Chapter 177: Chapter 177

Hearing that Su Lin had actually killed someone, Zhao Yanyan and Xia Shiyu both covered their mouths in disbelief, especially Xia Shiyu.

As a high school graduate about to enter college, even though she had started learning martial arts, she inherently believed that students should focus on their studies. Little did she know the society Su Lin was involved in was so perilous.

Lin Xiaowan apologized, “Su Lin, I’m sorry. I thought you were enjoying your time in Donghai, not realizing so much had happened.”

Su Lin smiled and ruffled Lin Xiaowan’s hair, “Why apologize? It’s all Xiao Chen’s fault for being so arrogant. Without him, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.”

Lin Xiaowan nodded, “Su Lin, if you’re ever in a bind, let me know. I can help.”

Su Lin smiled, knowing Lin Xiaowan came from a powerful background, but he didn’t want her family from the imperial capital to get involved. As for Xiao Chen, he was confident he could handle him alone. He had simply not acted yet because the timing hadn’t felt right.

“Xiaowan, don’t worry, I can handle this little issue myself.”

“Okay~!!”

As they were speaking, Qin Gong, dressed in traditional attire, came onto the auction stage to start the auction.

“It’s starting, it’s starting.”

“Su Lin, I can get the auction list. Do you want to take a look?”

Su Lin nodded, “Of course, Xiaoyue, you should have told me this to me earlier.”

Qin Jiuyue chuckled, “These are all confidential, you know. But I can get it for us to see. Wait here for me.”

As Qin Jiuyue hurried out, Zhao Yanyan remarked, “I didn’t expect Qin Jiuyue to be so lively, unlike the rumors.”

Li Ziyu responded, “That’s because Su Lin is here. She acts differently when he’s not around. I’m curious, what exactly happened between you and Jiuyue, Su Lin? She’s really clingy with you.”

When Li Ziyu asked this question, the girls all turned their attention to Su Lin, waiting for his explanation.

Su Lin scratched his head, “What could it be? Probably because I’m too handsome.”

Li Ziyu looked unconvinced.

Seeing her reaction, Su Lin just smiled and didn’t continue. He certainly couldn’t say they went out for a late-night roller coaster ride, especially the kind without safety protections. Lin Xiaowan would be the first to scold him for that.

“Our first auction item is the Heart of Brilliance, the treasure of Zhou’s Jewelry Store. This necklace, adorned with three hundred and sixty-five diamonds and one pink diamond, is the best gift for wives, girlfriends, and lovers. The starting bid is 300 million yuan, with each bid increasing by at least 5 million yuan. Let the bidding begin.”

As Qin Gong spoke, bids started flying. Everyone present knew the true value of the pink diamond alone far exceeded 300 million yuan. Whether intending to buy or not, bidding was the first step.

Su Lin asked the girls, “Do any of you want it?”

“You’d bid for us? The starting bid is 300 million yuan. Do you have that much money?” Zhao Yanyan was skeptical.”

“Yanyan, you might not know, but Su Lin made over 30 billion yuan by shorting and then going long on Li’s stocks. A necklace is nothing to him; he’s got plenty of money,” Li Ziyu said with a smile.

Zhao Yanyan’s eyes widened, “30 billion? Not 30 million?”

“Of course, it’s 30 billion. If only I had invested more, I could have made even more,” Su Lin replied.

Li Ziyu rolled her eyes, “You’re still not satisfied? I work hard all year at the company and can’t make the company earn that much. Yet, you make so much just by trading stocks and still want more.”

Su Lin replied, “That’s because you were grounded. Otherwise, you’d have a share in the stock trading too.”

“So, Yanyan, do you want this necklace?”

As he spoke, Su Lin raised his bid, “330 million yuan.”

Zhao Yanyan, unable to stop Su Lin in time, exclaimed, “Are you crazy? I was just saying. Who would want such a necklace? It’s useless and risky to wear out in public.”

“Yanyan, if you really like it, let Su Lin buy it for you,” Lin Xiaowan suggested.

“I really don’t want it, Xiaowan. I was just teasing Su Lin; who knew he’d actually bid?”

“It’s okay; now that I’ve bid, we might as well buy something. The money is just sitting in the bank anyway,” Su Lin said with a laugh.

Just then, a familiar voice placed another bid, “350 million yuan.”

Hearing Song Juncheng’s voice, Su Lin was annoyed, sensing that this second-generation rich kid seemed intent on competing with him. Can you really compete with me, Su Lin, in terms of resources?

“400 million yuan!” Su Lin announced.

Zhao Yanyan panicked, “Su Lin, I already said I didn’t want it. Why bid so high? Do you have too much money to burn?”

Su Lin nodded, “Exactly, I have too much money.”

As they were talking, the door opened, and Qin Jiuyue came in with a list, handing it to Su Lin, “Here’s the list of all items being auctioned today. Let me know if there’s anything you want, and I can secure it for you.”

Su Lin took the catalogue and began browsing through it.

