight million.
Jiang Zhiyue looked at him and shook her head:
“Ah, that money’s completely wasted. If it were donated to a charity, it could earn some merit for oneself, but buying this talisman is utterly useless.”
Jiang Qingyan, standing nearby, clearly heard her words and smiled:
“Sister, you’re mistaken. This talisman was personally authenticated by Master Qin—it truly can ward off evil spirits. Paying eight million to secure protection is not a loss at all.”
“Yes, yes, it’s a good talisman. But just relying on this one won’t solve the problems of that boss.”
“I see a darkened forehead and a lifeless expression on him. The spirits clinging to him aren’t ordinary ghosts.”
“This incomplete talisman is useless. He will face a violent misfortune within seven days.”
“It would be better to donate that eight million to earn some merit; at least it’ll make the afterlife easier.”
Her words drew a chorus of sighs from the crowd.
The middle-aged man, who had just won the talisman, suddenly turned pale, panic filling his eyes.
“You, you—you said what? What lifelessness? What violent misfortune?”
Jiang Qingyan quickly smiled graciously: “Boss Chen, forgive me, you don’t know that my sister loves to play with these supernatural things. She’s just talking nonsense.”
“Three years ago when she first came to the capital, she even said our family’s fortune was ending and we’d suffer ruin.”
“Look, three years later, not only is our family intact, but our luck is better than ever.”
Hearing this, the man’s face relaxed:
“Ah, General Jiang, you really keep all sorts of troublemakers at home. For your father’s sake, I won’t make a fuss this time. But young lady, you should learn to pick the right time and place to show off!”
Jiang Qingyan sighed helplessly: “Sister, please apologize to Uncle Chen. Uncle Chen and Dad are good friends; you can’t curse him like that.”
Jiang Zhiyue simply pursed her lips and made no move.
It’s hard to reason with a damned ghost!
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Boss Chen’s face was ashen:
“Fine, I appreciate your good intentions, but you should warn your father to keep some people in check. Otherwise, some might use the Jiang family’s name and offend those they shouldn’t.”
Jiang Qingyan graciously apologized repeatedly, earning praise from everyone present.
Jiang Zhiyue sighed and sat back down, unwilling to waste words on someone on the brink of death.
Pei Heng perked up: “Little Jiang, does that guy carry that thing? Can I see? Like this morning at my place—you did the same, and then I saw it.”
“He doesn’t have it on him, but his aura is thick with ghostly energy. That’s what happens when little spirits cling to someone for a long time.”
“Judging by this, the problem likely comes from his family. If he doesn’t go back home, he might survive. But if he stays there, he’s surely dead within seven days!”
“Oh…”
Pei Heng sighed.
The auction continued. When the next items were brought up, Jiang Zhiyue instantly straightened her back.
Two boxes appeared on stage: one a worn wooden box, the other a slender bronze metal box.
Jiang Zhiyue grabbed Pei Heng’s arm eagerly: “Bid on that wooden box!”
“Alright!”
Pei Heng gripped his paddle, his heart soaring.
This was the first time Little Jiang had wanted something, and he was determined to win it!
No one else stood a chance!
The crowd grew curious about the two boxes—they weren’t in the catalog and clearly had been added last minute.
The host smiled: “To thank all our esteemed guests, we’ll play a little game during intermission.”
“These two items were just transported from the front and haven’t yet been appraised or valued.”
“Our boss decided to bring them out today to liven things up with a blind auction.”
“You can choose to bid based on your own experience, and the starting bid is up to you.”
“Of course, after the auction, we’ll offer a free appraisal service. Buyers assume all risks regarding the final valuation.”
“But one thing is certain: both boxes came from the Tomb of the Celestial Masters.”