Chapter 42: Quality Unknown, Stronger When Confronting the Strong

With the fall of the auctioneer’s gavel, the Pink Star made its grand debut on the exhibition stage.

The voice of Butler Shen Jizong came through the earpiece, reminding Nan Xing that she could now place her bid.

Nan Xing remained unhurried, observing Nan Zhen'er’s movements in the front row through the large screen.

She watched as Nan Zhen'er glanced around to her left and right. Seeing that no one else was bidding, Nan Zhen'er was the first to raise her paddle. "Ten million."

Nan Zhen'er’s crisp voice pierced through the entire hall, clearly demonstrating a determination to win.

Ten million was not considered high for an auction where amounts frequently reached hundreds of millions or even billions.

Following Nan Zhen'er, a few other people joined in the bidding, with increments hovering around one million each time.

After several rounds of paddle-raising, the price of the Pink Star was pushed to fifty million.

"Fifty million going once,"

"Fifty million going twice," the auctioneer Chu Que announced loudly from the stage.

Nan Zhen'er cast a disdainful look at the person who had just raised the paddle.

What was a mere fifty million?

How dare someone overestimate their capabilities and compete with her?

Did they even know who she was?

Nan Zhen'er tossed her hair, her red lips curving into a smirk as she raised her paddle. "Sixty million."

Chu Que on the stage smiled slightly and raised his voice again, "Sixty million going once,"

"Sixty million going twice,"

"Sixty million..."

Nan Xing raised an eyebrow. Only then did she touch her earpiece and instruct the staff member responsible for bidding, "One hundred million. Compete with her."

Just as Chu Que was about to bring down his small mallet, he caught sight of the figure displayed in the crowd, sending a cold sweat across his palms.

One hundred million?

Good lord, what kind of heavyweight bigwig was this, suddenly escalating the bid by forty million just to contest this diamond?

Instantly, a considerable uproar broke out in the venue.

Even Nan Zhen'er found herself unable to sit still.

Almost every year, Nan Zhen'er attended this auction.

As long as she set her eyes on something, victory was practically guaranteed.

Coupled with her status as the daughter of Beixin’s wealthiest tycoon, even if someone wanted to compete, they would usually back down out of intimidation.

She never expected that this time, someone would openly challenge her.

Nan Zhen'er immediately looked toward the person holding the paddle.

She discovered it was an agent specifically assigned to individuals with membership status.

As for who the real mastermind behind the scenes was, nobody knew.

Ever since she started attending auctions, based on her transaction volumes, she had only managed to attain Silver Member status.

It was said that there were fewer than ten Gold Members in total.

Not to mention the breathtakingly exclusive Top Diamond Members.

Who on earth was this person behind the scenes?

"Zhen'er, I think maybe we should just forget it. It's already been bid up to one hundred million. That Nan Xing simply doesn't deserve for you to be this good to her."

Seeing that things were turning unfavorable, Wang Baozhu by her side kindly advised.

Hearing this, Nan Zhen'er hesitated slightly.

Coincidentally, at that moment, Nan Xing sent her a WeChat message.

Without a second thought, Nan Zhen'er tapped on the voice message to play it.

[Good younger sister, I’ve finally figured it out. Since you want to gift me the Pink Star, how could I possibly have the heart to let down your sincere intentions?]

[The sky is blue, the sea is deep, and the bond between us is truer than gold. I look forward to your gift, oh.]

"Damn it, this Nan Xing is truly shameless. Just a moment ago she put on a stinking face as if she had no relation to you whatsoever, and now, just to get the Pink Star, she actually says such disgusting words."

"Zhen'er, you mustn't be fooled by her. Nan Xing is outright engaging in emotional blackmail. She’s just betting on the fact that you are soft-hearted, kind, and easy to bully. Don't let her words bewitch you."

The voice messages sent by Nan Xing were heard loud and clear by the people nearby, who immediately began to stand up for Nan Zhen'er.

