Two days later.
Evening. Dong Xuebing finished eating his dinner after his classes and returned to his dormitory. He went online to check on Yun De Auction House’s auction results.
Qing Dynasty Xu Yang’s painting. <Surrender of the Western Route Army and presentation of the slaves>.
The starting bid is 50 million RMB.
The painting is 43 cm by 2865 cm, and it is a floral brocade framed frontispiece scroll. It has white jade fittings, and the title is written by Xu Yang.
Today is the auction for this painting, and Dong Xuebing is eager to know the transacted price. This painting will determine if he can afford to win the bid for the pink diamond. Currently, he has around 195 million, which is all his savings. If this painting can fetch 100 million, he will have enough to win the bid for the diamond rings.
Yun De Auction House’s Autumn auction had started.
It is the final item of the auction is Xu Yang’s painting.
Dong Xuebing immediately calls an Auction House’s staff as he can’t leave the Party School. He called because he wanted to listen to the auction ‘live.’
A restaurant.
Wei Nan was having dinner with a few friends when he received a call.
A man said. “Hey, Old Wei. Have you heard an auction house in Beijing is having an auction for a Xu Yang painting?”
“Xu Yang’s painting?”
“Yes. The <Surrender of the Western Route Army and presentation of the slaves> painting!”
“Huh? Are you sure?”
“I am also confused. I thought this painting was part of your family’s collection?”
“Has the auction started? How much is the starting bid?”
“The starting bid is 50 million, and it should be authentic.”
Wei Nan laughed. “This must be a fake painting. These fake paintings are everywhere at Liu Li Chang, and many experts can’t tell the difference. I am telling you not to bid for that painting.” He sighed. “You should know my villa was destroyed by a fire ago. The <Surrender of the Western Route Army and presentation of the slaves> painting was burned. All those in the market now are fakes.”
“Really? It’s a pity.”
“Yes. My Grandfather had spent tens of millions to get it. Sigh….”
Wei Nan continued eating with his friends after hanging up and did not think much about the auction. He is not an expert in antiques. His Grandfather hired experts to verify that <Surrender of the Western Route Army and presentation of the slaves>. He saw the pile of ash in his safe and knew the painting couldn’t be recovered. Only an antique porcelain vase or a jade ornament can survive that raging fire.
This is why Dong Xuebing dares to put this painting up for auction. He had cleaned all the fingerprints and other marks on the painting, and no one would know this was the original. Modern technology can replicate the painting, and it’s impossible not to find fakes for the famous painting.
“The final item for tonight is the <Surrender of the Western Route Army and presentation of the slaves>.”
“I believe everyone knows who Xu Yang is. The starting bid is 50 million RMB.”
Dong Xuebing lies on his bed in the Party School and listens to the auction with his heart pumping fast.
“Let the auction begin!”
“50 million! Any bidders?”
“Oh, No. 26 made a bid. 55 million!”
“Any more bids? 55 million…. Eh, No. 28 bid 58 million!”
“No. 22 bid 65 million! 65 million once….”
“68 million! Oh, 72 million! Any more bids?”
70 million….
80 million….
90 million….
The bids for <Surrender of the Western Route Army and presentation of the slaves> continue to rise.
The bids had exceeded Dong Xuebing’s expectations, and he was relieved. Of course, he hopes for the bids to be higher.
Ninety-one million…. 95 million…. 100 million….
Dong Xuebing can hear people gasp in the background.
“No. 6 bid for 100 million. Are there any higher bids? 100 million once…. 100 million twice…. One hundred million…. thrice!”
Bam! The hammer fell.
“100 million…. Sold!”
Clap…. Clap…. Clap….
Dong Xuebing waved his fist and hung up. He immediately calls Yun De Auction House’s new boss.
“Congratulations, Mr. Dong.” The female boss said. “The painting is sold at 100 million.”
Dong Xuebing smiles. “Congratulations to you too.”
The female boss replied. “Haha…. The buyer is a friend of mine, and he will make payments on the spot after the auction. I know you need money urgently. I will transfer the amount into your account after we settle the payments. It should be in by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Terrific. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Remember to look for me if you have any interesting antiques.”
“Of course.”
Dong Xuebing will not get 100 million as he must deduct commission and taxes. But the boss is Qu Yunxuan’s friend, and he bargained for a lower commission. He can get around 80 million from this auction. With his savings, he has 280 million now.
Dong Xuebing went online and checked on the pink diamond rings auction date. It is tomorrow evening.
Dong Xuebing has enough money, and he is confident about getting the rings.
