Car-hailing Driver: Rewards from Complaints

Chapter 343 - 184: Yang Chen Is Truly Amazing—Master of Pen and Sword (Part 2)

...

Auctioneer: "I believe many well-informed connoisseurs have heard about it. Last week, at the city museum’s art exhibition, four paintings stood out, each themed around the four seasons, depicting scenes described in ancient poems. Indeed, these are the four paintings displayed behind me. You can take a look; they are definitely top-notch. Moreover, this mysterious Mr. Jinghu only released these four paintings without revealing any personal information. But we all know one thing: the more mysterious the artist, the higher the value of the work. The starting price for each of these four paintings is 1 million. We’ll start with Spring. Starting price is 1 million, each bid will increase by 100,000. Let the bidding begin! Please place your bids!"

Liu Xiuling’s hired bidders immediately started bidding.

"1.2 million!"

"1.5 million!"

"I’m offering 3 million! Don’t compete with me!"

"Wow..."

"3.2 million!"

...

After a round of fierce bidding, the price reached 8.8 million.

At this time, everyone became cautious.

Auctioneer: "8.8 million! Is there anyone offering a higher price?"

At this point, Layman Qingfeng shouted: "I’m bidding 9.8 million!"

"Wow..." The crowd exclaimed.

Auctioneer: "Wow! Elder Zhao is bidding 9.8 million, it seems Elder Zhao highly regards this painting!"

Zhao Jingzhong laughed and cupped his fists towards the surrounding guests, murmuring: "Concede, concede!"

Auctioneer: "9.8 million going once! Is there a higher offer? 9.8 million going twice! Anyone else? Is there a higher bid? 9.8 million going thr..."

"I’m bidding 10 million!" Lin Zhengtian shouted.

"Wow..."

Auctioneer: "Elder Lin is bidding 10 million! Elder Lin is an authority within the circle. His willingness to offer this price shows that the true value of this painting is far more than 10 million. Is there anyone offering higher? 10 million going once! 10 million going twice! Anyone else? 10 million going three times! Sold! Congratulations to Elder Lin!"

"Clap clap clap..."

Enthusiastic applause filled the venue, congratulating Lin Zhengtian for securing the painting for 10 million.

Yu Shishi excitedly tugged on Yang Chen’s hand, whispering: "10 million, wow."

Yang Chen replied with a smile: "It might not be real, don’t get too excited. What if it’s just hired bidders?"

Yu Shishi: "Huh? Could Miss Xue have hired him as a bidder?"

Yang Chen: "I think as long as the money is enough, anyone could be a bidder."

Shortly afterward, Summer, Autumn, and Winter were also auctioned.

Layman Qingfeng Zhao Jingzhong bid 12 million for Summer, Liu Chuanxiong from the Liu Family secured Autumn for 11 million, and Liu Xiuling took Winter for 13 million.

Yang Chen didn’t know how Xue Yinong managed it, he just felt uncomfortable that the flawed "Fishing Alone on a Cold River’s Snow" sold for the highest price.

The other three paintings were perfect, yet their prices didn’t match the flawed "Winter," which was somewhat regrettable.

If there were a chance to repaint "Fishing Alone on a Cold River’s Snow," it would be great.

But Yang Chen didn’t realize that, precisely, Spring, Summer, and Autumn were genuinely auctioned off, while the highest-priced "Winter" was just Liu Xiuling covering her own bet.

Shortly after 9 o’clock, the auction officially ended.

The upcoming time was for free activities.

Upper society prefers social activities, discussing recent matters and exploring any opportunity for cooperation.

Some people unfamiliar with each other exchanged contact information.

Yang Chen and Yu Shishi were only focused on eating, drinking, and chatting, without any thought of networking.

After a while, Layman Qingfeng Zhao Jingzhong approached them.

"Ha ha... Young man, you’re here too." Zhao Jingzhong said with a smile.

Yang Chen smiled, nodded, and stood up: "Hello Elder Zhao. You really made a generous offer today."

Zhao Jingzhong: "Ha ha... It’s rare to come across a painting I like, I had to bid for it. But now you see the true value of these paintings, right? You mentioned ’Fishing Alone on a Cold River’s Snow’ earlier, and it eventually turned out to be the highest-priced piece."

Yang Chen: "Right, right, I now understand the value of these paintings. I truly didn’t know before, but I will know in the future."

Zhao Jingzhong laughed heartily with great pride.

At this moment, Lin Zhengtian arrived again.

"Young sir, I’ve already reached out to Elder Zhao and the others. In three days, I’ll host an appreciation event for Mr. Jinghu’s artworks at my home. At that time, all four paintings will be on display together. If you have time, I hope you can join us." Lin Zhengtian extended the invitation.

An appreciation event?

Indeed, attending should be worthwhile, Yang Chen thought to hear the genuine opinions of industry experts.

"Elder Lin, you’re too kind. Thank you for the invitation, I’ll definitely attend on time," Yang Chen replied with a smile.

Lin Zhengtian: "Ha ha... Great! On Tuesday morning at nine o’clock, three days from now, see you then!"

Yang Chen nodded.

At this time, the Lin Family Twins arrived.

Lin Shuying: "Can I add you as a friend now?"

Lin Anxiang: "You better not say you’ll add after coming to our house three days later."

Since he had already agreed to visit the Lin Family, there was no need to delay further.

Yang Chen then added the Lin Family sisters as friends.

Lin Shuying and Lin Anxiang smiled happily.

"It’s the first time I feel adding a friend is such a challenge!" Lin Shuying exclaimed.

Lin Anxiang: "Right? Luckily, we’ve finally added you now. Do you have time tomorrow morning? We’d like to invite you to our poetry society’s event. I think your poem is excellent and deserves to join our gathering."

Yang Chen shook his head and said: "I have to drive a car to pick up passengers, my activities only start in the evening."

Lin Anxiang: "Alright! I’ll reschedule the event to the evening, and you must come!"

Huh?

Miss, can’t you recognize a refusal?

If looks could kill, Yang Chen would’ve been slain multiple times by the envious glances of other young men nearby.

To avoid trouble, Yang Chen firmly decided to keep a distance from the Lin Family sisters.

"No, I drive during the day and need to sleep early at night. Ah... you see, I’m already feeling very tired. If it wasn’t for this auction, I would’ve been asleep by now. It’s getting late, we must leave. Everyone, see you again!" Yang Chen said, then stood up and left with Yu Shishi.