I’m a Villain! Why Are You Trying to Date Me?
Chapter 54

Chapter 54

On the other side, Xuan Yuan Qingya also heard Lin Tian’s thoughts, a faint smile appearing. From her proud perspective, she didn’t know the other heroines could eavesdrop on Lin Tian’s thoughts, so she had a unique feeling toward him.

Without overhearing Lin Tian’s thoughts, she might have already been subdued by Jiang Yifeng’s vile tactics. What would have happened next would’ve been unimaginable. Since she trusted her own judgment, when she realized she could hear Lin Tian’s thoughts, she immediately decided he was trustworthy and not a threat. That made her subconsciously feel close to Lin Tian. A man whose thoughts she could hear—how could she not be drawn to him, even if he was a stranger? Even Xuan Yuan Qingya didn’t realize she felt this impulse deep inside. She brushed her hair behind her ear, thinking this man seemed quite wary of Jiang Yifeng. But no worries… After today, Jiang Yifeng might not even exist anymore… Then maybe she could talk more with this man whose thoughts she could hear? That might be fun and rewarding.

The older generation of leaders like Zhao Dongyun, Bai Ze, Meng Youqian, Li Siyi, Zhou Wenlong, Luo Xiangguo, had no reaction to Jiang Yifeng’s bid. For them, spending over a billion was no big deal, especially compared to the 2.1, 2.5, and 3.2 billion bids.

Silence filled the room as Xue Xue revealed the last bid. “The final bidder, Ms. Xuan Yuan Xing, offers… 3.5 billion!”

When Xuan Yuan Xing’s bid was announced, whispers erupted in the auction hall. With that, the first item of this secret auction was settled. The successful bidder was the Xuan Yuan family. Xuan Yuan Xing paid a whopping 3.5 billion, 70 times the base value, to take home this agarwood log. Whether it was a profit or a loss was unclear, but the Xuan Yuan family’s wealth was firmly established in everyone’s mind.

Looking at the board, Meng Youqian shook his head slightly. His family was wealthy and didn’t care about tens of billions. But compared to a secretive powerhouse like the Xuan Yuan family, the Meng family still lacked depth.

He stood and saluted Xuan Yuan Xing with a smile. “Madam, your generosity leaves me with no regrets.”

Zhao Dongyun also stood and saluted the well-known Xuan Yuan lady among the wealthy clans around Licheng.

“I’ve heard much but never met Madam Xuan Yuan before—today is truly extraordinary.”

Bai Ze, Li Siyi, and Zhou Wenlong also complimented her. Xuan Yuan Xing smiled slightly and acknowledged their greetings.

The agarwood log now belonged to the Xuan Yuan family, but Xuan Yuan Xing didn’t care much. After all, it was just something Xuan Yuan Qingya liked, and no price was too high for that. The daughter of the Xuan Yuan family could do as she pleased.

Hearing the compliments, Jiang Yifeng twitched at the corner of his mouth. He never expected that in the end, it would be Xuan Yuan Xing who won…

He carefully recalled the attitude of Xuan Yuan Qingya and her mother during this time and calmly concluded in his heart: They definitely weren’t buying this agarwood for themselves. Even if he asked for it, he wouldn’t get it back. Who knows why they wanted it!

Moreover, it wasn’t just Xuan Yuan Qingya, even Shang Chan, Zhao Mengmeng, and Bai Bing’er anted it too. Jiang Yifeng was almost confused by the complex relationships. All present were once his targets, but now they were his rivals. This made Jiang Yifeng so frustrated he felt like vomiting blood!

If not for different factions, he’d want to ask them one by one: What’s wrong with you? It’s just a black agarwood log. Why do you girls like it?

He didn’t know all this was just because of a minor villain lurking in a corner…

Jiang Yifeng’s aids had already arrived outside the three-story building, as had Xuan Yuan family’s Star Group. But neither side rushed to act.

Xuan Yuan Xing didn’t want things to get ugly. It was an dishonour that her benefactor’s disciple used dirty tricks on her daughter, and that must be kept quiet. Jiang Yifeng hadn’t acted because he hoped the auction might still bring surprises. After all, the first secret item helped his Heavenly Sacred Body, and there were four more items. Who could say if more treasures might appear?

Calm on the surface, Xue Xue announced the first item, the 24-kilogram agarwood log, was sold for 3.5 billion to Xuan Yuan Xing. At the same time, the bidding for the second secret item began.

The second secret item was a painting called “The Autumn at Han Palace”, with an uncertain artist and background, but a known era, stamped with the imperial seal of Emperor Qianlong. This Southern Song Dynasty masterpiece would usually fetch around 100 million at a public auction due to its exquisite quality, reliable provenance, and good preservation. But at a secret auction like this, the price was unpredictable.

Following the same auction process, “The Autumn at Han Palace” was won by Meng Youqian at 400 million. The reason? The tone set by the first secret item was so high that no one dared to bid too low…

Auctions are strange. The atmosphere and psychology often matter more than money, especially when rich clan leaders sit together. Money isn’t always the only standard.

Continuing this way, the third and fourth secret items also sold for good prices. Just as the elders thought the auction would end smoothly, Xue Xue introduced the fifth item.

“Next, the fifth secret item: the late national carving master Qian Mu’s last work, ‘Ling Yuan’s Gift of Longevity.’ It was carved in 2004 from the King of Burmese Jade, imperial green grade, with a base price of 45 million.”

Lin Tian’s heart tightened when he heard this.

[Here it comes! Jiang Yifeng’s second fortune!]

His thoughts immediately reached the heroines, and the auction hall instantly grew tense. Jiang Yifeng smiled faintly. The item he was waiting for had arrived.