Chapter 229: Platinum Princess (Part Two)

If Secretary Du Bingbing had guessed correctly, then she probably did not stand a chance.

Someone like Jiang Yanran was infinitely more outstanding than her; otherwise, one would not be the helmsman of Asia Shipping, and the other would not be the secretary to the helmsman of Asia Shipping.

If Zheng Qian had to choose between the two of them, there was a 99% chance he would choose Jiang Yanran!

How long had it taken Zheng Qian to go from being the Vice President of Zhengxin Shipyard to the Chairman of Qianhe Group?

In just a few months, he had integrated several leading enterprises in Yezhou and merged them together.

Aside from having massive financial backing, his extraordinary capabilities were also indispensable.

When she received this news and was sent to investigate, she was shocked.

Not only her, but even Jiang Yanran frowned slightly upon hearing it, unable to fathom it. Both of them had underestimated Zheng Qian's abilities, as well as the forces behind him.

She felt that she was not worthy of such an outstanding man as Zheng Qian. In front of her, there were countless women scrambling to develop a relationship with Zheng Qian; it would not be her turn even in several years.

Sigh… forget it, forget it. It is better to just keep this affection hidden deep in her heart.

Secretary Du Bingbing thought silently to herself.

The computer calculated very quickly; as soon as each VIP attending the auction finished entering their numbers, it was immediately transmitted to the auction house's server.

In two seconds, a list was compiled, ranked from top to bottom based on the prices submitted by everyone.

This table was sent to Auctioneer Wang Xiaoqi's tablet.

"Thank you all for your bids and your patience. Now, I will first announce the bottom three bids of this auction."

The bottom three bids were actually just to give everyone an idea, clearly telling you that the price you offered was only at the bottom.

The auction was to last for three full days, and this move could also effectively drive up the prices for the cruise ships over the next two days.

"The bottom three prices are: 250 million, 234 million, and 300 million."

Auctioneer Wang Xiaoqi announced the bottom three prices, but did not announce the numbers of those who bid them, keeping the identities of the bidders confidential.

Immediately after, it sparked a small commotion.

However, the vast majority remained calm.

The brand-new price of the platinum princess was over 700 million; how could anyone possibly think they could pick up a bargain for two or three hundred million?

The most shocked were Zhang Jian, Zhao Ying, and Lu Shanshan.

Zhang Jian had already mentally prepared himself, feeling that his 300 million would definitely not be enough to win it.

But he did not expect that it would still rank at the bottom?

Then how much must the people ahead have bid?

Didn't Hua Yunfeng say the highest bid was Zheng Qian's 500 million? How could his 300 million still rank at the bottom?

Could the information be wrong?

If Zheng Qian succeeded, he would have let Zheng Qian show off for nothing, and he would have embarrassed himself greatly.

Zhao Ying and Lu Shanshan had never seen such a grand scene.

Zhang Jian's 300 million could only rank third from the bottom?

This was too terrifying.

The two could not help but gasp.

How rich must these people around them be!

Auctioneer Wang Xiaoqi held the tablet, her slender fingers swiping down: "The top three are…"

"480 million!"

480 million was the price Jiang Yanran offered.

This was within her expectations.

Although the brand-new value of the platinum princess was over 700 million, Yuese Company had a lot of debt and was already undergoing bankruptcy liquidation. If someone really spent 700 million, they might as well buy a brand-new cruise ship.

Around 500 million was about the real value of the platinum princess.

At this moment, Hua Yunfeng cast an extremely proud look at Jiang Yanran, as if to say: See, you did not believe me.

Zheng Qian, on the other hand, remained confident in his own bid.

"We already agreed on this beforehand; do not you dare go back on your word." Taking advantage of when Song Yaxian was not paying attention, Zheng Qian quickly pinched her delicate little cheek, then withdrew his hand without leaving a trace.

"You… you scoundrel!"

Song Yaxian pouted coyly.

She was nervous to the extreme now.

Song Yaxian had clearly seen Zheng Qian's bid just now—510 million—which was already enough to rank in the top two!

What if Zheng Qian really won the bid?

Did she really have to give herself to Zheng Qian?

No, no, no!

This was not Song Yaxian's original intention; she had just said it out of spite, and she did not expect Zheng Qian to really spend such a huge sum!

What should she do now?

Zheng Qian's malicious gaze clearly showed he was already prepared to devour her whole!

"The price in second place is… 510 million!"

As soon as this number was announced, Hua Yunfeng and the others were shocked, their faces filled with expressions of disbelief.

"This… how is this possible?"

Hua Yunfeng clearly remembered that he had just bid 510 million!

Why was it only ranked in second place?

"Xiao Xinhao, what exactly is going on?"

"Did not you say that brat Zheng Qian only bid 500 million?"

Hua Yunfeng asked angrily.

Xiao Xinhao looked blank; he also did not know what had happened.

"Mr… Mr. Hua, I do not know…"

Zhang Jian's heart was pounding wildly.

He was only one row away from Hua Yunfeng, and seeing Hua Yunfeng fly into a rage, he knew that something must have gone wrong.

510 million—that must have been the price Hua Yunfeng offered, right?

Then how much would the first place be?

"The winning bid is: five point…"

After seeing the winning bid, Auctioneer Wang Xiaoqi paused slightly, even squinting her eyes to carefully count the digits on the screen.

"The winning bid is: 510,000,001!"

???

Upon hearing this price, the whole venue was in an uproar, and for a moment, there was a lot of discussion.

In a sealed-bid auction, most people would not bid an even number; they would bid an odd number just to avoid being undercut like this.

The first place was only one yuan more than the second place??

This was clearly a setup!

Many people at the scene had been approached by Hua Yunfeng, asking them not to bid higher than 500 million, promising them a generous reward once he won the bid.

So was Hua Yunfeng the winner, or did he not win?

Auctioneer Wang Xiaoqi's voice, melodious like a lark, announced: "Congratulations to Mr. Zheng, bidder number 17!"

Mr. Zheng?

Everyone understood in an instant.

Hua Yunfeng had tried to set a trap for someone, but ended up being outplayed and countered instead!

"Damn you! You set me up?"

Hua Yunfeng flew into a rage and slapped Xiao Xinhao across the face twice.

"Mr. Hua, I do not know what happened either!"

Xiao Xinhao felt very aggrieved.

Did not Yao Manman say that Zheng Qian's maximum psychological price was 500 million?

How did it come out to 510,000,001? It was exactly one yuan higher than Hua Yunfeng's bid.

Clearly, he had been set up!

Xiao Xinhao took out his phone to send a message to Yao Manman, but as soon as he sent it, he immediately received a red exclamation mark.

???

He had been blocked?!

Damn it, that bitch!

Xiao Xinhao had long realized that Yao Manman was no good, but he did not expect her to pull this on him!

Damn!

"What are you cursing about?"

Slap.

Another crisp slap.

"Sir, bidder number 12, please do not get agitated; this is an auction venue!"

"Where is the security? Get over there quickly…"