At the auction, bidding had reached rough stone No. 016, with a starting price of ten million!
When Xu Zhongwen heard the figure, his expression changed drastically. He was caught somewhat off guard. None of the previous rough stones had broken the five-million mark, whether in starting price or final sale price, yet this one started at ten million. It was astonishing, far beyond his expectations.
"Brother Wen, looks like word got out," the assistant said in frustration. "Treasure Gathering Studio is really ruthless this time. Ten million to start-even material from the old Houjiang mine isn't worth that much, is it?"
Xu Zhongwen stared intently at the rough stone, his eyes blazing. "A rare treasure worth holding out for! The patterns on this stone's surface are anything but ordinary!" He turned to Gu Beichi. "Boss Gu, I'll bid on this one myself. Your business has only just gotten started, so your funds must be tight."
"It's fine!" Gu Beichi gritted his teeth. Ten million was painful to spend, but for Black Wind Hall's support, it was worth it. Yet no sooner had he called out "Ten million" than bids erupted all around him.
"Twelve million! Thirteen million!" The price soared, breaking twenty million in the blink of an eye!
Gu Beichi called out "Fifteen million" once more, but it vanished like a stone sinking into the sea, drowned out by the bidding. Bitterness showed on his face. His funds were limited, after all; he had only about thirty million at his disposal right now. If this continued, he would certainly fail to get the rough stone.
"It's up to twenty-one million!" Xu Zhongwen's face darkened. "Boss Gu, forget it. I don't want the rough stone anymore."
But Gu Beichi refused to give up. "No, Boss Xu. I promised you, so I have to get it!" A merchant's integrity was what mattered most, after all, and Xu Zhongwen's words spurred him on even more.
"It's already gone above its value!" Xu Zhongwen urged him to stop. "Unless it yields red jadeite worth more than fifty million, we won't even make our money back!"
The atmosphere was as heated as a pot of boiling oil. Gu Beichi was about to call out "Twenty-six million" when a hand suddenly seized his wrist.
"Gu Chen?" Gu Beichi turned in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to take you home." Gu Chen's gaze was firm. "Dad, stop playing around. It's time to go."
Xu Zhongwen was startled too, but then he smiled. "Young Master Gu is indeed accomplished for his age. One look is enough to see he has a bright future ahead of him."
Gu Chen, however, sneered and looked Xu Zhongwen up and down, his gaze as sharp as a wild beast's. It made Xu Zhongwen uneasy all over.
"Gu Chen, let me introduce you. This is my good friend, the boss of China Resources Group. Say hello to Uncle Xu," Gu Beichi said to Gu Chen, looking at Xu Zhongwen.
"Dad, stay away from people like him," Gu Chen said coldly. "Let's go."
Xu Zhongwen, the target of the indirect insult, was slightly angered. "Young Master Gu, what do you mean by that?"
"What do I mean? Don't you know perfectly well?" Gu Chen scoffed, then turned to Gu Beichi. "Dad, are you bidding on the rough stone for this man?"
"How did you know?" Gu Beichi was taken aback.
"Stop bidding for now," Gu Chen said calmly. "Look, is anyone else still bidding?"
Gu Beichi was startled. Sure enough, after he stopped, the bidding gradually died down, and no one made an offer for ten seconds. Gu Chen looked at the auctioneer. "Didn't someone bid twenty-five million? Why haven't you started the countdown?"
Under Gu Chen's questioning, the auctioneer stammered, "I..." His eyes drifted toward Xu Zhongwen, seemingly seeking help.
For a moment, the scene was exceedingly strange! Xu Zhongwen's face darkened. Gu Chen sneered. "Uncle Xu, he's waiting for your instructions. Should he bring down the hammer?"
Gu Beichi was no fool either. After a moment's thought, he realized he had fallen into a trap, and anger spread across his face.
"Boss Xu, you!" Gu Beichi stood up and glared at Xu Zhongwen. "Those bidders were all your shills? You set me up?"
Xu Zhongwen snorted coldly. "Boss Gu, this is Treasure Gathering Studio. What tricks could I possibly pull here? Besides, you were the one who insisted on bidding. Don't go spraying people with blood!"
Gu Beichi's body jolted, and he had no answer. He really had been the one who volunteered to bid on it.
Xu Zhongwen's mocking smile grew wider. "Boss Gu, have you lost your senses? I hired shills? Why would I need to? I just gave you a dragon-shaped jade pendant, and now you're biting the hand that fed you? Your son doesn't know any better, and I won't hold it against him, but you've gone too far. If it's because you don't have the money, don't slap your face until it swells just to look fat!"
"You!"
Gu Beichi was too angry to speak. He was constrained by their relationship, after all, but Gu Chen had no such fear. With a cold laugh, he strode up onto the raised platform.