After being reborn, I refused to be a sucker, and my whole family was dumbfounded.

Chapter 674

Everyone knows perfectly well that this charity auction is just a front.

Everyone's real goal is the land in the economic development zone on the northern outskirts of the city.

The auction had been going on for some time, with exquisite antiques being displayed one after another, but the dignitaries present showed little interest.

A beautiful host in a cheongsam walked onto the stage and began today's auction.

Exquisite antiques were displayed on the stand, shining brightly under the lights.

"Distinguished guests, our first item for tonight's auction is a blue-and-white porcelain vase from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty..."

The beautiful host introduced the auction items in a sweet voice, eliciting gasps of amazement from the audience.

"Starting price: one million!"

The beautiful host announced the price of the first item up for auction.

A few people scattered across the audience raised their number plates.

"1.2 million!"

"1500000!"

......

The price climbed slowly, but never exceeded two million.

The dignitaries present all knew that this auction was not cost-effective, and they would not waste too much time and money on these antiques.

"These people are so stingy! They're only offering a little over a million for a piece of Qing Dynasty porcelain?"

"What do you know? This is called 'the drunkard's heart is not in the wine.'"

"What do you mean?"

"These antiques are just appetizers; the real feast is yet to come."

"You mean, those lands?"

......

Similar conversations echoed throughout the banquet hall.

These powerful and influential people were all waiting for the real auction to begin.

Lin Ling stood in the crowd with a faint smile on her face.

Just then, the two brothers, Shi Gandang and Shi Gandian, walked towards him.

"Mr. Lin, congratulations!"

Shi Gandang spoke first, a fake smile on his face.

"You have a truly discerning eye; you secured that piece of land in the northern suburbs of the city ahead of time. I admire you greatly!"

He suppressed his resentment and tried his best to appear sincere.

Lin Ling looked at Shi Gandang and replied politely, "Mr. Shi, you flatter me. I was just lucky."

Shi Gandang was acting, but he didn't mind playing along.

"Mr. Lin, thank you so much for what happened last time."

Shi Ganxian also spoke up, saying, "If it weren't for your righteous rescue, I probably wouldn't have made it back."

Shi Ganxian would never forget the humiliation he suffered in Myanmar, and he blamed it all on Lin Ling.

Lin Ling looked at Shi Ganxian, his smile growing even brighter.

"Young Master Shi, you're too kind. It was nothing, hardly worth mentioning."

Standing to the side, Lu Yinan watched this scene with anger, unable to believe that Lin Ling would actually get together with the Shi brothers.

She never expected that the Shi brothers would thank Lin Ling so humbly.

"Those two bastards! They've utterly disgraced the Shi family!"

Lu Yi stood quietly behind Lin Ling, taking in the whole insincere exchange of pleasantries.

"President Lin is truly young and accomplished; he's someone to be envied!"

Shi Gandang continued to offer insincere compliments.

"Yes, Mr. Lin is not only successful in his career, but also so generous. He is a role model for us to learn from."

Shi Ganxian echoed this sentiment.

Just then, Lin Zhengguo and his family also came over. When they saw Lin Ling, their expressions were somewhat complicated.

"Lin Ling, I think you really got lucky. You managed to secure that piece of land in the northern suburbs of the city ahead of time. You must have made a fortune."

Lin Yunxia couldn't help but speak up and mock.

Lin Ling merely glanced at them indifferently, showing no intention of paying them any attention.

Lu Yinan also came over with Su Qingyan: "Lin Ling, you've struck it rich! What, aren't you planning to splurge at the auction today?"

She hoped that Lin Ling would embarrass herself at the auction, preferably lose everything and be left with nothing, so that she could vent her anger.

"Mr. Lu, you're too kind. How could I dare to squander my meager savings in front of you?"

Lin Ling looked at Lu Yinan and said calmly.

"Hmph, at least you have some self-awareness!"

Lu Yinan snorted coldly.

"Lin Ling, aren't you quite knowledgeable about antiques?"

Su Qingyan suddenly spoke up.