Hearing that the items were from Xu Qingqing's auction, everyone in the audience craned their necks to look at the stage.
Xu Qingqing had Lu Chuanbai, the richest man, backing her up, and she was also the daughter of a family renowned for antiques.
People were looking forward to the treasures Xu Qingqing would present.
However, when the staff wheeled out five dusty jade pendants, everyone present was stunned.
Were these still jade pendants? They looked dirty and shabby.
Zhuang Yutong looked at the five jade pendants with disgust. She didn't even want to pick them up and directly rejected them without any appraisal.
"Miss Xu Qingqing, even if you have no compassion and don't want to auction something you like,"
"you shouldn't deceive people. These five black - looking things are definitely not jade pendants!"
Hearing Zhuang Yutong's appraisal result, there was an uproar in the audience. Everyone looked at Xu Qingqing with shocked and disgusted expressions.
She was already regarded as a malicious and heartless woman.
"Let's take a look at the starting bid..."
The host came out to smooth things over, but after seeing the starting bid, he felt even more embarrassed and was even reluctant to say it out loud.
Xu Qingqing had priced these five black - looking jade pendants at 5 million?
This... Was she really taking everyone for fools?
With such a high price, probably no one would be willing to buy them!
But since the host had already spoken, and all eyes were on him, he had to continue under great pressure.
"The starting bid is 2.5 million..."
By the end, the host's voice became softer and softer, almost inaudible.
This starting bid was probably the highest in the whole auction.
Many people cast cold looks at Xu Qingqing, adding another label to her in their hearts: greedy.
These five so - called jade pendants that the appraiser said weren't even jade were being sold at sky - high prices. This woman, Xu Qingqing, was really too greedy!
Xu Qingqing didn't care about their looks at all. She leisurely waited to see if there was anyone with discerning eyes who would raise a sign to bid for these five jade pendants.
Not a single person did.
Although everyone wanted to curry favor with Lu Chuanbai, spending 2.5 million on five pieces of junk was really not worth it.
Moreover, since no one else was buying, the one who spent the money would only be seen as a sycophant.
"How about adjusting the starting bid? I'll offer 50,000,"
an old man sitting in the last row raised his sign and said loudly.
His words attracted everyone's attention. They all turned to look at him, and Xu Qingqing also turned her head.
The old man was wearing a high hat, and the exposed scalp was hairless. He was probably bald.
The old man was dressed in a tailcoat and holding a walking stick in his hand. He looked gentle and quite cultured.
"Isn't this Old Master An? His family owns more than a dozen ceramic factories, and he uses most of his savings to collect antiques."
"Is Old Master An stupid? Those five pieces of junk aren't even worth 50,000."
"Old Master An probably wants to do business with General Manager Lu. After all, the Lu family has built several new hotels and surely needs high - end porcelain."
Some people speculated, and everyone understood. In the end, it was all about social connections.
Xu Qingqing met Old Master An's eyes and saw the glint in them. She immediately knew that this old master must have seen something.
But if he had paid the original price, she would have admired his good eyesight.
However, this wasn't a treasure - hunting competition but a fundraiser for children. Xu Qingqing didn't agree with this approach.
So Xu Qingqing raised her bidding card and added 50,000.
The host on the stage was stunned. The situation was getting more and more out of his control.
"Miss Xu Qingqing has increased the bid by 50,000..."
Seeing the host's hesitant attitude, Xu Qingqing asked calmly, "What, is it not allowed?"
"Allowed. So Miss Xu has rejected Old Master An's proposal. The current price is 2.55 million."
Zhuang Yutong, who was standing on the stage, couldn't help but take a dig at Xu Qingqing.
"Xu Qingqing, Old Master An has already bid, which shows his sincerity. Since you've put them up for sale, why take them back?"
Xu Qingqing looked at this woman speechlessly. The host had already said that she could bid on her own items. Why was she jumping out to criticize?
"I think the price he offered is too low. Is that not allowed?"
Xu Qingqing said coldly, looking down at Zhuang Yutong with her dark eyes.
Zhuang Yutong was intimidated by Xu Qingqing's look. She swallowed hard and pretended to be calm.
Xu Qingqing, do you think this is still school, and everyone has to flatter you!
These shabby jade pendants wouldn't even be picked up if thrown on the street, and you still dare to dislike the price offered.
But unexpectedly, the next moment, Old Master An raised his bidding card, as if the person who had made the proposal just now wasn't him.
Old Master An had originally wanted to take advantage of these people's lack of knowledge and buy these five treasures for the least amount of money.
But the seller, Xu Qingqing, didn't agree, and he really wanted these five treasures. If he missed them, he might never encounter them in his lifetime!
Seeing the wooden card Old Master An raised, Zhuang Yutong was completely stunned. Her face stiffened, and the hands hanging on both sides of her body tightly grasped the hem of her dress.
Zhuang Yutong cursed in her heart.
What is this old fool doing!
I helped him speak, but he doesn't stick to his previous opinion and instead raises the card to bid!
Is he denying that my appraisal was wrong?
"Good. Old Master An has increased the bid by 50,000. The current price is 3 million!"
This was the highest price among the first 15 auction items.
The discussions among the people in the audience grew louder. They were even more convinced that Old Master An was trying to please Lu Chuanbai and flatter Xu Qingqing.
"Alas, the old master is such an antique - lover, but he has to buy these five pieces of junk. It's really tough on him."
"That woman, Xu Qingqing, is so bad. She doesn't deserve to participate in this auction at all!"
Hearing the people around her discussing and ridiculing her, Xu Qingqing thought that if she didn't explain, her reputation might be completely ruined.
Xu Qingqing didn't increase the bid anymore, and no one else did either.
The host was sweating nervously and directly banged the gavel: "Good. The final price of these five jade pendants is 3 million. Congratulations to Old Master An for winning them."
Old Master An actually stood up and bowed to Xu Qingqing with cupped hands.
"I want to thank Miss Xu Qingqing for allowing me to buy my favorite treasures at such a low price."
To be honest, even if he spent 3 million to buy these five jade pendants of Empress Dowager Cixi, it was still a sure - fire profit.
Now the onlookers felt even more sorry for Old Master An. They thought that he not only had to spend money on junk but also had to help Xu Qingqing save face.
Xu Qingqing stood up and returned the salute to Old Master An: "It's all because Old Master An has good eyesight. Unlike these people who have no appreciation."
The audience who had been insinuating about Xu Qingqing were furious when they heard that she was insinuating that they had no appreciation. They thought that Xu Qingqing was too thick - skinned.
You just brought out five shabby jade pendants. Do you expect us all to flatter you!
Even if you're the wife of the richest man, you're going too far!
On the stage, Zhuang Yutong saw that Xu Qingqing had provoked everyone's anger and angrily stepped forward to denounce her.