Chapter 292: Successfully Falling into the Trap

Stayed in A Country for one week.

The auction for that piece of land was finally about to begin.

The security deposits had all been paid a week ago; if the auction failed to sell, the deposit would be refunded, but if one won the bid and then reneged, that money would be confiscated in full as a penalty for breach of contract.

The seats for Zhu Yiwen and Sheng Hanyu were arranged in the most conspicuous spots, and the two seats were very close to each other.

The two men walked into the auction hall almost simultaneously, smiled at each other, and then each extended a hand in a "please" gesture, inviting the other to enter first.

Both were courteous and polite, looking as if they had a very good relationship.

But everyone around knew that although these two looked like nothing was wrong on the surface, they were actually fighting fiercely in private.

For this auction, neither of them had done any less homework.

Seeking connections, building relationships—it was very lively, and not a moment of peace.

Now it was finally the most critical moment, and who would emerge victorious would be revealed in a moment; most of these people were just going through the motions, and there were very few who truly had the ability to take down that land!

Everyone took their seats, and the auction began.

First, the host recited the rules of the auction like a rote memorization, hoping everyone would comply.

Then, the host announced the start of the auction, with the base price calculated in US dollars, starting at one billion; each time a paddle was raised without calling out a price, it was equivalent to a default increase of ten million.

The host began to call for bids: "The base price is one billion..."

Just as it started, the bidding in the VIP section had already begun in a lively manner.

"One billion and ten million."

"One billion and fifty million."

"One billion and one hundred million."

"One billion and one hundred thirty million."

"One billion and one hundred sixty million."

The two men remained unmoved; the base price was far lower than the actual value of the land, and as long as these people could still afford it, it was not yet time for the two of them to start competing.

Gradually, the voices quieted down.

The enthusiasm of the people participating was not as high as before, and the two men put away their nonchalant expressions, unconsciously beginning to sit up straight.

When the price on the floor reached three billion, the room went completely silent!

The last person to bid was a chubby middle-aged white man who came from the United States and was the only opponent with the ability to compete with the two of them.

The host called out: "Three billion once, are there any other bids?"

The two men still remained unmoved.

"Three billion twice..."

Sheng Hanyu finally raised the paddle in his hand, his magnetic baritone voice filling the entire hall: "Four billion."

The voice was not loud, but it was clear enough for everyone to hear.

There were sounds of gasping for air everywhere at the scene; a big shot is a big shot, he doesn't speak easily, but when he does, he adds a billion!

The currency unit this time was calculated in US dollars, and he opened his mouth to bid four billion just like that?

Who could keep up with this?

That chubby man had been arrogant and full of himself just a moment ago, but after Sheng Hanyu's "four billion," his momentum was immediately cut in half, and he quietly put down his paddle, not daring to raise it again.

The host's eyes were shining, and he did not spare any words of praise, showering Sheng Hanyu with compliments.

Praising him for his grand gestures, his boldness, and for being a model for businessmen...

Jian Yining could not listen any longer and stood up impatiently to interrupt: "Can you continue or not? Are you hired by Sheng Hanyu or are you serving this auction?"

The host was rebuffed and could only offer a sheepish smile.

He continued: "Four billion once, four billion twice..."

"Five billion."

Zhu Yiwen raised his paddle.

There was another wave of sighs at the scene.

The host then showered Zhu Yiwen with a round of praise, but this time Jian Yining did not interrupt; let him praise, it would be better if he praised until he lost a layer of skin.

Wang Yong had just stood up indignantly when he was pulled back down by Sheng Hanyu.

The host received a commission, so of course he hoped the final transaction price would be as high as possible. With no one else to disturb him, he spent a full ten minutes praising Zhu Yiwen before stopping.

The auction restarted; the floor was now the home turf of Sheng Hanyu and Zhu Yiwen, and it basically had nothing to do with anyone else.

