Chapter 38: The Scrap-Lot King—A Frenzied Bidding War!

Murong Xue watched the intense bidding war, her heart trembling. Truth be told, she was just a fresh college graduate. Although her family was wealthy and she lacked for nothing, witnessing such frantic bidding made even the young heiress of the Tiansheng Group feel a sense of dread.

Five million, five million at a time! It was not five hundred! Many people in the Dragon Kingdom might never earn five million in their entire lives, yet here, the minimum bidding increment alone was a full five million. In Murong Xue’s eyes, the bidders were no longer jade merchants; they were a group of crazed gamblers.

She glanced suddenly at Jiang Cheng, wanting to say something but unable to find the words. She was truly terrified that Jiang Cheng would suddenly jump into the bidding. In her eyes, Jiang Cheng was exactly that kind of gambler—insanely reckless. Using empty gloves to catch white wolves, borrowing money to gamble on stones, borrowing money to bid... his methods were so maddeningly extreme that they defied normal logic.

Before, she might have thought Jiang Cheng was simply too greedy, demanding 30% of her shares just for selling her high-quality raw materials. Why? But after seeing the chaotic scene of the auction, her perspective had completely shifted. Jiang Cheng was risking total bankruptcy, yet he only took a 30% stake. The risks he was shouldering were immeasurable. Now that she thought about it, she was the one who had gotten the better end of the deal by partnering with him.

Murong Shan, naturally, had no intention of participating. He had his own channels to acquire quality goods, sourcing them directly from the borderlands. Unless absolutely necessary, a capitalist like him would never gamble on stones. Why not wait for others to cut them open, then bid on the revealed product or buy windowed stones? Why force such risk upon himself? With the operations of his Tiansheng Group, he could earn just as much from the retail end without the gamble.

Therefore, he only wanted to see if Jiang Cheng had any intention of bidding. But he noticed that Jiang Cheng seemed to have no plans to get involved. At that moment, Jiang Cheng was playing a mobile game, completely indifferent to the heated auction outside. This confused Murong Shan. Did Jiang Cheng not like this piece, or was his target not the "King of Bidding" at all, but rather all the other high-quality stones? Since Jiang Cheng had started playing his game even before the bidding for the King of Bidding began, it was as if he had decided to abandon the final piece from the start.

Within moments, the price for the King of Bidding climbed to 100 million. At this point, Chu Yanran could no longer sit still.

At this moment, hesitation was meaningless. She had to gamble! Compared to everyone else present, her chances of winning were 30% higher because she already knew there was something inside this stone. That already gave her an edge over everyone else. Furthermore, her greatest confidence in gambling was that she wasn't afraid of losing. If she lost this time, she would just have her master pick up a few more deals later! She had already reached the point where she could hit the mark every time; why fear losing? Whatever money she lost could be earned back sooner or later.

Therefore, she had to win this King of Bidding. One gamble could turn a bicycle into a motorcycle! When the auctioneer called the price for the third time, she did not hesitate: "110 million!"

Seeing that Chu Yanran had actually bid, Murong Xue’s expression turned cold. She asked with concern, "Jiang Cheng, are you really not going to bid? Chu Yanran has already jumped in! What if..."

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes at her, speechless. He chuckled, "Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You're just afraid that Chu Yanran will find a treasure, right? Don't worry! If she wins this, she’ll be left with nothing but her lace panties!"

Murong Xue blinked in disbelief. "Really?"

Jiang Cheng pursed his lips. "If you don't believe me, you can bid! After all, the money for this auction was borrowed from you. If you have that much cash, go ahead and compete with her!"

Hearing this, Murong Xue shook her head like a rattle. "No, no, no! I wouldn't dare. I’m not foolish enough to bet over a hundred million on a stone!" Murong Xue was not a true gambler at heart. A crescent-moon smile appeared on her face as she asked with anticipation, "So... Jiang Cheng, if Chu Yanran really wins this, will she truly be left with only her lace panties?"

