After pausing for a moment, Ma Tianbei pushed his doubts aside and faced the audience.
"Today, I want to thank the love of the Jiangbei people! To allow an old man like me to preside over your charity auction, this is an honor upon me. Tonight, this old man will do his utmost to check every collection, and let everyone feel at ease to buy the artifacts they want. Let us work together to do our part for the charity of Jiangbei!"
After his remark, a thunderous applause rang from the audience.
"Master Ma, you are too courteous!"
"Great. With your identity, you are the pinnacle of greatness in the antique realm! It's an honor for us to have you here."
Ma Tianbei raised his hands in protest.
"Thank you for your kindness! Let's waste no time and begin the auction."
He waved his hands slightly, and a hotel staff immediately brought up a bronze tripod wine vessel.
Ma Tianbei raised the glass and looked it over, a smile forming on his face.
"This is a eucharist wine vessel from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Based on the bronze patina and the manufacturing process used for it, I can tell this is an authentic piece."
He paused for a moment and transitioned.
"But if it is decorated with ornaments or a sigil of nobility, it will fetch a high value. However, this is just a wine glass for ordinary people, so the value will also decrease a lot."
"One or two years ago, it would fetch about 120,000 yuan or so. Now, it could probably go for 600,000 with no problem! Next, please list your bids."
"Six hundred thousand!"
"Six hundred and fifty thousand!"
...
As soon as Ma Tianbei's words fell, everyone hurriedly began to bargain.
This was the first auction item in the event tonight, and it had to be heated.
They couldn't lose face for the upper class society of Jiangbei.
Su Ruoxue and the others did not participate in it. A civilian bronze ware was not valuable enough to attract them!
Quickly, a thirty or so middle-aged businessman won the bid. Amid everyone's warm applause, he paid up front and received the bronze vessel.
Next, there were a few more items that were auctioned; most of them small objects. After all, the focus of such a large scale auction banquet had to be left for last!
After the smaller objects were auctioned off, it was time for Su Ruoxue's tiger forest painting.
"Next up is a painting donated by Su Ruoxue, CEO Su of the Su Cosmetics Group featuring a tiger descending a forested mountain."
Su Ruoxue's lips formed into a smile.
"Finally!"
A gasp of admiration burst from the crowd.
"CEO Su is a president after all. She's so generous, coming out with a tiger mountain painting!"
"This kind of ancient painting is worth at least three million!"
"CEO Su is young, but she's so generous. No wonder she's the number one flower of Jiangbei!"
But Ma Tianbei on the stage began to frown after receiving the painting.
"CEO Su, where did you get this painting from?"
Su Ruoxue was stunned but immediately responded:
"I bought it at an antique market two years ago. Master Ma, what's wrong?"
Ma Tianbei took a deep breath, his expression heavy.
"Forgive this old man for speaking so bluntly, but CEO Su, you might have purchased a fake!"
"What?"
As soon as the statement came out, the audience went in shock. Su Ruoxue responded frantically:
"That's impossible! My painting has been authenticated by many experts. It's real for sure! Master Ma, are you mistaken?"
Ma Tianbei chuckled.
"What? CEO Su, do you not trust the judgment of this old man?"
"Of… Of course not. You're a leading expert in the antique world, your judgement cannot be wrong. But, Master Ma, you said this so abruptly. I won't believe it unless I see evidence!"
Ma Tianbei nodded.
"Not bad. Not humble, but not overwhelming either. You are indeed worthy of the title Four Beauties of Jiangbei, Su Ruoxue. But if there wasn't evidence, I wouldn't dare speak in such a way!"
Immediately, he rubbed the painting on the scroll a few times. Soon, two or three layers were revealed under the paper.
"The outside of this painting should have two layers of ancient paper, with the copycat imitation painting sandwiched in between them. After the historic paper is overlaid and superimposed, the average person would not be able to tell, even those who are experts in the industry might not be able to tell either! This kind of fraudulent technology is new, probably in the last two years, so it's natural that not many would doubt its authenticity. I could only tell it's fake because the real tiger descending painting is in my own treasured collection!"
After hearing this, Su Ruoxue's face went pale as wax. She staggered back a few steps, feeling her body crumble.
She looked toward Xiao Chen, eyes full of shock and despair.
What she was surprised about was that Xiao Chen could tell her painting was fake from one glance.
And she was in despair because she didn't believe him.
There were several journalists present at the charity banquet. If she auctioned a fake at the charity, no matter what her reasoning was, it would have an immense negative impact on her company.
Especially since her company produces cosmetics!
This time, she had really messed up!
Sure enough, voices of suspicion began to surface around them.
"Su Ruoxue, no matter what, is still one of the top Four Beauties of Jiangbei. How dare she use a fake to trick us!"
"But by the looks of it, she didn't seem to know! Maybe she was fooled?"
"Ha! Don't be fooled by her acting! This woman definitely knew this painting is fake! She probably took it to the charity auction on purpose and donated it. If it gets bought, she wouldn't lose any revenue!"
"I didn't think she was this kind of person. That's disgusting!"
Su Ruoxue's teeth clenched. She had no words!
But at this moment, a voice spoke out from the crowd.
"Although it's a fake painting, Ms. Su did not know. How about this, I, Qian Zihao, am willing to pay three million to buy this painting. Please everyone, do not blame Ms. Su!"
As soon as the statement came out, all eyes were on him.
Qian Zihao tugged at his collar and put his hands in his pockets, revealing a glistening smile.
Although he was losing three million yuan, he was able to help Su Ruoxue overcome her embarrassment. She will definitely be grateful to him!
He could then find a way to form some sparks with Su Ruoxue. Then, it won't be long before she becomes his!
Several women present turned to Qian Zihao with gazes of admiration.
Women are sentimental creatures. Even if Qian Zihao hadn't done it for them, his gentlemanly demeanor at that moment was able to move the hearts of many of the women present.
This kind of man was reliable!