“450 million yuan!” Song Juncheng’s voice rang out again.

Su Lin didn’t bid this time; instead, he focused on the catalogue. Each item up for auction in the Qin family’s collection comes with a photo and a description, including jewelry, antique items, calligraphy, and paintings. Su Lin’s attention was quickly captured by a dark red Dragon Pill (dragon’s pearl).

[Failed Dragon Transformation Dragon Pill: Enhances vision, strengthens internal energy, can be used in medicine, and boosts vitality.].

Seeing the auction catalog list it as a Night Pearl, Su Lin almost laughed out loud. This wasn’t a Night Pearl; it was an inner elixir. This must have been Xiao Chen’s stroke of luck for the day.

Originally, Xiao Chen was supposed to acquire the third needle of the Taiyi Divine Needles today, but Su Lin had intercepted it. So, he was curious to see if Xiao Chen would encounter any other fortuitous opportunities, and unexpectedly, it was a Jiao Dan.

This was indeed a treasure.

Su Lin didn’t need its vitality-boosting properties, as his several girlfriends were already overwhelmed; any stronger and it’ll be too much to handle. However, enhancing internal energy was precisely what the women needed.

Noticing Su Lin’s gaze linger on the Dragon Pill, Qin Jiuyue spoke up, “Su Lin, do you like this Night Pearl? Though it’s quite large, its luminosity is lacking; it can’t compare to other Night Pearls at all.”

Hearing this, Su Lin turned to Qin Jiuyue and said, “Xiaoyue, can we secure this Night Pearl? I want it.”

Qin Jiuyue was puzzled, not understanding why Su Lin would want this inferior Night Pearl. However, if it was something Su Lin desired, she would definitely find a way to keep it.

“I’ll call the back office right away and have them send it over, replacing it with a new treasure.”

“Great! Also, ask your grandfather how much this Night Pearl costs. I’ll pay him.”

“Sure!”

After she called the back office, on the auction stage, Qin Gong announced, “Sold for 510 million yuan! Congratulations to Young Master Song for acquiring the first auction item.”

In a nearby private room, Song Juncheng disdainfully said, “Thought he had any real strength. He didn’t dare to go above 500 million. How dare he flirt with top-quality beauties with such meager ability? It’s ridiculous.”

“Bro, that necklace is really nice. It’ll make a great gift for your sister-in-law. She’d be thrilled.”

Song Juncheng awkwardly smiled, “What sister-in-law? I’m still single.”

“You must have a girlfriend, though.”

Scratching his head, Song Juncheng said, “I have quite a few girlfriends, but gifting them such an expensive necklace is a waste. They don’t deserve it.”

Xiao Chen was speechless, “Then why did you bid for the necklace? For yourself?”

“I’m a man; why would I wear a necklace? I just found Su Lin annoying. He probably wanted to buy the necklace for one of those women. Now that I’ve bought it, he can’t gift it. I wonder how he feels about that?”

Xiao Chen felt somewhat helpless, realizing that Su Lin’s words had merit. Song Juncheng seemed almost pathological, spending 500 million on a useless necklace just to spite Su Lin.

Xiao Chen could tell that Su Lin genuinely didn’t care about Song Juncheng, who was still smugly enjoying his imagined victory.

“Probably… quite upset.”

“Ha, not just probably, definitely!”

If Song Juncheng could see Su Lin now, enjoying massages from Xia Shiyu and being fed by Lin Xiaowan, he wouldn’t utter such foolishness.

“Is Song Juncheng an idiot? Spending over 500 million on a useless necklace? I heard that necklace has been in the Zhou’s Jewelry Store for years, unsold due to its exorbitant price.”

Li Ziyu nodded, “Right. The necklace sounds fancy with its hundreds of diamonds, but they’re practically worthless. The only valuable part is the pink diamond. But with 500 million, not many would buy such a useless pink diamond.”

Su Lin joked, “Some people just have more money than sense.”

“Pfft! Weren’t you also about to bid? Does that make you one of those with more money than sense?”

Su Lin, holding Zhao Yanyan’s hand, said with a laugh, “It’s different when it’s for you. No matter the cost, I wouldn’t find it expensive.”

Touched, Zhao Yanyan stuffed a peeled longan into Su Lin’s mouth, “You sure know how to talk.”

“Ha! I’m serious. If it weren’t for your objection, I would’ve bid up to 50 billion,” Su Lin declared earnestly.

Zhao Yanyan sighed and then rested her head on Su Lin’s lap, saying softly, “You really are the best at fooling women. We all willingly let ourselves be fooled by you.”

“What fooling? I’m just sincerely exchanging my heart for yours.”

Lin Xiaowan poked Su Lin’s cheek, “It’s not just your heart; you’re quite the flirt too.”

“Exactly.”

Su Lin chuckled, “If I weren’t such a flirt, which of you could withstand my charm?”

“Go away!”

“No more massages for you. Do it yourself.”

“I won’t feed you anymore.”

“Su Lin, there are outsiders here. Be mindful of what you say.”