These people dared not mock Tang Qingying, but they were unrestrained towards Chen Fan, sparing no effort in ridiculing him.
Tang Qingying's expression turned somewhat strange.
She didn't know if these young second-generation heirs from Hangzhou had money, but she knew that Chen Fan was truly wealthy.
Xiao Xuan was furious at their mockery but didn't know how to retort.
Chen Fan had taken the lead in the conversation, and with her knowledge and experience, she indeed couldn't compare to these top-tier rich second-generation heirs from prominent families. She was naturally at a disadvantage.
"If you have more money than us, we'll kneel and kowtow to you, calling you grandpa!" the young man with glasses said with a cold sneer.
Chen Fan's expression became a little peculiar.
Even the man's companions showed surprise.
Who talks like that?
Even for a bet, saying that right from the start felt strange.
Chen Fan glanced at the next table and met Yuan Liangping's gaze.
Yuan Liangping sneered, his eyes filled with coldness and disdain.
"If you're just bragging here, then you'll kneel and kowtow to us, calling us grandpa!"
Seeing that Chen Fan hadn't responded, the young man with glasses proudly opened his phone, showed it to someone nearby, and said, "Chen Fan, do you dare to bet?"
Chen Fan shook his head, "I don't have disloyal grandsons like you who recognize grandfathers randomly."
The young man with glasses became furious, having the urge to flip the table.
He was, after all, a young master from a wealthy family, and in Hangzhou, his status was not much inferior to that of young masters like Peng Tianrong. Being insulted by Chen Fan like this made him extremely angry.
Xiao Xuan listened to the conversation, dumbfounded.
Tang Qingying, however, smiled.
The young man with glasses had courted her during the banquet earlier, and she knew his identity: Dai Yunsen, the eldest young master of the Dai family.
The Dai family was one of the nine prominent local families in Hangzhou that Yuan Liangping had announced as his partners.
Dai Yunsen was naturally very wealthy.
But Tang Qingying knew that he was bringing humiliation upon himself.
While she didn't know much about other aspects of Chen Fan's identity, she was aware of his possession of the Purple Thistle Dragon Card.
It was precisely because of the Purple Thistle Dragon Card that she had become curious about Chen Fan's background.
Let alone Dai Yunsen being just the eldest young master of the Dai family; even if the head of the Dai family himself appeared, could he confidently claim to be wealthier than the owner of the Purple Thistle Dragon Card?
At least, in terms of cash flow, the head of the Dai family would not dare to boast like that.
"You can only win with your mouth?"
Dai Yunsen forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart and said, "One sentence, do you dare to bet or not? If you don't dare, then get lost?"
"How do we bet?" Chen Fan glanced at the auction stage and asked casually.
The second and third items had already been auctioned, which were a large Hetian jade carving and a Xuande blue and white porcelain vase from the Ming Dynasty.
Both of these items were very valuable, attracting gasps of admiration and fierce competition.
Their final transaction prices were ten million and twenty-three million, respectively.
At a regular auction, such transaction prices would be eye-catching.
However, at today's auction, they were merely a warm-up.
Seeing Chen Fan agree, a trace of excitement appeared in Dai Yunsen's eyes.
He had just received a message from Yuan Liangping, asking him to find a way to target Chen Fan regarding the auction.
This task made him extremely excited. If he handled it well, his relationship with Yuan Liangping would become closer, and he would be more trusted by Yuan Liangping in the upcoming establishment of the group.
Perhaps the Dai family would gain more benefits... Of course, that was secondary. What was important was that he also had ambitions and aspirations, and Yuan Liangping's methods and goals all made him admire him.
He only feared that Chen Fan would not agree.
"It's simple, this is an auction, whoever wins an item with a higher price wins!"
Feeling triumphant, Dai Yunsen said.
He was confident and fearless, with the Dai family and Yuan Liangping backing him, he dared to bid on the most precious items at the auction.
Within one hundred million, there would be no problem at all.
And the projects he usually participated in were only worth ten to twenty million. Spending a hundred million felt exciting and stimulating just thinking about it.
Tang Qingying couldn't help but smile, looking at Dai Yunsen with sympathy and pity.
This glance made Dai Yunsen feel a bit elated.
Indeed, money is omnipotent; even Miss Tang looked at him differently!
With a smile he considered to be the most elegant, he nodded to Tang Qingying.
At the same time, the ace auctioneer on stage, after a period of introductory remarks to stir up the atmosphere, said,
"Ordinary auction items might not be of great interest to everyone. Now, may we please present our heavyweight item."
"Huang Gongwang's 'Canglan Tu' from the Yuan Dynasty!"
The auctioneer announced with an excited tone.
Two beautiful women in qipaos, with hot figures, carried a long scroll box onto the stage and began to open it.
Below the stage, exclamations and discussions had already erupted, and the atmosphere became heated.
"Is this the 'Canglan Tu' collected by the Lin family?"
"The Lin family is truly generous. This is a national treasure-level ancient painting and calligraphy; it's no exaggeration to call it priceless."
"This painting and calligraphy was valued at one hundred million five years ago. The Lin family had always insisted they would never sell it, but today they brought it out for auction!"
"..."
As the scroll was unfurled, an ancient aura emanated from it. Those at the front tables could see the natural brushstrokes and painting techniques.
On the large screen behind the auction stage, corresponding images were displayed.
Huang Gongwang was a master painter of the late Yuan Dynasty, and every one of his works was extraordinarily valuable and renowned for generations.
This 'Canglan Tu', of immense size, was as valuable as his other equally famous work, 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains'.
'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains' is housed in the National Museum, while this one was in the hands of the Lin family.
After looking at the painting, Chen Fan narrowed his eyes and smiled.
A playful expression appeared on his face.
Indeed, Yuan Liangping had invested heavily; bringing out such a famous heirloom painting for auction must have involved promising the Lin family many benefits.
It seemed Xu Shengqing had also put in considerable effort to support Yuan Liangping.
The fundamental reason why such a famous heirloom painting was put up for auction, Chen Fan understood clearly: Old Master Chen had a fondness for it.
He naturally understood his grandfather's interests and hobbies.
For other antiques, the old man would have some interest, but not to the point of being overly enthusiastic. Only with calligraphy and paintings was he truly engrossed.
As the old man's grandson-in-law, Xu Shengqing naturally had to cater to his preferences. Taking this 'Canglan Tu' back to please the old man could bring about many benefits.
However... Chen Fan looked at Xu Shengqing at the next table, his smile becoming somewhat playful.
"Now, the auction begins. The starting bid is thirty million, with each increment no less than one million!"
The auctioneer announced.
Countless bidding paddles were raised.
"Thirty-one million!"
"Thirty-two million!"
"Thirty-five million!"
"..."
Amidst the rising voices, the auction price soared.
"I bid one hundred million!"
A voice suddenly rang out, immediately increasing the price by thirty million.
The person speaking also stood up. It was none other than Xu Shengqing.
At this, the enthusiasm immediately subsided.
The price of one hundred million was enough to suppress all guests who lacked the financial capability.
Of course, given the scale of today's banquet and auction, there were still many guests who could afford one hundred million.
This was Xu Shengqing's intention in standing up to be seen by everyone.
He was declaring his interest in the 'Canglan Tu', and most people would give him face and not compete with him.
Chen Fan smiled, turned around, grabbed the bidding paddle on the table, and placed it into Xiao Xuan's hand, whispering a sentence.
Xiao Xuan's eyes widened, showing an expression of disbelief.