Within moments, Miss Huang, sweating profusely, placed Ren Yuanhao’s collection on the table. Two staff members casually opened the painting boxes and unfurled the paintings within.
But as soon as the paintings were spread out, a stunned silence fell over the entire hall!
Miss Huang, not being a professional appraiser, was already at a disadvantage facing such an awkward situation.
“Miss Huang, I told you not to let that kid mess around. Look how embarrassing this is. Hurry and put the paintings away.”
Li Yi, in his corner, couldn’t really see the painting. However, he could tell what was happening from the expressions of the bidders.
Miss Huang indeed felt her face redden. She bowed slightly to Ren Yuanhao and was about to signal the staff to put the painting away.
But at that moment, an elder over sixty suddenly stood up!
“Hold on!”
Miss Huang seemed prepared to be scolded.
Yet, the next moment, Miss Huang felt she had been redeemed!
“This painting exudes ancient charm, with its delicate brushwork, lively and dynamic strokes. A few simple lines bring it to life as if it were a living thing, leaping onto the paper. I wonder who the collector is and how much they are willing to offer?”
With the elder’s words, it was clear that someone was willing to collect the painting. The price was secondary; at least it alleviated her embarrassment.
Miss Huang pointed to Ren Yuanhao, leaning to the left, and said softly, “It is this young master.”
Ren Yuanhao then stood up, his expression gentle. “I thought no one would appreciate this painting. Fortunately, I’ve met someone with discerning taste. This landscape painting, with its understated brushstrokes, a few lines capturing the scenery of withered vines, old trees, and ravens, a small bridge, flowing water, and homes, is truly marvelous. Upon closer examination, it offers endless delight. I humbly request you, esteemed elder, to name your price.”
Ren Yuanhao had heard that the painting was worth at least twenty million. As long as the price wasn’t outrageously high, he was perfectly willing to sell.
After all, he had only acquired this painting for fifty thousand yuan.
The elder smiled slightly, conferred with the two people beside him, and held up two fingers.
Ren Yuanhao, not wanting to guess, had Miss Huang inquire, “Twenty thousand?”
The elder suddenly burst into laughter, which made Miss Huang even more nervous.
– Could this painting be worth less than twenty thousand? Even a fake would be around that price, right?
Miss Huang gathered her courage and asked again, “Could it only be worth two thousand yuan?”
The elder laughed even more heartily, shaking his head repeatedly. “Young lady, since you had the audacity to recommend this gentleman, why are you afraid to bid higher?”
Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces changed drastically. The elder stroked his beard. Observing this peculiar gesture, everyone suddenly noticed that his little finger was missing!
This discovery caused gasps and exclamations from those present, and even Li Yi’s expression turned grave!
There was a legend in Xiling City about an elder in the antique world, over sixty years old, named Gu Yifeng. With his four fingers, he had examined antiques across the land, never missing a beat. In the martial world, he was known as the ‘Four-Fingered Immortal Hand.’ Anything he authenticated would see its value skyrocket!
And this elder had exactly four fingers. Legend had it that he wore a jade thumb ring on his index finger, a detail that perfectly matched this elder who had stood up and was stroking his beard!
“This is Gu Yifeng! Senior Gu!”
“Ah! The Four-Fingered Immortal Hand!”
“How interesting! I didn’t expect even the Four-Fingered Immortal Hand to be interested in this item. This painting must be worth a fortune!”
“Good thing we stayed until the end!”
“Indeed! We should thank Miss Huang, or rather, thank that fool Li Yi! Look, another masterpiece has surfaced!”
Laughter erupted all around. Li Yi’s face felt as if it were being slapped repeatedly.
However, upon hearing that the elder was the Four-Fingered Immortal Hand, Miss Huang became even more hesitant to guess. The elder then said with a simple chuckle, “If this young friend is willing to part with it, I would be willing to purchase this painting for twenty million yuan.”
His words sent the entire hall into an uproar!
“Holy cow, twenty million!”
“Is this painting really worth that much?”
“If even the Four-Fingered Immortal Hand says so, could it be fake?”
Upon hearing this figure, Miss Huang almost fainted. After all, ten percent of that would be two million yuan, a sum she couldn’t earn in years!
Ren Yuanhao, however, remained calm. This price was very reasonable, at least close to what he had heard. This indicated that the elder had no intention of swindling him; he was a good old man.
“What do you think, young friend?” Gu Yifeng seemed unfazed by the twenty million, projecting an attitude of being open to higher offers.
In short, he wasn’t short on cash.
However, Ren Yuanhao had been trained by the system’s young lady to be like an assassin; any number, no matter how large, was merely a passing cloud to him.
He did not engage in price gouging, nor did he deem it necessary.
“Senior, you are the only one here who truly appreciates it. Your price is also quite generous and close to my expectations. You may take it.”
As soon as he finished speaking, some who had intended to bid higher immediately raised their paddles.
“Brother, how about I take it for twenty-five million?”
“Brother, thirty million!”
“No, no, no, I’ll offer forty million!”
With Gu Yifeng’s opening bid, the painting’s price surged, showing a momentum as if soaring into the heavens. Bids were rising one after another.
But at this moment, Ren Yuanhao suddenly raised his hand, his face still wearing a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry, but thank you for your kind offers. When I sell something, first, I sell it based on affinity, and second, based on destiny. Even if you offer a higher price, you don’t truly understand the painting’s essence. Wouldn’t that be an insult to the artwork?”
Ren Yuanhao bowed to the elder and said with a smile, “Senior, please take the painting.”
“Young man, they are offering seventy million. Aren’t you going to consider it? My old bones aren’t that wealthy, I can’t match that price.”
“Hahaha, it’s fine. If you hadn’t recognized its value, I would have returned empty-handed today.”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll take the painting and immediately resell it for seventy million?” the elder asked, stroking his beard, a rare glint of admiration in his eyes.
“That would be your skill. How could I dare to covet such a thing?”
“Good, young man. To possess such breadth of character, you are surely no ordinary person. Today, I have had the fortune to meet you, and it is the glory of my life.”
The two laughed heartily, which only served to infuriate Li Yi, the foolish idiot, who slunk away like a defeated dog.
After the auction concluded, Ren Yuanhao held the card with twenty million yuan, his expression serene, but his heart filled with joy.
To earn twenty million from fifty thousand – such an opportunity might never come again in his lifetime.
Having received his money, Ren Yuanhao naturally did not forget Miss Huang and immediately transferred funds to her account.
“Miss Huang, have you checked if the funds have arrived? I must thank you again this time.”
Miss Huang’s cheeks flushed. “If there’s anyone to thank, it’s me. How about we go for a drink?”
“Sure.”