Sixty million?!

That damn guy… he actually dared to bid! Qin Qiu's heart seized, and she nearly fainted.

"Chen, if you win the bid but don't pay up, it won't just be a matter of losing face. You'll also have to pay a hefty penalty for breach of contract!" Xiang Yang said with a wry smile.

"Are you going to bid or not?" Chen Yang asked.

Xiang Yang smiled. "Since you're so wealthy and determined, Chen, it would be improper for me to keep bidding against you. Besides, consider it me doing you a favor!"

The auctioneer was grinning from ear to ear. "This young master has offered sixty million! Is there anyone else who wishes to bid?"

The entire venue fell silent. No one was foolish enough to pay eight or nine times the value for a necklace.

"Chen Yang, what am I supposed to do with you!" Qin Qiu's face turned livid. She bit her lip, staring daggers at him. She had just done the math. Unless she forfeited the land they had just acquired, there was no way she could afford sixty million. Using all the company's assets to buy a single necklace? If word of this got out, they'd be a laughingstock! A classic case of paying a high price just to keep up appearances, and the worst part is, he's using his wife's money!

"Honey, when I really think about it, I've never given you a single gift. Let this necklace make up for that," Chen Yang said with a soft smile.

Qin Qiu laughed in anger. She knew Chen Yang better than anyone! If he truly had money and bought this necklace with his own funds, I, Qin Qiu, would have been deeply moved. But this sort of mindless bidding? What could it possibly achieve besides making a complete spectacle of himself?

Beside them, Xiang Yang said, ever the gentleman, "Xiaoqiu, don't you worry. If Chen is short on funds, I'll cover the rest. I won't let you be put in an awkward position."

Qin Qiu remained silent, conflicted. Although the idea was improper, it seemed like the only way out of this mess. She could just pay him back once the company's finances stabilized.

Chen Yang smiled. "It's a trivial matter. Why should we trouble Xiang with it?"

"It's no trouble for me. I'm just worried that certain people's impulsive actions might end up implicating Xiaoqiu," Xiang Yang said with supreme confidence, looking as though he had everything under control. Chen Yang could never afford this. In the end, he, Xiang Yang, would be the real winner.

BANG!!

The auctioneer, unconcerned with their drama, brought the gavel down. "Sold for sixty million!"

An executive from the auction house immediately walked over, standing before Chen Yang with a polite smile. "Mr. Chen, due to the substantial size of this transaction, company policy requires you to make a fifty-percent down payment immediately."

Fifty percent. That was thirty million. Logically, anyone who could bid sixty million should have no trouble producing thirty million on the spot.

Chen Yang didn't have a problem with the amount either; the only issue was that he didn't have the money on him. He didn't try to hide it, stating frankly, "Can you wait? I'll pay you before the auction ends."

"I'm afraid not," the executive said, shaking his head. "It's a strict company rule. If you don't pay, sir, the subsequent auctions cannot proceed."

At this, smirks began to appear on the faces of many in the crowd. So this guy is all talk and no money?

"I knew he looked familiar! Isn't that Chen Yang, the one who married into the Qin Family and lives off his wife? Haha, now this is a show worth watching!"

"What a joke. He's a complete embarrassment!"

"Poor Qin Qiu. How did she end up with such a brainless piece of trash? A real pity, a real pity…"

The whispers in the crowd felt like needles in her back. Qin Qiu was trapped, unable to stay and unable to leave, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole.

"Xiaoqiu, don't worry, I'll pay for it!" Xiang Yang's gaze was soft as he spoke gently. "I came to your home empty-handed this time, so please consider this necklace my gift to you!"

Chen Yang nearly gagged. This smiling tiger was truly disgusting. To take advantage of the situation like this… his intentions were downright sinister!

Before he could lash out, the auction house executive spoke again. His tone was no longer polite, and a flash of disdain crossed his eyes. "Mr. Chen, I must insist you make the payment now! If this was a malicious bid, I'll have no choice but to involve the police!"

Xiang Yang retorted angrily, "What is that attitude? I'll pay for it!"

A ripple of snickers went through the crowd. He talked such a big game, vowing to buy the necklace for his wife, only to have another man pay for it because he couldn't afford it himself. How could a man's dignity be so thoroughly trampled? How could he ever hold his head high again? He really lives up to his reputation as a good-for-nothing!

The executive shot Chen Yang a mocking glance before hurrying over to Xiang Yang, bowing obsequiously. With a fawning expression, he said, "This young master is the one with true class, unlike some people who talk a big game only to end up slapping themselves in the face!"

Suddenly, a cold, scolding voice rose from behind him. "Who do you think you are? Is it your place to speak here?"

The executive frowned, but when he turned and saw the speaker, the anger rising on his face instantly vanished. He forced a smile and said, "Oh, it's Elder Jin!"

"Slap his face!"

The executive froze. "..."

SLAP!

An assistant behind Jin Zongquan stepped forward and landed a heavy smack across the executive's face.

This… The executive was dumbfounded. What's going on? Who did I offend?

Under a sea of confused stares, Jin Zongquan turned his attention to Xiang Yang. "Calling him 'brother' to his face while stabbing him in the back. That's quite the insidious move. Is that what your family taught you?"

"Elder Jin, you must have misunderstood something," Xiang Yang said, his composure unwavering.

"Hmph!"

With his sharp eyes, Jin Zongquan saw right through the facade. He spoke without holding back, "Miss Qin Qiu is a married woman, and her husband, Mr. Chen, is right beside her. Your behavior is utterly shameless and uncultured! And you still pretend to be some righteous hero. Your hypocrisy, your insidious nature... it disgusts me!"

"You…" Xiang Yang's face turned ashen. Those few sentences had mercilessly ripped away his veneer, leaving him exposed and naked before everyone.

"I was just trying to help them out of a difficult situation!" Xiang Yang refused to admit defeat.

Jin Zongquan sneered. "You think you're something special? Does Mr. Chen need a treacherous snake like you to rescue him?"

Then, Jin Zongquan glanced at the executive. "Sixty million has been transferred to your company's account. Please confirm."

"Yes, yes!" The executive nodded repeatedly, quickly calling the finance department. After getting confirmation, he reported in a daze, "Elder... Elder Jin, the funds have been received!"

"And?"

The executive was speechless. "..."

"Mr. Chen is the person I respect the most!"

This declaration landed like a depth charge, sending massive waves through the audience.

The person he respects the most! Those words were worth far more than sixty million.

But… isn't he just a good-for-nothing? What has he ever done to deserve such a public declaration from the great Elder Jin?

THUD!

The executive dropped to his knees, frantically wiping the cold sweat from his forehead as he pleaded, "Elder Jin, I'm sorry! It was my…"

"You're kneeling before the wrong person!" Jin Zongquan roared.

The executive's heart trembled. He scrambled to turn and face Chen Yang. "Mr. Chen! Mr. Chen! I was blind! It was my fault for looking down on you! Please, be the bigger man and forgive me!"

Chen Yang ignored him. He simply stared at Jin Zongquan, saying nothing, his gaze fixed and unwavering.

Jin Zongquan lowered his head, a guilty conscience causing cold sweat to stream down his face.

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