As Lin Jianghao started bidding, a porcelain bowl was soon delivered to the display stand.

This is an underglaze red bowl with a design of two dragons playing with a pearl. The style is clearly from the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, and it was made in the imperial kiln, something that came from the palace.

Although the value of this double dragon bowl is far less than that of the phoenix crown presented by Mr. Leng, the purpose is to balance the prices of both parties.

As I was conducting the appraisal on stage, I glanced around and happened to see the middle-aged man who had approached me for cooperation drinking tea, sitting diagonally opposite me.

Seeing that I was looking in that direction, the other person looked at me and gave me a meaningful smile.

When I saw that look in his eyes, I felt like I was being mocked. I clenched my fists, wanting to tell Mr. Leng everything, but after hesitating for a moment, I finally gave up the idea.

The middle-aged man was right before. Even without my participation, the competition between Mr. Leng and Lin Jianghao would have been a bloody battle. Even if I cooperated with him, I would only have played a supporting role.

The middle-aged man's purpose in coming here today was to incite a fight between Mr. Leng and Lin Jianghao. In order to prevent the enthusiasm of both sides from waning, the white-gloved man on the stage quickly completed the appraisal.

When Mr. Leng saw the host call out number 002, he tapped the table lightly with his finger: "Old Mao, hand over that jade cup."

I saw Lao Mao open the brocade box and take out a jade double-dragon pierced cup worth more than four million. I immediately grabbed Lao Mao's wrist: "Mr. Leng, we don't need to keep fighting like this. I have a way to win."

Mr. Leng raised an eyebrow and looked at me: "Speak."

"Many people in the industry know about the conflict between you and Lin Jianghao, and the people on stage must know it too. Now only the two of us are competing. Everyone else has been scared off. Since the people on stage want to gain more benefits, they will definitely keep the two sides fighting. So we don't need to bring out anything too valuable. Just bring up anything, and we will definitely be the winner."

"No, your method won't work."

Seeing that the host had called out the price for the second time, Mr. Leng nodded slightly, signaling Lao Mao to send the jade cup up.

Seeing that over four million had been spent again, I couldn't help but feel a little distressed: "Mr. Leng, are you not adopting my plan because you're worried that my judgment might be wrong?"

"That's part of the reasoning. I understand the principle of 'when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits,' but I can't gamble because I can't afford to lose! I know you're worried about what I gave away, but I can't let a small thing cause a big loss. If the other party doesn't appreciate what I gave away and I lose this round, it would be too embarrassing."

Mr. Leng seemed afraid that I would get emotional, so he explained to me, "Although I am not an expert in appraisal, I am quite well-known in the collecting world. If I were to submit something worthless, people would laugh at me for being petty and narrow-minded. To put it simply, this auction in the eyes of the public is actually me competing with Lin Jianghao for treasures."

Just as Mr. Leng was speaking, the host on stage also spoke up: "Ladies and gentlemen, the hourly break is over. Please take a short rest. We will continue the auction in half an hour."

Upon hearing the host's words, everyone stood up and left their seats. Mr. Leng also stood up: "Shall I come with you to the VIP lounge?"

"No, there are quite a few stalls here today. I'd like to wander around and broaden my horizons."

I politely declined Mr. Leng's invitation, watched him and Uncle Mao leave, and then quickly returned to my own booth.

When the monkey saw me return, it also stood up and asked, "Young Master Duan, is that Fanghou wine cup on the display stand really that valuable? I saw Mr. Leng even put up the phoenix crown that we sold to him?"

"The situation here is complicated. This auction has gone beyond the scope of antique collecting and involves a competition between two interest groups behind the scenes."

As I spoke, I picked up my travel bag from my seat: "I have to go and stop them from continuing this competition."

The monkey reminded him, "Young Master Duan, you were hired by Mr. Leng today to take his eye. How much he spends is none of our business. You don't need to get involved. If it goes well, great. But if something goes wrong, you'll get yourself into trouble."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing! I stopped them not to meddle, but to make Mr. Leng owe me a favor! He's a smart man, and I don't need to tell him directly when I do things for him; that will only increase his goodwill towards me."

I patted the monkey's arm, picked up my travel bag, and hurried toward the VIP lounge.

During the break at the tea party, we ordinary booths could only rest where we were, while Mr. Leng and his group had their own private lounges.

I walked to the door of Lin Jianghao's lounge and said to the security guard who stopped me, "Please inform Mr. Lin that a man named Duan Shenxing wants to see him, and he will definitely see me."

"Hold on."

The security guard knew I was one of Mr. Leng's men, and he was very polite to me. About half a minute after I entered, he came out and gestured for me to enter: "Mr. Duan, please."

I originally thought that Mr. Leng's lounge was just a relatively quiet room, but when I went in, I found it to be very luxurious. At that moment, Lin Jianghao was sitting comfortably on the sofa, and two beautiful young girls were massaging his shoulders and back.

After entering, I smiled at Lin Jianghao and said, "Mr. Lin, I hope my visit has been intrusive and that I haven't disturbed you?"

Lin Jianghao opened his eyes and smiled: "It's not an intrusion, I just didn't expect you to come to see me. Just now, Xiao Liuzi personally went to the scene to ask for a dzi bead for you in order to protect you. Aren't you afraid that he will be unhappy if you come to see me now?"

"I act with integrity and have a clear conscience, so I am not afraid of being doubted by others."

I paused for a moment, then continued, "Mr. Lin, there's something I'd like to discuss with you privately, is that alright?"

Lin Jianghao raised an eyebrow: "Is this necessary?"

I nodded seriously: "I think so, I hope you can give me five minutes."

Lin Jianghao pondered for a moment, then gently raised his hand: "You can go out first."

Immediately afterwards, the two women in the room, along with Ah Sheng, left the room together.

Lin Jianghao picked up an unmarked white cigarette, lit it, then put the lighter back into the cigarette case and tossed it to me: "Sit down and talk."

I didn't stand on ceremony with Lin Jianghao. I walked over and lit a cigarette. "Mr. Lin, I know you and Mr. Leng are determined to settle things today, but there are many ways to decide the winner. There's no need to fight tooth and nail in the auction. It won't benefit anyone."