The tiara was soon presented to Huang He.
"Here you go!" Huang He handed the tiara back to Vivian.
"Thank you!" Vivian looked at Huang He gratefully. While $20,000 wasn't a significant amount to Vivian, she felt she shouldn't buy back her own item. Thus, Huang He's willingness to step in and purchase it for her touched her.
"Can you help me put it on?" Vivian whispered. Huang He nodded and personally placed the tiara on Vivian's head. It was the first time Huang He had seen Vivian wearing a princess tiara.
He had to admit, the princess tiara designed by Westerners was quite beautiful. Wearing it instantly gave her an air of royalty. Of course, compared to traditional Chinese headwear, this tiara still fell short.
As Huang He fastened the tiara on Vivian, a round of applause erupted around them. Vivian turned to see many people looking at her with admiring smiles. She suddenly felt a bit flustered.
Huang He, however, remained unfazed.
Soon, a few bold reporters sidled over, thrusting microphones towards Huang He and asking why he was willing to pay such a high price for the tiara.
"I hope to never see the tragedy of newborn birds dying cruelly on French soil again. This is something everyone with a kind heart should do!" Huang He said with a deeply pained expression, earning a flurry of camera flashes from the reporters.
After more than a dozen rounds of shooting and bidding, it was time for the final item of the charity auction – the item presented by the First Lady.
It was a book, entirely handwritten. It was the first volume of the Bible, reportedly copied by the First Lady herself, filled with devout prayers to God.
"How much do you think it will sell for?" Huang He asked curiously, its value being even more perplexing.
One might say it's valuable, but it's just a handwritten copy. On the other hand, it was written by the First Lady.
"Around $100,000, I'd say!" Vivian stated confidently.
"Why?"
"Because that's generally the amount at the end," Vivian explained. "There are precedents for these things. The previous items raised about $200,000, so if the First Lady's item goes for $100,000, it would bring the total charity funds to around $300,000."
"This amount is just right; it won't strain people's finances while still allowing them to express their goodwill. Any more would be excessive. People aren't fools; they won't donate that much money just for a few birds. It's good to know when to stop!" Vivian chuckled. "Actually, whoever bids $100,000 is likely pre-arranged, to avoid any awkwardness. Everyone just needs to play their part in this occasion."
"Oh!" Huang He nodded. Indeed, the auction proceeded as expected, with the bidding price slowly and orderly escalating. Everyone had their chance to bid, making it seem as though they were all enthusiastic about charity, and the First Lady's handwritten Bible was very valuable.
The price indeed settled around $100,000 and stopped moving. It was ready to be struck down.
"102,000 dollars for the third time..." The auctioneer's voice faltered again. After a moment, he said with a slightly trembling voice, "1 million dollars! Mr. Number 58 bids 1 million dollars. Are there any other bids?"
"Whoosh!" A ripple of shock went through the entire venue, even startling the President and his wife in the front row, who looked at the Easterner, Huang He, with surprise. Huang He smiled slightly and bowed.
"1 million dollars! Sold!" The auctioneer brought down the hammer forcefully.
"Clap, clap, clap!" Vivian was the first to stand and applaud, and soon everyone in the room reacted, whether indifferently or with excitement, applauding Huang He.
At this point, not applauding would be considered unkind; who would dare?
Naturally, reporters and media outlets were also swarming Huang He, with over a dozen reporters breaking through security lines to interview him.
"This is for those poor little chicks. The thought that they were born and hadn't even opened their eyes to see the world before dying due to our destruction of this world fills me with immense grief and sorrow!"
"I don't know what else I can do. Fortunately, Madam's event is taking place. Her greatness and devotion to God deeply move me. This $1 million is really not much. If it can save even one chick, allowing it to grow up safely in this city, it would be worth it!" Huang He exclaimed, once again earning warm applause from the audience. It seemed the front-page headlines for tomorrow were secured.
"Mr. Huang, the President and Madam wish to see you. They want to personally thank you for your generosity!" A butler-like figure informed him. Huang He nodded, took his leave from the reporters, and, led by the butler, met the two important figures with Vivian.
"Mr. Huang, thank you very much for your support of charity!" the President said with a smile, while also curiously observing Huang He. It was the first time he had met such a generous Easterner.
