God-Level All-rounder Expert
Chapter 502 - 538, You as a father really went all out.

Chapter 502: Chapter 538, You as a father really went all out.

The next day, Binnan Shen called Fang Yi again, asking him to visit, but this time not at Coastal Park but at the Land Management Group.

Upon meeting Binnan Shen, Fang Yi understood—they were going to enter an official bidding war with Rong Shuo.

"Rong Shuo is a tycoon in Moon City. A rough estimate of his personal assets alone places him at tens of billions, not to mention the real estate in his group. His wealth is at least a hundred billion. We don’t have any advantages in this competition," Shen said, briefing Fang Yi on the situation before they entered.

Fang Yi had done some research on Rong Shuo too, but certainly not as detailed as Binnan Shen’s. After some thought, he asked, "Then how confident are you about this bidding war?"

Shen Binan replied, "Plans cannot keep pace with changes. Rong Shuo is incredibly astute. Ever since he established Rong Group, he has never lost. To be honest, I only have a 30% chance of taking Coastal Park from his hands."

Fang Yi fell silent for a moment, then said somberly, "Doesn’t that mean Rong Shuo is bound to win this time?"

"There’s a very high probability," Binnan admitted candidly. "When I say 30% confidence, I’m still being optimistic; Rong Shuo’s financial power is simply too formidable. If he is serious about Coastal Park, our odds of winning are slim." She ended with a bitter smile.

"Don’t lose heart," Fang Yi said. "My earlier comment was just a casual one. Since we’re here, of course, we should aim to take Coastal Park. Otherwise, aren’t we just handing over the Gold Mine?"

Binnan slightly narrowed her eyes and said, "You really can’t forget about that Gold Mine."

Realizing his slip, Fang Yi internally broke into a sweat but, the words were already out and couldn’t be taken back. He said, "No matter what, we discovered that Gold Mine. If it has to be turned over, it should be by us; we can’t let Rong Shuo get it cheap. Right?"

Shen Binan responded with a noncommittal smile, "I hope you really think that way."

The two entered together, and after Binnan stated her identity, a staff member led them to a conference room.

Inside the conference room, people were already waiting. At the head of the conference table sat Li Chun, his secretary Hu Guanqing standing behind him, and on one side, a man around forty years old sat with a middle-aged man beside him.

Besides them, there were also two adjudicators from the Land Management Group. When Fang Yi and Binnan Shen arrived, all eyes in the room swung their way.

"I’m sorry for being late; please forgive me," Binnan apologized with a smile that held a charm which made it hard for anyone to stay upset.

"President Shen isn’t late; we’ve only just arrived ourselves," Li Chun said with a smile.

"Member of Parliament Li," Binnan acknowledged with a slight bow before taking a seat at the conference table.

"Fang Yi, you’re here too. Why didn’t you greet me?" Li Chun gestured to Fang Yi.

Fang Yi forced a smile; he did not want to draw attention to himself, but Li Chun’s gesture had inadvertently made him stand out. The two men across the room turned their gaze toward him, filled with complexity, and the two adjudicators from the Land Management Group looked at him in surprise.

When Fang Yi had entered the room following Binnan, it would have been natural to assume that he was merely an attendant, but Li Chun’s initiative in greeting him was a surprise.

Li Chun’s status was not insignificant, so for him to proactively greet an attendant of Shen Binan’s was bound to be a curiosity.

Fang Yi walked over, casually took out a pack of cigarettes, and offered one to Li Chun, who was initially taken aback and then accepted it.

"Here, let me light it for you," Fang Yi offered with a lighter.

"You little rascal..." Li Chun said half-jokingly, but he took to smoking the cigarette eagerly.

This was an understanding between them. Fang Yi had only met Li Chun once before while treating him for a peculiar illness, and that meeting had forged a friendship. Age and status aside, they interacted as peers. Since Fang Yi knew even Li Chun’s secrets and Li Chun could be so open about them, there was no reason not to be friends.

This was nothing out of the ordinary for Fang Yi, but for the others present, it was somewhat alarming.

Fang Yi also lit up a cigarette and sat down at the conference table. Hu Guanqing immediately fetched a few ashtrays, setting one in front of Li Chun, one for Fang Yi, and then in front of the two middle-aged men opposite.

A faint haze of smoke hung over the conference table. As one cigarette ended, Fang Yi stubbed out the butt and looked up, asking, "I wonder which of you is the chairman of the Rong Group?"

The man in his forties raised his eyebrows, a sharp presence between his brow, and said, "You’re Fang Yi?"

"It seems you must be Rong Shuo," Fang Yi replied indifferently, calling him by name without any courtesy.

In Fang Yi’s view, they were competitors; there was no need for false pleasantries.

Rong Shuo replied indifferently, "Fang Yi, you’re a young man, and I admire your previous actions, but... let me give you a piece of advice here. It’s good to be vigorous when young, but don’t overdo it, or you might not even know how you died."

Fang Yi said, "With Congressman Li present, do you think it’s really appropriate to threaten me like this?"

Rong Shuo let out a cold laugh, not the least bit concerned.

At that moment, Li Chun, who was seated at the head of the table, coughed twice and said, "Alright, let’s get down to business."

The two arbitrators from the land management team immediately stood up and began their report about Coastal Park. They covered the area, resources, and a series of other statuses of Coastal Park.

After they finished, one of the arbitrators announced, "The starting bid for the auction of Coastal Park is one billion. Now, please start your bidding."

Just then, Rong Shuo suddenly let out a cold chuckle, smacked his palm on the conference table, and turned his gaze to Shen Binnan, saying, "President Shen, since it’s just the two of us bidding, let’s cut the small talk. How about we just state the highest bid directly to save time?"

Shen Binnan replied frostily, "I was thinking the same."

Rong Shuo’s mouth curved slightly as he declared, "Fifty billion."

He had raised the price by forty billion in one go, showing his determination to secure Coastal Park and his financial might. Suddenly, the entire conference room fell into an almost audible silence.

Shen Binnan remained silent, her cold face revealing a thoughtful expression.

"President Shen, I bid fifty billion. Will you follow?" Rong Shuo said indifferently after the silence lingered for over a minute, his tone filled with confidence.

"What a grand display of boldness," Shen Binnan commented coolly.

"With wealth comes boldness. I’m set on getting this piece of land, Coastal Park," Rong Shuo said with a slight smile. "Of course, if you truly want this land, I’m not unwilling to consider it, provided you agree to a request of mine."

Shen Binnan looked coldly at Rong Shuo.

Rong Shuo smiled and said, "I’ve heard that Li Xuan of Childe Company has taken quite a shine to you. I think well of him, too, so I’d like to help him out here. If you’re willing to marry him, then Coastal Park... I’ll give it to you as a gift!"

The conference room fell silent once more, this time into a deathly hush.

Suddenly, Fang Yi stretched out lazily, clenched his fist, and gently tapped on the conference table twice, saying, "Rong Shuo, to go to such lengths to help your illegitimate son, you’re really putting a lot into the role of a father."

Rong Shuo’s smile froze instantly, as he turned to look sharply at Fang Yi, his eyes filled with a chilling light.