CHAPTER 444: CHAPTER 444: SOLD AT A HIGH PRICE

"What’s special about this one?"

"Exactly, this one, how can one understand it?"

"I don’t quite understand, but I can feel that this vase is indeed very rare. Also, its shape, its appearance, and the method of its coloring, didn’t you notice? It’s completely different from the vase that was sold just now."

"Yes, they’re not from the same dynasty, didn’t I mention it? One from the Ming dynasty, another from the Qing dynasty, with so many years between them, how could their craftsmanship be the same?"

"No, there is something unique about this one, and I suspect it might have been an imperial item from the past."

"Imperial? Does that mean, if that’s the case, this vase must be very valuable, right?"

"Yes, it should be. That’s why its starting price of 30 million, in my estimation, should be justifiable. However, how much it will eventually sell for is another question."

"Ah, so what if nobody wants it if the price is too high, can it still be considered a genuine piece?"

"What you are referring to is called a ’passed lot,’ and it’s quite a common occurrence in auctions, especially for high-value items which are most prone to being passed. So, I’m worried it might not sell today."

"Passed lot? So, does that mean that the vase won’t be able to be sold today?"

"Of course, if it has already been passed, how can it possibly be sold? So, I’m also uncertain."

"40 million."

The auction had just started bidding when one person stood up, Ye Chen turned around, and yes, it was Yang Wenyu.

He immediately shouted a bid of 40 million. If that’s the case, then the increments hereafter must be over 10 million, and absolutely not below 10 million.

This means, not many rounds later, this could quickly reach one billion. It seems, Li Fu was right in his estimation, this vase really could be worth over a billion.

This piqued Ye Chen’s great interest; he wanted to see who would end up buying this billion-value vase. Could it really be that Yang Wenyu was determined to have it?

"50 million."

"60 million."

"70 million."

Just a few bids in, and the price was already called up to 100 million.

Ye Chen was truly taken aback, he took a deep breath, then wiped his forehead with his hand.

Now, the person who bid one billion appeared to be a middle-aged man, sitting in a not so conspicuous place, probably around 40 years old.

After the bid reached one billion, he seemed quite confident, leisurely observing the auction scene.

He stealthily glanced at Yang Wenyu; Ye Chen could tell that Yang Wenyu was very tense by now, even seeing sweat beads emerging on his forehead.

"110 million."

Ultimately, he couldn’t hold back and added another 10 million, now bringing its market price beyond one billion.

"1 billion 50 million."

Unexpectedly, the man immediately raised by 40 million more. If so, the increments from others must be no less than this amount.

After he placed his bid, people turned their heads to look over, though they could guess who it was when they saw the man.

It must be him who had such great influence.

"This man, is he that powerful?"

Ye Chen turned his head and asked Lin Yaru.

He knew that if it was someone he didn’t recognize, Lin Yaru might actually be able to identify them.

"Isn’t that President Jiang?"

"President Jiang? What does he do? So wealthy."

"He’s in export trade, and apparently, he has been making a lot of money these recent years. His products are now all over the world, and reportedly, his company’s market value is over 50 billion."

"Wow, 50 billion, then he must be very famous in Jiangzhou. How come I never heard of him before?"

"He’s not from Jiangzhou. He probably came here inspired by the reputation, but I’ve seen some reports about him on TV and forums before, a truly legendary figure."

"Wow, that’s incredible, 1.5 billion to buy a vase, I wouldn’t even know where to put it if I were him."

"People who love collecting antiques, you can never figure out their thoughts, so we just need to watch the fun, you know?"

"Have you noticed? Yang Wenyu can hardly speak now, if he continues, he must raise at least to 1.8 billion to secure the vase, provided that President Jiang stops bidding."

"That’s not necessarily true, did you not see? President Jiang seems determined to win the vase; he will surely continue to bid."

At this moment, Ye Chen suddenly remembered something.

Previously, Yang Wenyu had approached him privately.

He had promised to offer privately one billion to purchase the vase, avoiding a public competition.

Could it be because he knew there was a formidable opponent? And that he himself was not up to the challenge?

If so, it seems Ye Chen truly disrupted his plans this time.

But then, Ye Chen still felt that this matter did not necessarily involve him.

If he really wanted to purchase, couldn’t he have just approached Li Fu privately? Why did he need me to convey this message?

Being a middleman, if it gets passed around, the worst outcome can only happen to me.

"Once, twice, three times, sold."

The final gavel.

This vase was sold for 1.5 billion officially here.

At that moment, the room burst into thunderous applause, as everyone knew that this was the most valuable item of the auction and also achieved the highest bid of the day.