Looking at Murong Xue’s overly excited expression, Jiang Cheng shook his head helplessly. He hadn't expected this young heiress to have such a mischievous streak. He suddenly recalled the scene of Murong Xue crawling into his bed in the middle of the night to hug him, and the corner of his mouth curled into a smirk.

After twenty minutes of intense bidding, Chu Yanran got her wish and won the King of Bidding. However, the final transaction price... Jiang Cheng felt deep sympathy. Spending 180 million to buy a stone worth 1.2 million! Jiang Cheng was looking forward to seeing this fairy-like beauty reduced to nothing but her lace panties.

Murong Xue naturally trusted Jiang Cheng, as his confidence was so absolute that she believed everything he said. She looked at Chu Yanran with eyes full of mockery. 180 million! This woman was truly generous.

Murong Xue clung affectionately to Jiang Cheng’s arm and walked straight up to Chu Yanran, saying with a sarcastic tone, "Oh! Congratulations, Miss Chu! You certainly have deep pockets! Unlike me, I’m trying to start my own business, so I’m not as wealthy and imposing as you!"

Chu Yanran’s beautiful eyes narrowed, then she smiled gently. "Miss Murong is too modest. I am well aware of the Murong family’s strength. If you had truly wanted this King of Bidding, wouldn't it have been an easy task?"

Murong Xue smiled and shook her head. "No, no, I’m naturally timid and wouldn't dare touch stone gambling. I’m just here accompanying a friend today; those stones weren't purchased by me."

Only then did Chu Yanran notice Jiang Cheng beside Murong Xue, studying him carefully. "Miss Murong, are you saying that the stones you bought earlier were all purchased by this Mr. Jiang?"

Murong Xue blinked and replied earnestly, "That is correct!"

Chu Yanran quickly regained her smile and extended a slender, jade-like hand toward Jiang Cheng. "Hello, I am Chu Yanran of the Qingzhou Chu family!" In her impression, since Jiang Cheng had bought five stones in one go, he couldn't be a simple person.

Jiang Cheng wanted to reach out and shake her hand, but he was held tightly by Murong Xue’s arm, so he could only offer an awkward smile. "Hello, my name is Jiang Cheng!"

Chu Yanran paused for a long time, unable to recall any major figure in Qingzhou named Jiang. Her gaze toward him became increasingly complex.

Just then, Wei Qinglin, who was standing to the side, suddenly interjected in a sinister tone, "The young man has quite good luck!"

Jiang Cheng looked at Wei Qinglin strangely, wondering what he meant by that. If he said his luck was good, could it be that he knew he had bought the five most valuable stones? The more he looked at Wei Qinglin, the more wrong it felt. He didn't know that Wei Qinglin only said that because he noticed the stones Jiang Cheng bought contained goods, unaware of their true value. He felt this Wei Qinglin was not simple. But then, he thought, if Wei Qinglin had seen it, why would Chu Yanran still bid on the final King of Bidding? That would make her a fool. He must be overthinking it.

At this moment, the organizers began to announce that the on-site stone cutting would begin, and those who wished to cut their stones could go to the square behind the building.

Murong Xue, wanting to see Chu Yanran bleed money and loving a good spectacle, said sarcastically, "Miss Chu, why not cut the stone here? I think everyone present would like to witness the glory of the King of Bidding!"

"I think that won't be necessary!" Chu Yanran was panicking. She had spent 180 million on this stone! If she cut it and it turned out to be worthless, she would be humiliated.

Murong Xue teased, "Oh? Why? You dared to bid 180 million, but you don't dare to cut it on the spot? Could it be that you're afraid you spent 180 million on a piece of trash? If you don't dare, forget it. Jiang Cheng, let’s go cut one of ours to see!"

Chu Yanran had been hesitant, but seeing Murong Xue’s sarcastic attitude made her furious! Who was she being sarcastic toward? She sneered coldly, "What’s there to be afraid of? I, Chu Yanran, can afford to lose this much! Unlike Miss Murong, who is so timid even when bidding on raw stones. I think you should stop trying to start a business and just go back to the Tiansheng Group to live off your family—isn't that better?"

"You!" Murong Xue’s eyes widened in rage. A storm was about to break.