Chapter 192 The Auction Begins
Standing in the center of the stage, Meng Wanbai bowed slightly to the audience, then stood up and said, "Good evening, distinguished guests."
The voice was gentle and clear, transmitted throughout the hall through the microphone, instantly grabbing the attention of the guests present.
At this moment, Meng Wanbai was wearing a white Chinese-style evening dress, which was simple and elegant, while also having a classical and restrained atmosphere. Her delicate face was revealed under her lightly tied up long hair, and her whole body exuded a natural and fresh beauty.
The guests who were talking in low voices before all began to look towards the stage with focused expressions.
Although Meng Yitong didn't like Meng Wanbai, she had to admit that Meng Wanbai was particularly charming at this moment.
Meng Wanbai was also very satisfied with the effect. He smiled as he glanced at each guest and said, "Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend this charity party hosted by the Meng family. Tonight, we gather here not only to enjoy this wonderful night, but also for a common goal - to help those in need."
"In remote areas that we don't pay attention to, there is a group of children like this. Not only do they have no schools or books to learn knowledge, they can't even afford the most basic food, clothing, shelter and transportation..."
As Meng Wanbai spoke, the video on the big screen behind her was playing slowly.
The guests in the audience couldn't help but stare in disbelief at the half-naked children in the video.
They had never seen this scene before.
By the time Meng Wanbai finished speaking, many of the ladies in the audience had softened their hearts and their eyes began to turn red.
Seeing that the desired effect had been achieved, Meng Wanbai stopped sensationalizing and got down to business.
"Next, we will move on to the highlight of the evening - the charity auction."
There was a hint of anticipation in Meng Wanbai's voice.
“All the auction items are carefully selected by me and my family, and each one carries our love for charity and respect for art.”
“I also hope that everyone can find their favorite artworks while engaging in charity.”
As Meng Wanbai finished speaking, warm applause broke out from the audience.
Meng Wanbai's opening remarks were simple but sincere, winning the favor of most of the guests.
Meng Yitong looked at Meng Wanbai, who was so graceful on the stage, and suddenly remembered that she majored in art management in college.
Although my course takes one year, I completed it quickly.
However, Meng Yitong still completed those courses and textbooks seriously.
It would have been fine if I had not been exposed to these things in my daily life, but once I came into contact with them, all the knowledge I had learned began to emerge in my mind one by one.
Comparing the movements of Meng Wanbai on the stage, Meng Yitong suddenly had a feeling that if she did it herself, she would definitely be able to do it well.
Meng Wanbai had long been accustomed to the feeling of being the center of attention. Seeing everyone's expectant eyes, Meng Wanbai waved his hand slowly and gently. The lights on the stage dimmed instantly, and a spotlight shone on the first auction item.
This is an exquisite oil painting, about 3 meters long.
The painting shows a tranquil lake with the afterglow of the setting sun shining on the water, making it sparkle.
Meng Wanbai looked at the slowly unfolding painting and said nostalgically, "This is a work I created when I was traveling in Country R last summer. I named it "Lake Sunset."
“I hope this painting can bring peace and warmth to everyone.”
"I have always kept this painting in my own collection. I put it here today and hope it can meet an owner who likes it."
As Meng Wanbai spoke, he revealed an expression of reluctance to leave.
Then Meng Wanbai took a deep breath and said with a restrained expression: "Okay, now let's give the stage to the auctioneer."
Meng Wanbai said this as he walked off the stage, looking back every few steps.
After the auctioneer saw Meng Wanbai off the stage, he immediately said with emotion: "Such a beautiful painting, I feel a sense of inner peace when I look at it. No wonder Miss Meng is so reluctant to part with it."
“I believe that if it weren’t for this charity, Ms. Meng might never have auctioned this beautiful painting.”
“Guests who like this painting should also seize the opportunity!”
After the auctioneer finished speaking, he hammered down the item and said loudly, "Bidding will begin now, starting at fifty thousand."
As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, someone raised the sign in his hand and said, "Fifty-five thousand!"
Meng Yitong turned her head when she heard the voice and saw a strange young man in a black suit.
Meng Yitong looked at her mother Meng beside her in confusion. Seeing this, her mother Meng shook her head gently.
Seeing the response from Meng's mother, Meng Yitong couldn't help but be surprised.
There are actually people in this circle that Meng's mother doesn't know.
In the past, Meng Yitong didn’t quite understand how wide her mother Meng’s social circle was.
But after the Qin family held a few banquets, Meng Yitong found that there was no one at the banquet that Meng's mother didn't know, and no gossip that she didn't know.
The ladies nearby were also whispering to each other, and it was obvious that they didn't know much about the first person who held up the sign.
This pause by the guests immediately slowed down the pace of the auction.
Upon seeing this, the auctioneer immediately shouted, "Fifty-five thousand per time, is there anyone else who wants to raise the price?"
At this time, no one was in the mood to pay attention to who the first man holding up the sign was.
A lady immediately raised a sign and said, "Sixty thousand!"
"Seventy thousand!" Another lady followed suit and raised a sign.
I don’t know if it was really this painting that was so attractive, or Meng Wanbai’s previous performance that aroused everyone’s interest.
In a short while, the bidding price of the painting was raised to 160,000.
Meng Wanbai stood in the corner below the stage, watching the interaction of the guests with a smile on her face.
She knew that the opening of the auction was a success.
"180,000!" said the young man who first raised the sign in a firm voice.
After hearing the price, the people who had just bid with him put down their signs.
Although this painting is indeed very well done, and although the proceeds from the auction today will all be used for charity.
But they also don't want to bid for a piece of collection at such a huge premium at the beginning, as this would make them appear to be stupid and rich.
When the auctioneer saw that no one else was bidding, he immediately shouted, "No one else is bidding? One hundred and eighty thousand for one time! One hundred and eighty thousand for two times!"
"One hundred and eighty thousand three times!"
"make a deal!"
As the auctioneer's hammer fell, warm applause broke out in the hall.
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