Tit For Tat (Beloved Enemy) - Chap 96

The first to be auctioned off is a small asset package sold by Xinda Assets, consisting of three non-performing assets, two of which were described to be related to agricultural cultivation. Although one of them included land, it was zoned for agricultural purposes with little commercial value. The starting bid price was set at 300,000 yuan.

A total of seven or eight companies participated in this auction but only two people raised their sign for this first auction product that had little profit margin.

The people on both sides of GuQingPei did not move. He tried to lean his body forward with his back straight. If he leaned on the chair, he will be squeezed tightly between YuanYang and WangJin and his shoulders would be compressed next to theirs. The seats in this auction venue are actually quite spacious. Even though the three men with broad shoulders sat next to each other, it won’t necessarily be a tight fit. However, don’t know whether these two were doing this intentionally or unintentionally, they both leaned towards him.

As a result, this created a comical scene.

Very soon, the next auction item was put on. This item actually has some value, involving two land exchange rights worth two million yuan, but comes with high risk. After all, when the government will honor these rights is a completely unknown factor. WangJin whispered, “QingPei, what do you think about this?”

GuQingPei thought for a moment, “I’ve previously heard that the government is determined to honor this commitment. But half a year had since passed. The government was impacted by the real estate regulations, unable to fulfill the bank loans. Even with the land exchange rights in hands, I don’t anticipate there would be any changes in the coming two years. This can be resold but the profit margin is too small to be worth the effort.”

“My thoughts are the same but the price is really cheap…”

In this round, WangJin and YuanYang both did not bid.

From time to time, YuanYang could see GuQingPei and WangJin whispering with their heads together, his expression gloomy and cold like the river in March. He suddenly reached his hand out and grasp onto GuQingPei’s shoulder.

GuQingPei was astonished as he turned his head to look at him.

Although there are still people behind them, this was merely one man putting his arm over the other’s shoulder, a very normal behavior between men that are close with other. Nobody would think too much of such an act. So, YuanYang naturally moved GuQingPei’s body toward his side, lowering his head to GuQingPei’s ears, “If you continue to stick your head close to him and talk, I will kiss you on the spot. I’ll do what I say.”

GuQingPei’s expression immediately changed.

YuanYang patted him on the shoulder and jokingly said, “Don’t be mistaken, even if I’m tired of something, I don’t want to see people I’m disgusted with touch it.” After saying that, he released his hand and sat up. From outsiders looking at them, they merely appeared as if they are secretly exchanging a few words.

WangJin also did not hear what they said, but seeing GuQingPei’s grimly tensed expression, whatever said was certainly not good.

GuQingPei had no doubt that YuanYang would do something so absurd in public. But he also didn’t want to challenge YuanYang on whether he would dare to do such a thing. He just leaned back in silence.

So, YuanYang further aggravated the situation by reaching his hand out from under the armrests between the two seats and grabbed onto GuQingPei’s hand.

GuQingPei was startled and instinctively wanted to retract his hand, but he couldn’t move at all. How much strength YuanYang has, he had experienced it in many ways.

GuQingPei turned his head to look at YuanYang and whispered, “Let go.”

YuanYang smiled but didn’t say anything, his eyes continued to look in front, simply turning a deaf ear to GuQingPei’s words.

The two people’s hands held tightly under the armrests. Although the air conditioning in the room was sufficient, GuQingPei still felt his palm sweating.

YuanYang used his thumb to gently massage GuQingPei fingers and used his fingertips to tease GuQingPei’s palm.

GuQingPei’s Adam’s apple bobbled up and down, wanting to take his hands back but couldn’t. At the same time, he was worried that other people could see it. He could hardly concentrate on the auction platform. Unconsciously, the third auction item was sold.

GuQingPei could tell that he wasn’t going to be able to pull his hand back so he finally gave up his struggle, allowing YuanYang to hold onto his hand, being forced to feel YuanYang’s warmth and strength.

When he finally calmed down, he felt that the hand that YuanYang used is abnormally hot. The strength that he used was not painful but instead infused with a sense of strong feelings. GuQingPei has a strange illusion, that if they were to intertwined their hands, they would be able to feel each other’s pulse, and then be able to feel each other’s heartbeat

Thump…. Thump…. Each thump is very forceful.

GuQingPei reluctantly shifted his concentration from his hand back to the auction platform. The auction has reached a small little climax with an item that WangJin very much coveted, a highly profitable asset bundle.

Nobody are fools in this, everyone had their eyes opened brightly.

Sure enough, just as the bid started, the people at the bottom started to bid in waves after waves. The starting bid amount was 1.2 million and each added bid price is 50,000. When WangJin opened his mouth and added two million yuan, YuanYang also raised his sign and added 800,000 more at the same time.

YuanYang and WangJin looked at each other. The smell of gunpowder pervaded the air. Although GuQingPei also wanted this asset package, he had no money to buy. So instead, he was sandwiched between two people, constantly hearing bids raising from the left and right. The two people vigorously competed in raising the bid prices. In the end, they were the only ones left in contention.

When the bid was called at 3.5 million, the audience started to look as if they are watching a good show from these two people.

