Chapter 87: Winning Thunderous Applause!

"I'll offer one million!" Lin Fan raised his hand and shouted.

The whole room turned to look at him, but there was clear disdain and mockery in their eyes.

"Is this guy really stupid, or is he just making a fool of Bai Jiahao? Something worth five hundred thousand, and he's bidding a million? Does he think money falls from the sky?"

"Maybe he's just desperate for attention! Judging by his appearance, he's probably some nouveau riche trying to break into high society, so he's using flashy tactics to please the crowd."

At this moment, Bai Jiahao refused to back down and continued to bid.

"One million and ten thousand!"

"Two million!" Lin Fan shouted with boundless confidence.

"Two million and ten thousand!"

"Three million!"

"Three million and ten thousand!"

"Four million!"

...

"Seven million and ten thousand!"

"Eight million!"

A minute later, Lin Fan had driven the price of the embroidered screen up to eight million.

Everyone present was restless.

"My god! Which landlord's fool is this? He just raised the bid to eight million without blinking an eye!"

"Maybe he's trying to mess with Bai Jiahao. If the price hits ten million and he suddenly stops, Bai Jiahao will have to donate ten million!"

"I think it's great—after all, the money goes to charity. These rich second-generation heirs know only how to squander money and never give back. It's about time they bled a little!"

Bai Jiahao heard the murmurs around him and frowned deeply.

Now, even he felt a twinge of fear.

What if Lin Fan stopped bidding?

He decided to risk it one more time and raised his hand, calling out, "Eight million and ten thousand!"

No sooner had he finished than Lin Fan roared, "Nine million!"

His voice was so powerful it seemed as if he might shatter the hall's ceiling. Everyone was in an uproar, speculating about his identity.

"We're at nine million! Would the guest like to bid any higher?" The host fixed her blazing gaze on Bai Jiahao. The contest between the two had set the entire room alight with excitement. All eyes were on Bai Jiahao, waiting to see if he would raise the bid again.

Everyone's attention was locked on him, even Lin Fan stared directly at him. Bai Jiahao, though initially excited, suddenly felt his confidence crumble, sweat breaking out on his brow.

Even his elder brother, Bai Wenbin, tried to stop him: "Don't be reckless. What if he's toying with you? In the end, you'll be the laughingstock!"

Bai Jiahao trembled. He had only intended to play a trick on Lin Fan with his malicious bidding, but he hadn't expected Lin Fan to be utterly unafraid, raising the price close to ten million.

His monthly allowance barely reached three million—if he ended up with this embroidered screen, he'd become the joke of Hangzhou.

He dared not gamble any further. Hanging his head, he looked like a dog admitting defeat, unable to meet anyone's gaze.

Bai Wenbin's face turned ashen. He too knew about the feud between Lin Fan and Bai Jiahao.

He hadn't expected Lin Fan to be so moneyed and confident throughout, while Bai Jiahao had been completely intimidated by his aura.

"Congratulations to Mr. Lin Fan for winning the embroidered screen with a bid of nine million!" The host didn't bother confirming with Bai Jiahao. The moment she saw him lower his head, she knew he had surrendered, and announced Lin Fan as the winner.

With all eyes on him, Lin Fan rose and strode confidently to the stage.

He completed the transfer swiftly and neatly.

At that moment, the charity auction's total donations reached twenty million, half of which came from Lin Fan alone!

As Lin Fan prepared to leave the stage, Su Juanmo suddenly stood and asked, "Mr. Lin, your donations tonight account for half of the total. Do you have anything to say about that?"

Lin Fan was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Su Juanmo's move.

But he quickly realized this was an opportunity she had given him to shine. Composed and poised, he smiled and replied, "My individual power is insignificant, but if everyone shows a little compassion, many lives can be changed for the better."

"As for these two items, I believe art is priceless, and so is charity. Even if this screen were worth twenty million, I would bid for it without hesitation!"

As he finished speaking, Su Juanmo took the lead in applauding.

Clap, clap, clap!

The rest of the crowd joined in.

Just moments ago, many had thought Lin Fan some foolish rich boy; now, after his speech, they realized he was the one with the broadest vision.

"Honestly, his attitude is praiseworthy. With one line—'charity is priceless'—he's slapped Bai Jiahao and Su Qianlong right in the face!"

"His timing couldn't be better—he stole the spotlight and won thunderous applause. Truly, you can't judge a book by its cover; he's much smarter than those two spoiled brats."

After leaving the stage, Lin Fan shot a grateful glance at Su Juanmo.

Had it not been for her cooperation, he would never have won such enthusiastic applause.

After she sat down, Su Hengyu, beside her, couldn't help but praise, "This Lin Fan truly can't be judged by appearances. Polite, poised, and extraordinary... Juanmo, you must maintain a good relationship with him."

Like the others, Su Hengyu had previously doubted Lin Fan's motives in befriending Su Juanmo.

Now, however, he saw Lin Fan as a trustworthy friend.

"Father, you shouldn't underestimate your daughter's judgment. With Lin Fan as our benefactor, the Su family can rise even higher, so don't undervalue him either."

With that, Su Juanmo glanced meaningfully at the neighboring Su Qianlong family.

Her words were both a bold declaration and a slap in the face to Su Qianlong.

To challenge a true scion of wealth was pure folly.

Su Hengyu, catching her meaning, asked in cooperation, "So is he really the illegitimate son of Chairman Lin?"

"I don't know..." Su Juanmo replied with a mysterious smile.

Even the powerful Su family had no way to verify such things.

After all, Chairman Lin's background was so lofty he was practically untouchable in China. The Su family didn't even qualify to carry his shoes.

Chairman Lin had been retired for years, his whereabouts a secret. No matter how well-connected others were, no one could find out such secrets.

Hearing this, Su Qianlong's family looked terribly ill at ease.

Su Qianlong himself turned green with envy and anger. He had thought he could toy with Lin Fan, but Lin Fan had simply overwhelmed them with his wealth.

Now, he was the one left humiliated.

When Lin Fan returned to his seat, Li Li and the other women showered him with praise.

"Wow, Lin Fan, I didn't realize you were so rich and so generous! You just donated a million without a second thought!"

"That's what I call real class! Who cares about looks—money is what matters, right, ladies?"

Lin Fan nodded agreeably to the wealthy matron, "Sister, you're absolutely right. With enough money, even a toad can become a prince. After all, don't people nowadays call Chairman Ma a handsome man?"

"Hahaha!"

Lin Fan's words set the entire table of women laughing.

Though his looks were ordinary, after tonight's performance, he had become a heartthrob in the eyes of every wealthy woman present.