Chapter 53: When a Woman Acts Coy, a Man’s Money Flies Away

After hearing Chu Fei’s idea, Zhou Mi raised both hands in agreement. Though it was a bit unscrupulous, it was undeniably satisfying!

The whole room was silent after Meng Xinghe’s bold declaration—no one dared to bid against him. Meng Xinghe was quite pleased with his own intimidation. Leisurely, he ate the grapes handed to him by Shen Linglong, and even had time to throw a provocative glance toward Chu Fei, as if to say, “Did you see my resolve?”

Unfortunately, Chu Fei did not meet his gaze. Instead, just as the host was about to make the final call, Chu Fei raised his right hand.

“Two million!”

That casual remark was like a bomb tossed into the crowd, instantly detonating the atmosphere.

In an instant, the hall erupted in astonishment—not at the sum, but at the fact that someone dared to challenge Meng Xinghe openly.

All the guests cast surprised glances at Chu Fei, whispering among themselves.

“Who is this guy? Isn’t he blatantly opposing Young Master Meng?”

“He must be tired of living—Meng Xinghe isn’t someone you can afford to offend!”

“Looks like tonight’s drama is just beginning!”

Lin Tianhao, witnessing this, sent Chu Fei a grateful look. Meng Xinghe’s previous actions had left him irritated, but as they say, sometimes only a ‘villain’ can deal with another villain!

Shen Linglong glared at Chu Fei, gritting her teeth, “Xinghe, this bastard is deliberately raising the price—he’s out to make trouble for us!”

“I know,” Meng Xinghe snorted coldly, “He wants to compete with me in wealth? I’ll make him regret it.”

“Three million!”

Chu Fei responded without hesitation, “Four million!”

Having issued his threat, Meng Xinghe couldn’t allow himself to be humiliated. He immediately followed up without a moment’s pause.

The price climbed to five million.

Most people in the room were shrewd. No one would foolishly hand over money unless they could secure a treasure at its proper value. The genuine painting’s price hovered around five million, and since the auction hadn’t confirmed its authenticity, it was a test of everyone’s discernment.

If the painting turned out to be real at five million, it was neither a loss nor a gain. But if someone paid more than that for a fake, it would be a total disaster.

Just as everyone thought Chu Fei would back down, he calmly raised his hand again.

“Six million!”

Many shook their heads at this. Even without Meng Xinghe’s intimidation, none would keep bidding. It wasn’t that they couldn’t afford it, but there was no reason to pay above the item’s true worth. They could pay dearly, but not pay foolishly. Everyone present was wealthy, but nobody wanted to be a sucker.

Even Meng Xinghe hesitated. Though as the eldest son of the Meng family spending several million was no big deal, six million for a painting seemed excessive.

And at that moment—

Chu Fei spoke, “Don’t use your family fortune to challenge my pocket money.”

How could Meng Xinghe tolerate that?

He snapped, “Seven million!”

He had about ten million freely at his disposal. As long as he didn’t exceed that, he wouldn’t need to ask Meng Ziyi or Meng Kaiwen for help.

Chu Fei arched an eyebrow, then winked at Zhou Mi. Zhou Mi immediately caught his signal and, imitating Shen Linglong’s coyness, said, “Brother Chu Fei~ I really love this painting~”

“As long as you want something, no one can take it from you!” Chu Fei’s voice was loud, sounding both indulgent to his lover and as a warning to someone else.

After saying this, Chu Fei raised his hand again, “Eight million.”

Meng Xinghe could see that Chu Fei was trying to please the woman beside him. This made him even more determined to thwart Chu Fei, even if he had to borrow money to do it!

“Nine million!” Meng Xinghe pressed on, “Tonight, I’ll fight you to the end—I don’t believe you’re richer than me!”

Zhou Mi’s eyes sparkled with excitement, fueling the fire, “Brother Chu Fei~ Did you hear what he just said?”

It’s true—when a beautiful woman acts coy, a man’s money tends to flow. With someone so enchanting gazing at you, could you bear to disappoint her?

The answer was, of course, no!

“One million!”

Chu Fei raised his hand again, shooting Meng Xinghe a provocative look.

“One mi—” Meng Xinghe started to bid again, but Shen Linglong stopped him.

Meng Xinghe looked at Shen Linglong, puzzled by her intervention.

For once, Shen Linglong was shrewd, “Xinghe, he’s just a bumpkin—where would he get so much money? Maybe he’s setting a trap for you!”

In her mind, Chu Fei was a pauper. If he had ten thousand on him, it would be impressive—let alone a million. So it was reasonable for her to suspect Chu Fei didn’t have the funds.

Meng Xinghe saw her point and stood up, addressing the host loudly, “I demand a live verification of funds! If this bastard doesn’t have the money, I’ll be the one left holding the bag!”

Chu Fei was about to whip out the Supreme Black Card Meng Ziyi had given him, just to further provoke Meng Xinghe.

But Lin Tianhao beat him to it, “No need. I can vouch for Mr. Chu’s funds. If he can’t pay, I’ll cover it for him!”

He spoke up both to repay Chu Fei’s favor, and because he disliked Meng Xinghe. Besides, he believed that a skilled man like Chu Fei would never lack money.

Upon hearing Lin Tianhao backing Chu Fei, Meng Xinghe’s face darkened.

“Uncle Lin, all the auction items are yours—how can you use your own money to buy your own things? That’s against the rules!”

“Is that so, Young Master Meng? I don’t know what rules you have in the Imperial City…” Lin Tianhao said domineeringly, “But here, I am the rule!”

“The auction continues. If you have money, bid. If not, shut up!”

Everyone knew the Meng family was run by Meng Ziyi. What was this second-generation playboy showing off for?

If his sister were here, Lin Tianhao might not dare to be so brazen. But with Meng Xinghe acting tough, he would certainly put him in his place!

With the matter settled and Chu Fei’s ability to pay confirmed, if Meng Xinghe didn’t continue, he’d be ridiculed by everyone present.

To save face, he had to grit his teeth and prepare to bid even higher!

But before he could speak, Chu Fei raised his hand again, “Fifteen million!”

Meng Xinghe: “……”

Shen Miaoyu: “……”

Everyone else: “……”

“Sorry, I’m in a hurry,” Chu Fei concluded, his words the epitome of arrogance.

So many auctions had been held, but it was the first time someone had raised the price on their own so casually.

Clearly, he didn’t value money at all.

“Brother Chu Fei is so domineering~” Zhou Mi shot Meng Xinghe a scornful look, “Unlike some people who raise the price by a million each time—if the foreigners next door saw this, they’d think we couldn’t afford it!”

Meng Xinghe was deeply provoked, especially since the comment came from a stunning woman—how could any man bear it?

In a burst of reckless pride, not even considering whether he had enough pocket money, he sprang to his feet and shouted, “Twenty million!!”

With a loud clap, Chu Fei and Zhou Mi high-fived.

Then, as Meng Xinghe stood there bewildered, Chu Fei’s voice rang out gleefully, “Do you think that idiot realizes the auction tonight is settled in… euros?”

“No way, really? Surely no one would overlook something like that!”

Twenty million euros.

More than a hundred and fifty million yuan.

Meng Xinghe’s vision went dark; anger surged through him, and he nearly coughed up blood on the spot!