Chapter 54: Doubling the Bids

The collectibles at the charity auction mostly come from major wealthy families, as the purpose is to contribute to charity. The first auction item is an antique vase provided by Chairman Li, who is responsible for the auction. From the late Ming and early Qing era, although not a rare antique, it’s very well-preserved. For antique collectors, it’s a rare treasure to behold. The starting bid is one million. "One million." "One million and one hundred thousand." "One million and two hundred thousand." The bidding price continuously rises, eventually selling for one million and eight hundred thousand. "Congratulations, President Chen," Chairman Li was the first to clap his hands. The crowd followed, clapping and congratulating, as President Chen proudly went on stage to put the antique vase into his pocket. Next, calligraphy, jewelry, sculptures, and various treasures followed. Among them, a jade necklace was won by Liu Shiyan for eight hundred thousand. The Lin Family contributed a sandalwood jewelry box, which was quite quaint and rare. However, the Ye Family’s contribution was rather shabby, merely a landscape painting by a lesser-known Ming Dynasty artist. The scroll was even somewhat damaged, directly valued by the professional auction staff to start at ten thousand, causing the crowd to snicker quietly. Ye Henghuang lowered his head in shame, not daring to raise it. No wonder they let him attend such a banquet, they brought such a thing. Ye Xuan’s face flushed red, filled with embarrassment. Although she now represents the Lin Family, everyone knows she’s the second miss of the Ye Family. With the Ye Family doing something so shameful, they can’t compete with the other three families, not even with ordinary wealthy families, completely losing face. Tomorrow it’s sure to spread throughout Jiangcheng, and the other socialites will laugh at her. "Didn’t expect your Ye Family to fall to such a state, unable to even produce a decent collectible." Without waiting for others to ridicule, Lin Yuyang sneered first. Ye Xuan’s face turned even redder, angry yet powerless to retort, wishing she could burst into the ground and hide. "Didn’t expect the Ye Family to be so impoverished, no wonder they’re selling their daughters everywhere." Ye Ningwan was surprised at the Ye Family’s predicament, and couldn’t help murmuring to herself. "Ye Henghui approached me several times, hoping to restore cooperation with the Zhan Family. However, I suggested he find you. Did he ever contact you?" Zhan Hanjue said. Ye Ningwan paused for a moment, then quickly replied, "He hasn’t come yet, but even if he did, I wouldn’t help him. I’m not a Mary Sue, forgetting the past but not the lesson." Zhan Hanjue smirked. The next auction item was from the Zhan Family. Shen Yuanyuan’s oil painting "Home" had once won the highest domestic art award and the international festival’s gold prize, among other prestigious awards. Shen Yuanyuan’s paintings are already highly collectible, not to mention this one that won both domestic and foreign awards, making its value immeasurable. Sure enough, the starting price was one million and two hundred thousand. It was the highest starting bid for any collectible at this charity auction. Ye Ningwan, not understanding art, originally thought Zhan Hanjue’s offering such a painting seemed somewhat shabby. But when she heard the starting bid, she was utterly shocked. She quickly took out her phone and snapped a picture, sending it to Wu Taotao. "Do you recognize this painting?" Wu Taotao quickly responded, using no less than eight "ah" exclamations to express her surprise! "Of course I recognize it, my God, Shen Yuanyuan’s ’Home’, I’m a devoted fan of this painting. Where did you see it? I want to see it too, I really wish to see it!" Ye Ningwan sighed. If she had known Wu Taotao liked the painting, she would have let her see it before the auction. Now that it’s at the auction, it will surely be bid away by someone else. "It’s no longer visible, it’s the Zhan Family’s collectible offered for auction." Ye Ningwan regrettably messaged her. Wu Taotao quickly sent several crying emojis, expressing her deep sadness. "What’s wrong?" Zhan Hanjue asked. Ye Ningwan shook her head, regretfully saying, "Wu Taotao really likes this painting, if I had known it was at home, I should have let her see it last time she visited. It’s a pity she can’t see it now." "It’s just an auction, not a destruction, why can’t she see it?" Zhan Hanjue said. Ye Ningwan shrugged: "But who knows who will bid it away, what if they don’t recognize it, how will she see it?" Zhan Hanjue gave Chen Tan a look, and Chen Tan nodded knowingly. "One million and three hundred thousand." "One million and four hundred thousand." "One million and eight hundred thousand." "Two million and two hundred thousand." "Two million and two hundred thousand once, two million and two hundred thousand twice, two million and two hundred thousand..." "Three million." Chen Tan raised his paddle, calling out the price. Everyone was astonished. Isn’t this the Zhan Family’s collectible? Why is the Zhan Family bidding? "Why are you bidding now?" Ye Ningwan was incredibly surprised and curious. Zhan Hanjue said: "There’s no rule against the owner bidding. It’s a charity auction, what’s important is the charity funds, not the items." Ye Ningwan: "..." But it still seems strange to bid on one’s own collectible. However... Could it be because she said it was a pity, that’s why he’s bidding? Ye Ningwan looked at Zhan Hanjue and pursed her lips. But Zhan Hanjue remained expressionless, looking straight ahead, not even noticing her odd behavior. And Ye Ningwan naturally felt embarrassed to ask; what if he denies it, how awkward? Ultimately, "Home" was won by Chen Tan for three million five hundred thousand. The Zhan Family’s collectible auction ended, and next was the Feng Family’s collectible, the final item. Zhan Hanjue was initially relaxed in his seat, but when the auction host announced the next collectible, Ye Ningwan clearly sensed his tension. Due to nervousness, his back straightened even more, and his expression became serious. Ye Ningwan frowned slightly. Is this a collectible he desires? Wondering what kind of collectible makes him so tense and concerned. "The final collectible is provided by Mr. Feng, a jade bracelet from the Warring States period. This jade bracelet is an ancient antique, entirely green and flawless, aged, perfect and high-quality, once a beloved possession of the Shu Kingdom Princess, transferred numerous times, each owner being a nobleman or millionaire magnate, a rare article of jade. The starting bid is six million." "Truly beautiful." "Really nice." Under the spotlight, the jade bracelet exuded an oily green luster, attracting attention. Whispers emerged from the audience, all enviously gazing at the jade bracelet. However, such a high price is not something ordinary people can afford to bid. When the price reached eight million, no one continued bidding. If no one bids, the item will be returned to the collector’s hands. Ye Ningwan cast a sidelong glance at Zhan Hanjue. She sensed he was about to bid, and with determination. "Thirty million." Sure enough, Chen Tan raised his paddle, immediately escalating the price to thirty million. The Feng Family was anxious. It seemed they hadn’t expected Zhan Hanjue to bid such a high price for the item. Thus raised their paddle. "Forty million." Zhan Hanjue gave Chen Tan another look, and Chen Tan raised his paddle again. "Eighty million." He directly doubled the bid. Feng Huai’s face turned pale; he couldn’t afford such a high price. If Zhan Hanjue didn’t continue bidding, he would incur a severe loss.