YM778.TV Chapter 202: The Auction Begins
At this point, the charity auction was about to get underway, Lin Jing said to Huang Xiaolong. “Little Long, let’s go over.”
Seeing Cui Feiyan holding Huang Xiaolong’s arm with a look of affection, Lin Jing shot Huang Xiaolong a meaningful glance and a teasing smile. “Little Long, you have quite the taste.”
However, the sight of Huang Xiaolong and Cui Feiyan’s closeness made Lin Jing’s heart ache slightly. She took a deep breath, telling herself not to overthink.
The so-called charity auction, as the name suggests, involves the organizer presenting a selection of antique treasures which are then auctioned off to the attending wealthy businessmen. The highest bidder wins.
This money is not pocketed by the organizers, but instead donated in full to hope primary schools and orphanages in remote mountainous regions.
Huang Xiaolong casually selected a seat and sat down, with Cui Feiyan sitting to his left and Lin Jing to his right. This picturesque scenario made him feel rather sandwiched between two charming ladies.
It was a position to be envied by others!
The guests took their seats.
In the center of the seating area, a small, ornate stage was set up brilliantly lit up. An elegantly dressed and attractive young woman walked onto the stage and positioned herself at the auction podium, microphone in one hand and the gavel in another, pounding onto the auction table.
The surrounding chatter gradually quietened down.
The attractive woman began her welcome address in a heartwarming tone. “Ladies and gentlemen, leaders, guests, friends, good evening! Thank you all for coming. I am Yang Liu, a licensed national auctioneer with a registration number of 6539245X. I’m deeply honored to host this auction on behalf of the Shu family tonight, and I hope to bring all of you the prizes you desire.”
Next, auctioneer Yang Liu went over some of the auction rules.
Then—
“Please pay attention, the first auction item is a green glazed pottery pot from the Eastern Han Dynasty—”
As auctioneer Yang Liu described the item, a young woman in a cheongsam carefully brought up a silver tray.
She placed the tray on the auction table, and Yang Liu unveiled the item.
A charmingly antique and somewhat old green pot was revealed before the crowd.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, as you can see, this pot is 40 centimeters tall, has a diameter of 15 centimeters at the top and bottom. It is covered with a low-temperature lead-green glaze, which presents a melon-green color. The mouth, neck, and belly all exhibit raised string patterns…”
Once the introduction was completed, another woman in a cheongsam brought up a professional appraisal certificate.
“Interested parties can come up to the stage for a closer look.” Yang Liu said with a smile.
Quickly, several people from below the stage crowded onto it. Among them was Shu Jie, wearing an eager expression as he hurried onto the stage.
These people wore gloves as they cirled the pot, occasionally reaching out to touch it gently, looking very professional.
“Little Long, do you know anything about antiques?” asked Lin Jing with a light smile in her eyes, hinting at a sort of testing vibe. Knowing Huang Xiaolong’s extraordinary talent, she couldn’t help but test his knowledge of antiques.
Cui Feiyan blurted out. “Miss Lin, this afternoon, Little Long picked up an authentic Zheng Banqiao painting in an antique shop and sold it for a sky-high price of 50 million thoseus.”
“Oh? You’re really impressive, Little Long!” Lin Jing’s eyes sparkled. “You’re truly talented, why don’t you go up and take a look as well?”
“Sister Jing, I don’t need to go up, I’ve seen it clearly… This pot should be a burial object. The glaze on the pot belly’s transition curve has exuded some salts due to the long-term moist underground environment, showing a slight silvery white on the surface. It’s the real deal and its market price should hover around 3 million. However, there are some minor defects and signs of re-glazing, so a discount is in order. If it can be acquired for 1.8 million, there would be a few hundred thousand in appreciation space. Anything above 2.5 million would have no need for an increase, it would only result in a loss.” Huang Xiaolong said casually.
“Uh…”
Both Lin Jing and Cui Feiyan were dumbfounded.
Oh my god, he’s impressively incomprehensible!
“Little Long, are you serious? You can see this clearly from all the way over here?” Cui Feiyan asked in wonder.
“I have eagle eyes and can see a fly’s wings flapping in flight from 1,000 meters away.” Huang Xiaolong declared with a straight face.
Cui Feiyan and Lin Jing both broke into wry smiles.
At this moment, the guests on stage had finished their viewing and each took their seats.
Auctioneer Yang Liu announced. “Please pay attention, the opening bid for this Eastern Han Dynasty green-glazed pot is one million RMB. Those interested can start bidding.”
‘Oh…boring…’ Huang Xiaolong felt a tinge of disappointment. ‘I was hoping to make billions for Feiyan, but these auction items are starting with millions already. The profits are too little…’
Huang Xiaolong lost interest.
“One million!”
The first one to bid was indeed Shu Jie, raising his bid card high.
“1.2 million!”
A bespectacled wealthy businessman also raised his bid card.
“Humph! You dare to compete for something I’m interested in?” Shu Jie arrogantly laughed, raising his bid card, “1.4 million!”
The room fell silent with this bid.
Auctioneer Yang Liu announced, “1.4 million for the first time… 1.4 million for the second time…”
Shu Jie swept his gaze across the room like a proud rooster.
Seeing Shu Jie’s cocky demeanor, Huang Xiaolong felt slight disgust and, without hesitation, lifted his bid card and lazily said, “1.8 million.”
Huang Xiaolong’s bid was made with great calculation.
Because, 1.8 million is precisely the apex price for this pot. If one can secure it at this price, there would be a profit of several hundred thousand, but if the price exceeds this, the profit margin would continuously shrink.
“You?” Shu Jie locked eyes with Huang Xiaolong, a murderous glare in his eyes, “2 million!”
“Uh… 2.2 million.” Huang Xiaolong replied in his usual languid tone.
“Damn it!” Shu Jie swore inwardly.
In the appraisal of treasured items, Shu Jie’s judgments and experiences were not bad. He understood that 2.2 million was already a very high price.
Exceeding this price, it was almost guaranteed to result in a loss.
However, the person competing with him was Huang Xiaolong!
Originally, Shu Jie could’ve landed the pot at a 1.4 million price, gaining spotlight at the event and showing off his charm.
But Huang Xiaolong had to swagger in, clearly making moves against him!
Shu Jie simply couldn’t handle this turn of events!
Moreover, he was already at odds with Huang Xiaolong!
“Humph! You want to play, I’ll play with you!” Shu Jie stood up and raised his bidding card high, “3 million!”
Gasps filled the room.
The whole audience was shocked!
This price was already far beyond the value of the auction item!
“3.5 million.” Huang Xiaolong said nonchalantly.
“4 million!” Shu Jie snarled.
“Little Long, you…” Cui Feiyan couldn’t help but gently pull Huang Xiaolong’s sleeve.
Lin Jing laughed playfully and whispered, “Little Long, you’re messing with Shu Jie, aren’t you? He might be fuming soon.”
“Hehe, this kid is too arrogant. It’s high time he drops some money for a lesson.” Huang Xiaolong grinned, “This so-called ‘one of the Four Young Masters of Binhai’ sure has questionable intelligence!”
“4.5 million.” Huang Xiaolong announced, beaming.