The four of them arrived in front of a prosperous auction house.
Wang Xiaoyan introduced to Chen Jie, "This auction house is the largest in Pingcheng, dealing in all sorts of items."
Chen Jie nodded; this was precisely why he wanted to come and take a look.
Perhaps he might even find something he was looking for.
After a short while, Wang Xiaoyan presented their passes, and the four were allowed in, entering the auction house together.
The interior of the auction house was heavily guarded, with numerous sentries vigilantly observing their surroundings.
This was quite different from a typical auction venue, truly demonstrating the considerable strength of the prosperous auction house.
Chen Jie's anticipation grew even further.
The four sat at a round table, waiting for the auction to commence.
"Everyone, please be quiet!"
The auctioneer arrived and began to explain the auction procedures.
Before long, the auction officially began.
The first item up for auction was surprisingly a piece of intimate apparel belonging to a famous female celebrity. This left everyone dumbfounded but immediately ignited the atmosphere of the venue.
It was eventually purchased by a middle-aged man named Su Feng.
"The Su family actually buys this kind of thing!" Wang Xiaoyan scoffed.
"The Su family?" Chen Jie looked puzzled.
Wang Xiaoyan explained, "This is a newly emerging family in our Pingcheng. They've been gaining a lot of momentum recently. Rumor has it they'll soon be joining the ranks of first-tier families like ours."
Chen Jie nodded.
Su Feng, after purchasing the item, handed it directly to his subordinate, seemingly unconcerned about what it was.
There was no admiring it, no licking it, or any other lecherous behavior as people might have expected.
To others, it might have seemed as though he was merely tossing money around to liven up the mood.
"Chen Jie, you're not actually thinking of bidding, are you?" Jiang Xue sneered. "If you want something like that, just let Xiaoyan get you one."
Wang Xiaoyan's face flushed. "Jiang Xue, what are you talking about."
Chen Jie said indifferently, "I don't have such peculiar tastes. However, if your underwear were for sale, I might consider buying it."
With a *thump*, Jiang Xue's face turned bright red, and she glared at Chen Jie furiously, "You shameless dog!"
This guy, daring to flirt with her in front of Wang Xiaoyan, must have ulterior motives!
"You've misunderstood. I'm only saying this because of Uncle Jiang; I don't want your personal belongings to fall into the hands of scoundrels," Chen Jie said calmly.
"I think you're the scoundrel!" Jiang Xue retorted angrily.
Wang Xiaoyan cleared her throat, signaling them to stop arguing.
At this moment, new items appeared on the auction stage.
The auctioneer announced, "This is the deed for a building in the heart of Pingcheng, perfectly suited for a corporate headquarters. Starting bid is ten million. Let's begin!"
Wang Xiaoyan immediately raised her paddle and called out, "Twenty million!"
Upon seeing Wang Xiaoyan's bid, most people gave up on the idea of competing.
They were well aware of the Wang family's influence and didn't want to offend them, nor did they believe they could outbid Wang Xiaoyan.
"Thirty million!" Suddenly, Su Feng of the Su family raised his paddle.
"Sixty million!" Wang Xiaoyan bid again.
"One hundred million!"
"One hundred and fifty million."
In this kind of venue, Wang Xiaoyan knew that some items could be acquired at a low price, but the actual price wouldn't be significantly lower.
If no one bid, the auction house's internal staff would participate in driving up the price. They would only intervene if the price was within a reasonable range.
Therefore, the possibility of a bargain was almost nonexistent.
This was also why she was eager to drive up the price; the true test of strength would come at the very end.
"Two hundred million!" Su Feng smiled at Wang Xiaoyan and bid again.
Wang Xiaoyan's expression changed. Two hundred million was the true market value of the building deed. Bidding any higher would be uneconomical.
Gritting her teeth, Wang Xiaoyan said again, "Two hundred and twenty million!"
Finally, Su Feng hesitated for a long time and did not bid further.
The building finally belonged to Wang Xiaoyan.
At this point, a new item was presented.
"Next, we have a wild He Shou Wu estimated to be a hundred years old. The starting bid is one hundred thousand!"
Upon seeing this He Shou Wu, Chen Jie's heart jolted.
He instantly knew he had come to the right place today. He could tell at a glance that this He Shou Wu was not a hundred years old, but five hundred years old!
With this He Shou Wu, he could refine the Qi Gathering Pill and elevate his cultivation to the second layer of Qi Condensation.
"Chen Jie, do you want this He Shou Wu? I'll bid for it for you."
Wang Xiaoyan glanced at Chen Jie, then raised her paddle and said, "One million!"
Jiang Xue shot Chen Jie a cold glance, inwardly believing he was trying to rely on Wang Xiaoyan for financial support.
Just then, an old man named Kong Lou, seated not far away, suddenly raised his paddle and called out, "Five million!"
Wang Xiaoyan's face changed, looking troubled.
"What's wrong?" Chen Jie asked.
Wang Xiaoyan replied, "The bid for the property deed earlier exceeded my pre-approved limit. I only have five million left in my account."
Chen Jie couldn't help but frown.
Wang Xiaoyan quickly added, "Chen Jie, don't worry. A hundred-year-old He Shou Wu can still be found. After the auction, I'll buy you another one from somewhere else."
Chen Jie shook his head. "This He Shou Wu is not a hundred years old, but five hundred years old, or even older. It's not easy to find on the market. I must have it."
Jiang Xue sneered from the side, "What? Xiaoyan doesn't even have enough money on her. Do you expect her to borrow money from others to buy you He Shou Wu?"
Wang Xiaoyan hurriedly said, "It's fine. This money is not much to me anyway. I'll ask my dad to transfer some more money..."
"No need, I have my own money."
Chen Jie took the paddle directly from Wang Xiaoyan's hand and said, "Ten million!"
The old man, Kong Lou, cast a grim glance at Chen Jie upon hearing this, but he did not bid further.
Ultimately, the five-hundred-year-old He Shou Wu belonged to Chen Jie.
Soon after, a staff member approached Chen Jie. "Sir, please make the payment. The He Shou Wu will be delivered to you shortly."
Chen Jie nodded. "Before I make the payment, may I see the He Shou Wu first?"
"Certainly, sir. Please follow me."
The staff member didn't think much of it. No one could default on payment to the prosperous auction house; whether Chen Jie saw it or not, he had to pay.
Watching them walk away, Jiang Xue said suspiciously, "This guy, could it be that because he has no money, he wants to find fault and make excuses to refuse payment?"
Wang Xiaoyan smiled and shook her head. "I don't think he's that kind of person."
"But he only has ten million, and he spent it on the villa. Where else would he get another ten million? We'll see if he has the face to come back later," Jiang Xue said with a cold laugh.
She was Wang Xiaoyan's best friend now and was genuinely concerned for her, not wanting Wang Xiaoyan to fall into a pit with Chen Jie.
Not long after, Chen Jie returned, holding the He Shou Wu in his hand.
It was evident that Chen Jie was satisfied with the outcome.
This was mainly because he had already identified the true age of the He Shou Wu.
This He Shou Wu was not a hundred years old, nor was it five hundred years old, but eight hundred years old.
Ten million was well worth it.
"See? I told you Chen Jie isn't that kind of person," Wang Xiaoyan said to Jiang Xue with a sweet smile.