The exhibition hall, spanning over 1,000 square meters, was packed with people, with those of real status sitting at the front and others relatively at the back.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the first item in our collection is a porcelain bowl from the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. Its luster..."
After the auctioneer's eloquent explanation, the first item was brought up.
However, after the auction started, the first few rows didn't react much, with only two or three people occasionally raising their paddles.
Almost all of them came for the final, grand prize, while some of the later merchants and organizations were fiercely competing with each other.
Frankly speaking, the other items at Wanli's auction would be considered heavyweights on their own at any other auction, but that depends on who they are compared to. Today, they were completely overshadowed.
Logically, this would be detrimental to the auction items, but in order to highlight the special nature of this auction, Wanli's top management also brought in various treasures to enhance the quality of the auction.
As each item in the collection was auctioned off, the grand finale was finally revealed.
Suddenly, all the lights in the exhibition hall were turned on, and amidst the sound of mechanical gears, the 20-meter-high floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides of the hall were slowly covered by specially made heavy curtains.
After all natural light sources in the venue were blocked, the auctioneer, beaming with pride, began his sermon on stage:
"I'm sure you're all here at this auction today for more than just because I'm handsome."
A burst of good-natured laughter followed.
The auctioneer's smile faded.
“There is an ancient Chinese poem: ‘The moon shines brightly over the sea, and pearls seem to weep; the sun warms the jade in Lantian, and it seems to emit smoke.’ We have seen a lot of Lantian jade. I used to think that the luminous pearls were just fictions, or that those fluorescent minerals were the so-called luminous pearls.”
"But I was wrong, terribly wrong. I shouldn't have doubted the ancestors of the Chinese nation. Even if a true treasure has been buried for a thousand or ten thousand years, it will eventually reappear in the world."
"Let us present the grand finale of this auction, the luminous pearl—the mermaid's tear."
A small cart was pushed up by a dignified woman in a cheongsam, with a small jade box on it.
"Please get ready," the auctioneer said, then pressed the remote control.
The lights in the exhibition hall were all turned off at the same time.
In the darkness, a hazy, bright yellow light suddenly shone on the auction stage.
The increasingly bright light was soft and dazzling, casting rays of light in everyone's eyes.
No one, including the auctioneer, spoke; everyone stared intently at the dazzling point of light on the auction stage.
Although it cannot illuminate the entire venue, the stunning beauty it brings is beyond imagination.
Thirty seconds later, the lights were turned on, and the luminous pearl regained its normal, crystal-clear luster.
The auctioneer took a deep breath.
"Mermaid Tears, starting price 100 million RMB, the auction begins."
For a full minute, no one bid, but the auctioneer did not seem embarrassed.
"One hundred million." A voice came from the corner, waking the crowd from their reverie.
"150 million." The middle position directly inflated the price.
The other side was equally assertive: "180 million."
...
When the price rose to 600 million, the voices from the middle and back rows began to fade.
"700 million." The front row, which had remained steady, finally saw a bidding war.
The price war escalated so much that even Wu You, sitting in the front corner, felt his heart clench.
A translator held up a bidding paddle: "2.5 billion."
A game-winning shot!
Mohammed finally made his move, raising the price directly from 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion, revealing his determination to win.
In the front row, on the left, Fan Zhengxing and Yang Zhangcheng exchanged a glance and reluctantly lowered the bidding paddles they were about to raise.
It's not that they can't offer a higher price, but it's pointless. If they dare to quote 2.6 billion, Mohammed will definitely crush them with 3 billion or even higher.
As the auction hammer fell, the luminous pearl was unsurprisingly won by Saudi Prince Mohammed.
This is a gemstone, not a cultural relic, so there are no restrictions on its export.
...
After the auction, many people rushed to the airport. Apart from a few who took the opportunity to visit the Qiantang River, most people had already achieved their goal of seeing the treasures.
Wu You had never seen such a grand scene in his life, and it was undoubtedly a huge shock to his soul.
However, the biggest shock came afterward.
A text message notification arrived that 2.25 billion yuan, after deducting taxes and the 50 million yuan advance payment, had been deposited into Wu You's account. Wu You was briefly stunned.
Although money is just a number once it reaches a certain amount, seeing a string of zeros appear in your balance is still quite exciting.
Fortunately, Wu You's heart has recently become incredibly strong, otherwise this book might only have twenty-two chapters left.
...
On the drive home, Bai Yanxi made a rare joke.
"Hey kid, is it possible that the bricks inside your old tile-roofed house are made of gold?"
Wu You, humming a tune as he gripped the steering wheel, smiled and said to Old Bai, "Old Master Bai, please don't make fun of me. My hands are shaking a bit right now."
"I'm just luckier than others, but don't be surprised. Who knows, there might be more surprises for you in the future."
Bai Yanxi pondered for a moment: "Then I'll have to live a long time."
Once a person's condition improves, they will have hope. Bai Yanxi is even thinking about whether he can see his grandson, Xiaohu, again.
...
Evening, in the courtyard of a luxury mansion in the inner ring of Kyoto.
Li Shengyao roared into his phone, his anger surging: "What! You couldn't get him? What did you promise me? Did you not want him to come and treat the old man? Don't think I don't know what you did to him before!"
On the other end of the phone, Hou Li wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a tissue.
"General Li, I had already invited Bai Yanxi, but someone intercepted him halfway through."
Hou Li switched the phone to the other ear: "I stopped them, and I even chased after them in my car, but they were very aggressive and even smashed my car. But don't worry, I've already noted down the license plate number, and I'll find the culprit soon."
Li Shengyao loosened one button on his shirt.
"I'm warning you, this time you better go and invite them properly. This is a society governed by law, so keep your tricks to yourself."
After finishing his sentence, Li Shengyao hung up the phone without waiting for Hou Hui's reply.
Just as I turned around to go back inside, I noticed a wheelchair sitting at the door. The elderly man in the wheelchair looked frail but was in high spirits, and a caregiver was holding an IV stand for him.
"Dad, why did you come out? It's chilly outside, please come inside." Li Shengyao quickly stepped forward to push the wheelchair.
Although it was summer, the old man was wearing a woolen coat and waved his hand.
“Shengyao, there’s no need to trouble yourself. Fate is hard to defy. My leg injury has lasted for decades, and it’s only now that I can’t stand up anymore. What do I have to complain about?”
"Please don't say such things. If there is hope, why not seek it? Come, let me push you in first."
Li Shengyao did not tell Li Hongguang that the last examination had also detected bone cancer lesions. According to those doctors and experts, the old man had less than a year left to enjoy his old age.
...
Hou Li stared at the phone in his hand, which showed that the call had ended, recalling the terrifying bodyguard from that afternoon.
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