Before we knew it, the day of the auction had arrived.
The auction was held in the upstairs venue of the Morning Light Elite Club.
The previously vacant office was quickly transformed, with a red carpet stretching from the elevator entrance to the venue entrance, adorned with elegant imported floral decorations on both sides.
Several employees dressed in black suits were busy adjusting the floral arrangements.
A young staff member setting up the red carpet muttered under his breath, "I really don't understand why they chose to hold it here. Wouldn't a hotel or a museum be more suitable?"
Another older employee said mysteriously, "Shh, keep your voice down. I heard this is a special auction, attended by very prominent figures, and the screening process is extremely strict. Some people can't even get in, even if they have the money."
Another female employee lowered her voice and said, "Indeed, look at the security personnel downstairs. They're said to be recruited from abroad and used to protect dignitaries."
The staff who set up the red carpet quickly added, "We heard that only a few team leaders have seen those auction items; we junior staff members have no access to them at all."
"What exactly are the criteria for selecting guests? They're all wealthy people, so why weren't some people invited?" someone asked, puzzled.
At this moment, Team Leader Liu, dressed in a black suit, wearing frameless glasses, and with her hair neatly styled, walked over with several employees, her high heels clicking on the floor.
Her brows furrowed, and her tone was stern: "What time is it? Stop chatting here! Hurry up and prepare to welcome the guests! The Second Madam and the Seventh Miss will be here soon!"
Everyone immediately dispersed, each taking on their assigned tasks, and began the final preparations.
Team Leader Liu nodded in satisfaction, then turned and led his men downstairs to greet Ning Yuan and Madam Ning.
Soon after, a stretched Lincoln slowly pulled up in front of the clubhouse.
Ning Yuan and Madam Ning stepped out of the car.
Ning Yuan wore a blue Dior coat, and although her pregnant belly was not yet obvious, her skin looked even fairer.
Her jet-black curly hair was neatly styled into a bun, revealing a sense of maturity and competence.
Madam Ning the Second wore a royal blue cheongsam with a mink coat over it, exuding elegance and a powerful aura.
Team Leader Liu quickly stepped forward and handed a guest list to Ning Yuan.
"Seventh Miss, this is the guest list for today. Everything is ready. We will officially begin welcoming guests at 10:00 AM, and the auction will begin at 10:30 AM, divided into morning and afternoon sessions."
Ning Yuan took the list and smiled slightly: "Thank you for your hard work. Is everything ready?"
“Everything is ready, Miss Seven,” Team Leader Liu replied respectfully.
"Okay." Ning Yuan nodded, then turned to Madam Ning and said, "Mom, let's go check out the storeroom first."
Madam Ning nodded gracefully and took Ning Yuan's arm.
Surrounded by Team Leader Liu and a group of employees, they headed towards the warehouse.
Not far away, several figures hidden behind the flower bed were holding professional video cameras, their lenses locked on Ning Yuan and Madam Ning the Second.
Their movements were skillful, clearly those of experienced professionals, recording every action of Ning Yuan and Madam Ning.
There was also a "cleaning staff member" dressed in a cleaning uniform and holding a mop, who was also sneaking around the corner of the corridor and following them all the way.
He had a miniature camera hidden in his rag, secretly capturing their images.
Upon entering the warehouse, the heavy metal door slowly closed, shutting out the noise from the outside world.
Inside the warehouse, rows of shelves were filled with all kinds of antiques, from porcelain and jade to calligraphy and paintings and bronzes, a dazzling array.
Under the light, these antiques gleamed with a captivating luster.
Ning Yuan carefully examined each item, picking one up to examine it closely from time to time, and checking the relevant information and procedures with Team Leader Liu.
Madam Ning watched quietly from the side, a hint of worry on her face.
“My dear girl, you…” Madam Ning began.
Ning Yuan interrupted her, "Mom, don't worry. We'll go up to check out the venue and then prepare to welcome the VIPs. I don't know all the uncles and aunts very well yet, so I'll need your help."
Madam Ning sighed, knowing her daughter's temperament; once she made a decision, it was impossible to change it.
She could only silently pray that everything would go well.
After inspecting the auction items, Ning Yuan and Madam Ning returned to the venue.
By this time, the guests had begun to arrive.
The venue was filled with the rich aroma of champagne and perfume, soft music played, and guests chatted in hushed tones, creating a harmonious and warm atmosphere.
This auction did not take the form of a lavish dinner; most of the VIPs wore formal suits or skirt suits.
Even the representatives of the Li, Cheng, and Kwok families, three of the four major families in Hong Kong, dressed in a professional style, at most with light formal wear or mink and fox fur as embellishments.
The eldest son of the Li family was dressed in a suit and tie, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a perfectly appropriate smile on his face.
Upon seeing Madam Ning, he went up to her and bowed slightly: "Madam Ning, it's been a long time. You look even more radiant now."
Mrs. Zheng was dressed in a well-tailored black suit with a large pearl necklace around her neck, which made her look elegant and noble.
She grasped Madam Ning's hand and exchanged pleasantries warmly: "President Ning, the recent activities of the Morning Light Socialite Club have been truly wonderful. It's a pity that I was too busy to attend."
The Guo family representative was the second of the two brothers who held power in the family. He was shrewd and capable, and wore black-rimmed glasses.
He cupped his hands and smiled, "Mrs. Ning, this auction is attracting a lot of attention. I've heard there are many rare items; I've been looking forward to it for a long time."
Madam Ning handled the situation with ease, chatting and laughing with everyone, displaying the demeanor of a wealthy matriarch in every gesture.
Ning Yuan stood quietly beside her, a faint smile on her face, observing the guests coming and going.
She would occasionally chime in with a few words, behaving with poise and confidence, showing no signs of awkwardness as a first-time host of such a large event.
Madam Zheng looked at Ning Yuan and said with a smile, "This must be your seventh daughter, right? With that figure and that temperament, she looks like a blessed person. Mrs. Ning is truly fortunate to have found such a capable and beautiful daughter."
Uncle Guo also laughed and said, "Miss Ning is truly a remarkable woman. To be able to host such a large auction at such a young age, her future is limitless. How can our children compare? They only know how to eat, drink, and have fun; they are truly useless."
Ning Yuan responded with a slight smile, her tone humble yet confident: "Uncle Guo, you flatter me. I was just forced into this role to help out at home. The Guo family's elder brothers are truly outstanding individuals. My mother often mentions them, telling me, someone who has just returned from the countryside, to learn from them."
This statement is both self-deprecating and cleverly reveals her identity as a "Northern girl," leaving no room for criticism.
Madam Zheng covered her mouth and chuckled, "Little Seven, you have quite the sharp tongue. It seems you've inherited all of Ning Tai's good genes."
Young Master Li looked at Ning Yuan with great interest: "Miss Ning, this auction seems rather unusual. It doesn't feel like a casual pastime; it's more like a formal bidding process. I heard there's a strict qualification review system for entry. Is that why?"
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