"All right, let's continue."
"Next, we will take bids for lot three, the shop on the first floor of Cafeteria Three."
The host's voice rang out again. This time, he was noticeably calmer and more practiced than before.
A clear photograph of the shop appeared on the large screen.
It was a storefront in an excellent location, directly opposite the cafeteria entrance, with enormous foot traffic.
Wang Xiaoliang's heart instantly leaped into his throat.
Here it comes.
This was one of the three shops Huang Xueli had planned to secure.
"Now, would interested bidders please submit both their bids and their proposals to the dais."
As soon as he finished speaking, more than a dozen people rose from their seats and made their way to the dais.
Wang Xiaoliang mingled with the crowd, his steps a little unsteady.
He made a rough count. There were more than a dozen bidders.
He gently placed his kraft paper envelope, much thinner than everyone else's, in the pile of documents, then quietly returned to his seat.
On the dais, several staff members quickly began sorting through the bids, focusing mainly on the prices.
It was a crude but extremely effective screening method.
The hall once again sank into that suffocating silence.
Wang Xiaoliang could hear nothing but the pounding of his own heart.
About five minutes later, a staff member approached Song Yi and gave him a brief report in a low voice.
Song Yi nodded.
"Why are there only a few left?" He pointed at the three bids set apart on the table.
The staff member hurried to explain. "President Song, the other bids were... far below these three. The lowest wasn't even half the highest."
"Mm."
Song Yi acknowledged this and asked no more questions.
"Then let's just look at these