Chapter 345: Auction

"Alright, everyone, stop fussing. The banquet is about to begin." No sooner had Nanrong Wanqing finished speaking than a middle-aged man holding a microphone, with a friendly smile, stepped onto the temporary stage at the center of the venue.

"First of all, on behalf of the organizers, I welcome everyone’s presence and thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to contribute to this charitable cause. Here, on behalf of those poverty-stricken families that have been supported, I express sincere gratitude to you all."

After the formalities, the host moved on to the main topic.

"As usual, tonight’s charity banquet will be conducted in the form of an auction, and I hope everyone will participate enthusiastically. Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at the first item up for auction today."

With the host’s words, a pretty girl in a cheongsam came over, pushing a four-wheeled cart. On the cart's tray, an item was covered with a red cloth.

When the cart was pushed closer, the host reached out, pinched the corner of the red cloth, and gently lifted it to reveal a piece of blue and white porcelain before everyone’s eyes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is blue and white five-color porcelain from the Qing Dynasty, a precious type of blue and white porcelain. Those in the know are definitely clear about the value of this item, which is an excellent choice whether for display or collection. In view of its rarity, the starting bid is one million; please start your bids now."

"Two million," a bid was quickly called out from the crowd.

"Three million."

"Five million."

"..."

In less than two minutes, the price of this Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain had already climbed to tens of millions.

"Twenty million."

As the voice sounded, all eyes turned to Nanrong Wanqing. Ling Chen looked at Nanrong Wanqing in surprise. The bidding had just passed ten million, and yet Nanrong Wanqing directly called out twenty million. Could that broken piece of porcelain be worth so much?

After Nanrong Wanqing bid, suddenly no one else raised the bid. Competing with the chairman of Hongyu Group in terms of financial resources was simply asking for trouble.

The host held the gavel, shouting out three times in succession, and seeing no further bids, the gavel finally came down.

"Congratulations to Miss Nanrong for obtaining a piece of Qing Dynasty blue and white porcelain."

Nanrong Wanqing, with an unchanged expression, stood up and said, "Let’s go back."

"Go back?" Ling Chen was stunned. "Isn’t the auction not over yet?"

Hearing this, Su Lin smiled and mercilessly teased, "How can you be so dense? Wanqing is here for charity, not to participate in the auction."

So that was it.

Ling Chen suddenly understood. Nanrong Wanqing didn’t care whether the auction item was worth the price or not; she only needed to donate a substantial sum of money. Since the goal had been achieved, there was no need to stay any longer.

With this realization, Ling Chen stood up and said, "Let’s go."

However, just as the trio was about to leave the banquet hall, the host’s voice suddenly came through the speakers: "Ladies and gentlemen, the next item up for auction has a history of more than six hundred years. Its specific usage is unknown, but according to several expert appraisers’ judgments, this is likely a weapon crafted in ancient times. Please have a look."

At the mention of "weapon," Ling Chen couldn’t help but pause and turn to look at the stage.

Because of the distance, Ling Chen couldn’t see very clearly, so he deliberately turned his gaze to the large screen hanging on the wall. On the screen, the camera was capturing a close-up of the weapon’s shape.

It was a cylinder about one and a half feet long and about two fingers thick, which could be held in one hand. The cylinder, made of some unknown material, had a smooth surface intricately carved with complex patterns. From its appearance alone, it was hard to discern its function.

"Ladies and gentlemen, do not underestimate this weapon. According to our appraisers, it contains many mechanisms and boasts various effects," the host said. Holding the cylinder in his hand, he gently pressed it with his finger, and a two-foot long sword blade sprung out from one end.

Despite being several hundreds of years old, the blade was still sharp as ever. With its cold, translucent gleam, anyone practiced in martial arts could recognize the extraordinary quality of the weapon.

Ling Chen’s eyes gleamed; he hadn’t expected to come across such a treasure at a charity auction.

"The starting bid for this weapon, which is only valuable as a collectible, is set at one hundred thousand."

"Two hundred thousand," Ling Chen immediately raised his hand, offering a price.

"Five hundred thousand."

No sooner had Ling Chen’s voice trailed off than a crisp voice followed. Ling Chen turned his head and saw Qin Wu also looking at him, eyes filled with animosity.

This woman has a good eye for quality as well.

Ling Chen snickered to himself unconcernedly and continued to bid, "Six hundred thousand."

"One million," Qin Wu quickly followed up with a determined tone.

Hearing Qin Wu’s bid, Ling Chen hesitated for a moment. One million was already his limit; he had transferred two million to Bai Huanjun and didn’t have much left.

"Two million," Nanrong Wanqing’s voice rang out just as Ling Chen was indecisive.

Upon hearing Nanrong Wanqing’s bid, the crowd burst into laughter. Everyone had seen her entering hand in hand with Ling Chen. Now, it was clear to all present that this young man was Nanrong Wanqing’s boyfriend.

However, it was usually men who spent money on women. Women spending money on men was quite rare, except for kept men. Thus, the smiles on people’s faces were far from friendly but rather filled with derision and mockery.

Feeling the ridicule in everyone’s gaze, Nanrong Wanqing realized she shouldn’t have spoken up for Ling Chen and regretted it, apologetically looking at him.

Ling Chen was well aware of her intentions and smiled slightly, not caring about the glances from others.

"Hmph! Just a kept man who only knows how to live off women, truly a disgrace to men." A sneering voice came through, and without looking, Ling Chen knew who it was.

Qin Yang!

Ling Chen smirked and said, "Well, it depends on whose support you are seeking. Some people aren’t even qualified to receive it. Nowadays, to be a kept man also requires skills; unlike some, who, under everyone’s watch, get slapped by a woman and don’t even have the guts to slap back. That is the real disgrace to men."

Qin Yang’s face turned angry, and he wanted to retort, but he was silenced by Qin Wu beside him.

Qin Wu glanced at Ling Chen and then raised her hand high, stating nonchalantly, "Three million."

Ling Chen looked at the weapon displayed on the large screen. Despite his fondness for it, the odd glances from the crowd irked him.

After a moment of thought, he decided to let that woman have it.

Watching Ling Chen turn away and leave, a slight smirk lifted the corners of Qin Wu’s lips, outlining a trace of cold amusement.

Leaving Yulong Mansion, Nanrong Wanqing quickly caught up to the ahead-striding Ling Chen, showing the timidity of a woman who had done wrong, hanging her head and softly saying, "I’m sorry."

"Why apologize? You’ve done nothing wrong," Ling Chen smiled and took Nanrong Wanqing’s smooth hand. "It’s fine, don’t take it to heart."

"Did you really like that weapon?"

"I did, but there’s no point in competing with that woman for it. It’s meaningless." With that, Ling Chen took out his phone to check the time and said, "Let’s go, I’ll take you home first. I’ve got some things to take care of later."