"I know!"
"Yurou-jie, you're 27?" Shang Yunyan suddenly asked after overhearing their conversation.
"Yes, Young Master, I'm 27 years old! How about you?"
"I'm 23! I've been out of college for over a year. By the way, do I need to give you my ID number or other documents? Will you need them for any reason while arranging things at home?"
"Actually, I do need it! You can send me your ID number via WeChat. I don't need photos of your documents, just the numbers will be fine."
"Got it!"
"Good evening, esteemed guests! Welcome to the auction hosted by Xu Group! I'm your host, Bie'er. Tonight's auction consists of three segments, featuring 77 items including antiques, calligraphy, paintings, jewelry, company shares, land properties, intellectual properties, and two patents. We hope everyone finds something they like! Now, let's get started. The first item up for auction is a calligraphy work by Li Shangyin, authenticated by several experts with supporting certificates. The starting bid is 6 million, and each bid increase must be no less than 200,000. Let the bidding begin!"
Shang Yunyan glanced at the item, uninterested. Instead, he checked the electronic invitation on his phone. Item 16—the land from Tianji Development—was the real reason he was here tonight.
"Young Master, not interested?"
"Mm, my goal is not here. Xue'er knows."
"Young Master is really interested in that piece of land from Tianji Development!" Xue'er whispered to Duan Yurou.
"Young Master, the number you have is your bidding paddle. When it's time for the land auction, each time you raise your paddle, it means a bid increase. If you don't speak, the price will just increase by the basic amount. For instance, with the current calligraphy, each bid must be increased by 200,000. If you raise your paddle without speaking, the price will increase by 200,000 from the current bid. If you do speak, the price will update to whatever you say."
"Got it," Shang Yunyan nodded. Even without Duan Yurou's explanation, he could easily understand how the auction worked.
Before long, the calligraphy piece was purchased by an elderly man, reputed to be a dedicated collector of calligraphy. Those around him said that the paintings and calligraphy he bought when younger had all doubled in value, bringing him considerable profits when sold.
"The second item is a massive jade stone. It is huge, and when illuminated with high-tech lighting, we discovered that the interior contains high-quality imperial green jade. However, as everyone knows, the larger the imperial green, the more valuable it is. But this stone has an irregular shape, and we can't completely open it without possibly splitting it in half, which would significantly reduce its value. So, those interested in this raw stone should be aware of this risk."
Upon hearing the auctioneer's announcement, Shang Yunyan became curious. Would anyone still bid for it with such a risk involved?
Ding! Host, bid on this stone! Then place it on the Universal Ground!
Shang Yunyan suddenly clutched his head, realizing why he hadn't thought of it sooner. The Universal Ground could replicate the raw stone, allowing him to experiment without worrying about failure.
Host, I didn't suggest you bid because I'm concerned about your failure. This raw stone contains other components, and its value far exceeds mere imperial green jade!
"Got it! I'll bid on it!"
At that moment, the auctioneer revealed the price: a nearly 3-meter-long, irregularly shaped raw stone with a starting bid of 30 million, and each bid increment must be no less than 3 million.
When the price was announced, many potential bidders withdrew, but a few raised their paddles.
"Excellent, the current price is now 42 million! If the imperial green jade can be successfully split, it could easily exceed 42 million. Is there anyone else bidding?"
Shang Yunyan raised his paddle slowly.
"Guest number 16 has raised the paddle! The current price is 45 million. Is there anyone else bidding? 45 million once! 45 million twice! 45 million three times! Sold! The imperial green raw stone belongs to Guest number 16!"
With the hammer falling, the auction moved quickly to the next item. Shang Yunyan noticed how swiftly the proceedings moved—there was no time wasted, and the pace was brisk.
Soon, a staff member quietly approached him with a handover form.
"Young Master, this form requires your signature. I'll help handle the paperwork. You can settle the payment later, or if you prefer, I can pay for you."
"Alright!" Shang Yunyan took the pen, signed the form, and immediately transferred the 45 million to Duan Yurou. She left with the staff member to take care of the formalities.
When Duan Yurou returned, Shang Yunyan had already fallen asleep, gently snoring.
"Has the Young Master fallen asleep?" Duan Yurou asked Xue'er, holding a stack of documents.
"Yes! He's just resting his eyes," Xue'er replied.