"Ah?" Meng Lingyao looked at the appraiser in disbelief.
What was this guy here for? To help her buy things or to buy things for himself!
"Is this painting really that good? Even you want to buy it!"
Was he out of his mind?
The money could buy her several luxury brand handbags!
Meng Lingyao didn't understand the value of the painting *Montesdaman* and belittled it infinitely in her heart.
But to win Xu Qingqing's favor, Meng Lingyao decided to grit her teeth and buy it.
"No, I'll take this painting! Place a bid for me!"
A flash of disappointment flickered in the appraiser's eyes upon hearing this, but he still perked up and helped Meng Lingyao place a bid.
"Then what's your intended price?"
"I'll offer 1.5 million. To avoid any hassle," Meng Lingyao said huffily.
The sooner she got the painting, the sooner she could give it to Xu Qingqing as a gift, and then she could quickly resume her work.
What was 1.5 million to her?
Coincidentally, Lu Qi was also browsing a second - hand website and saw that the hottest post was about a painting named *Montesdaman*.
Lu Qi wasn't interested in foreign oil paintings, but when he saw that the phone number left was Xu Qingqing's, he had the idea of driving up the price for her.
Xu Qingqing had helped him a lot before, and it was his turn to return the favor this time.
Lu Qi saw that someone had bid 1.5 million and immediately offered 1.505 million.
On the other side, Meng Lingyao thought she had the painting in the bag, but unexpectedly, a bid of 1.505 million appeared in the comment section the next moment.
"Is this guy deliberately picking a fight!"
Meng Lingyao was angry and contemptuous.
If you're going to bid, bid more! Bidding an extra five thousand was an insult!
Afraid of not getting the painting, Meng Lingyao immediately bid 1.55 million.
Seeing that someone was willing to keep bidding, Lu Qi, the shrewd businessman, hung a sly smile on his face and bid again: 1.555 million.
Meng Lingyao didn't expect that after she bid again, this netizen named Tianjian Heyi would follow up again, offering 5,000 yuan more than her.
Meng Lingyao pounded the keyboard angrily, forcing herself to endure the pain in her heart, and bid again: 1.6 million.
1.6 million was already many times higher than the original price. She didn't believe the other person could keep up.
On the other side, Lu Qi burst into laughter when he saw the new bid. He was satisfied and raised the price one last time. After that, he exited the webpage.
After all, his goal was to drive up the price for Xu Qingqing, not really to buy the painting.
When Meng Lingyao saw that Tianjian Heyi had bid again, the amount made her fume with anger.
Because Tianjian Heyi's bid was 1.601 million.
Seeing this price, Meng Lingyao couldn't help but think that the other person was deliberately picking a fight. It didn't seem like a fair competition at all.
Meng Lingyao's competitiveness was completely aroused, and she bid again: 1.65 million.
She wanted to see what price Tianjian Heyi would offer this time.
But Meng Lingyao waited and waited, but Lu Qi didn't bid again.
Xu Qingqing packed all her luggage. She casually took out her phone to check the time and was stunned when she saw more than a dozen messages popping up on the second - hand website.
"So many people want to buy this painting."
Xu Qingqing casually clicked in and found that the price had soared to 1.65 million, many times higher than she expected.
"Why has the price skyrocketed so much all of a sudden?"
Xu Qingqing was also very happy. Anyone would be happy in such a situation.
Just then, Lu Qi, who had successfully driven up the price for Xu Qingqing, called. As soon as the call connected, his carefree laughter came through.
"Xu Qingqing, I did you a big favor today. You have to treat me to dinner!"
Xu Qingqing asked in surprise, "When did you help me?"
She hadn't been to Lu Qi's store for many days.
Lu Qi laughed and told Xu Qingqing about the process of driving up the price. Finally, he happily reminded her, "Hurry up and sell the painting on the second - hand website before the buyer changes their mind."
Xu Qingqing logged onto the second - hand website again. Seeing the process of Lu Qi, under the account Tianjian Heyi, driving up the price, she couldn't help but let out a chuckle, her peach - blossom eyes curving.
Xu Qingqing joked, "You're really a shrewd businessman, driving up the price of the painting I'm selling so much."
"I'll treat you to dinner another day," Xu Qingqing said gratefully.
Thanks to Lu Qi, she had earned an extra hundred thousand yuan.
"Ah, no need," Lu Qi on the other end of the phone said in a teasing tone.
"Anyway, you and Lu Chuanbai are getting married soon. Just invite me to your wedding banquet. I've already prepared my red envelope for you guys."
Hearing Lu Qi's words, Xu Qingqing blushed slightly. Her heart was filled with sweetness, and she agreed with a smile.
"Then I'll waive your red envelope. Consider it already paid."
"That's what you said. I've recorded it. You can't go back on your word later..."
The two chatted for a while. Since Lu Qi had other things to do, he hung up the phone.
Xu Qingqing entered the second - hand platform and sold the painting to the highest bidder.
On the other side, Meng Lingyao was both tired and happy when she saw that she had successfully bought *Montesdaman*.
The painting was finally hers, but why did her heart still ache so much?
No!
She had to cheer up! She would surely make a comeback!
Since the painting was extremely valuable, Xu Qingqing and Meng Lingyao agreed to meet in person to hand over the painting. The meeting place was set at the entrance of Xu Qingqing's residential community.
After setting the address, Meng Lingyao couldn't wait to pay the appraiser and immediately rushed to the entrance of Xu Qingqing's residential community.
Xu Qingqing had already wrapped the painting. Wearing cotton slippers, she came out and stood at the entrance of the community waiting.
Meng Lingyao, wearing a mask and a baseball cap and wrapped in all - black clothes, took a taxi to the appointed place.
As soon as Meng Lingyao got out of the taxi, she saw Xu Qingqing, holding something big, looking around.
Meng Lingyao's heart skipped a beat. A bad premonition flashed through her mind.
Could the seller of the painting be Xu Qingqing?
No way!
Meng Lingyao shook her head like a rattle in her heart, denying her own thought.
It couldn't be such a coincidence!
Maybe Xu Qingqing was just waiting for a taxi here!
Thinking this way, Meng Lingyao tightened the mask on her face, took out her phone, and called the seller of the painting.
Meng Lingyao's eyes were fixed on Xu Qingqing, who didn't recognize her. When she heard Xu Qingqing's phone ring and saw her take out the phone to answer it, Meng Lingyao immediately hung up the phone and stood there stiffly.
Damn it!
The seller of the painting was really Xu Qingqing! Then how could she give this painting to Xu Qingqing as a gift!
Xu Qingqing also noticed Meng Lingyao, who was dressed in all black and looked at a loss after hanging up the phone. She took the initiative to walk over with the picture frame in her arms.
Looking at Meng Lingyao, whose head was almost buried in the ground, Xu Qingqing asked carefully,
"Hello. Are you the one who bought the painting?"
Meng Lingyao was crying inside and didn't know what to say. She just nodded silently.
Seeing that this person kept silent, Xu Qingqing couldn't help but feel suspicious and became more cautious.
"Could you show me your payment screenshot?"
Meng Lingyao showed Xu Qingqing the payment interface. Then she pointed to her mouth and waved her hand, indicating that she couldn't speak.