Although this asset package has a large profit margin, it also carries high risks. Once the bid exceeds 3 million, it becomes a hesitant prospect. However, it was obvious to everyone that these two people are in a bidding war to win. This has becomes a rather rare scene. Even though YuanYang is young and inexperienced and could do something so foolish and stupid, WangJin’s personality is not one that would follow YuanYang in being illogical. He had always been a man who upholds the principle of maximizing profits as his priority. When did he ever let his emotions get in the way of logic to act so impulsively?

GuQingPei looked at WangJin and lightly tugged at his clothes.

WangJin seems to be in a daze when he looked at GuQingPei. Then revealing a slightly embarrassed smile, he lowered his sign.

WangJin gave up and YuanYang won the asset bundle for 3.5 million.

The representatives of those companies that are onlookers are very disappointed. They were expecting the two to continue with their bidding war, which would ultimately lead to an outrageous auction price so they could gossip about it for the next few days. But the bid price was finalized at 3.5 million yuan, which didn’t cause too big of a ripple.

WangJin’s purpose today is actually not on the asset bundle but a piece of land. He did not intend to waste too much effort in competing against YuanYang. That is meaningless. But there was a moment earlier when he was frustrated over his failure to pursue GuQingPei that led to him being impulsive in wanting to compete against him.

He really didn’t expect that at his age, his emotions will get in the way of his company’s businesses.

However, he was fortunate to have woken up in time. For this coveted parcel of land, he has a bottom line. If the priced exceeded this, he would never compete with YuanYang. After all, it doesn’t make any sense.

However, even though he didn’t follow YuanYang in his squandering ways, he still has other ways to deal with YuanYang to vent his anger.

After the auction for this asset bundle was completed, the auction venue organized a coffee break. GuQingPei immediately stood up. WangJin put his hand on his back, smiled and said, “Let’s go have some coffee.”

YuanYang glared at them for a while. He also stood up and went out with a few of his subordinates.

The coffee break was set up outside the auction room. WangJin and GuQingPei stood at the round table. WangJin’s secretary handed them coffee, some refreshments and fruits. As the two men ate, they chatted about the value of the items that was just auctioned and started on guessing how the next piece of land auction would be.

After chatting for a few minutes, GuQingPei suddenly said, “Wang Ge, fortunately, you didn’t just follow YuanYang’s irrational bidding, that doesn’t make any sense.”

WangJin blinked, “Earlier, I had really wanted to bid him to the end, but after you tugged me, my mind cleared… ha ha… this must be so foolish to you.”

“No, what’s with being foolish? He’s not a person who will give up, no need to lower yourself to his level.”

YuanYang’s gloomy voice sounded behind them, “What Director Gu says is right, I’m not one to give up. You (WangJin) won’t lower yourself to my level but if I insist on staying at your level, what are you going to do about it?”

GuQingPei appeared calm. He could see YuanYang’s reflection from the coffee spoon approaching toward them.

WangJin was being sarcastic, “Director YuanYang is full of confidence. You’re too kind (not).”

YuanYang didn’t even give a care about him, standing beside GuQingPei, “What are you doing here today? Didn’t you say you have no money, just coming here to join the fun?”

“QingPei came specifically to give me advice.” WangJin smiled as he gave GuQingPei a glance, “His compensation is a meal, which will be paid back tonight.”

YuanYang’s pupil shrank and taunted, “If Director Wang returned empty handed today, I wonder if you’ll be in the mood to eat.”

“Want me to go back empty-handed? We’ll have to see how much ability you have. The piece of land next to the high-speed road, I’m determined to get.”

“Determined to get?” YuanYang scoffed, “Hmmm, initially I’m not that interested in that piece of land, but since Director Wang put it that way, I suddenly want it.”

GuQingPei furrowed his brows, “YuanYang, have you even matured a bit? The both of you biding with each other is only going to lead to you both losing. The ultimate benefit is only the seller. What’s the point?”

“Makes me happy,” said YuanYang proudly.

Although this matter didn’t have much to do with him, he and WangJin are also friends, WangJin has also repeatedly helped him. Regardless of whether it was for sentimental reason or logical reasoning, he can’t sit back and just watch the two act recklessly. In the end, no matter which side wins, at least a few more millions would have been wasted. Just thinking about money being thrown in such pointless nonsensical manner is really distressing.

Moreover, YuanYang’s targeting WangJin, opposing him in every way possible in these last two years has brought a lot of trouble to him (WangJin). Getting to the heart of the matter, he (GuQingPei) is the cause and can’t escape from not being responsible. Thinking of this, he felt a bit guilty toward WangJin.

After he drank his coffee, he softly muttered, “Director Yuan, please follow me, I want to talk to you privately.”

WangJin wanted say something to stop it but GuQingPei raised his hand, “Wang Ge, if you really have money to throw away, it’s better to lend it to me.” He didn’t wait for WangJin to respond; instead turned his head toward YuanYang, “Please (let’s go).”

YuanYang looked at him for two seconds and followed him into a small lounge that was set up next to the auction room.

Once the door to the lounge was shut, YuanYang gripped him on the shoulders and shoved him to the wall.

End of the Chapter