Shen Xi and Jian Fan arrived at Meeting Room 3 on the second floor. Not long after they found a good spot and sat down, the auction was about to begin.
The host invited the etiquette ladies to bring out the auction item. It was a blue and white plum vase, about 30 centimeters tall, placed inside a glass display.
Immediately after, a video introduction to the antique appeared on the large screen in front.
Shen Xi stared intently at the pictures on the screen, and suddenly her heart leaped. She felt as if she had seen this plum vase somewhere before.
At this moment, the host paused the video and announced loudly:
"Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this antique auction. This antique is provided by Zheng Jinghe, the CEO of Xinxu Company.
This blue and white double-phoenix patterned plum vase features clear and delicate patterns, is lifelike, and possesses a dignified and grand aura. It has been identified by antique experts as an imperial kiln piece from the Ming Dynasty. The reserve price they have set is 10 million.
Alright, the auction officially begins now, starting at 10 million. Are there any bids?"
At this, someone raised a paddle and shouted, "12 million!"
The host, seeing this, happily announced, "This gentleman bids 12 million. Are there any further bids?"
"15 million," someone called from below.
Immediately after, another person raised a paddle and said, "18 million."
The host exclaimed excitedly, "Excellent. Sir, please lower your paddle, I have seen it. 18 million, is there anyone willing to go higher?"
At this point, Jian Fan looked down at Shen Xi, "Sister Xi, do we need to bid now?"
"Wait, let's not rush," Shen Xi's gaze remained fixed on the people in the front row. "Which one is Zheng Jinghe?"
Jian Fan sat up straighter and pointed to a middle-aged man in a black suit in the center. "That man with the severely thinning hair is him."
Following his pointed direction, Shen Xi's pupils contracted slightly. "We bid 20 million."
Jian Fan immediately raised his paddle and shouted, "20 million!"
As soon as this was said, all eyes turned towards them. What they saw was a young man and woman, who were unfamiliar to them.
Immediately, the hall buzzed with whispers and speculation about their identities.
"Who are these people? I've never seen them in this circle."
"Yes, look at the young woman sitting beside him, she must be with him, right?"
"Mm. Definitely. I saw them whispering to each other just now."
"They're so young, how can they afford so much money?"
"Who knows. But you can't judge a book by its cover. Perhaps they are the young master and lady of some conglomerate company."
Even Zheng Jinghe, seated in the front row, couldn't help but look over at them. Shen Xi met his gaze, and her heart skipped a beat. She had met this person before.
When she was in her teens, for one of her birthdays, he had specially come to her home to attend her birthday banquet and even gifted her a valuable watch.
Although ten years had passed, she had a deep impression of this person because she had worn that watch until she graduated from high school.
"Please be quiet, everyone. This gentleman bids 20 million. Are there any other bids?" The host stood at the front, holding the microphone, and asked loudly.
The hall immediately fell silent. The host swept his gaze around. "20 million, once."
Still, no one spoke. The host called again, "20 million, twice."
The man who had made the first bid raised his paddle again. "22 million."
Upon hearing this, the host became very excited. As he announced "once" on stage, Jian Fan raised his paddle. "25 million."
As soon as that person heard it, before the host could even speak, he immediately raised his paddle. "28 million."
At this point, the hall erupted in gasps. No one expected this blue and white porcelain piece to be bid up to such a high price, nearly three times the starting bid.
Everyone thought this would be the final transaction price for the day.
As the host asked for the third time and no one responded, and was about to bring down the gavel, Shen Xi suddenly took the bidding paddle from Jian Fan, stood up, and said, "30 million."
With another wave of exclamations, all eyes converged on their location.
This woman's identity must be extraordinary. It seemed she was determined to acquire this antique today.
Turning their gaze back to the man who had been competing with them, he lowered his head, conceding defeat.