Chapter 235: Chapter 227 Qiao Jing Shoots for Six Hundred Million
The reporters, fearing they might be affected by Han Zhiyu’s demeanor, immediately picked up their cameras and walked away.
Since Qiao Jing had arrived early, there were only a few scattered guests seated by then.
“Miss Qiao, let me take you to your seat.” Han Zhiyu, worried that Qiao Jing might not know the location assigned to her in the invitation, planned to lead her to her seat.
Qiao Jing did not give Han Zhiyu the chance to take her to her seat; she easily found it and settled down.
She had glanced at the invitation a few days earlier and had remembered her location.
“You can go ahead.” Qiao Jing dismissed Han Zhiyu and sat down to look at her phone.
After a while, someone took the seat to her left.
Without looking up, the aura of the person let Qiao Jing know who it was.
Zhan Qipei still had a bottle of water in his hand, which he opened for her and placed beside Qiao Jing, “Have some water. Why did you come so early?”
“Not thirsty, I was afraid of being late, so I came early,” Qiao Jing was looking at the photos Lin Xiuxiang had sent her.
They were of Lin Xiuxiang and Tang Yan’s bridal suite.
Qiao Jing carefully examined the photos, feeling the only shortfall was that the living room sofa looked too spacious.
“What’s being auctioned today?” Qiao Jing asked aloud.
Zhan Qipei tightened the cap again, “Master Han’s calligraphy and paintings, Divine Doctor Jing’s medical books, and some trinkets.”
“Okay,” Qiao Jing responded.
As time passed, the auction began.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this charity auction…”
The host on stage was reading the opening remarks.
Zhan Yao and Su Manhan arrived just in time and took their seats next to Zhan Qipei, leaving a space on Qiao Jing’s right.
Everyone had come for Master Han’s calligraphy and paintings, as well as the legendary medical books of Divine Doctor Jing!
Lou Xinrou also heard about the medical books; she followed Lou Pinshu to the auction and happened to sit not far from the Zhan family.
“Next up is a landscape painting by Master Han! The starting bid is ten million!”
The host lifted the cloth covering the painting, displaying it to everyone.
Upon hearing of Master Han’s painting, the guests excitedly raised their paddles, beginning to outbid each other.
“Twenty-five million!”
“Twenty-eight million!”
The guests continued to raise their bids, and Lou Pinshu also called out a price of thirty-five million.
Upon seeing this landscape painting by Master Han, his eyes instantly lit up; anyone knowledgeable in this field would recognize that the painting was a masterpiece!
Moreover, Master Han’s paintings were invaluable and impossible to purchase with money.
Given that Master Han was advancing in age, he might soon stop painting, making this painting possibly his last work.
One of his paintings had once fetched three hundred million! The price for this one would surely not be low either.
While everyone was fiercely competing for the painting, Zhan Qipei raised his paddle.
“One hundred million.”
The painting, previously estimated at only fifty million, had its price doubled by Zhan Qipei!
Upon seeing Zhan Qipei speak up, everyone silently put down their paddles.
When everyone thought the owner of this painting would be Zhan Qipei, someone in the crowd raised their paddle, “Two hundred million.”
In an instant! Everyone was looking for the person who had made the offer.
Wu Xirui was sitting in a corner, watching everyone in the room. After seeing the painting, he became interested, originally planning to wait for the smaller players to gradually raise their bids before he would offer the highest price himself.
But after Zhan Qipei made his bid, Wu Xirui curled the corners of his lips and, without hesitation, doubled it.
Qiao Jing also put down her phone when she heard the auction item was a painting by Han Zhiyu.
The second time she felt the gazes upon her, Qiao Jing quickly followed that gaze and saw the person.
“Three hundred million,” Zhan Qipei raised his paddle again.
This competition sparked interest among the other guests; it was like watching gods battle!
These two gods were none other than Zhan Qipei, the richest man in the capital, and Wu Xirui, who had an extensive influence overseas.
Everyone watched as Zhan Qipei and Wu Xirui continuously outbid each other, all curious as to who would finally take the painting home.
Qiao Jing glanced at Wu Xirui and slightly frowned.
Su Manhan noticed Qiao Jing’s small gesture and jeered sarcastically, “Haven’t you seen so much money before? Even though the old man gave you a little money, compared to the prices Qipei is throwing out, it’s nothing but a drop in the ocean.”
Seeing that Qiao Jing ignored her, Su Manhan got even more sarcastic, “You bumpkin, who hasn’t seen the world, better go back. Don’t embarrass our Zhan Family any further.”
“Mom!” Zhan Qipei frowned, displeased.
Su Manhan took a breath and stopped speaking.
Zhan Qipei poured a cup of water and handed it to Qiao Jing.
Qiao Jing was indeed thirsty, took it, and after a couple of sips, she looked up at the painting on the stage.
“Do you painting? I’ll buy it for you,” Zhan Qipei noticed her gaze.
However, Qiao Jing shook her head, “No need, I’ll buy it myself.”
This scene made Su Manhan grit her teeth in frustration, “Hmph, do you even have that much money? And you, Qipei! Is this how you treat your mother? She’s nothing but an outsider!”
“She is my wife, your daughter-in-law!” Zhan Qipei’s frown deepened.
Seeing Zhan Qipei stand up for her, a ripple stirred at the bottom of Qiao Jing’s eyes, and a tender spot in her heart seemed to sink.
“Three hundred million for the second time!” the auctioneer exclaimed excitedly.
“Four hundred million.” Wu Xirui, always watching Qiao Jing’s side, darkened his gaze when he saw Zhan Qipei giving her water and raised his paddle.
At this price, the crowd was abuzz!
“This time Master Han’s painting is a whole hundred million more than the last!”
“It seems painting will definitely go to Fifth Master.”
“It’s already four hundred million, it probably won’t go any higher.”
No sooner had the guest finished speaking than someone leisurely lifted a paddle!
“Six hundred million.”
The moment this bid was announced, the whole place exploded into discussions about the bidder.
They all recognized the person who made the bid, Qiao Jing, Zhan Qipei’s temporary wife!
The protagonist of the discussion, at that moment, was thinking that it would be nice to win the painting to give it to Lin Xiuxiang as a gift.
Su Manhan’s eyes widened instantly, and forgetting any pretense of decorum, she quickly marched over to Qiao Jing and pointed at her nose, scolding, “Have you lost your mind? How can you be so wasteful! Daring to spend our Zhan Family’s money when you’re not even the real daughter-in-law?! Do you think our money comes from the wind?!”
Six hundred million! That was no small amount! Seeing Qiao Jing’s calm demeanor made Su Manhan incredibly angry, and Zhan Yao also frowned in displeasure.