Ouyang Mu's expression turned serious as he looked at Chen Mo, "I didn't expect you to know Ouyang Fuhua."
Seeing Ouyang Mu's reaction, Chen Mo immediately understood that this Ouyang Mu was definitely related to the Ouyang family.
"Wan'er, tell your father what happened. Your father will definitely get justice for you," the middle-aged man asked again.
Lin Wan'er looked at Chen Mo with a complicated expression, her lips parting several times before she swallowed her words back.
"Dad, it's nothing. It's just a misunderstanding between him and me." To protect her reputation, Lin Wan'er ultimately did not reveal the truth.
"Is it really a misunderstanding?" the middle-aged man asked doubtfully.
"Oh, Dad, stop asking." Lin Wan'er glared at Chen Mo angrily and then ran towards the private room she had come from.
"Young Master Ouyang, Uncle Lin will take his leave first," the middle-aged man said, cupping his hands towards Ouyang Mu.
"Uncle Lin, it's alright. Taking care of Wan'er is important," Ouyang Mu quickly responded, cupping his hands.
The middle-aged man said no more and walked in the direction of Lin Wan'er.
As for Ouyang Mu, he cast a playful glance at Chen Mo before also heading towards a private room.
"Director Chen, let's go back and sit. Judging by the time, the auction is about to begin," Xu Chengping said, breathing a sigh of relief as he saw them leave.
Seeing Chen Mo and Xu Chengping about to leave, Zheng Chen sneered, "Kid, next time, make sure you know your place. Not every seat is yours to sit in."
Just as Chen Mo was about to retort, Xu Chengping pulled him away quickly.
"Boss Xu, why are you running?" Chen Mo asked Xu Chengping, confused.
Xu Chengping pulled Chen Mo to sit on a chair before replying, "Director Chen, Zheng Chen's family is also very wealthy, ranking among the top five business families in Dingyang City. They are not someone I can afford to offend."
"Dingyang City? Isn't that in Longhua? Would people from Dingyang City come here for an auction?" Chen Mo asked.
Xu Chengping explained, "This is the western suburbs, very close to Dingyang City. But Longhua is the provincial capital, so the auction was held here in the western suburbs."
Chen Mo suddenly understood.
He also understood what Xu Chengping meant – he didn't want him to cause trouble, as any important figure here was not someone Xu Chengping could afford to offend.
At this moment, in private room No. 02, Ouyang Mu pushed the door open and walked in.
"Mu'er, why are you so late?" Inside the room, another middle-aged man asked in a deep voice.
"Second Uncle, I encountered something outside just now," Ouyang Mu replied.
The middle-aged man was Ouyang Zongchen. He nodded slightly but didn't ask further, instead gesturing for Ouyang Mu to sit down.
Meanwhile, the auction outside officially began.
First, a host took the stage to give a speech and then invited the auctioneer.
After the auctioneer introduced himself, the auction officially commenced.
The first item was carefully brought up by staff. It was a Ming Jiajing polychrome enameled cloud dragon floral motif lidded pot with a carrying handle. The starting bid was one million, with increments of no less than ten thousand.
As bidding for the first item began, the venue immediately became lively.
People raised their paddles to bid, and in an instant, the price had soared to 1.8 million!
Chen Mo was not interested in such antiques and calligraphy. He quietly asked Xu Chengping beside him, "Boss Xu, if I want to bid higher, do I just raise my paddle?"
"Yes, raising your paddle once means adding ten thousand."
"What if I want to bid more?" Chen Mo asked.
"Then you just state a number," Xu Chengping explained.
"Two million three hundred thousand once, two million three hundred thousand twice!"
"Two million three hundred thousand thrice."
"Bang!"
"Sold!"
At this moment, the auctioneer's voice rang out from the stage.
Seeing this bid, Chen Mo gained a basic understanding of auctions.
"Congratulations, President Zheng, for winning the first item," the auctioneer said to a man on the side of the first row.
Zheng Chen stood up, waved to the people behind him, a smile on his face.
However, when he saw Chen Mo, a hint of mockery appeared on his face.
Chen Mo noticed the other person's gaze and frowned slightly.
At this moment, Zheng Chen suddenly spoke, "Everyone, when attending an auction, you must know your own capabilities. Not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can raise their paddle to bid here."
And as Zheng Chen spoke, his gaze was fixed in Chen Mo's direction.
At this time, the second item was brought up.
It was a Ming dynasty celadon glazed relief carved white dragon motif bowl with a fluted rim. In the center of the bowl, a lifelike white dragon was carved.
Even Chen Mo, who wasn't interested in antiques and calligraphy, found the craftsmanship of the bowl to be exquisite.
Soon, the bidding began. The starting price for this bowl was still one million, with increments of no less than ten thousand.
The price soared, and only when it reached two million did the speed of the increase slow down a bit.
"Two million two hundred thousand," Zheng Chen suddenly bid again.
The venue immediately fell silent.
Zheng Chen's lips curved upwards, his expression one of determination.
Sensing that no one else was bidding, Zheng Chen even began to stand up in anticipation of his victory.
"Two million five hundred thousand."
However, just as Zheng Chen stood up, a leisurely voice came from behind.
Everyone was stunned.
Their gazes followed the figure.
In the seating area behind, a young man raised his paddle.
Hearing the bid, Zheng Chen's expression changed, especially when he saw who was bidding. A hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.
Because the one bidding was Chen Mo!
"Director Chen, weren't you here to buy ginseng? Why are you buying this? Do you happen to have expertise in antiques?" Xu Chengping asked, aghast.
This was 2.5 million, no small sum!
"Just buying it for fun. Don't worry, I'm not short on money," Chen Mo replied with a casual smile.
Most importantly, Chen Mo couldn't stand the arrogance of that brat Zheng Chen.
"Two million seven hundred thousand!"
Zheng Chen bid again, increasing the price by another two hundred thousand.
Chen Mo frowned slightly.
Seeing Chen Mo's expression, Zheng Chen, standing in the first row, sneered, "Kid, if you don't have the means, don't bid. Go home and wash up early."
"Three million."
Before Zheng Chen could finish speaking, Chen Mo suddenly bid again.
Zheng Chen's face turned grim, "Three million one hundred thousand!"
Hearing Zheng Chen's bid, everyone was startled.
Because they all knew that the highest value of this Ming celadon glazed relief carved white dragon motif bowl was only three million. Any higher, and it would be a loss.
"Three million two hundred thousand," Chen Mo continued to bid, his expression calm and collected.
Zheng Chen said coldly, "Three million three hundred thousand!"
"Three million four hundred thousand," Chen Mo bid.
"Three million five hundred thousand!" Zheng Chen bid.
For a moment, only Chen Mo and Zheng Chen were left bidding.
This scene also attracted the attention of many people in the private rooms. Lin Wan'er, in particular, felt a strange sense of satisfaction seeing the two of them continuously bidding.
She secretly cursed Chen Mo, hoping he would lose even more money!
"Thirty-six million." Chen Mo continued to bid.
"Thirty-seven million!" Zheng Chen immediately followed suit and raised his paddle.
However, the moment Zheng Chen raised his paddle, his eyes widened abruptly! He realized something was wrong!