Shortly after Tong Shenyi entered the private room, the auction began.
The first item was a Xuande-era imperial blue-and-white porcelain dish with a cloud dragon pattern. It was quite beautiful and finally sold for 11.69 million.
Although Gu Wanrong wasn’t interested in the blue-and-white porcelain dish, she was still surprised by the final price. As Tong Shenyi had said, it was indeed China’s largest auction house; the first item fetched tens of millions.
She flipped through the auction catalog on the table, which was more refined and detailed than the one included with her invitation. It listed more items.
This Ruyi Zhai auction focused on antiques and land, interspersed with some jewelry—the items Gu Wanrong was most interested in.
“President Gu, please consider these three plots of land. I hope you can acquire them; it will significantly ease the future development of Xi Yuan Lai.” After Gu Wanrong finished reviewing the catalog, Tong Shenyi showed her the page with the land auctions.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get them.” Gu Wanrong took the catalog; the three plots Tong Shenyi mentioned were auctioned later.
The first gem appeared.
“Next, we will auction a pigeon blood red ruby and diamond ring. The gemstone is a 5-carat oval ruby, accented by two 0.5-carat round diamonds. The starting price is 500,000, with increments of no less than 50,000.”
After the auctioneer’s introduction, the price gradually rose to 1 million. Gu Wanrong signaled Tong Shenyi to bid.
“1.2 million.”
The hall fell silent for a few seconds. Unexpectedly, someone directly increased the bid by 200,000. Those interested in the ring quickly raised the price to 1.5 million.
At Gu Wanrong’s instruction, Tong Shenyi bid again, “1.7 million.”
No one in the auction hall bid.
“1.8 million.”
As the auctioneer was about to declare the ring sold for 1.8 million, someone bid again.
“2.2 million.”
After Gu Wanrong doubled the increment to 400,000, no one else bid.
“2.2 million once, 2.2 million twice, 2.2 million thrice. Sold.”
Gu Wanrong bought the ring for 2.2 million, wondering why the person who bid 1.8 million hadn’t bid again. She looked towards the bidder.
“That’s where An Jiayan and An Jiahuan are sitting. An Jiahuan probably bid,” Tong Shenyi said, following Gu Wanrong’s gaze, implying An Jiahuan was deliberately disrupting them.
“What are you doing? We only have two million.” After An Jiahuan bid 1.8 million, An Jiayan’s voice was low and urgent.
“Don’t think I don’t know that Mom and Dad secretly gave you another two million.” An Jiahuan said unhappily, resenting her parents’ and brother’s favoritism.
“That’s for handling unexpected situations.” An Jiayan narrowed his eyes. “The situation of An Group is as you know, you have enough rings. Why are you bidding?”
“Hmph!”
An Jiahuan scoffed at An Jiayan’s words and ignored him, raising her bidding paddle. An Jiayan quickly pressed down her arm.
“You’re spoiled by Mom, acting spoiled and ignoring anyone.” After pressing down An Jiahuan’s arm, An Jiayan took the paddle and placed it out of her reach.
He whispered a warning, “That’s Gu Wanrong. Don’t provoke her. I won’t clean up your mess.”
Later, Gu Wanrong continuously bought many jewelry items, preventing An Jiahuan from interfering.
In the latter part of the auction, Gu Wanrong bought a diamond crown, a sapphire necklace, emerald and jade earrings…spending nearly 30 million. Most of the jewelry had been acquired by her.
Tong Shenyi, having bid for Gu Wanrong until now, wondered if she wanted all the jewelry. If so, would she still be able to acquire the land she had targeted?
After much hesitation, Tong Shenyi spoke, “President Gu, do you have enough funds left to purchase the land we’ve chosen?”
The auctioneer was currently auctioning a painting of horses from the Republic of China era. Gu Wanrong wasn’t paying attention. “Tong Shenyi, my manager, I must solemnly state that Gu Wanrong currently lacks nothing, especially money. Understand? Don’t worry about my funds anymore.”
Seeing Gu Wanrong’s serious expression, Tong Shenyi nodded, indicating he understood. However, he didn’t know how much money she actually had.
Tong Shenyi continued bidding for Gu Wanrong, until the land auction began, and she had spent 60 million.
“This is an industrial plot in C City, totaling 1300 square meters, within an hour’s drive from the main city. The starting price is 20 million, with increments of no less than 1 million.”
Tong Shenyi recommended buying this land because of its location in C City and proximity to Xi Yuan Food Processing Factory, making relocation easier.
Gu Wanrong signaled Tong Shenyi to directly increase the bid by 10 million, “30 million.”
“31 million.”
“32 million.”
…
Others interested in the land were also bidding.
“40 million.”
Following Gu Wanrong’s instructions, Tong Shenyi increased the bid by more than 10 million each time.
40 million wasn’t a high price for those who wanted this land, and they continued bidding, reaching 55 million.
“75 million.”
This bid put Gu Wanrong’s offer significantly ahead. While others could continue bidding, they had reached their limit, and Gu Wanrong’s determined bidding style led to the others abandoning the auction.
“75 million once, 75 million twice, 75 million thrice. Sold.”
Gu Wanrong won the first plot of land in C City.
“80 million, sold.”
“70 million, sold.”
“60 million, sold.”
“95 million, sold.”
Following Gu Wanrong’s directions, Tong Shenyi bid again and again, the bidding becoming a numbingly repetitive process. Gu Wanrong’s claim of not lacking money was evident.
The auction ended. Gu Wanrong had spent 60 million on jewelry and 380 million on land.
Tong Shenyi opened the private room door. Gu Wanrong went to pay with the assistance of the waiter, and Tong Shenyi followed. He saw her paying with her personal account.
Normally, such land purchases wouldn’t be made with personal funds due to the large cash flow required.
Tong Shenyi remembered Gu Wanrong’s statement in the room. Her lack of financial concerns wasn’t limited to her company accounts; she personally possessed considerable wealth. Few people could casually withdraw several hundred million in cash like her.
The news that Gu Wanrong had paid 370 million in cash spread among the auction attendees.
Young, wealthy, and powerful: three labels attached to Gu Wanrong.
The An siblings also heard the news. An Jiayan warned An Jiahuan again not to provoke Gu Wanrong. Before he secured his position as heir to An Group, he couldn’t afford to offend her.
An Jiahuan showed defiance, turning and leaving An Jiayan.
