Chapter 53 - 52: Yun International, Yun Tianlan [4]

Just then, with the guests having gradually arrived, the auction finally kicked off.

Su Yun stood on the high platform, a faint smile on her face as she calmly hosted the annual auction.

Even with many people of extremely high status in Xia Country present, she didn’t show the slightest hint of stage fright. This made Ye Ling nod to himself in approval.

’This Su Yun,’ he thought, ’putting everything else aside, is quite remarkable for that alone.’

"Mmm, mmm, this meat is so yummy!"

As for the little imp Luo Yue, she was completely ignoring the proceedings on stage, instead launching a full-on assault on the delicacies at their table.

She wasn’t just eating herself; she would occasionally feed a bite to Ning Ruoxi, which made Ye Ling look on with a helpless expression.

’If Luo Yue wasn’t so cute,’ Ye Ling thought, ’the socialites here would have probably thrown her out by now.’

’Then again, it just goes to show: if you’re cute enough, you can get away with anything!’

"Now, we will begin the auction for our first item. It is a model AD200 ultralight aircraft, in like-new condition, with a starting bid of one hundred fifty thousand."

At that, Su Yun began the auction from the stage. On the large screen behind her, an image of a private plane appeared, looking quite impressive.

"Tsk, tsk. A plane for the very first item. Looks like this auction will actually be interesting."

Ye Ling couldn’t help but remark with a sigh.

He had no interest in it, though.

’Spending a few hundred thousand on it would be no big deal,’ he mused. ’To me, that’s pocket change.’

’But what would I even do with it?’

’I have no use for it... I’d have to spend a hefty sum on maintenance every year. More importantly, I don’t even know how to fly. I’d have to hire a pilot. It’s just too much trouble.’

’I may be rich, but that doesn’t mean I should waste money so carelessly.’

Still, a private plane like this held some appeal for many of the socialites present. Before long, the price reached two hundred thirty thousand.

And two hundred thirty thousand was pretty much the ceiling price for an ultralight aircraft in like-new condition, so naturally, no one else bid.

After all, the official price for a brand-new AD200 was only three hundred fifty thousand. In the end, the plane was sold to a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties or fifties.

As time went on, item after item—all assets seized to cover debts—was sold off. There were mansions worth hundreds of millions, luxury cars in the million and even ten-million-dollar range, and small antiques worth just a few tens of thousands.

Ye Ling didn’t bid on anything. He had no interest in antiques. As for mansions... he already owned a villa at Tomson Riviera, so those held no appeal for him either.

He had considered getting a luxury car before arriving, but unfortunately, all the ones up for auction were used.

Therefore, they were out of the question for Ye Ling.

"Our next item is a brand-new, latest-model Maybach S680 armored car, with a starting bid of three million! I don’t think this car needs much of an introduction. It’s only up for auction due to a bit of a fluke, so don’t miss this opportunity!"

As she introduced the car, Su Yun gave the crowd a playful wink.

Ye Ling knew a little about this car. The official retail price for a Maybach S680 armored car was, in fact, just three million.

However, due to its low production numbers and the prestige of the Maybach name, picking one up anywhere in the country required a markup of at least one million. And that was before factoring in optional features and various taxes...

All in all, the final on-the-road price for this new Maybach S680 could easily reach five million!

And what does five million get you?

Let’s just say, for that price, you could easily get a Bentley Flying Spur or even a Rolls-Royce Ghost!

And the car’s specs were incredible. The fact that it was armored alone was enough to make it stand out from other luxury cars!

"Three and a half million."

Ye Ling bid without a moment’s hesitation.

This car was exactly what he needed. Plus, it was brand-new. He was very interested!

"My apologies, but I’m quite interested in this car as well. Three million six hundred thousand!"

A man in glasses not far away placed a bid. He wore a white suit and had a gentle, refined air about him. After bidding, he even smiled at Ye Ling.

As if to apologize.

"Four million."

Ye Ling returned the smile and immediately raised his bid without hesitation.

"In that case, I’ll concede to this young brother. After all, a gentleman doesn’t take what another desires."

Seeing this, the young man in the white suit didn’t raise the bid further, simply waving his hand.

Most people came to this kind of auction hoping to snag a bargain, so if the price went any higher, it wouldn’t be worth it...

And so, Ye Ling won the luxury car.

However, when Ning Ruoxi saw the man, she couldn’t help but frown and whisper in Ye Ling’s ear, "Ye Ling, you need to be careful of that guy."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Ye Ling asked with some curiosity, "You know him?"

"His name is Yun Tianlan. He’s the Third Young Master of Yun International. He has a very high status. Don’t be fooled by his virtuous act; he’s full of dirty tricks behind the scenes. And... he used to pursue me."

Ning Ruoxi explained in a low voice.

’Yun International?’

A flicker of light crossed Ye Ling’s eyes when he heard that.

He had spent the last few days researching the most powerful companies in Xia Country, and Yun International was only about twenty or thirty percent weaker than Ning Ruoxi’s father’s company, Ning International.

’In other words, they’re another financial titan!’

"Alright, I understand."

Ye Ling smiled faintly and couldn’t help but glance at Yun Tianlan again.

Yun Tianlan happened to be looking at Ye Ling as well. When their eyes met, he gave another friendly smile before looking away.

At this, Ye Ling’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’If what Ning Ruoxi said is true,’ he thought, ’then Yun Tianlan should be, if not hostile, at least cold toward me. And yet, he smiled...’

’If Ning Ruoxi hadn’t warned me, I might have actually thought he was a good guy, someone worth getting to know.’

’Clearly, the man is deeply calculating and must be handled with caution.’

A warning bell rang in Ye Ling’s mind. He realized that after years of reading web novels, he had been conditioned to subconsciously think all rich young masters were brainless idiots...

’But in reality, a fool like Yu Chenghao doesn’t even count as a top-tier heir. He’s just a common dandy, a mere second-generation rich brat.’

’The heirs cultivated by those who truly stand at the top are, nine times out of ten, anything but simple!’

’Take this Yun Tianlan, for example... He seems approachable, he even smiles at you, but in his mind, he’s probably already devising a thousand different ways to trap you!’