"Time Music King" had the producers familiarize themselves with the local situation a couple of days prior.
For Su Yu, there wasn't much to get familiar with in South Africa.
After learning the location of this competition, he had already looked it up online.
Therefore, instead of learning about South Africa, he had more important things to do. Today was Master Charlie's auction, and he intended to acquire the diamond featured in this auction.
Just as he exited the hotel.
Su Yu saw Sean and his group drinking coffee in the lobby.
Everyone also noticed his arrival.
The group, who had been chatting and laughing, suddenly fell silent.
All eyes turned to Su Yu, their expressions complex.
Apart from Sean and Jin Chenghyun, everyone else was a defeated opponent of his, and they all shared a common trait: they were full of confidence before the competition, and utterly convinced after it.
"Huh, weren't Luosuo Fu and the others isolated?" Su Yu thought with a hint of confusion.
Normally, they would split into two factions: those who lost to him would be together, and Sean and Jin Chenghyun would be together. Today, they were all sitting together, chatting and laughing.
"Tingyu, would you like to come over for a cup of coffee?" Luosuo Fu stood up and beckoned Su Yu over.
Among the producers, only Luosuo Fu, the first to lose to Su Yu, wasn't overly hostile towards him. Previously, when Luosuo Fu was being ostracized, he had sat next to Su Yu and they had chatted. The others had all wanted to compete with Su Yu, and after losing, they naturally held some resentment.
"No, I have something to do." Su Yu glanced at the time. Mori-ta Yui should be arriving soon.
Master Charlie's auction wasn't something just anyone could attend. Even with Su Yu's current status, without connections to the organizers, he wouldn't be able to get in. Yesterday, while in the car, Mori-ta Yui heard Su Yu wanted to attend the auction and offered to bring him. Su Yu naturally didn't refuse, otherwise, he would have had to call Lin Zhaoyang to ask for help.
As Japan's largest entertainment company, Niwei Entertainment could easily secure a spot at the auction.
"Since you have something to do, then go ahead. But aren't you usually the most idle?" Luosuo Fu made a joke and didn't insist.
Su Yu smiled and nodded, offering no explanation, and walked out of the hotel.
After he left.
Everyone felt the invisible pressure suddenly disappear.
However, no one spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
"Luosuo Fu, why did you call Tingyu over!" Sean said irritably.
How could they chat happily with Tingyu here?
"Uh... I just thought everyone was a contestant, and we could all go to the auction to broaden our horizons," Luosuo Fu scratched his head.
"I never said I was going to bring him," Jin Chenghyun said, putting down his coffee cup with a smile.
His words made Luosuo Fu a bit awkward, but he didn't say much more.
Everyone lowered their heads and sipped their coffee, falling back into silence.
This auction by Charlie was very popular in South Africa, and many wealthy individuals from around the world had specifically come to attend.
Although the producers were all considered wealthy, they were still a bit short of reaching this level.
However, Jin Chenghyun was different from them. Jin Chenghyun came from Korea's top conglomerate, so he could naturally obtain an invitation to the auction.
After hearing the news, the producers naturally wanted to see the "Meteorite," the diamond described as the most beautiful on Planet Blue, and broaden their horizons.
Fulfilling their request satisfied Jin Chenghyun's desire to show off, and he was naturally happy to bring them along.
Of course, this was limited to these people. Tingyu was his opponent on this trip to South Africa, and he certainly wouldn't bring him.
"It's getting late, let's head to the auction. Although we have private boxes, I'm afraid the good items will be bought by others if we delay," Jin Chenghyun glanced at the time and then stood up.
"Ah?" Luosuo Fu exclaimed, "You want to buy that Meteorite?"
Whoosh!
Everyone's gaze turned to Jin Chenghyun.
The latter's face was covered in black lines, "I'm not getting married, why would I buy a diamond!"
The estimated price of the "Meteorite" was one hundred million US dollars, and it would surely fetch even more at auction. Even if Jin Chenghyun could afford it, he wouldn't dare to buy it. Not only was his brother Jin Geoseok in charge of Times Entertainment, but he also lacked the nerve to spend so much money on a diamond. Only a top-tier global magnate could purchase this diamond without hesitation.
Luosuo Fu quickly shut up after being retorted by Jin Chenghyun.
Seeing this, the others stifled their laughter.
"Are you guys going or not? If not, you're wasting my time!" Jin Chenghyun said, and without waiting for anyone, he headed out of the hotel.
Seeing this, the others quickly followed.
Of course, they had to go. Being able to attend such an auction was also an eye-opening experience.
...
As the top diamond master on Planet Blue, Charlie's most proud work auction naturally attracted much attention.
To build hype, the studio even live-streamed the entire event on YouTube.
Netizens naturally paid close attention to this top-tier auction attended by magnates.
Furthermore, everyone was curious about who would win the "Meteorite" and what astronomical price it would fetch.
The auction was held at South Africa's largest auction house.
However, due to the entry threshold, the number of attendees was not large, making it seem somewhat sparse.
The entire auction wasn't just for the "Meteorite" diamond; it also featured other works from Charlie's studio, which were the main focus of the event.
As for the diamond described as the most beautiful on Planet Blue, it was the grand finale of the auction.
The first-floor hall was filled with elegantly dressed attendees. A large portion were merchants there to stock up. While not personally created by Charlie, the works from Charlie's studio were still the most sought-after luxury goods on the market, and acquiring them to resell would undoubtedly yield substantial profits.
Of course, in addition to merchants, there were also many private buyers who came to the auction to purchase one or two pieces they fancied for their collection, which they could then wear to display their status at important events.
The second floor featured private boxes, designated for those with both wealth and status. Su Yu and Mori-ta Yui were in one such box.
"Su Yu, are you planning to buy jewelry for Miss Lin?" Mori-ta Yui asked.
"Something like that," Su Yu said, sipping his coffee and looking at the auction stage, which was about to begin.
"There are few men as thoughtful as you. The works from Mr. Charlie's studio are sure to drive any girl crazy," Mori-ta Yui said with a hint of envy.
Every industry had its top figures, and Charlie was the pinnacle in the diamond and jewelry industry. Girls had almost zero resistance to diamonds and jewelry.
"What do you want to buy?" Mori-ta Yui asked curiously. "A pendant or a bracelet?"
Su Yu shook his head, "Neither."
"A diamond ring?" Mori-ta Yui seemed to have guessed something and continued to ask.
This auction did feature several diamond rings, and they were quite famous.
However, the thought of Su Yu buying a diamond ring for Lin Yanyu made her feel even more bitter.
"No," Su Yu shook his head again.
Mori-ta Yui was completely bewildered, "Then what is it?"
"A diamond," Su Yu said with a smile.
Mori-ta Yui was stunned for a moment, then her eyes widened, and she looked at Su Yu with disbelief.
Throughout the auction, there were plenty of pendants, bracelets, and diamond rings, but the only item for sale as a standalone diamond was the "Meteorite"!
...
ps: I know many authors write auction scenes, but don't say I'm using a cliché to pad the word count. This diamond has a significant role later on, serving as the most crucial point in the entire story.