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Chapter 4 - The Auction

Tang Jinghao and Tian Liwei arrived at the venue in a Maybach, and walked down the bright pathway that led to the entrance. The public took many photos and posted it. On the front of most gossip magazines, fashion magazines, and business magazines, the headlines were "First Tian-Tang Couple Appearance at an Auction", "Tian-Tang Companies Represented at a Charity Auction", and "CEO Tian and Madam Tian Wearing Top Brands, ST Charms, Jane Q, and Lin's Grace!"

Everyone turned their heads to look at the couple walking down the aisle to find their seats in the VIP front row. They looked like a match made in heaven!

"What are you planning to gain from this auction?"

"Reputation and connections," Tian Liwei said calmly.

"I don't think you're telling the whole truth. Is there a certain item that you want from the auction?"

"You'll see," he gave her a look and held her hand. "We should at least act like a normal married couple, right?"

She nodded her head and felt a rush of mixed emotions. His cold hand made her feel comfort and relief.

Once all the guests settled in their seats, the auctioneer waved a hand at the employees. They pushed a rolling table onto the stage and took off the cover. There was a glass box containing a jade bracelet.

"Tonight, we will be auctioning the Tang Dynasty's Prosperous Jade Bracelet. It is a treasure wanted by many people around the world. It is believed to give prosperity to the owner for their whole lives. We'll start with ¥100,000,000 (approximately 14 million in USD)!"

Everyone raised their hands and called out high numbers.

"¥120,000,000!" (~$17 million USD)

"¥180,000,000!" (~$25 million USD)

Suddenly, when it got quiet, Tang Jinghao's husband stood up.

"¥350,000,000." (~$50 million USD) Tian Liwei said resolutely.

The people all looked at him and widened their eyes in shock.

"Which wealthy person can afford that much just for a bracelet?"

"Is that the son of the Tian family?"

"If it's him, of course he can afford it!"

"It's known that the Tian family is interested in the Tang Dynasty treasures! He must be coming to get this one, too!"

The auctioneer smiled brightly at the high number and yelled, "Going once! Going twice! Sold to Mr. Tian! Congratulations!"

Everyone clapped their hands and envied him.

Tian Liwei looked at his wife and offered his arm. She wrapped her arm around his and they walked down the aisle towards the stage.

The CEO of Tian Rising and the daughter of the Tang family stood together to receive the expensive item. Tian Liwei passed his black card to the auctioneer.

The man's hand shook as he swiped the card into the machine. He had never held or seen the rare card before. Only the wealthiest people had it.

The auctioneer bowed his head towards the couple and clapped his hands once again.

One of Tian Liwei's bodyguards held the glass box that contained the bracelet and the three walked to the exit of the auction room.

...

The two were separated by the glass box between them. As the car came to a stop, both of the car doors opened and they walked back to their hotel room.

"Are we going back home soon?" Tang Jinghao asked as she took off her earrings.

"Yes. As soon as we are ready to go, we will leave."

The woman stood up and decided to help him take off his necktie.

"It seems you are very interested in the Tang Dynasty antiques. What got you interested?"

The man looked at her as she untied it.

"It's a long story."

"Well, it seems that I happen to have some time on my hands right now."

He gestured for her to sit down besides him on the edge of the bed.

Tian Liwei looked at the mirror in front of them.

"There was a story of two brothers from my family that took place a very long time ago in the Tang Dynasty. It was said that one day, they came across a cave on the mountains full of treasures. After looking through the priceless items and taking them to their home, they sold all of it. Not a single treasure from the cave was left in their home. They were filthy rich. The two decided to go back to the cave to see if they had left anything behind. After seeing that they didn't miss anything, one of the brothers found a diary wedged into a crack of a rock. There was recorded data of each item they sold and the life of one of the many princes in the royal Tang family. The prince, Tang Tao, went through oppression from his brothers who fought for the throne. He decided to act like he didn't want the throne and he would support whoever was on it. This made the other people in the royal family treat him better and they each tried their best to get him on their sides, so they would have more support. But then, the prince's close brother found out about his plans for a rebellion against the emperor. Tang Tao wanted the throne just like everyone else. After his brother exposed it to everyone, the prince ordered his inside people to steal the most valuable items from each family member. Tang Tao fled to his cave hideout on the mountain and stayed there for a long time. He was going to stay until he was strong enough to start a rebellion, but then, the brother that exposed him suddenly became the emperor and got rid of his private army. This caused him to commit suicide. His angered spirit lurked around in the cave. He became even more angered when the two brothers came to steal his possessions. The prince watched as they took everything away and when the two siblings came for the last time, he placed a curse on them. Them and their families would live lives full of chaos and sufferings as immortals. The only way to break the curse would be to bring every single item and put them back into the cave. After that, they would turn back into humans. One brother was sick of living and didn't like having his family suffer because of them, so he wanted to break the curse. But, the younger brother loved his powerful and never-ending life. He wanted him and his family to live forever with power and wealth. The brothers fought and asked the family who they supported. The whole family, excluding the younger brother, wanted a normal life without immortality. Being faced with a family that disagreed with him, he ran away from home and started his own family that supported immortality. The two families never came into contact with each other again."

Tian Liwei looked at his wife who was so immersed into the story.

"After hearing that story from my parents, I became interested in the Tang Dynasty antiques and I want to collect every single one of them. Are you satisfied with my answer?"

Tang Jinghao snapped out of her daze and said, "Yes. After hearing that story, I understand. I would also collect the items as well."

They both changed into regular clothes and headed over to the private jet.