Chapter 62: Just Ten Thousand More Than You

Lin Fan was fully aware of the thoughts of the two women. Seeing their reactions, he couldn’t help but feel pleased—after all, they hadn’t quarreled over a necklace worth tens of millions.

Just as Lin Fan was about to speak, the auctioneer’s voice rang out once more: “Ladies and gentlemen, please remember that this auction isn’t over yet. We still have the Green Night Starry Sky necklace here, and the starting bid remains at fifteen million.”

“Sixteen million.”

“Sixteen million and five hundred thousand.”

...

“Twenty million.”

“I’ll offer twenty-five million!” In the front row, Young Master Jin Million lazily waved his paddle, radiating the air of a world-class playboy who tossed money around with abandon.

Damn, a five-million jump in one go—the crowd below couldn’t help but curse inwardly. Yet most of them dared not offend Young Master Jin, let alone challenge him, so they could only mutter complaints under their breath while keeping flattering smiles on their faces. After signaling their withdrawal with a nod, they quietly explained the situation to their companions.

The hall once again fell silent. Twenty-five million—a full five million less than the Blue Dream Glass necklace earlier. It wasn’t that no one could afford a higher price, but to offend the heir of the Samsung Group over a necklace not worth nearly that much was simply not worth it.

“Don’t bid again,” Zhao Ying hurriedly cautioned, as if afraid Lin Fan would suddenly snap up the necklace. Though she loved it herself, she didn’t think it was worth spending tens of millions, and if Lin Fan bought it, he would surely infuriate Jin Million. From any perspective, bidding for this necklace was unwise.

Zhao Ying also understood Jin Million’s intentions—he was bidding partly to compete with Lin Fan, and partly to gift the necklace to her. Despite her fondness for it, Zhao Ying would never accept such a present.

“Exactly, brother, don’t bid anymore. Just give the previous one to Sister Ying,” Feifei pleaded, genuinely worried that Lin Fan would spend another fortune. While she knew Zhen Tian Group was wealthy, spending tens of millions on a necklace was just too extravagant.

At this moment, the auctioneer, almost hoarse with excitement, called out passionately, “Twenty-five million going once! Is there anyone willing to offer more?”

Seeing how anxious both his sister and Zhao Ying were for his sake, Lin Fan couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile. Suddenly, he looked up and declared, “Twenty-five million and ten thousand!” His voice was relaxed and provocative, tinged with a mischievous grin.

The crowd erupted in surprise, heads turning in his direction.

They had thought Lin Fan was done bidding, but this sudden call nearly startled Zhao Ying and Feifei out of their skins, instantly shattering the calm they’d just found. Zhao Ying’s expression changed at once, but it was too late to stop him. She could only pinch Lin Fan’s waist, gritting her teeth, “What on earth are you doing?”

“Ow, ow, ow...” Lin Fan whispered with a grin, feigning pain. In truth, Zhao Ying was deeply touched that he would try to win her another necklace, understanding that it was a token of his affection. Still, she thought it was an unnecessary expense—his intentions meant more to her than any material gift.

Once Zhao Ying released her grip, Lin Fan winked and said, “That Jin Million obviously wants to give you the necklace as a gesture of goodwill—’no such thing as a free lunch.’ You’re my woman; I won’t give him a chance to curry favor with you. Besides, whether I buy it or not, it’s his money. It would be a waste not to spend it.”

Seeing Feifei’s hesitant expression, Lin Fan turned to her and added, “The previous one is yours. I haven’t given you a proper gift since coming back.”

Hearing this, a look of emotion flickered in Zhao Ying’s eyes. Though Lin Fan spoke lightly, she knew full well what tens of millions meant. While that amount was nothing to her family, she would never be so extravagant as to spend it on a necklace. Such a sum could instantly make Lin Fan the city’s youngest single billionaire, never having to worry about food or clothing again! If converted to coins, it could fill three large rooms and crush a dozen people to death!

Many people claimed to treat money like dirt—but only when it was small change. How many could remain indifferent when the sum reached over twenty million?

Zhao Ying gazed quietly at Lin Fan’s profile, momentarily lost for words.

Jin Million’s face clouded with fury, his refined image crumbling. To have his own money used against him, making him dizzy—such humiliation was enough to make anyone cough blood in frustration.

“Thirty million!” he ground out through clenched teeth, his eyes locked on Lin Fan.

With a calm smile, Lin Fan raised his paddle: “Thirty million and ten thousand.”

“Thirty-five million!”

“Thirty-five million and ten thousand!” Lin Fan’s pattern of outbidding Jin Million by just ten thousand each time left Zhao Ying and Feifei staring at him, almost stupefied...

“Death god...” Jin Million couldn’t hold back any longer and shot to his feet.

Lin Fan, utterly unfazed, sat in his seat, raised his paddle, and with a wicked smile, said, “Young Master Jin, I’m sorry, but my girlfriend really likes this necklace and I’m determined to get it! Besides, I happen to have some spare cash on hand—so I hope you’ll let me have it!”

This time, even the tycoons in the front row turned to look at Lin Fan, their eyes filled with surprise, admiration, or frowns. Surprise—because they couldn’t fathom who this young man was, to dare challenge Jin Million. A young man who could spend thirty or forty million on a necklace without batting an eye, and had just won the Blue Dream Glass as well—nearly a hundred million spent in total...

Admiration or annoyance stemmed from his repeated habit of outbidding Jin Million by only ten thousand each time—a clear affront to the heir of the Samsung Group. Such boldness, or recklessness, was rarely seen.

As for those who had witnessed the earlier wine-tasting, they caught another meaning in Lin Fan’s words. “Some spare cash”? They knew exactly how much that meant—and where it had come from! Damn it, the kid was using Jin Million’s own money to outbid him—how shameless could he be?

Didn’t he fear Jin Million’s revenge?

A chilling gleam flashed in Jin Million’s eyes. He stared at Lin Fan for a long moment before suddenly forcing a smile. “Very well, since you want it so much, I’ll let you have it.” With that, he sat back down.

To see such a fierce contest end so simply left some young onlookers sighing in disappointment.

The old foxes, however, frowned deeply, sensing the matter was far from over.

With the necklace once again falling into Lin Fan’s hands, Zhao Ying was at a loss for words. All she felt was a deep sense of gratitude, though she couldn’t help but shoot Lin Fan a reproachful glare—how could he bid without consulting her?

Zhao Ying actually hoped Lin Fan would keep the remaining hundred million to build his own career. She knew where things stood between her and Lin Fan—her father might be agreeable, but her mother would never consent, regarding Lin Fan’s wealth as negligible. In fact, her mother had already chosen a fiancé for her.

Still, considering Lin Fan still had tens of millions left, with his abilities, he would soon carve out his own success. By then, her mother would surely accept him—at least, that’s what Zhao Ying told herself.

Back in his seat, Jin Million felt as if a volcano raged within his chest, his eyes nearly spitting fire. He clenched his fists tightly, inwardly roaring a single word: “Death!”

As the heir of the Samsung Group, shelling out another hundred million was nothing. But as the saying goes, a fly on your foot doesn’t bite, but it sure disgusts you! To be forced to pay a hundred million for something worth just over twenty million would make him look like a fool to everyone.

So, all he could do was watch as Lin Fan trampled his pride, spending his money to lightly slap him in the face.

The mocking stares of those around him made Jin Million’s chest heave with fury. For the first time in his life, he wanted nothing more than to kill someone.

He stood up dazedly, took a few steps with the crowd before regaining his senses, then shot Lin Fan a cold glare and left without so much as a greeting to the other tycoons.

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