While Xia Qingtian was still reeling from the words "fake" and the astonishing fact that even a "fake" could be worth two million yuan.
"A fake... can also sell for two million?" Xia Qingtian couldn't help but ask.
"Although it's not the genuine article, the artist who replicated it was a master painter from two hundred years ago. All the pigments were ground from rare minerals, and it was recreated one-to-one, indistinguishable from the real thing."
"But if it's at this level, it's hard to appraise, isn't it..." Xia Qingtian found the antique collecting circle increasingly unfathomable.
Not only did one have to guard against modern fakes, but ancient people also enjoyed such tricks, even going so far as to make the pigments unaffordable for ordinary people.
What was the point of appraisal then?
"Every master artist has their own painting habits. This particular master loved to incorporate his name into his paintings, and sometimes he would even include his beloved wife's name."
Upon hearing this, Xia Qingtian's lips twitched.
When she came back to her senses, the bidding on site had already soared towards three hundred million. The bidding was magnificent, and the atmosphere of the venue was boisterous.
At this moment, Grandpa Fang at Xia Qingtian's table slowly raised his hand, officially pushing the price to three hundred million.
Xia Qingtian looked at Grandpa Fang with shock. She saw his solemn expression and tense posture, appearing extremely serious and determined to acquire it.
Xia Qingtian wanted to speak but hesitated.
The bidding on site paused for only a moment at three hundred million before continuing to climb.
This made Grandpa Fang's expression even more displeased.
"Uncle Fang," Uncle Shao looked at Grandpa Fang with difficulty, also appearing hesitant.
"This 'Thousand Buddha Discourse' has been treasured in my Fang family for over six hundred years. Due to a moment of foolishness by my uncle, it was lost to thieves. This caused my grandfather to die with regrets and became my father's only lingering sorrow. This time, even if I have to stake the entire fortune of the Fang family, I must bring this 'Thousand Buddha Discourse' back to the Fang family!" After saying this, Grandpa Fang raised his hand again. By then, the bidding had already approached five hundred million.
The only remaining competitor bidding against Grandpa Fang was a guest from the third floor.
Listening to Grandpa Fang's words, Xia Qingtian felt even more uneasy.
If the old man were to spend his entire fortune to buy the painting and then discover it was a fake...
Wouldn't he be so angry that he'd spit blood on the spot?
At this moment, a voice reappeared in Xia Qingtian's mind.
"The Chosen One System has been activated.
Option A: Inform Grandpa Fang of the truth, reward: ten million yuan.
Option B: Stand idly by, reward: safe return from this trip to C City."
Well, so if she informed Grandpa Fang, she wouldn't be able to return home safely?
What kind of logic was that?
But seeing Grandpa Fang's agitated state, ready to give everything up, Xia Qingtian truly feared that if this continued, the old man might lose his life, and she would be plagued by guilt for the rest of her life.
Having lived again, she didn't want to live her life so miserably.
"As the 'Chosen One System', you'd better show your capabilities and ensure my safety. Don't let me look down on you," Xia Qingtian muttered inwardly. Then, she reached out and touched Grandpa Fang's arm. "Grandpa Fang, I've heard of the fame of 'Thousand Buddha Discourse' for a long time. There have been many replicas throughout the ages. This one is being bid on at such a high price, and it's not necessarily the genuine one from your family. Perhaps... you should take a closer look?"
Grandpa Fang looked at Xia Qingtian with some surprise, "What are you talking about?"
"Qingtian, you don't know, but the owner of this auction house is the Lei family of C City, the wealthiest family in C City, renowned in the antique world. The Lei family are experts in appraisal themselves. In C City, whether it's the open auction houses or the underground black market auctions, as long as the Lei family's name is attached, it's a guarantee of credibility. Fakes simply do not appear."
Grandpa Fang clearly agreed with these words. Seeing the host about to strike the gavel, he immediately wanted to raise his hand to bid again.
But Xia Qingtian forcefully held his arm, "It's not too late to look closer!"
Why was this old man so stubborn!
"What are you doing?" Grandpa Fang felt Xia Qingtian's actions were truly bizarre and presumptuous, his brow furrowed.
Don't delay him from bringing the heirloom back to the Fang family; this was his only hope in life.
"Uncle Shao, I recall that if there are any doubts during the auction, the bidding can be suspended for a closer inspection. Is that correct?" Xia Qingtian asked Uncle Shao.
"That is correct, but..." Uncle Shao's words were interrupted by Xia Qingtian.
"As long as it's possible, please suspend the bidding." Xia Qingtian immediately raised her hand to call the staff member guarding the door of the private room.
The other party was clearly stunned. After regaining his composure, he made a gesture to the host on stage.
The host was also clearly taken aback. He merely noted the number of the private room and then chuckled dryly, pausing the auction.
After someone ran up to the host to explain, the host returned to the stage, chuckling dryly and said, "The current price is already nearing five hundred million. Our esteemed guest from Box Seven wishes to examine the exhibit up close. It is possible for guests who wish to examine the exhibit up close."
The crowd was equally bewildered by the host's words.
This was a Lei family auction, and who dared to question the Lei family's merchandise with such audacity?
As expected, in the main private room on the third floor, a handsome man in his early twenties raised an eyebrow, a hint of displeasure appearing on his face.
The person next to him also looked as if they wanted to speak but dared not.
"You... you are too impulsive," Uncle Shao said. "This..."
This put them in a predicament, not knowing whether to go down or not.
"Grandpa Fang, after all, it's five hundred million yuan, and it's going to cost your entire fortune. It's not too much to take a closer look, is it?" Xia Qingtian persuaded. "Besides, you might not be able to get it today anyway. Since that's the case, it's fine to take a look."
The latter part of Xia Qingtian's sentence swayed Grandpa Fang. He lowered his eyelids, glanced at Xia Qingtian, and then slowly stood up, saying, "Then I'll accompany you in losing face."
Xia Qingtian just gave a dry chuckle. She wanted to support Grandpa Fang but was evaded by him, only to receive a snort in return.
Xia Qingtian didn't mind, only hoping her conscience would be clear.
As Xia Qingtian and Grandpa Fang proceeded to the exhibition stage, they drew all eyes.
Generally, guests intending to bid would be invited to the stage for a close-up observation when the exhibit was first presented, and the time was limited.
If the bidding was halted temporarily in the middle, it signified doubt about the exhibit.
This was a provocation to the auction and its reputation.
Bai Yuqi, sitting in the private room on the second floor, silently gave Gu Yaoyang a thumbs-up, "This Xia Qingtian truly dares! A warrior! No, no, I heard that Old Man Lei the Third is here today, and this Xia Qingtian is likely to become a martyr. But it's okay, she will always live in my heart."
Gu Yaoyang ignored Bai Yuqi, his gaze following Xia Qingtian, becoming even more intense.