The more ridiculous the painting’s name, the more explosive the painting’s quality.
At that moment, who cared about the painting’s name? More people were eyeing those beside them with a predatory gaze.
Without speaking, their eyes conveyed a single meaning: Give me some face, I want this painting.
Target of the predatory gaze: That’s not necessarily so. At this time, face won’t work.
After a momentary silence, the barrage of comments was like an outburst after being suppressed.
[I always thought only Western realist paintings could perfectly depict feathers and the like, but I didn’t expect to see it in an ink painting this time.]
[I’m an art student, and I’ve raised my pet goose for years, yet I still can’t paint its portrait! I desperately want to pay big bucks for a hand as skilled as Xixi’s.]
[I actually saw majesty and dominance in a goose!]
[Things resemble their owners.]
[Does anyone still think the name "Goose Goose Goose" is funny? Well, I don’t. If I had the skill to paint such a masterpiece, I’d name it whatever I want, just being willful!]
Some doubt whether Jiang Lingxi really painted it, but the host quickly zooms in on one corner of the painting, revealing the bright signature "Jiang Lingxi," exactly like what was on the signature wall, accompanied by a scarlet seal.
"This charity auction starts with no reserve prices. The first guest to raise their hand, please state your initial price, and each subsequent raise will increase by one hundred thousand. The auction begins now, feel free to bid!"
As soon as the host finished speaking, and seeing the rush of hands instantly raised below, he rarely hesitated.
"Uh, maybe I should check the replay?"
No sooner had he spoken than someone replied, "No need for that, I saw Chairman Cao raised his hand too. He’s an authority in calligraphy and painting, so let’s have him start the bidding, and we’ll raise from there."
Chairman Cao, still with his hand up, turned his head to look at the speaker, realizing he’d been used as a tool?
Cao Xinyan pursed her lips and glanced at her grandfather; could it be that he also liked Jiang Lingxi’s painting?
No, no, no, it must be because everyone else was raising their hands, and it wouldn’t look good if he didn’t.
The pressure was now on Chairman Cao.
But instead, he seemed hesitant.
Generally, there’s an unspoken rule in auctions.
The items auctioned at the beginning are usually of lesser value, with fewer competitors. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of going through the motions.
As the auction progresses, the value increases, attracting more competition.
But who would have thought that this charity auction would start off with such a bombshell item?
Even he, who harbored some picky feelings because Jiang Lingxi blocked his granddaughter’s path, couldn’t say the painting was bad.
He wasn’t even sure if he could still paint at this level now, let alone capture the leisurely charm the painting conveyed.
"Well then, three hundred thousand."
This price isn’t exactly low, and there’s sure to be a scramble to bid higher.
Someone raised their hand immediately.
This time there was no rush; instead, people raised their hands one after another, quickly driving the painting’s price up to a million.
Jiang Kaiyuan, suspecting his assembled racing car might be the second item up for bidding: "Sister Xixi, it’s fine, I’m already at peace with it."
Xu Yin, predicting herself to be third: "..."
She didn’t want to say anything more.
There were plenty of onlookers commenting in the barrage too.
[Guess I underestimated Xixi’s painting value!]
[It’s just a million, I predict three million won’t be the end!]
[Haha, does anyone remember the livestream promotion of "Yuan Zhao Empress" where they drew one hundred lucky viewers? I was that one percent. Even luckier, the gift I received was a little panda painted by Xixi herself hahaha!]
[Did you really need to stir up envy so thoroughly?]
[I’m already tracking down this gentleman’s IP address. Await my good news.]
[Damn, they’re serious, where are the cyber police? Someone’s going off the deep end over nothing! Hide, hide, grab the painting and run!]’
While the comments argued nonstop, the live bidding quickly reached the predicted three million.
But it wasn’t over yet.
The host paused briefly, "Madam Bai has bid five million!"
As soon as he said that, many of those who were bidding competitively backed off.
Though they truly loved the painting, the Bai Family’s financial power was overwhelming; they simply couldn’t match it.
The other members of the Bai Family finally understood what their matriarch had whispered to the waiter stationed by their side.
The eldest of the Bai Family looked at his mother in confusion, "Mom, what made you want to buy Jiang Lingxi’s painting?"
Though five million is nothing to them, money doesn’t grow on trees. Why spend so much on a painting by someone they don’t even like?
"Because I want to. Isn’t it Jiang Lingxi’s well-crafted work? I’m perfectly happy to tear it up for fun. Why not?"
The eldest of the Bai Family: "......"
Insane, really insane!
[Who is Madam Bai? Whoa, a huge move, increasing the bid by two million just like that.]
[Must be the Bai Family from the Imperial City, an old-established family. Five million seems a lot to us, but to this lady, it’s just a sprinkle of rain.]
[Why isn’t the camera panning over? I’d love to see how dignified and elegant this old lady is.]
[For those big figures who prefer not to show their faces, the camera behaves well, respecting their privacy.]
[Probably no one will bid higher, right? It’s already five million, and no one would dare compete with the elder lady, right?]
Audiences watching the live stream were unaware of the feud between Jiang Lingxi and the Bai Family, including many present at the auction.
They assumed the lady genuinely liked the painting.
However, those aware of Jiang Lingxi and the Bai Family’s feud visibly perked up.
What’s with Madame Bai suddenly doing this?
Just as they glanced silently in the direction of the Bai Family’s seats, the host onstage cleared his throat.
Upon careful listening, his voice seemed a bit tightened, "Just now, Mr. Shen from the Shen Family bid one million!"
Jiang Kaiyuan blurted out, "Holy crap!"
Cao Xinyan clutched her skirt tightly.
Only after coming to her senses did she realize the skirt had been wrinkled.
Jiang Xiyu and Zhang Lingxuan momentarily stopped confronting each other, both intently focusing on the painting onstage.
What merits does Jiang Lingxi have!
Not only did the live event explode, but the barrage of comments also became feverish.
[Is Mr. Shen from the Shen Family the Mr. Shen I know?]
[I’ve already got the whole drama playing out in my mind.]
[Here’s your computer, start writing immediately!]
[One million, just for this painting, from a celebrity instead of a real artist. I admit, I’m jealous!]
[Knowing this million benefits charity, I’m a bit pacified.]
[Hereby, I announce, at this year’s Yuan Shi Charity Gala, Jiang Lingxi wins the red carpet award, famous with one painting. Bow, thank you!]’
The eldest of the Bai Family held back his mother’s hand, who was about to call for someone. His tone was filled with helplessness, "Mom, can we stop competing?"
He sensed if his mother called out two million, Shen Yunqing would surely dare to follow up with five million.
Knowing his character, there’s no way he would let Jiang Lingxi’s painting fall into the Bai Family’s hands.
However, bidding further would indeed make a rather harsh enemy.
He never wanted to oppose the Shen Family on behalf of his ungrateful nephew, especially not at this occasion. He could not let the matriarch have her way!
Tang Jiaoyun moved her lips but ultimately yielded to her eldest son’s plea, which almost made him kneel.
"One million, sold! Congratulations, Mr. Shen!"