Nan Zhen'er had never expected Nan Xing to be so utterly shameless.

It seemed this was just the inherent dirtiness and baseness deeply embedded in a country girl's bones.

Nan Zhen'er pinched the flesh on her thigh hard, forced a smile, and said, "It seems my older sister really loves this diamond. Let's see—if I can win the bid, I'll give it to her."

With that, Nan Zhen'er replied to Nan Xing with a message.

[Don't worry, Sister. Whatever you like, I will do everything in my power to get it for you.]

Once sent, the message was like a stone sinking into the ocean.

In Box Number Two, after listening to Nan Zhen'er's voice messages, Nan Xing casually tossed her phone onto the sofa.

Her crafty peach-blossom eyes stared at the screen opposite, watching Nan Zhen'er's petty little actions clearly.

She could only think of two words: Serves you right!

As the saying goes, to hit a snake, you must strike its seventh inch. Once you pinpoint the opponent's weakness, you can easily counterattack.

Who told Nan Zhen'er to harbor malicious intentions in the first place?

When principles are undefined, you meet strength with strength.

The height of one's principles depends entirely on one's mood.

As long as I have no morals, no one can emotionally blackmail me.

Nan Xing opened a nearby packet of small snacks, eating leisurely while watching the commotion outside the arena.

Meanwhile, over in Box Number Two, Li Sichen naturally took in every single move made by Nan Zhen'er.

He frowned from time to time.

Women really were just women, inseparable from these flashy jewels and luxury items—so superficial!

Especially when he heard Chu Que on stage repeating for the second time, "One hundred million going once," Li Sichen slammed his fist against the table.

Startling Qin Luzhen beside him.

"Which sucker is trying to please a woman this time? Damn it, they're ruthless, dropping such a huge fortune."

Qin Luzhen puffed on a cigarette, exhaling smoke as he analyzed, "Judging by this, it has to be either a Gold Member or a Top Diamond Member. But whether the person is a male or female is hard to determine."

"A woman? If it really is a woman, then I'd say she's a prodigal good-for-nothing."

Qin Luzhen clicked his tongue and shamelessly leaned closer. "Hey, your fourth uncle is a Top Diamond Member anyway. Why don't you ask him to check it out?"

"Would I dare? My fourth uncle hates nothing more than people meddling in his affairs."

Not to mention abusing his status for personal favors.

Li Sichen gave a disgruntled huff and cast a scrutinizing look at Qin Luzhen. "If my fourth uncle found out, he'd skin me alive. Qin Luzhen, you might not care about your little life, but I, Li Sichen, still want to live a few more years."

Qin Luzhen laughed heartily and dropped the subject.

Following Chu Que's resounding voice on stage, everyone directed their eyes back to the screen.

"One hundred million going twice, are there any more bids?"

Down in the audience, Nan Zhen'er took a deep breath and hardened her heart. "One hundred and fifty million."

Right into Nan Xing's trap.

Nan Xing opened her pretty eyes, a faint smile blooming at the corners of her lips as she spoke into the earpiece: "Keep fighting them. Increase the bid by fifty million."

This meant the price of the Pink Star had now been pushed to two hundred million.

Based on Nan Xing's experience, the maximum ceiling for this diamond was around two hundred million. If Nan Zhen'er continued to raise the price after this, it truly wouldn't be worth it.

However, since Nan Zhen'er was so eager to show off, she ought to help her out in the spirit of philanthropy.

"Two hundred million going once,"

"Two hundred million going twice,"

"Two hundred and thre—"

Just as Nan Zhen'er was about to raise her paddle, a melodious and pleasant voice rang out: "Three hundred million."

Boom.

Everyone in the entire hall turned to look at the woman dressed in a bright yellow qipao.

Nan Xing did the same.

Ever since entering the exhibition hall, this woman had been sitting there calmly and composedly as Mount Tai, as if she were merely a passerby watching a performance.

Who could have expected that at the very end, she would drop a staggering three hundred million with finality.