Previously, the Jadeite Auction House in Jianghai had auctioned a flawed item, Shi Boqiong. That was merely a branch of the Jadeite Auction House, perhaps not of sufficient rank or importance, which led to such an issue. However, this venue, the main hall of the Jadeite Auction House, the stronghold of the establishment, was also auctioning a defective product? Ying Chen cast a sidelong glance at Liao Yifan and his son, his meaning clear: was your Liao family exclusively in this line of business?
"Ahem..." Liao Yifan's father blushed, explaining. "Young sir, you may not know, but although this jade burial suit does indeed have some imperfections, they are not man-made. After expert appraisal, it was unanimously determined that the flaws on this jade burial suit were naturally formed. Because of this, the jade burial suit has become extremely distinctive, possessing a natural, uncanny beauty."
"If you don't believe me, look. This is the display album for the jade burial suit. All details were captured with an original camera, absolutely no post-production. Look at this charm, look at this beauty of yin and yang incompleteness, it's absolutely the icing on the cake!" Liao Yifan's father picked up a display album, opened it, and handed it to Ying Chen.
Indeed, the album displayed the entire jade burial suit clearly, including the "flaws" Ying Chen had discovered. In fact, most of the flaws originated from the jade pieces on the suit. The jade pieces looked as if they had been subjected to violent impact or weathered and cracked, with numerous fissures appearing on them. These cracks were not just one or two, but dozens, even hundreds. At a glance, it significantly impacted the overall appearance of the suit. As for the charm and beauty of incompleteness that Liao Yifan's father spoke of, it was a forced rationalization. In any case, Ying Chen couldn't discern the slightest bit of "beauty." Instead, these cracks exuded a strange aura, as if they were deliberately drawn by someone with a peculiar taste.
"Drawn?" Ying Chen suddenly paused. He thought of a possibility! He then quickly flipped through the display album, examining every detail of the jade burial suit. Finally, his gaze settled on the head of the suit. There, the cracks converged at a junction. After intertwining, the cracks formed a small blank area. At first glance, it resembled an eye! "This is... the dotting of the eye!" Ying Chen's eyes flickered several times before he finally confirmed something! He then closed the display album and tossed it back to Liao Yifan's father.
"You're selling me a defective product like this for three billion, aren't you taking me for a fool?" Liao Yifan's father's face immediately became awkward. Indeed, in their estimation, the final auction price for this jade burial suit might only reach two to two and a half billion. Reaching three billion would be difficult. This was also one of the reasons why Liao Yifan's father was willing to use this item to settle the debt. If the jade burial suit could easily fetch three billion, then Liao Yifan's father would have simply paid Ying Chen with the auction proceeds, and even had some left over. Why go through this unnecessary trouble?
Having been seen through by Ying Chen, Liao Yifan's father was thinking about how to explain. Unexpectedly, Ying Chen waved his hand, "Forget it, I can't be bothered to argue with you. People like you are like toads crawling on one's feet, they don't bite but they're disgusting. If I lose a little and can get rid of you, so you don't continue to disgust me, it's worth it."
"..." Hearing Ying Chen's analogy, a flicker of indignation flashed in Liao Yifan's father's eyes. However, it quickly disappeared, replaced by a smiling face. "Young sir is benevolent, thank you, young sir!" "Then I won't disturb your viewing of the auction. Call me anytime if you need anything." Liao Yifan's father said, bowed, and returned to his seat.
At this moment, the host had just finished introducing the value of the jade burial suit and had begun the first round of bidding. Originally, everyone thought the price in the first round would not be too high, and people would test the waters first. Unexpectedly, someone immediately bid, "Two billion!" This was directly the publicly recognized highest price for the jade burial suit! The reason for this recognized price was that a wealthy individual had once commissioned a forgery that was indistinguishable from the real thing. Ultimately, that forgery was mistaken for the genuine article and appraised at a sky-high price of two billion. Although the wealthy individual later clarified the truth, the appraisal value of two billion for a jade burial suit was etched in everyone's minds. Who would have thought that the first bidder would give no room for others to haggle and immediately bid two billion! This directly extinguished the hopes of those who wanted to pick up a bargain!
"Huo Sheng is making a grand gesture!" "I thought it was someone else, but it's Huo Sheng! Then this price is understandable." "The Huo family is considered a prominent family in Hong Kong, and two billion is not a large sum for the Huo family. Coming in with the price maxed out, saving everyone the time for haggling, can only be said that Huo Sheng has boldness!" This bidder was the head of the prominent Huo family in Hong Kong. After bidding two billion, Huo Sheng stood up and cupped his hands in a bow.
"There are no superiors or inferiors in business, anyone who wants this item, feel free to bid, do not hesitate to show me respect." "Similarly, I, Huo Sheng, am determined to obtain this item and will not show any respect to your faces." "I apologize in advance. After the auction, we'll settle our grievances over a drink!" Huo Sheng's words were eloquent, not only resolving potential animosity but also informing everyone of his determination to acquire the item. Now, if people wanted to bid for this item, they would have to reconsider.
For a moment, the entire venue fell silent. No one made a second bid. Only the host's coaxing and enticing voice echoed: "Two billion, for just two billion, you can acquire this jade burial suit!" "This is the first jade burial suit that can be privately collected! Miss this chance and there will be no other!" "Two billion for the first time, two billion for the second time..." Just as the host was about to call out "Two billion for the third time," an old man slowly raised his right hand.
"Twenty-five billion."
Whoosh!
The entire venue erupted in shock! An increase of five hundred million at once! Far exceeding the highest market appraisal of the jade burial suit! Was this person crazy? With such curiosity, everyone looked at the bidding old man. The next second, their mouths dropped open. The old man was none other than Li Fengcheng! This legendary tycoon and financial magnate of Hong Kong! From the first year he became the richest man in Hong Kong, that position never changed hands, and he firmly held it. In recent years, his influence had permeated every corner of Hong Kong, and calling him the "King of Hong Kong" would not be an exaggeration! He had unexpectedly come to the auction venue and was sitting discreetly in the middle of the crowd. If his bid had not been so eye-catching, many people might not have noticed his presence!
"Twenty... five billion!" "The latest bid is twenty-five billion!" Even the host was startled by Li Fengcheng's bid, stammered a bit, and then shouted excitedly. The host's shout was also directed very clearly: towards Huo Sheng. It was clearly asking Huo Sheng: Li Sheng has bid, are you not going to bid? Everyone else in the venue also looked at Huo Sheng in unison, their expressions excited. Two giants of Hong Kong both set their sights on the same item, this was clearly going to be a fierce battle!