The auctioneer shouted loudly on stage:
"Thirty million for the first time."
"Thirty million for the second time."
"Thirty million for the third time."
Still, no one bid further. With a crisp sound of the gavel, the auctioneer smiled and looked at Shen Xi, saying loudly, "Sold! Congratulations to this lady for successfully bidding for this Ming Dynasty blue and white double phoenix plum vase."
Immediately, Shen Xi was invited onto the stage and signed the confirmation agreement on the spot.
After the auction, Shen Xi and Zheng Jinghe were led by staff to a private room to complete the transfer procedures.
Walking on the road, Jian Fan whispered, "Sister Xi, aren't we taking too big a risk by doing this?"
"It's fine. I have my ways," Shen Xi replied dismissively, looking straight ahead.
Pushing open the door of the room, Zheng Jinghe very politely ushered Shen Xi and Jian Fan inside, and they exchanged pleasantries. Five minutes later, a young manager from the auction company, dressed in a suit and tie, walked in with a smile.
"I apologize for keeping you two waiting," he said, appearing to be around 30 years old, and introduced himself, "My surname is He, and I am the person in charge of this auction item."
Shen Xi's sunglasses remained on. She sat upright on the sofa, her hands clasped on her lap, and said calmly, "Manager He, may I see the blue and white porcelain again?"
"This..." Manager He seemed a bit troubled, unsure of her intentions.
Could she be planning to back out?
Logically, after signing the confirmation letter on the spot, the buyer is not allowed to see the auction item again before the transfer procedures are completed. This rule is in place to prevent buyers from changing their minds at the last minute.
Seeing Manager He hesitate, Shen Xi turned her head to Zheng Jinghe with a genial expression. "Mr. Zheng, I am an international investor, and I registered for this auction rather late. I didn't get to examine it thoroughly. It was just those few glances on the screen earlier that made me fall in love with it. You wouldn't deny me this small opportunity, would you?"
Frowning slightly, Zheng Jinghe recalled the competition between Shen Xi and other bidders in the hall earlier. It was evident that she was indeed very fond of his blue and white porcelain. Moreover, the price she offered far exceeded his expectations. He was already overjoyed and felt no suspicion towards Shen Xi.
"Manager He, it's clear that Ms. Mia is very interested in my auction item. It wouldn't hurt to bring it out for her to see again," Zheng Jinghe said calmly to Manager He.
"Alright." Manager He, seeing that the seller had agreed, found it difficult to refuse. He made an exception and made a phone call, asking the staff to bring out the auction item.
A few minutes later, Shen Xi stood on one side of the glass case, removed her sunglasses, and closely observed the blue and white porcelain. She was even more certain that this treasure was her father's collection.
"Mr. Zheng, Manager He, this blue and white porcelain has a small flaw at the bottom. Why wasn't it mentioned during the auction?" Shen Xi slowly straightened up, her gaze turning cold as she looked at them.
Hearing this, both men were startled. They exchanged glances. That flaw was at the bottom of the vase; it was impossible to notice without picking it up and examining it carefully. How did this woman know? Did her eyes have X-ray vision?
Manager He quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Ms. Mia, you must be joking. This auction item of ours has been authenticated by experts, so how could it possibly have a flaw?"
"Is that so?" Shen Xi sneered. "Then it seems the experts must have colluded with you."
Upon hearing this, Manager He's expression changed drastically. "Ms. Mia, you cannot make such baseless remarks, or you will be slandering our auction company's reputation."
"Fine. Then, if you believe I am wrong, you can take it out, and we'll know immediately," Shen Xi said, her eyes sharp as she scanned them both.
Zheng Jinghe abruptly took a step back, asking vigilantly, "Who are you?"
"I am Mia, an international investor. Mr. Zheng, as I mentioned just now, do you have such a poor memory?" Shen Xi looked at him with a half-smile and continued, "Not only do I know this auction item has a flaw, but I also know its origin."