Chapter 169: Declaration of War

Thinking of her father's order to bring back the Heavenly Azure Sheep Cauldron, she could only grit her teeth and face the price.

"Thirty-five billion." Chen Xinyi bid.

Such an astronomical price left everyone present stunned, and the auction hall erupted in an uproar.

Everyone's hearts were tense to the extreme, but only Xiao Ming seemed unfazed; under the tense gaze of Chen Xinyi and countless others, he slowly spoke again: "Thirty-six billion."

"Thirty-eight billion." When Chen Xinyi shouted this price, sweat broke out on her palms.

At this time, Xiao Ming remained calm and composed, continuing to bid: "Thirty-nine billion."

Chen Xinyi, nervous, dug her nails into her palm, her heart filled with mixed feelings of anxiety; after a moment, she spoke again: "Forty billion."

When she said this price, she noticed a slight tremor in his voice.

Xiao Ming didn't give her time to adjust her attitude, and once again spoke calmly: "Forty-one billion."

At this moment, everyone's gaze in the hall turned toward Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming gave her a calm smile.

At this moment, only Xiao Ming and Chen Xinyi remained bidding in the auction hall, and Chen Xinyi and everyone present realized at once that Xiao Ming was determined to win the Heavenly Azure Sheep Cauldron, and he simply did not care about the price.

At this point, Chen Xinyi had to consider not only whether their Qingqu Group could afford to keep bidding, but also whether the consequences of continuing would be something they could bear.

Each time Chen Xinyi called out a bid, Xiao Ming only added one hundred million, making it clear he was determined to go head-to-head with her, declaring war; if they continued, it would mean the Qingqu Group was opposing Xiao Ming.

If Xiao Ming later struck a blow against Qingqu in business, the consequences…

After weighing it repeatedly, Chen Xinyi had no choice but to give up, and she plopped down onto her seat.

Xiao Ming smiled faintly: "Done."

The few children who had been by Xiao Ming's side for a long time had become shrewd; it was clear that Qingqu's second miss did not dare to continue bidding, nor dare to offend their father.

"Forty-one billion, once…"

"Forty-one billion, twice…"

"Forty-one billion, three times—deal!" the auctioneer's hammer sealed it.

"Congratulations, Mr. Xiao, you have finally won this treasure for forty-one billion." At that moment, aside from Chen Xinyi's side and the ever-composed Xiao Ming, everyone else erupted, exclamations and thunderous applause ringing for several minutes before dying down.

Afterward, a series of procedures followed.

"With two items in hand, we only lack the Azure Blood Jade Buddha Statue." Xiao Ming curled his lip.

As for this third item, even before it began, the outcome was already decided.

Moreover, he knew that this time he could obtain it without spending much money.

Through the previous two auctions, everyone present realized a fact: for these several treasures, Xiao Ming was determined to win them.

If someone fails to recognize the situation, they would be offending Xiao Ming; who would have the gall to do that?

……

When it came to the third treasure, Xiao Ming made his move right from the start.

The opening bid was two hundred million, and he secured the Azure Blood Jade Buddha Statue for three hundred million.

"Too powerful." This auction almost left every attendee stunned; the bigwigs from across the country admired Xiao Ming to the utmost.

These bigwigs had prepared plenty of funds, hoping to take home a treasure, but instead they got a bustle and ended up watching a great spectacle.

The bigwigs of Wuxingguo had come determined to bring the treasures back to their country; they knew their own abilities were insufficient, and some had already privately agreed to join forces in bidding.

The two Ma chiefs were among those who had teamed up, forming the strongest alliance, yet they never expected to be no match; when everyone was desperate, Xiao Ming's move gave them hope, and without doubt he took all three treasures.

Otherwise, if these treasures were taken by other countries, they would have no face to return to Wuxingguo, nor to face their compatriots at home.

"Dad, you're too amazing." Seeing the treasures taken down, Xiao Jingrou and Xiao Yuchun excitedly grabbed their father.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yunzhe and Geng Jing Shu excitedly held each other's hands.

The Wuxingguo citizens present all became excited, their eyes reddening.

"What's impressive is the money—I had so much, yet it was gone in just two hours." Xiao Ming said somewhat helplessly, though he was just saying that to the kids; he wasn't actually worried about money, for this time he came with the determination to win.

Let alone tens of billions, even hundreds or billions, he was determined to win.

Today's Wuxingguo is no longer what it once was; anyone who tries to trample its dignity or slap its face will find Xiao Ming unwilling to allow it.

"I believe that our countrymen, as well as the four of us, all take pride in you, Dad." Xiao Jingrou and Xiao Yuchun gave Xiao Ming a thumbs-up, their faces full of the expression "My dad is strong, I am proud."

"Yes, Dad, these are all our country's treasures; if they were taken by foreigners, it would be a second humiliation for our nation, and future generations would feel heartbroken upon learning of it."

"Dad, you've done an incredibly impressive feat; as for money, you yourself said you're never short of it, hehe."

"Exactly, exactly, you're right." Xiao Ming laughed heartily at being teased by the kids.

There were still some auctions afterward, but the focus of this auction had ended; after that, Xiao Ming didn't bid again, only letting Geng Jing Shu and Xiao Yunzhe buy a few antiquities and calligraphy to decorate their new home.

Finally, the auction ended.

As the crowd dispersed, those bigwigs from across the country, when passing by Xiao Ming, all clasped their fists in admiration; only Chen Xinyi's side left with a dark face once the auction ended.

Finally, Xiao Ming's family of five, surrounded by the crowd, left the auction hall.

Outside, Xiao Ming spotted from afar the Qingqu second miss, Chen Xinyi, who had not left.

It appeared that she had already adjusted her mindset at this point.

Seeing Xiao Ming walk out of the auction, she curled her lip and approached him: "Mr. Xiao, congratulations."

"You're too kind!" Xiao Ming replied with a slight smile.

Chen Xinyi grew up in Wuxingguo, understands its mindset, and naturally knows Xiao Ming does not want his country's treasures to fall into foreign hands.

"Mr. Xiao, you are exactly as rumored—strong and swift, admirable; to befriend someone like you would be a great joy in life, and I hope you won't spurn me." Chen Xinyi said sincerely.