Both men were big spenders with deep pockets and bold words, each time increasing the bid by a billion, but after the price soared to ten billion, Jian Yining tugged at Zhu Yiwen and reminded him: "You can't keep bidding like this, be careful that Sheng Hanyu is setting a trap for you."

Zhu Yiwen nodded.

In fact, even if Jian Yining had not reminded him, he already had his guard up in his heart.

His budget for that land was only twelve billion, and this included later investments, equipment to be brought in... all of it required money, and it was all accounted for here.

However, sometimes, plans cannot keep up with changes.

Jian Yining's voice when reminding Zhu Yiwen was not low, and Sheng Hanyu heard it; he sneered but said nothing.

But the intensity of the auction did not decrease, and they still increased the bid by a billion at a time.

Zhu Yiwen added ten million each time, while Sheng Hanyu would open his mouth and add a billion, as if the money had been blown in by a strong wind.

Jian Yining whispered in Zhu Yiwen's ear again: "Sheng Hanyu is just a lunatic; why don't you just let him have it? You shouldn't gamble out of spite, and this isn't the only opportunity to make money."

This time, Zhu Yiwen looked at him deeply.

Zhu Yiwen had never let down his guard against Jian Yining, and the more he said this, the less Zhu Yiwen would give up.

He ignored Jian Yining and even had A Qing "accompany" Jian Xiansheng outside for some fresh air, so as to avoid him feeling "oppressed."

"You will regret this," Jian Yining said bitterly as he left.

……

The auction price has already soared to 18 billion.

This price was called out by Zhu Yiwen, but he regretted it the moment he shouted it; doing business is not about acting out of spite, and things cannot go on like this.

This price far exceeds Zhu Yiwen's budget, and the most miserable part is that he discovers Sheng Hanyu has stopped bidding!

Fine beads of sweat ooze from Zhu Yiwen's forehead.

A sense of foreboding surges into his heart.

Could it really be a trap set for him by Sheng Hanyu?

Just as this thought forms in his mind, as if to verify it for him, Sheng Hanyu suddenly puts down the paddle in his hand, stands up, and leaves.

Zhu Yiwen is stunned.

But he is clearly not the only one stunned; everyone present is stunned, and in an instant, they begin to discuss it in hushed tones.

"Has he given up?"

"Nonsense, he wouldn't leave if he hadn't given up."

"That's true, this is already an astronomical price; if there turns out to be no gold mine in that area, it's all over."

"Even if there is a gold mine, it won't be profitable for a while, A Country restricts mining..."

People are saying all sorts of things.

Meanwhile, the host is already shouting: "18 billion going once!"

"18 billion going twice."

"18 billion going three times."

"Clang!"

The wooden gavel falls, and the host's excited voice rings out: "Sold!"

"Congratulations to Mr. Zhu from L Country for winning the 100-year mining rights to the Golden Coast for the price of 18 billion..."

Thunderous applause erupts all around, and Zhu Yiwen smiles as he stands up to accept everyone's "congratulations" and "well-wishes," though he does not feel very happy inside; instead, he feels somewhat uneasy.

He keeps feeling like something is not right, but there is no time to think too much now.

People from the Ministry of Commerce of A Country are already waiting for him to process the paperwork.

Once the paperwork is finished, he must prepare to pay the first installment.

Both parties sign the contract for that piece of land, and the first installment is 20 percent of the total amount.

If it were based on his original budget, the deposit would have been enough, but now that the total amount far exceeds his budget, the deposit is insufficient.

Zhu Yiwen calls Shi Youxuan and tells her to transfer 1.8 billion USD to the account here.

"How much?" The voice on the other end is very shocked and loud, almost deafening Zhu Yiwen's eardrum.

"1.8 billion, be quick." Zhu Yiwen is displeased.

This time, Shi Youxuan's voice is not loud, but it is particularly blunt: "I don't have it, the company doesn't have that much money on the books."

"How could there not be?"

Now it is Zhu Yiwen's turn to be shocked, and he exclaims out loud.