"Boss Feng bids thirty thousand yuan!" the auctioneer shouted excitedly.
Such fragments were rarely collected by connoisseurs, and the bidders present were almost all of high status. It would have been most normal for the item to go unsold. Now that it had reached thirty thousand yuan, it was an absolute surprise.
Unexpectedly, without a word, Li Yang called out, "One hundred thousand!"
"One hundred thousand yuan?" Many people's eyes flickered with suspicion. Although many didn't know his background, seeing him arrive with Master Long, they dared not underestimate him.
"Could these fragments actually be something special?"
"Don't overthink it. Everyone saw the situation between Master Long and Boss Feng earlier. This young man is probably doing this deliberately."
"Boss Feng, it's best not to continue bidding. Lest this kid plays a trick on you, and you lose a million or so, which is not a big deal, but losing face in front of everyone would have a significant impact," Mr. Huang advised, feeling that Li Yang was indeed acting deliberately.
He and Feng Bu'er were in a deep cooperative relationship now; their fortunes were tied together. If Feng Bu'er lost face, he would not look good either.
Feng Bu'er stated with certainty, "This kid is definitely not doing it deliberately. He must have seen something in these fragments to bid so high."
"Don't worry, once the item is in my hands, I will definitely figure out its true nature."
He immediately raised his bid again, "One hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Five hundred thousand!" Li Yang shouted.
My heavens!
Everyone present was shocked. Was this how one bid?
Feng Bu'er frowned and called out, "Five hundred and fifty thousand."
"One million!" Li Yang doubled his bid.
Feng Bu'er was surprised, "Mr. Li, you don't think you can scare me off by acting like this, do you?"
"If you're not scared, just bid, don't chatter with me. I don't have time," Li Yang said calmly, leisurely sipping the tea provided by the organizer.
Feng Bu'er stared at him intently, unable to discern his thoughts, which gave him a headache. Nevertheless, he called out, "One million and fifty thousand."
"Three million!" Li Yang said, "Boss Feng, if you bid again, I won't follow."
"You're getting anxious!" Feng Bu'er laughed.
A flicker of panic crossed Li Yang's face, which he quickly masked with a feigned composure. "Why would I be anxious? Bid higher if you dare!"
"What kind of fragments are worth over three million yuan?"
"Heh, Mr. Li, you think I'm like everyone else and don't know what kind of person you are?" Feng Bu'er laughed triumphantly. "You've finally shown your anxiety. I know perfectly well about you winning the appraisal duel against Master Zheng Bei Xi yesterday."
"Moreover, you clearly showed a trace of panic on your face just now. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"
"Then bid! Do you dare?" Li Yang stared directly at him, appearing to be trying to maintain his composure.
Not only Feng Bu'er, but even others began to suspect that there was something valuable within these fragments.
Feng Bu'er no longer hesitated and immediately called out, "Four million!"
"Four million once!" The auctioneer was extremely excited, his face flushed. "Mr. Li, will you bid again?"
"Auctioneer, I'm standing too far away to see clearly. I'd like to go up on stage to examine them personally, and perhaps weigh them, before making a decision. Is that possible?" Li Yang asked the auctioneer, a hint of hesitation in his voice.
The auctioneer smiled and said, "That's a reasonable request, of course. However, according to the rules of this auction, if any damage occurs during the touching process, it will be considered a 'hanging sky lantern'."
"I hope Mr. Li understands."
"I understand. 'Hanging sky lantern' means that as long as someone has bid, I will always be one bid higher than them, until no one else bids. That's what it means, right?" Li Yang nodded.
Generally speaking, those who dared to "hang a sky lantern" not only had money but also absolute power!
Only when such a person hung a sky lantern in front of themselves would everyone else obediently cooperate. When the price reached a slightly inflated point, they would absolutely not bid further.
Otherwise, if ordinary wealthy people dared to do this, let alone whether the real bidders present would give face, even the plant bidders would keep shouting bids, burning the person who hung the sky lantern to death!
The auctioneer smiled, "Since Mr. Li understands what 'hanging a sky lantern' means, please come up on stage. However, to ensure the smooth conclusion of the auction, Mr. Li will be given a maximum of three minutes."
"Three minutes is more than enough," Li Yang said, standing up and walking towards the auction stage.
Seeing him go on stage, the crowd became even more curious. Some even leaned in to ask Master Long, "Master Long, has your young friend figured something out? Would you mind revealing a little?"
"Everyone, please don't ask me. Ask him himself after the auction concludes," Master Long smiled slightly and shook his head, remaining silent.
In fact, he hadn't figured out what treasure was in these fragments. But with Li Yang's current attitude, it was definitely a great treasure.
The crowd watched as Li Yang picked up a few fragments, examined them, and then put them back. In less than half a minute, he turned and walked off stage. "Thank you, auctioneer. I've seen enough."
"Very well, Mr. Li." The auctioneer smiled. "Mr. Li, do you wish to bid again?"
"This kid will definitely bid again," Feng Bu'er sneered and said to Mr. Huang beside him.
But as soon as he finished speaking, he heard Li Yang laugh, "After taking a look, I feel they're not the type I like, so I won't be bidding. Thank you."
"Very well, Mr. Li." The auctioneer was stunned. Wait, you went on stage so solemnly to examine them, clearly intending to bid, but now you're not bidding?
However, since the guest was not bidding, he could not say anything. He immediately turned to the audience and asked with a smile, "Are there any esteemed guests present who wish to bid further?"
"If not, I will bring down the hammer."
"No more bids? Four million once, twice! The hammer is about to fall! Four million, three times! Sold!"
"Congratulations to Boss Feng on winning the first auction item!"
"This kid isn't bidding anymore?" Feng Bu'er, still in a daze upon hearing the auctioneer, immediately looked at Li Yang.
He saw Li Yang grin at him, revealing a big smile. "Congratulations, Boss Feng, for buying a pile of fragments. From now on, if your porcelain breaks, you won't be short of materials for repairs."
"However, buying these things for four million yuan makes you quite the sucker."
"Hahaha," Master Long laughed heartily. "Boss Feng, congratulations. I wonder what kind of porcelain it is that requires such expensive fragments for repair."
"Pfft!"
Someone in the audience couldn't help but laugh. They had been putting on such a show just to make fun of Feng Bu'er. This Mr. Li and Master Long were too devious!
Feng Bu'er's face turned red with anger. "Mr. Li, you were playing me just now!"