The host simply explained to everyone: "It's like this, our club has temporarily received two precious auction items. The employer requested they be auctioned immediately and paid a hefty fee, so we had to bring these two items out first. But rest assured, both these items are extremely valuable."
However, this announcement naturally sparked dissatisfaction.
"Why should it be like this?"
"Doesn't your club have rules? Can people just cut in line?"
"Exactly, doesn't everyone have something they want and have waited so long? Why do you get to change things just like that?"
More and more voices of discontent rose.
The host remained calm. Having hosted so many events, he was accustomed to all sorts of difficulties and challenges and was not afraid: "Please, everyone, calm down. You should all know that we have a rule here: auctions proceed in order. But this order is not unbreakable. As long as you offer enough money, you can have us adjust the sequence for you. If anyone feels impatient and wants to get their desired item quickly, you can also pay a high price to adjust the order."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Although they were all wealthy and noble, they came to auctions with budgets in mind. After all, the items here were basically priceless, and no one could afford to spend their entire fortune at an auction.
But to pay to disrupt the order would inevitably exceed their budgets.
This seemed like a bad deal no matter how you looked at it.
The host waited patiently for a moment. Seeing that no one spoke, he smiled and said, "The auction continues."
This time, no one raised any further objections.
Shen Qingqing tapped her fair fingertips on the windowsill. "Who is the owner of this building?"
Colin shook his head. "I don't know."
By the time he learned about the auction, he had already had people investigate, but they found nothing. The owner of the building was extremely mysterious and had never appeared. All they knew was that the building had existed for a very, very long time.
The auctions here were different from other places; they had their own system, and all the rules were set by them. No one could change them.
Yet, despite such outrageous rules, no one questioned them.
This in itself was a rather absurd situation.
Shen Qingqing looked at Fu Jingshu, her eyes conveying her confusion.
Fu Jingshu squeezed her fingertips. "I'm not sure. I haven't investigated."
Before this, he had never frequented such places and was not interested in these auction items. Even if he needed something from above, he would have Lin Mo bid for it.
He would never come in person.
The next auction item was presented.
Shen Qingqing had no choice but to turn her attention to it. This item was a painting by a famous author, extremely precious, and unique in the world, as the author had already passed away.
Legend had it that a treasure was hidden within this painting, but no one knew if it was true.
Colin spoke of this matter with a sigh: "This painting has been missing for so many years, and now it suddenly appears. It's likely to stir up another storm."
After all, as soon as it was revealed, many people had vied for this painting.
Shen Qingqing glanced at him. "Do you really believe in that so-called treasure?"
Colin gave a dry laugh. "I don't know if it's true or not. The legends all say so. I think there must be some basis for it, right?"
Shen Qingqing let out a scoff.
Colin thought he had said something wrong. "Do you know the truth of this matter?"
Shen Qingqing rested one hand on the windowpane, her eyes darting towards Fu Jingshu. "Jingshu, do you know what's going on?"
Fu Jingshu shook his head.
Shen Qingqing's lips curved into a slight smile. "Liar."
How could he possibly not know?
Fu Jingshu lowered his gaze slightly, his eyes resting on the small hand in his palm. The soft and smooth sensation made him reluctant to let go.
"You know?"
"Of course, I do."
Shen Qingqing felt his slightly rough palm and gently scratched it with her fingertip.
Fu Jingshu's eyes darkened. The sensation was like a feather lightly brushing against his heart, leaving a ticklish itch. He gripped her hand tightly, pulling her into his embrace.
He lowered his head slightly, his lips approaching hers, as if threatening, as if coaxing.
"Speak."
When his wife told stories, her face was always flushed, and her eyes sparkled. The sight was so delightful that he could never tear his gaze away.
Shen Qingqing finally stopped playing coy.
"Actually, there is no treasure in this painting. It was originally just an old man who couldn't get what he loved, trying to express all his affection and regrets through this painting."
"Mr. Shen, do you know this author?"
Colin, sensitive to the anomaly, asked.
Shen Qingqing looked at the painting below, which had already begun to receive bids. She directly pressed the button, offering a price of five million, and said slowly:
"This old man wasn't special. He was just an ordinary old man, someone who loved to paint and lost his beloved due to his impulsive recklessness in his youth."
She was
She didn't want it.
But she never expected this painting to resurface.
Colin asked in confusion, "Mr. Shen, why are you bidding? This isn't what you wanted..."
Fu Jingshu glanced at him.
Colin inexplicably felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively closed his mouth.
Shen Qingqing didn't answer. Instead, she looked at the opposite window, which had been closed, obscuring the view inside. However, the bell on the windowsill swayed.
According to the auction house rules, if no bid is placed, the price defaults to an increase of one million.
"Six million," the host's voice boomed through the microphone to every corner of the venue.
Shen Qingqing pressed the button.
The host's voice became more cheerful. "Seven million."
The opposite side raised the bid again.
Shen Qingqing refused to be outdone.
The opposite window opened, revealing Ning Xin's exquisite face. She glanced at Shen Qingqing, smiled faintly, and raised her hand to press the button on her table.
"Eight million!"
"Nine million!"
"...Ten million!"
The silent competition between the two women caused everyone to unconsciously hold their breath.
It wasn't just because these two women were beautiful, but also because they were seated in the third-floor VIP boxes. Those seated in the third-floor boxes were all wealthy and influential, their status different from the rest.
They had no right to be in the third floor.
Shen Qingqing continued to press the button, and Ning Xin did not back down. Four more bell rings followed.
The price soared to fourteen million!
Throughout the entire venue, only Shen Qingqing and Ning Xin were competing against each other. Everyone else remained silent, even adopting a relaxed, almost theatrical demeanor, as if watching a show.
Watching two stunningly beautiful women bid against each other was, surprisingly, quite a sight.
When the price climbed to twenty million, Shen Qingqing placed her hand on the button, a look of struggle appearing on her face as she fixed her gaze on the painting.
She seemed to be weighing her options, or perhaps showing reluctance.