Past experiences mixed with the current irritation made Zheng Xinxi instantly furious, and he coldly said:
"31 million."
He is the eldest son of the Zheng Clan. If he let this item be taken because of a bit of money, wouldn’t that be losing face for the entire Zheng Clan?
If Zheng Yaxin knew about this, she would probably laugh her head off.
Zheng Xinxi thought that after he raised the bid, the other party would give him some face. After all, the value of the Red Rope Gourd was at most 20-30 million, and it wasn’t worth competing with him at an overprice.
Even if he got it, its value would exceed its original worth, and he would also risk offending the Zheng Clan, making it not worth it.
However, what he didn’t expect was that just a few seconds after he bid 31 million, the other party raised their paddle again.
"40 million."
The bid of 40 million fell like a stone, leaving the entire venue in silence. Even the auctioneer, who was used to many big scenes, was stunned.
In the upper crust of Xiang Island, various auctions are frequently held, and the items auctioned are all very precious treasures. Magical artifacts are not uncommon. For a relatively common artifact like the Red Rope Gourd, they generally sell for 20-30 million.
If the price exceeds 30 million, there basically wouldn’t be anyone bidding. After all, though everyone is wealthy, they can’t spend money randomly.
Money is a good thing and must be used to buy treasures that match its value.
To overpay is either because one must have the item or because they’ve been taken for a fool.
In everyone’s eyes, Lin Beichen clearly fell into the latter category.
In terms of intrinsic value and Zheng Xinxi’s expression, this deal was no longer worth doing.
Zheng Xinxi’s face turned extremely grim.
A few months ago, with his status as the eldest son of the Zheng Clan, he wouldn’t blink an eye at spending 40 million, even four hundred million.
But recently, he’s been very embarrassed.
As the eldest son, he held the best assets of the Zheng Clan. Although he hasn’t been officially designated as the successor, he had better resources than others because of his status as the firstborn son.
The various assets in his hands had annual net profits and dividends of several billion.
If not spent, this money would be wasted, so spending a few billion didn’t hurt him.
But starting last month, the old man fell seriously ill. Someone reported that instead of staying home, he was out carousing, which angered the old man, who then stopped all his dividends.
Just as he was about to plead poverty to the old man, he found that Zheng Yaxin and her branch had, by some stroke of luck, acquired an Immortal Pill.
The old man’s chronic illness was cured on the spot.
Simultaneously, the doctor’s check-up report came back, and the old man’s body was completely healed, with health almost 30 years younger.
The old man was overjoyed and casually gave all the idle assets to Zheng Yaxin’s branch.
Among these assets were the ones originally belonging to Zheng Xinxi.
Zheng Xinxi was anxious and hurriedly reminded the old man. But this only triggered the old man’s memory, leading to him being punished on the spot, forced to kneel, and whipped 30 times with a rattan switch.
When Zheng Xinxi recovered and came out, all his assets had been taken by Zheng Yaxin, and critical positions had been replaced. Even if he wanted to, he could no longer retake control of those assets.
Now, all he had left were a mansion and a few luxury cars.
The money for attending tonight’s auction was obtained with great difficulty from various pleas.
If the old man found out he spent tens of millions on a useless artifact, he would likely punish him again.
Throughout, everyone watched Zheng Xinxi, but besides a grim face, he made no other moves.
Seeing this, the others realized Zheng Xinxi was out of money and couldn’t bid any more.
For a moment, everyone turned their gazes to Lin Beichen, their expressions varied, but all had a hint of amazement.
To outbid Zheng Xinxi financially was almost impossible before.
Who was this young man who stomped on Zheng Xinxi right upon arrival?
After tonight, the major commercial investigation groups would probably compete to acquire this person’s image and background details.
In the business world, especially in Xiang Island, rather than serving the public, it’s more about finding a backer.
They want to serve the public, but first, they need a wealthy scion to endorse them.
A scion who can suppress Zheng Xinxi is clearly top-tier in Xiang Island. As long as he stands out, even a small brand can be operated into a top luxury item.
Luxury goods sell on recognition, making people believe that by consuming the same products, they can be in the same class.
"Sir, how do you wish to pay?"
The auctioneer signaled the service staff, who received an order in their earpiece.
The young attendant approached Lin Beichen, trembling, with her pretty eyes darting around, both fearful of Lin Beichen’s status and unwilling to miss this wealthy scion.
Lin Beichen looked too young and had no particular background, his clothes not especially expensive. Even the attendant’s outfit was ten times costlier.
They were worried Lin Beichen was causing trouble and couldn’t pay.
Forty million could buy two Red Rope Gourds, or a mansion in any city worldwide.
For an ordinary person, even with two hundred years of work, they might not earn that much.
Lin Beichen casually tossed a card.
This card was given by Bai Yunfei when he was in the Imperial Capital, and Lin Beichen didn’t know the exact amount inside.
Up to now, he had only a few cards to his name. He didn’t see the need or found it troublesome.
Usually, he could take whatever he wanted or give a few elixirs in exchange.
But Lin Beichen was skeptical whether Xiang Island, despite its international sophistication, recognized true value, and verification was needed.
In this situation, Bai Yunfei’s card was more convenient.
The manager took the card and quickly verified the assets inside.
A series of asset lists and available funds showed it could buy the entire auction house.
The manager respectfully returned the card, and the auctioneer, after validation, hammered the table forcefully.
"Sold for 40 million, this Red Rope Gourd goes to this gentleman."
The moment the auctioneer announced it, the audience gasped in amazement.
Only then did everyone confirm that Lin Beichen was not a local but a ’dragon crossing the river’ from the mainland.
It’s said the mainland’s power was growing rapidly. Previously, the people of Xiang Island didn’t believe it, but today they saw proof.
An unknown young man, in just a few minutes, suppressed Zheng Xinxi from bidding.
What audacity!
Forty million—most present could produce it, but none dared to be a fool and buy an ordinary artifact!
Today’s auction wasn’t in any important venue, just a very small and temporary one.
Transactions of tens or hundreds of millions wouldn’t appear; even over a million was unexpected.
"Honey, did you see that? This is the real grandeur of Xiang Island; money flows like water, truly eye-opening!"
"I didn’t expect these Xiang Island people to be so-so. A mere tourist could humiliate this young master; they say he’s the eldest of the Zheng Clan. Is this Zheng Clan very powerful?"
Tourists sitting next to Lin Beichen, all from the mainland, naturally sided with Lin Beichen, smiling back at him.