Chapter 24: Staggering Wealth

The man beside her turned his face, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, staring intently at Gu Wenyan: "Like it?"

Gu Wenyan's lips curved slightly: "I don't like it, but… if Gu Mianmian likes it, then I can like it."

He held Gu Wenyan's hand in his palm, toying with it, and said lightly: "Since you like it, I'll bid on it for you to play with."

Bao Sihan's deep, low voice reached Gu Mianmian's ears very clearly. Hearing those words, Gu Mianmian's face changed, and she bit her lip as she deliberately said: "Brother, if Sister likes it, let Sister have it. I don't want it anymore…"

"Actually, I was just saying it offhandedly. I don't like this thing that much."

Though her mouth said she could let it go, the disappointment and pitiful look in Gu Mianmian's eyes performed a rich array of emotions to the absolute fullest.

Watching Gu Mianmian's brilliant performance from the corner of her eye, Gu Wenyan really wanted to arrange a drama starring Gu Mianmian for her to act in.

Wouldn't her acting be even more outstanding than those hottest, most popular young actresses nowadays?

But it was all acted; one glance could tell how fake it was.

Yet some people were just that blind, and happened to fall for Gu Mianmian's act.

Gu Yeting set aside his lazy, casual demeanor, his eyes turning serious: "Let her have it? Why should we? As long as Mianmian likes it, no matter what it is, I'll buy it and give it to you!"

Even Gu Yefeng, who was usually indifferent to everything outside his beloved art and aloof, nodded and gently soothed Gu Mianmian's emotions: "This piece of jade—as long as you like it, your third brother and I will both bid on it for you."

Gu Mianmian was so moved her eyes turned red: "Brother! You're all really too good to me. I even feel like I don't deserve to be treated like this by you…"

"What do you mean you don't deserve it? In my eyes, you are my sister. As for everything else, don't overthink it."

Just then, the auction officially began.

When the starting bid was announced at ten million, Gu Yeting tilted his head, looking every bit the dashing young master, and raised the paddle in his hand: "Twelve million."

His tone was casual.

But such a lavish move—raising the bid by two million in one go—was truly admirable, especially since their main purpose today wasn't these warm-up items.

So when everyone had other goals, they would only save their money for the most crucial moments.

Facing this piece of jade at present, although they found it precious and intriguing, they wouldn't be so enthusiastic.

But… they didn't need to participate anyway. After all, this battle was destined to be between two people.

Gu Wenyan did nothing, only blinked lightly. The man beside her immediately tightened his grip on her hand and raised the paddle resting in her hand: "Twenty million."

In an instant, the entire auction hall fell deathly silent.

How much? How much had he raised the bid in one go?

Today's auction had no upper limit on bid increases, with a minimum increment of five hundred thousand.

Normally, even if everyone had a clear target, no one would jump to such an amount in one go—it would only push the final price far beyond the estimated level.

But clearly, the Bo Family Head sat there composed and unhurried, his posture elegant, his expression indifferent, as if he hadn't taken these twenty million to heart at all.

Gu Wenyan was also a little surprised. Just as she was about to speak, Bao Sihan extended a slender finger and pressed it against her soft lips, softly making a "shh": "Leave it to me, alright?"

The man spoke the gentlest words in a magnetic voice, lingering by her ear, and Gu Wenyan's resolve melted.

She silently nodded, deciding to leave everything to Bao Sihan.

Gu Yeting squinted half his eyes, his smile languid: "Not bad. As expected of the Bo Family Head, truly deep pockets. Then let's keep playing."

He continued to raise his paddle to bid, and this time, he raised it to twenty-five million.

At this jade's price, even if the finished jade could be crafted into a bracelet with an extra jade pendant added, the final price would only be around twenty-five million.

But clearly, the current price was only the beginning.

Sure enough, Bao Sihan once again raised the price with casual indifference. The words that fell from his beautiful, thin lips were cold, yet chilling to the bone: "Fifty million."

Gu Yeting: "…"

The crowd: "…"

Gu Yeting pressed his tongue against his back molars. After a long while, he looked at Bao Sihan and raised an eyebrow: "Bo Family Head, when playing a game, who plays it like you?"

"Who has set the rules for this game? I'm here, so the rules of the game are set by me."

His slender arm rested on his leg, his posture noble, his composure steady. This air of effortless ease and unshakable calm arrogance…

Also revealed the staggering wealth and commanding dominance he possessed as the Head of the Bo Family.

Gu Mianmian was nearly frightened by this price.

Fifty million!

Has Bao Sihan gone mad? With that money, he could buy several pieces of jade this size! He might even get Imperial Green of better quality!

And at this price already, would Third Brother still possibly spend such a huge sum to keep bidding?

Gu Mianmian always felt… she had already lost her confidence. Just moments ago she had been so smug, deliberately wanting to show off in front of Gu Wenyan, to make Gu Wenyan jealous…

Turning her head, Gu Mianmian herself had already begun to panic.

"Brother, maybe we should just forget it. There's really no need to spend so much money. Let's save the money for something more important, or…"

Gu Yeting sneered: "I don't know the meaning of giving up. The Bo Family Head's wealth is astonishing, but I won't concede either."

He had clearly been roused by Bao Sihan's competitive spirit, his eyes full of sharpness: "Sixty million!"

Even the auctioneer in charge was a bit stunned. No matter how valuable this jade was, it wasn't worth this much!

And Gu Yeting was the boss of their own Charity Foundation—if he wanted something, why spend so much money?

But whatever the boss did, they couldn't interfere. They could only sigh: "Are there any other bids?"

Bao Sihan indicated with a calm, unhurried nod, and this time, his attitude was even harder to accept.

"From now on, no matter who raises the price, I will add five hundred thousand on top of theirs, until that person's deposit is completely used up."

Not everyone was qualified to participate in today's bidding. Before joining the auction, one had to pay a certain deposit, so this was the limit for many people.

By doing this, Bao Sihan was essentially issuing a challenge to everyone present!