Chapter 34: The Auction!

"That's great, thank you for your advice." Lin Fan immediately beamed, nodding enthusiastically like a pecking chick.

With Ouyang Qi as his wingman, the difficulty of completing his task would be greatly reduced.

After making a round, Lin Fan found nothing of value—no precious antiques or paintings. The appraisal event was filled with elderly men clutching worthless imitations for the experts to examine, or private collectors who had been deceived. In other words, nothing truly valuable would appear here.

Soon, the two of them arrived at Hall Two.

The auction in Hall Two was of a much higher standard than the appraisal event. The reason for this, simply put, was that most attendees were wealthy individuals like Lin Fan, with hardly any elderly guests. If there were any, they were aged tycoons or true insiders.

This hall was divided into an auction area and an exhibition section. Inside the glass cases of the exhibition area were displayed all sorts of antiques, famous collectibles, and paintings, each marked with a price tag. The lowest were a few thousand, the highest over a million.

"These artifacts can be auctioned off? Aren't they supposed to be handed over to the state?" Lin Fan was attending such an auction for the first time and was amazed by the sheer number of antiques and collectibles, many of which had significant historical value.

"You really don't understand, do you?" Ouyang Qi folded her arms, assuming an air of scholarly authority. "Only those artifacts with research value and historical significance end up in museums or are surrendered to the state. The pieces here lack high research value and are mostly privately owned. As long as the transactions are compliant, they can be traded freely.

"Furthermore, there are many loopholes in the antiquities trade. Insiders can manipulate things behind the scenes, remaining within the law while openly putting items up for auction.

"But this field is deep and murky. Many items are fakes. These wealthy people come to auctions either to launder money, show off, or because they're genuine collectors with a love for art and antiquities."

After this explanation, Ouyang Qi's eyes fell on a landscape painting. "I quite like this piece. I could bid for it and give it to my cousin..."

Lin Fan knew nothing about paintings; this one depicted a kingfisher among plum blossoms. The composition was simple: a few branches of plum blossom, some red and white flowers, and at the top, a brilliantly colored kingfisher, with several lines of calligraphy. And yet, this single painting was valued at half a million!

But it was an authentic work by a renowned painter from the Qing dynasty—Zou Yigui.

"No problem. If you like it, Miss Su will surely like it too."

Lin Fan wanted to grumble inwardly, but on the surface, he was perfectly agreeable.

Ouyang Qi had some knowledge of these things because the head of the Su family, her grandfather, was particularly fond of collectibles and calligraphy. To please the old man, the younger generation would often attend auctions or appraisal events, buying valuable items to gift him. Unlike the others, Su Xuanmo genuinely loved such pursuits, not just buying at random to curry favor.

At that moment, an auctioneer approached and exchanged a few words with them. It turned out the painting would be put up for competitive bidding on the main stage in an hour and couldn't be purchased directly. It had been sent by a company to be auctioned for cash. If it had been a private item or worth only a few tens of thousands, it could have been bought outright. The more complex the process, the more certain it was that the painting had been authenticated by experts.

"Well, well, so the show-off has managed to cozy up to Miss Ouyang. You really are the lowest of the low!"

Suddenly, a shrill, mocking voice sounded behind them.

The two turned to see Ling Feng approaching, accompanied by three handsome young men and three pretty girls. Lin Fan frowned, surprised to run into this fool here. Then he remembered—the hotel was just across from the Media Academy, so it was common for students to come here to eat and have fun. Bumping into Ling Feng wasn't all that strange.

"Look, everyone! This is the show-off who tried to steal Qiao Xinxin from me!" Ling Feng announced loudly. "And now he's hitting on Miss Ouyang—two-timing! A face can be deceiving. I wonder if Qiao Xinxin knows what a scumbag you are!"

Ling Feng glared at Lin Fan, scolding him in front of everyone.

"Ling Feng! Stop talking nonsense. There's nothing between us," Ouyang Qi immediately clarified.

But Ling Feng refused to relent. "Miss Ouyang, everyone knows you're the socialite of the Media Academy—always cozying up to rich men..."

"That night, Lin Fan dropped millions, giving everyone a gold medal. He's like the foolish son of a wealthy landlord—just your type, isn't he?"

Ouyang Qi's face darkened, her glare full of displeasure. Unfortunately, she was not Su Xuanmo, lacking the status and authority to silence even a minor scion like Ling Feng.

Ling Feng's group of pretty youths joined in, mocking Lin Fan.

"This guy looks so ordinary—doesn't resemble a rich second-generation at all. Where does his money come from?"

"Is he being kept by a rich woman? I heard some wealthy ladies in Hang City love pretty boys like him."

"Coming to the auction to show off—probably pretending he knows all about art and antiques just to impress girls..."

"Why not just get a room upstairs instead of pretending to be cultured? People like him make me sick."

Lin Fan could bear it no longer. He waited for their jeers to subside before sneering, "I can afford anything here. Can you? All you can do is stand around and gape!"

These second- and third-generation rich kids spent only their parents' money, their funds limited and unable to support their posturing. Lin Fan, on the other hand, had more money than he could ever spend. He didn't consider these kids worthy of his attention.

"Ridiculous! I can't afford it? I wouldn't blink at spending three or four million!" Ling Feng snorted angrily, his face red with indignation.

Hearing this, Lin Fan's mind stirred, and a sly glint appeared in his eyes. He decided to toy with Ling Feng and pointed to the kingfisher painting behind him.

"I don't believe you. Can you buy this painting?"

"A mere half-million—child’s play!" Ling Feng glanced over, curled his lips, and scoffed.

His companions immediately began to cheer him on.

"Ling, show him who's boss! He embarrassed you before—humiliate him today!"

"You guys don't know—Ling's allowance alone is a hundred million. The other night, he was caught off guard by this show-off, or he would have stolen the spotlight!"

"I bet this show-off doesn't have nearly that much money. If he can put a hundred million down on the table right now, I'll call him 'Daddy.'"

As they spoke, a staff member collected the painting for the upcoming auction—it would be up for bid in an hour.

Ling Feng, undeterred, continued to provoke: "You think you're rich? Dare to go up against me?"

Seeing his smug expression, Lin Fan grinned as well. "Of course I dare."

Ling Feng thought his trap had been set. Little did he know he was the one falling right in.