CHAPTER 341: CHAPTER 341 AUCTION

After Xu Ke returned, he indeed sent a detailed introduction of the two plots of land to each member of the board, and soon, the Xu Corporation received an official invitation letter.

Since it was a company event, Xu Ke did not bring Lin Mengyao. Instead, he donned a well-fitted suit, and accompanied by his secretary, walked into the auction venue and sat at his designated seat, closing his eyes to rest.

Xu Ke typically did not provoke others, but someone happened to come over to provoke him. The person trying to provoke Xu Ke was no stranger; it was Sheng Hong, the man Xu Ke and Sheng Wenhao had been discussing.

"I didn’t expect Mr. Xu to arrive so early. I wonder what Mr. Xu thinks about today’s two plots of land?" Sheng Hong’s seat was adjacent to Xu Ke’s. Seeing Xu Ke sitting with his eyes closed, he opened the conversation.

"I’m certainly determined to win." The moment Xu Ke opened his eyes, it seemed as if countless sword lights scattered from within, carrying an overwhelming sharpness and determination.

Hearing Xu Ke’s words, Sheng Hong was not angry. Instead, he wore a knowing smile, and with his rosy cheeks, he exuded a confident aura.

"Young people do have this fighting spirit, but they are still too young. They speak too definitively without leaving room for retreat, which easily leads to making a fool of themselves." Sheng Hong glanced at Xu Ke, implying something deeper in his words.

"You’re overthinking it. I am only decisive about matters I’m confident in." Xu Ke slightly raised the corners of his mouth, looking at Sheng Hong as if he was a fool. This made Sheng Hong’s expression twist for a moment, but he remembered where they were, so he quickly composed himself, appearing graceful and poised.

"Then let’s wait and see who ends up with these two plots of land." Although Sheng Hong was smiling, he couldn’t swallow the bitterness and just wanted to trample his opponent underfoot. Thinking of his arrangement for today, Sheng Hong couldn’t hold back his urge to boast, whispering to Xu Ke while gritting his teeth.

"Stop talking, the bidding is about to start." Xu Ke shot a sidelong glance at Sheng Hong, speaking coldly, abruptly cutting off Sheng Hong’s unfinished words, forcing him to continue holding back his anger internally.

"First, I want to thank everyone for attending. The lands for bidding this time are in the East Suburb of North River and the Jiangzhong District of Zhezhou. Relevant materials have been distributed to everyone. The usage rights for these plots are twenty and thirty years respectively. This auction uses a bidding format where the highest bidder wins. First up is the East Suburb of North River with a base price of 5.3 billion, each bid must be no less than 1 billion. Let’s begin."

With the host’s indifferent voice concluding, the auction commenced.

The information in the official manual was comprehensive but not detailed. Specific details required participating companies to investigate on their own, and companies with prior notice had already dispatched staff to the site for inspection, determining suitability before participating in the auction.

Both plots released by the officials were of good commercial value, according to both official introductions and actual company investigations, drawing many companies into the bidding, with prices soaring quickly, approaching the 7 billion mark.

"Why hasn’t Mr. Xu started bidding yet? Have you decided to give up?" Sheng Hong looked at Xu Ke, who remained with his eyes closed, not participating in the bidding, a rare trace of doubt in his eyes. This was inconsistent with the information he had; wasn’t Xu Ke planning to acquire this plot? Why not make a move?

But Xu Ke did not answer his question, merely closed his eyes, as if he were truly asleep, making Sheng Hong uncertain whether to proceed with the original plan.

"Seven and a half billion."

Just as Sheng Hong was hesitating, the price surged to a new high, reaching seven and a half billion.

"Seven and a half billion and one."

At that moment, Xu Ke, who had kept silent with eyes closed, finally acted, which made the hesitant Sheng Hong breathe a sigh of relief.

"So that’s why you didn’t speak up earlier, you were waiting for this moment. However, I also really like this plot, so don’t blame me; after all, business is like war." Sheng Hong said feigned apologetically to Xu Ke, then signaled his assistant to raise the bid to seven and a half billion and two.

This time Xu Ke finally opened his eyes, casting a glance at Sheng Hong, his gaze cold enough to be almost palpable.

But Sheng Hong didn’t flinch at all, instead feeling a surge of satisfaction inside.

"Seven and a half billion and three tenths." Xu Ke bid again.

"Seven and a half billion and four." Sheng Hong gave Xu Ke a helpless smile and followed up with another bid.

"Seven and a half billion and five." At this point, Xu Ke’s eyes not only had chill but were filled with intense anger, seemingly enraged by Sheng Hong’s competition.

Seeing Xu Ke like this, Sheng Hong felt like he was soaking in a hot spring, a comfort in his heart, and his smile grew more radiant and dazzling. His hand motion remained unchanged, continuing to signal his assistant to bid.

"Seven and a half billion and six."

When the host on the stand called out this price, no one else raised a bid; to them, this price was already quite high.

For a moment, the only two bidding were Xu Ke and Sheng Hong.

"Seven and a half billion and seven." Xu Ke gritted his teeth, indicating his assistant to keep bidding.

"Seven and a half billion and eight." Sheng Hong followed suit.

Xu Ke’s gaze at Sheng Hong now carried a hint of killing intent.

"Why is Mr. Xu looking at me like this? It frightens me. How about this, you bid once more, and I won’t compete. I’ll let you have this plot." Sheng Hong said in a seemingly sincere tone, as if Xu Ke was being unreasonable, and he was making a huge sacrifice.

"No need, since Mr. Sheng likes this plot, you can have it. There’s still another plot, they’re about the same, so either one is fine by me." Xu Ke’s face showed no anger by this time. He returned to the initial demeanor Sheng Hong had seen him in, calm and composed, as if no person or thing could catch his eye anymore, though this time his eyes were open.

"Going once, going twice, sold for seven and a half billion and eight!" With the sound of the gavel hitting the table, this transaction was concluded.

Sheng Hong’s smile froze. Listening to the congratulations from those around him, he felt his heart bleeding. He had only intended to trip Xu Ke up, not to actually buy this plot. He always had his eyes on the other one, but now he ended up purchasing it for seven and a half billion and eight.

Listening to the people congratulating him, Sheng Hong swallowed his bitterness, exchanged a few pleasantries, and only when the next auction started did he quiet down, turning his attention back to the event.

"The starting price for this plot is 5.8 billion, with each bid no less than 1 billion. Let’s begin!" With the host’s words, a new round of bidding had already started.