C17 Bai Piao Attacked!

Zhang Zuiqiang was busy charming a group of women when he was jolted by a sudden bid. It was a moment of embarrassment for him, but recognition quickly dawned—he knew that voice belonged to Lee Yanran. With her stunning looks, she was naturally on his radar, but he had no intention of anything serious; he was only interested in playing games with her, not in marriage. His words were merciless.

"Lee Yanran, you dare to compete with me for an item? My bid is thirteen thousand gold coins!"

His declaration sent shockwaves through the room. Thirteen thousand gold coins could easily secure a high-quality Grade 4 magic treasure, and here was Zhang Zuiqiang, flaunting his wealth.

Seething in her private room, Lee Yanran recognized the voice as Zhang Zuiqiang's, one of the men she despised the most.

"What does it matter if I outbid you? Fifteen thousand gold coins!" she retorted, her voice steely, though inwardly she was uncertain.

She had ventured out with only twenty thousand gold coins from her father, and the Calming Heart Jade was expected to fetch between ten to twelve thousand. Any higher and it wouldn't be worth the purchase. She had planned to buy the jade and have enough left over for other items, but Zhang Zuiqiang was ruining what should have been a pleasant shopping experience. Now, she wasn't even sure she'd secure the Calming Heart Jade.

Without a second thought, Zhang Zuiqiang raised the bid to eighteen thousand, eager to save face in front of the five beauties despite Lee Yanran's presence.

"Twenty thousand gold coins!" Lee Yanran countered, visibly upset. This was her limit; if Zhang Zuiqiang bid higher, she'd be powerless.

The crowd buzzed with excitement. The Calming Heart Jade had reached twenty thousand gold coins, and it seemed the price would only climb higher.

"Twenty-two thousand gold coins! Lee Yanran, do you dare to go higher?" taunted Zhang Zuiqiang, his voice dripping with smugness, as if he had the upper hand.

"Shiqi, do you have any money? I need to borrow some," Lee Yanran pleaded, turning to Wang Shiqi and Wang Bingkun for assistance.

"Yanran, I'm broke too," Wang Shiqi confessed. Her allowance was a mere pittance of gold coins, hardly enough to lend out. Her presence today was simply for the thrill of the event.

Wang Bingkun had his eye on a purchase, yet his wallet held barely over two thousand gold coins. Lending any to Lee Yanran would leave him penniless, so he too could only offer a regretful shake of his head.

Seeing their reactions, Lee Yanran's spirits sank. She was on the cusp of a major breakthrough in her cultivation, and if spending thirty thousand gold coins could secure it, the cost would be justified.

The thought of asking Bai Piao for a loan hadn't even crossed her mind. Notorious for his ineptitude and for skipping out on bills, it would be a shock if he had any money at all. She was convinced he hadn't paid for their recent meal at the restaurant.

"Lee Yanran, why don't you raise the bid?" taunted Zhang Zuiqiang, his words dripping with provocation despite not being able to lay a finger on her.

"Twenty-two thousand gold coins, going once!" Ma Dequan internally sympathized with Lee Yanran but maintained the auction's momentum.

The crowd, witnessing the scene, sensed the inevitable—that the Calming Heart Jade would end up with Zhang Zuiqiang, given Lee Yanran's apparent shortfall.

"Twenty-two thousand gold coins, going twice!"

And just as the auction seemed to be drawing to a close, as Zhang Zuiqiang's smug smile began to spread across his face, it abruptly stiffened.

"Twenty-five thousand gold coins!" Bai Piao declared, entering the fray with composed assurance.

His timely intervention, coming to Lee Yanran's aid when she was most vulnerable, was bound to earn her deep gratitude. This was his moment to shine.

Lee Yanran was taken aback. Who would step in at such a crucial juncture?

"Astonishment points +6, +5, +3..."