In the middle of summer, a late spring art auction is being held in a five-star hotel in Beijing's East Third Ring Road.
Organizer Huabao International Auction Company, since the implementation of the Auction Law of the People's Republic of China in 1997, the spring auction held every year has long become the most influential auction in the country.
Warburg International has also become a world-class auction company.
Qi Ning, chief auctioneer of Huabao International, famous mouth, famous eye.
He is famous because he has such witty words and eloquence at the auction house that he can always incite the buyer's mood to the maximum extent possible; he is famous because he has a sharp eye and a high level of antique appreciation.
At six o'clock in the afternoon, a young auctioneer stepped down from the auction stand, walked to Qi Ning's side, and respectfully said, "Mr. Qi, it's your turn to play."
Qi Ning nodded, but frowned and walked to the auction stand.
The spring auction lasts ten days, with one finale lot placed at the final auction every day. Only when the finale was auctioned, Qi Ning went on to preside over.
Today is the last day of the auction, this last auction, should be the most precious piece in the whole spring auction, the real finale.
But everyone here can see that Qi Ning is not in high spirits now.
"Here is the ... ... The 1038th lot, Xixia inlaid jewelry wrapped in lotus pattern jade screen, flow back from abroad, non-directional auction. "
Qi Ning's introduction was too simple to be simple, and then announced: "Now start bidding, starting at 800,000."
The auction hall is large, with 488 buyer seats. Because today is the last spring auction, now the auction is the final finale of the lot, the auction hall is full of people, many can not find a seat of buyers, can only stand.
There is always some noise in the occasions of so many people. But just as Qi Ning came to power, the noise gradually stopped.
By the time Zininin announced the start of the bidding, the hall had completely calmed down.
Five or six hundred men were silent.
They are not professionally trained soldiers, but people from all over the world, most of whom, because they have assets, have long been accustomed to undiscipline, but now they not only shut up, it seems that even their mobile phones are silent or turned off.
The hall was a little strangely quiet.
No one spoke, and naturally no one offered a bid.
Qi Ning frowned deeper and announced again: "Now start bidding, starting at 800,000."
No one made an offer or said anything.
Buyers under the stage, some look at Qi Ning, the expression on his face seems to smile; some look left and right, see if there is anyone to make an offer, there are eyes to touch, whether both sides recognize or not, will send a silent smile.
Qi Ning looked embarrassed, took a deep breath, announced for the third time: "Now start bidding, starting at 800,000."
Still, no one answered. At this time, the buyers under the stage are no longer looking around, and everyone's eyes are focused on Qi Ning to see how he ends.
There was laughter and compassion in that look. The chief auctioneer of Tangtang Huabao International, presiding over the auction of the most final lot at the national pivotal spring auction, unexpectedly no one bid.
How funny and sad is this?
Qi Ning's face flushed, was about to throw down the auction hammer, turned around and stepped down.
Just then, suddenly someone raised the card and shouted, "I bid... ..."