Chapter 22: An Unusual Sum

Such a vulgar and boorish woman. I truly don’t know what Grandfather sees in her. He ignores Jiang Qingyan, who was carefully raised and nurtured, and insists that I marry this useless Jiang Zhiyue instead. The Jiang family themselves don't even consider this biological daughter of any consequence, yet my grandfather alone insists on recognizing her as his granddaughter-in-law. I, Lu Yan, will absolutely never acknowledge such a woman!

The elderly man in the Tang suit, who had failed his own bid, smiled kindly and explained to her, "Young lady, you are slightly mistaken there. Isn't the purpose of making money to live more freely? That freedom, of course, includes the liberty to buy what you like, wouldn't you agree?"

Jiang Zhiyue had a good impression of the old man and smiled back. "You needn't feel regret, sir. Although you failed to win the bid, who is to say that this misfortune isn't a blessing in disguise? Your good fortune is yet to come."

According to his physiognomy, the man was destined for great wealth and status. He would live a life of domestic bliss, surrounded by children and grandchildren. Although his household would soon face a malicious person and a significant trial, the man possessed great merit and would naturally encounter a benefactor to help him turn danger into safety. However, she would not volunteer this information.

The old man seemed quite pleased, his gaze toward Jiang Zhiyue growing even more affectionate. He then glanced at Pei Heng, who was diligently serving tea and water by her side, and offered a meaningful smile.

The bronze box was eventually secured by Lu Yan for a staggering four hundred million. Next, it was finally time for the wooden box. Jiang Zhiyue had observed carefully; most people in the room had already placed bids in the previous round, so the competition for this item would be much smaller.

The first blind bid had reached hundreds of millions, and the beautiful host could barely hide her delight. "Thank you all for your support. We will now begin our second blind auction: the mystery wooden box. The starting price is still up to you, our bidders. The competition begins!"

As she spoke, silence fell over the hall. It was an unremarkable, even grimy and dilapidated wooden box; they looked at it again and again but could find no reason to make a move. Why spend millions on this piece of junk? If they bid a million and no one followed up, wouldn't they be stuck with it?

After a while, seeing that no one spoke, Jiang Zhiyue cleared her throat and tentatively raised her paddle. "One dollar?"

What?

"Pfft—"

As soon as this price was called, not only did others look at her as if she were a fool, but even Pei Heng, who was by her side, spat out his drink! What on earth was "one dollar"? What a bizarre amount!

Jiang Zhiyue blinked her bright eyes, looking utterly puzzled. "Didn't you say the starting price is decided by the bidders themselves? Is one dollar not allowed?"

The host’s refined expression nearly cracked. She wanted to say no, but there was nothing technically wrong with it. The rules were set by them, and there was indeed no issue with bidding one dollar. However, the problem was that everyone in attendance was a wealthy, high-status figure in the country; they never imagined someone would actually have the nerve to call such a low price.

"It is... certainly allowed," the host said helplessly. "One dollar, going once. Is there anyone who wishes to bid higher?" She looked around the hall expectantly. In her career, she had never presided over such a low-priced item. If word got out, it would be truly embarrassing.

Unfortunately, upon meeting her gaze, many people simply shrugged helplessly. They had already exhausted their eligibility to bid in this round by taking a gamble on the previous item.

At this moment, Jiang Qingyan jumped in. "Sister, if you don't understand auctions, please don't cause trouble here. How could you bid one dollar?"

Before Jiang Zhiyue could speak, the old man from earlier spoke up with dissatisfaction: "Mr. Lu, you really should keep your fiancée in check. Don't let her go around mocking others for not understanding auctions. Isn't it your fiancée who clearly doesn't understand them? The organizers have no objections, and we, the bidders, have no objections. Why is this young lady's standard bid considered 'causing trouble' in the eyes of your fiancée?"

Once the old man spoke, anyone with eyes knew who Mr. Chen was siding with, and they all fell silent. Under Mr. Chen's rebuke, Jiang Qingyan’s face turned pale, instantly showing seven parts grievance and one part defiance. "I'm sorry, I was just afraid my sister didn't understand the rules and would ruin the auction. I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it." As she spoke, her soft voice carried a hint of a sob, making her look pitiable.

Lu Yan looked directly at Mr. Chen, his tone neither humble nor arrogant. "Mr. Chen, there is no need to take your frustration out on Yan'yan just because you didn't win your desired item. If you have any grievances, you can direct them at me, and I will be sure to make amends."

"You... you boy of the Lu family..." Mr. Chen was so angry he could hardly speak. "Hmph, the waves of the Yangtze River push those ahead. We are old, and it is now the world of you young people. I, with one foot in the grave, would not dare to have you make amends."

Jiang Zhiyue felt a warmth in her heart as she watched Mr. Chen speak up for her, only to be snapped back at by Lu Yan. However, it was clear that Pei Heng's reaction was even stronger than the old man's.

"Lu Yan, you and your woman really are a perfect match. Is being brain-dead contagious? I suggest you stop wasting money at this auction and go get your brains treated instead. Tell me, where does our little Jiang's one-dollar bid violate the rules? If you're so capable, why don't you bid higher? We only offered a starting price; we aren't like some people who won't let others join in. If you all think this price lacks 'class,' then feel free to bid higher!"

Uh... Now, everyone in the hall looked at Lu Yan and Jiang Qingyan.

Jiang Qingyan clenched her palms tightly. "If we were eligible to participate in this round, we would naturally bid. Young man, if you truly cared about my sister, you would surely be willing to give her a valuable gift, not some piece of trash worth a few dollars, right?"

Pei Heng opened his eyes wide, as if his intelligence had been insulted. "Ah, no. I am rich, not stupid! Has no one told you that an object must have value before it has a price? If you think 'expensive' equates to 'value,' then if I sell a pile of dung for a billion, would you buy it? Such an expensive thing would surely suit your temperament perfectly, wouldn't it?"

Jiang Qingyan’s face turned white, and she recoiled in disgust. Stifled laughter erupted throughout the room, making her feel utterly humiliated.

Lu Yan narrowed his eyes and whispered to his assistant behind him, "I want all the information on that man within five minutes."

Daring to provoke him time and time again—this man had courage! He would make him understand the consequences of offending Lu Yan in the capital!

Jiang Qingyan, knowing she was in the wrong, dared not speak further. She glanced at Lu Yan’s unchanging expression and sat silently to the side.