As the auctioneer spoke, the entire auction hall immediately fell into silence. Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the stage, waiting for their beloved treasure to appear!
Shortly after, two staff members pushed a small cart slowly onto the stage. On the cart was a delicate box, from which the auctioneer with a gentle smile retrieved a scroll and slowly unfurled it!
The scroll bore a beautiful painting. Upon seeing this painting, many people in the audience exclaimed in surprise. Among those present were wealthy individuals from various fields, all familiar with this painting.
"It's actually a Picasso! I never expected such a valuable item to appear at this auction!"
Someone whispered in discussion!
Picasso was one of the leading figures of modern Western painting, one of the most influential artists of the 80s and 90s, having created over 30,000 works in his lifetime. Recently, it was reported that his work "Two Children" was purchased by a wealthy individual surnamed Wang from Huaxia for over 28 million US dollars, causing quite a stir!
"I'm sure everyone is familiar with this work and aware of its value. Remember, our wealthy compatriot from Huaxia once bought a Picasso piece for 28 million US dollars. Every esteemed guest here is a leader in their respective fields, and owning a remarkable painting like this is a testament to one's status and enhancement."
The auctioneer smiled, glanced around, and saw that many of the wealthy attendees were already itching to bid!
They were all billionaires, and the auctioneer's words undoubtedly poked at them, suggesting that they couldn't even match a wealthy individual from Huaxia?
Though her words seemed a bit provocative, this was precisely the effect she aimed to achieve. In auctions, only a tense atmosphere can drive prices higher!
"Now, we officially start the bidding for this painting, with a starting price of 10 million US dollars!"
The auctioneer declared with a loud laugh.
"Eleven million!"
"Twelve and a half million!"
"I bid twenty million!"
"This painting is mine, I bid twenty-five million!"
"Ha-ha! Whoever dares to compete with me is my enemy, I bid thirty million!"
The audience immediately erupted into a frenzy of bidding, and eventually, a French tycoon named Mu Si won the bid for 30 million US dollars.
Afterward, the second auction item was slowly pushed onto the stage. It was a hairpin, unlike any commonly seen before, for this hairpin was crystal clear, even more so than the Vacheron Constantin's emerald, and appeared extremely noble.
Upon seeing this hairpin, Lin Fan couldn't help but glance at the hairpin in Lin Qianxiao's hair, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Lin Fan was all too familiar with this hairpin; it was a gift he gave her before he left the mountains. To his surprise, she had worn it all this time, and back then, Lin Fan didn't have much money, so this hairpin wasn't of high quality. However, a beautiful woman needs no adornments, and can instead elevate any inexpensive accessory to something of high taste.
Just like Fan Bingbing, even if she wore clothes worth only a few hundred dollars, walking the red carpet in them would still make people believe they were worth thousands more, such is the influence of status!
The starting bid for this jade hairpin was 1 million US dollars, and after a lot of stirring by the auctioneer, a fierce competition already began below, with the value rising to 3 million, far exceeding the hairpin's original worth!
"I bid five million!"
At this moment, Lin Fan suddenly shouted!
Hiss...
The audience gasped!
After all, aside from its beauty, this hairpin didn't serve much purpose, spending five million on it seemed really unwise!
"Why are you buying it? Don't forget our goal is the parchment scroll, and with so many rich people here, we don't have much money, so don't waste it!" advised Bai Weiwei, frowning at Lin Fan!
Lin Fan nonchalantly shrugged and smiled: "Do you think those millions in your hand can get the parchment scroll? Don't forget that the previous item was auctioned for as much as thirty million, and I never intended to bid for the parchment scroll!"
Bai Weiwei was even more puzzled and asked, "Then what do you intend to do?"
"Just wait and see!" Lin Fan replied enigmatically, then added with a smile, "If there's something you like, just let me know and I'll get it for you!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Weiwei's eyes shone brightly, but after a moment's hesitation, she abandoned the idea, saying, "Let's save up to buy the parchment scroll!"
To this, Lin Fan could only smile wryly!
"Five hundred and ten thousand!"
At that moment, another loud voice rose from the crowd!
Lin Fan frowned slightly, surprised that someone else was interested in this jade hairpin, though he wasn't worried, instead, he looked at Lin Qianxiao with a smile, asking, "Do you like it?"
Lin Qianxiao naturally understood that Lin Fan was bidding on the hairpin for her, feeling deeply moved in her heart, she was about to instinctively nod, but after hesitating a moment she shook her head instead.
Seeing this, Lin Fan couldn't help but laugh, he and Lin Qianxiao grew up together, he understood her character too well, the more she hesitated about something, the more she indeed liked it!
"Six million!"
Without hesitation, Lin Fan added another ninety thousand!
To someone like Lin Fan, money was trivial. Although Su Yanyu was wealthy, Lin Fan was certainly not much worse off. Just the money he had deposited in Swiss banks would place him among the top-tier wealthy of Huaxia. If it weren't for his days of wandering the world, spending money lavishly, he would have an even higher capital!
Six million US dollars, to Lin Fan... seems inconsequential!
The whole room fell silent, no one else continued to bid!
The auctioneer smiled, saying, "Six million, going once, six million, going twice, six million, going three times, congratulations to the guest in Room Eight for obtaining this jade hairpin!"
As the auction continued, the bidding became increasingly intense. This auction wasn't merely about the parchment scroll, each item seemed to spark a frenzy among bidders.
Following that, paintings, antiquities, jewelry, and more appeared, among them a globally limited edition Vacheron Constantin diamond watch!
"Now, I want to inform everyone that this watch is a commemorative model crafted by Vacheron Constantin specifically for this auction, it bears the auction's emblem, making it truly memorable. Not only that, this watch is encrusted with eighteen diamonds, and it's a ladies' watch, which exudes even more nobility when worn by a woman. If a man bids for it as a gift to his beloved, it will certainly win more affection..."
"Since it's a global limited edition, with only one available, the starting bid is 8 million US dollars, everyone, let the bidding frenzy begin!" the auctioneer fervently incited the room!