UPWR1BY **Chapter 608: The Wealthy Onlookers: This Auction Manager... Has Some Tricks Up His Sleeve**
**Chapter 608: The Wealthy Onlookers: This Auction Manager... Has Some Tricks Up His Sleeve**
"Nineteen billion!"
"Twenty billion!"
The bidding continued to escalate at the auction, with many participants feeling the heat and tension. The painting, which had fetched four billion in 2011, was now at least double that value. A price tag in the tens of billions was realistic, but anything over twenty billion was already inflated. However, in the world of antique masterpieces, prices are often exaggerated due to the item's rarity and potential to appreciate over time. Unlike the stock market, where prices can plummet unexpectedly, these artworks typically gain value over time, making the current high bids still manageable for the buyers.
Just as the bidding war reached its peak, Liu Zhennan finished his phone call and secured additional funds. He raised his paddle and shouted with confidence, "Twenty-five billion! Anyone else?"
The room fell silent in shock. Many turned to see who had made such a bold bid. Upon realizing it was Liu Zhennan, most quieted down. In Beijing's elite circles, Liu Zhennan was known more as a wealthy heir, but his father's influence demanded respect. Even the city's top tycoons wouldn't cross him lightly.
Liu Zhennan, noticing the attention, arrogantly instructed his assistant, "Make a note of everyone present. If anyone dares to challenge me, we'll cut off all business dealings with them."
His assistant nodded in agreement, and the other wealthy participants quickly responded with flattery, not daring to compete with him.
Meanwhile, Liu Zhennan, feeling triumphant, turned to Su Jiu'er, who was sitting beside him. He boasted, "Jiu'er, these people are the elites of Beijing. But in front of me, even tigers have to lie down. My Liu family may not be as powerful as your former Su family, but we're still top-tier here. If you stay with me, I promise to help your family rise again. What do you think? Hmm, Jiu'er?"
However, Su Jiu'er was not listening, her face hidden behind her long hair, avoiding eye contact with someone. Liu Zhennan, confused, asked, "Jiu'er, what's wrong?" Before Su Jiu'er could respond, Liu Zhennan noticed someone approaching—a person stopped next to her. It was Ye Xiu, the auction manager.
Liu Zhennan chuckled, "Mr. Ye? What, are you delivering the painting to me personally because of my high bid? Smart move..."
But before he could finish, Ye Xiu, with a polite bow, extended his hand to Su Jiu'er, saying, "This beautiful lady, would you join me on stage to co-host the auction?"
This surprising request left many in the audience stunned. Even Xu Zhiming and the others shared a similar expression: (⊙_⊙)?
Ye Xiu, seemingly uninterested in the auction, had decided to invite a lady to join him on stage. The room buzzed with murmurs and disbelief.
"Wow, the auction manager is bold! Ignoring the auction to hit on a girl?"
"What's going on? We're all multimillionaires here, and every woman present is a wealthy beauty. How does this auction manager have the audacity to flirt?"
As the murmurs continued, Liu Zhennan's face darkened. Su Jiu'er was with him, and this move was a blatant disrespect. He stood up, furious, and shouted, "What's the meaning of this, Ye Xiu? Are you hitting on my girlfriend?"
Ye Xiu, momentarily taken aback, glanced at Su Jiu'er. Without hesitation, she stood up, her face lit with a joyful smile, and said, "I'd love to join you in hosting the auction."
Liu Zhennan was left in shock, his expression turning to disbelief. Ye Xiu, smiling, complimented, "Thank you, you look beautiful today." Su Jiu'er, blushing, took his hand, and they walked away together, leaving Liu Zhennan stunned.
Realizing what had happened, Liu Zhennan was furious. He shouted after them, "Ye Xiu! What do you mean by this? Going after my girlfriend?"
Ye Xiu, unfazed, asked, "Your girlfriend?" and turned to Su Jiu'er. Calmly, she replied, "Liu Zhennan, don't take liberties. We have nothing to do with each other."
Liu Zhennan, seething, muttered under his breath about the consequences for Su Jiu'er and her family.
On stage, Ye Xiu resumed, "It's a bit dull hosting alone, so I thought adding this beautiful lady would make it more interesting. Now, about the Qi Baishi painting, Mr. Liu has bid twenty-five billion. Any other offers?"
The audience, still in shock, hesitated to respond. Liu Zhennan, now infuriated, shouted, "Who dares to outbid me? Hmph!"
Suddenly, someone called out, "I bid twenty-six billion!" It was Dong Pingwei, the vice president of Shunfeng.
Liu Zhennan, outraged, yelled, "Dong Pingwei! What do you mean by this?"
Dong Pingwei coolly replied, "Liu, this is an auction. The highest bid wins. If you can bid, so can I."
Liu Zhennan, fuming, retorted, "Fine! Twenty-seven billion!"
Dong Pingwei, unperturbed, continued, "Twenty-eight billion."
Liu Zhennan, now in a rage, sent a message to his father: "Dad, send another ten billion!"
Dong Pingwei, meanwhile, was eyeing Ye Xiu and Su Jiu'er, sensing something more to this situation. He thought, "Ye Xiu never approaches women. This must be serious." Deciding to support his old friend Ye Xiu, Dong Pingwei was determined to see Liu Zhennan bleed financially before leaving with the painting.
On stage, Ye Xiu, noticing Dong Pingwei's support, nodded appreciatively, thinking, "Well done, Dong. You'll be rewarded for this." Dong Pingwei smiled, pleased with himself, replying, "No problem, Ye."