He wasn't unfamiliar with wealthy Easterners, such as those from Hong Kong, who had visited France many times and with whom he had negotiated. However, the wealthier they were, the more stingy they seemed, haggling over every penny. Someone like Huang He, who could casually offer $1 million in one go, was unprecedented.
In fact, even in Europe, he had only encountered two or three such generous individuals in his life. After all, capitalists' money didn't grow on trees; who would genuinely donate $1 million for a few measly birds unless they had ulterior motives?
Therefore, he had called Huang He over, very interested in understanding Huang He's purpose for spending $1 million.
He continued, "Mr. Huang, do you have any difficulties? France would be very happy to assist someone like you who is passionate about charity!"
"There's no major issue, really. I just heard the story of these chicks and felt very touched. I wish to do more for these birds. For example, creating a resting place for birds in the densely packed steel cities." Huang He smiled.
"That is a truly great plan!" the Madam said with a smile. "It seems Mr. Huang intends to purchase land for this project!"
Everyone present was not foolish; no one truly believed Huang He wanted to build habitats for birds. However, building habitats for birds naturally required land, making the purchase of land in Paris a natural course of action.
Clearly, Huang He's true intention was to buy land and engage in real estate development.
He used the $1 million donation as a pretext to meet them, hoping for official support. These capitalists all operated with similar strategies and familiar routines; the two wise elders had seen through it all.
"Yes, so I wish to purchase the Tuileries Garden!" Huang He declared.
"Pfft!" Even the Madam, who had witnessed countless scenarios and events, nearly spat out her champagne. The President was also stunned, and it took him a good few seconds to say, "Mr. Huang, did I hear you correctly? What do you wish to purchase?"
"I wish to purchase the Tuileries Garden!" Huang He repeated. "I've been there. It's a vast expanse of flowerbeds currently, very large, and located in the city center. So, I thought if we transplant some towering trees in the middle of the flowerbeds, it would certainly become a good place for birds to live and thrive."
"..." The President and the First Lady fell silent. They looked at Huang He, instinctively feeling that the young man was talking nonsense. But given their status, who would dare to talk nonsense in front of them like this?
Could this fellow be serious?
But which shrewd capitalist would dare to purchase the Tuileries Garden? That would be a genuine act of charity!
"After this event concludes, Mr. Huang can come to my office to discuss it further," the President said. Huang He nodded. Several minutes later, Huang He began to formally discuss the purchase of the Tuileries Garden with the President.
"Huang, I need to confirm again, do you truly have the intention to purchase the Tuileries Garden?" the President asked.
"Indeed! I have a strong intention!" Huang He replied.
"Then you should be aware of the protection requirements imposed by our cultural heritage preservation units. Even if you buy it, you will be subject to extremely high restrictions. Furthermore, you must invest substantial funds annually for its maintenance and upkeep, otherwise, we reserve the right to reclaim the garden at any time and impose fines on you!"
"Yes, I have reviewed the specific details. Although some of the clauses are excessively stringent and exaggerated, I believe I can accept them!" Huang He said with a smile.
"Phew, that's excellent!" A smile spread across the President's face. The Tuileries Garden had always been a significant financial burden.
Unlike the Louvre or the Arc de Triomphe, it wasn't a world-renowned tourist attraction with high popularity and immense economic benefits.
Foreign tourists rarely knew of this garden in France, and even locals in Paris did not. The total number of visitors in a year was less than tens of thousands, with virtually no economic returns.
However, the Tuileries Garden held a rather significant historical and cultural status in France, having once been a royal palace. It required comprehensive and proper maintenance, with the government allocating millions of euros annually for its upkeep, making it an extremely substantial financial burden.
The government had been trying to shed this burden through various means but had failed.
If Huang He could indeed purchase the Tuileries Garden and strictly adhere to the relevant cultural heritage preservation clauses, France would gain several million euros in annual fiscal revenue, allowing for many more initiatives.
Moreover, the purchase of the Tuileries Garden itself represented a substantial revenue stream. This year's French fiscal report could even directly offset its deficit due to this, marking a significant achievement.
With this thought, the President's smile widened. This young man from China seemed increasingly endearing.