435: Chapter 435 Malicious Price Gouging: Well, let him have his way.

After a brief opening, the auction officially began.

The first few lots, ranging from antique calligraphy and paintings to jewelry, sparked several small climaxes among the attendees.

Shen Yan never raised his paddle.

His fingers gently stroked the edge of his bidder's number, seeming somewhat absent-minded.

Finally, the Host raised his voice.

"Next up is one of our grand finale items for today!"

"The former Hongfa Machinery Factory, located in the West City Industrial Zone, including the land and all above-ground structures, will be auctioned as a package deal!"

An aerial photograph of the plot and various data appeared on the large screen.

"This plot covers an area of thirty-five thousand square meters, boasts complete 'three connections and one leveling,' and is adjacent to the main city road, offering convenient transportation..."

"Starting bid: Two hundred million!"

The Host's voice was full of persuasive energy.

"Minimum increment: no less than five million!"

As soon as the words fell.

Shen Yan raised his number 88 paddle.

His movement was not fast, but it was steady.

"Mr. Number 88 bids two hundred and five million!"

The Host immediately followed up.

"Two hundred and ten million!"

A middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses in the front row raised his paddle.

The value of this land was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes.

Shen Yan raised his paddle again.

"Two hundred and fifteen million!"

"Two hundred and twenty million!"

"Two hundred and thirty million!"

The price climbed steadily.

Just as Shen Yan was preparing to bid for the fourth time, a somewhat arrogant voice rang out.

"Two hundred and fifty million!"

A young man in a garishly patterned shirt, leaning back with his legs crossed, raised his number 66 paddle and cast a flirtatious glance toward Shen Yan.

An increment of twenty million in one go.

This was no longer a normal bidding war; it was a provocation.

A small stir rippled through the venue.

Shen Yan's face remained expressionless.

He didn't even glance at the young man, but calmly raised his paddle once more.

"Two hundred and fifty-five million."

His rhythm was not disturbed in the slightest.

"Three hundred million!"

The young man followed almost instantly, a look of undisguised mockery on his face.

The middle-aged man beside him seemed to want to advise him but was impatiently pushed aside by him.

This person was Chen Wu.

He was the one who had opposed him over that piece of land last time.

It seemed a light punishment was not enough to control him.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became subtle.

Everyone could see that this was no longer a simple commercial auction.

"Three hundred and five million."

Shen Yan's voice was like water in a deep, still well.

Chen Wu, like an enraged bull, suddenly stood up.

"Three hundred and fifty million!"

He stared intently at Shen Yan, the malice in his eyes almost overflowing.

"I'm taking the Hongfa land!"

He shouted arrogantly.

The smile on the Host's face grew brighter.

He was happy to see such a scene.

The higher the price, the larger his commission.

Shen Yan leaned back in his chair, finally looking up to meet Chen Wu's eyes for the first time.

His gaze was very calm.

So calm that it made Chen Wu's heart inexplicably skip a beat.

It was like a giant dragon looking down upon a jumping, struggling ant.

Shen Yan raised his paddle again.

"Three hundred and fifty-five million."

Still an increment of five million.

This was a silent form of contempt.

As if to say, all your rage is only worth five million to me.

"Damn it!"

Chen Wu cursed under his breath.

"Four hundred million!"

He gritted his teeth and announced a price that made the entire audience gasp.

This price already exceeded the highest market valuation for that land.

All eyes focused on Shen Yan.

They wanted to see if he would continue to follow.

Shen Yan did not move.

He just sat there quietly.

A look of smug satisfaction spread across Chen Wu's face.

He thought Shen Yan had backed down.

The Host began the countdown.

"Four hundred million, once!"

"Four hundred million, twice!"

Just as he was about to bring the gavel down.

Shen Yan raised his paddle.

"Four hundred and five million."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly carried throughout the entire venue.

Chen Wu's smile froze on his face.

He felt like he had been made a fool of.

"Five hundred million!"

He almost roared the price out.

Reason had been completely swallowed by anger.

The entire venue fell into a dead silence.

Five hundred million.

Buying land worth at most three hundred and eighty million.

This was madness.

The middle-aged man beside Chen Wu's face turned pale, desperately tugging at his arm.

Chen Wu flung him off, breathing heavily, staring at Shen Yan with bloodshot eyes like a trapped beast.

He waited for Shen Yan to continue bidding.

He even hoped Shen Yan would keep bidding.

That way, he could toss this hot potato to him.

However.

Shen Yan put down the paddle in his hand.

He even picked up the bottle of mineral water beside him and took a gentle sip.

That action was elegant and composed.

Yet, it felt like the loudest slap, fiercely striking Chen Wu across the face.

The Host began the countdown excitedly.

"Five hundred million! Once!"

"Five hundred million! Twice!"

Cold sweat beaded on Chen Wu's forehead.

He started to panic.

"Five hundred million! Third time!"

"Clang!"

The gavel fell, making a crisp sound.

"Sold!"

"Congratulations to Mr. Number 66 for acquiring the Hongfa Machinery Factory plot for five hundred million!"

A scattering of applause rose throughout the hall.

That applause was filled with sympathy and mockery.

Chen Wu's body swayed, and he collapsed back into his chair, his face ashen.

He knew he had caused a disaster of epic proportions.

Shen Yan stood up.

From beginning to end, he did not look at Chen Wu again.

It was as if this person simply did not exist.

He turned and walked toward the exit of the venue.

Missing out on one plot of land was not a major loss for him.

The city of S was large; there were other suitable lands.

But he had noted this debt down.

As he walked, he took out his phone and sent a message to Chen Guangke.

"Investigate number 66 at the auction, Chen Wu."

"I want all project data for his company for the next three months, and all dirt on his father."

The message was successfully sent.

A cold curve touched the corner of Shen Yan's mouth.

The game had just begun.

The car door closed silently, isolating the noise of the auction hall.

Shen Yan leaned back in the rear seat and closed his eyes.

The vibration of his phone shattered the silence inside the car.

He picked it up and glanced at it; the screen displayed the characters "Su Wan."

He answered.

"Mr. Shen, I have made up my mind," Su Wan's voice came through the receiver, carrying a trace of hard-to-detect trembling, but more so, a sense of resolute determination born from burning one's bridges.

"Oh?" Shen Yan's tone was flat and unwavering, as if asking about the weather.

"My ancestor's 'Double Phoenix Greeting the Sun' paperweight belongs to you."

"I have only one request: please help me as soon as possible."

Shen Yan's fingertips lightly tapped his knee.

This was faster than he had anticipated.

He thought this woman would struggle for at least two or three days.

It seemed the situation at Qinghe Group had already pushed her to the edge of a cliff.

"No rush," he spoke slowly. "President Su, mindset is very important when trying to accomplish something."