Next day.
Evening. Party School dormitory.
Dong Xuebing is packing his bag. He threw all his bank cards into it.
Han Xinghua asked. “Director Dong, are you going out?”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “Yes.”
“This is a closed training course, and you need to apply to leave the school.” Han Xinghua reminded Dong Xuebing.
“I am not leaving the school premise.” Dong Xuebing kept his wallet. “I am taking a stroll in the school compound.”
“Oh, then it should not be a problem. Your results will be affected if you apply for leave.”
Dong Xuebing knows this, but the pink diamond auction is today, and he must attend the auction. After leaving the dormitory, he walked towards the main gate. He saw no one around and used STOP to climb over a wall before getting into a taxi.
“Jia De Auction. Thank you.”
“No problem!”
Twenty minutes later. Outside of Jia De Auction.
Dong Xuebing paid his fares and put on his sunglasses. He doesn’t want to be recognized as he is a Government Leader. It won’t be nice for his reputation if anyone saw him attending such multimillion auctions.
Jia De Auction is filled with people.
Maybe it is because of the pink diamonds.
Dong Xuebing registered at the counter and got an auction sign. The auction hall is full, and he finds an empty seat in a corner. It was break time, and the Autumn Auction had started in the afternoon. But the diamond rings are the last items to be auctioned, and he is not late.
After the break, the auction continues.
Many people had returned from their restrooms and cigarette breaks.
“The next item is a Ming Dynasty Blue and white pottery.” The auctioneer said.
Dong Xuebing is not interested, and he closes his eyes to rest. He is saving his energy for the diamond rings, as it will be a fierce fight.
One item….
Two items….
Three items….
Three items were auctioned off, and a precious painting failed to be sold because of a lack of bids. The antique collection is not as popular as a few years ago, and many investors have gotten smarter. Prices of He Tian Jade fell, and there’s a shortage of Crystal Jade in the market. The antique collection bubble had burst, but genuine buyers are still interested in getting good items.
For example, the next item.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming to Jia De’s Autumn Auction. This is the final auction for today.” The auctioneer smiles. “I believe many of you know what it is. That’s right. It is a valuable pink diamond ring. This pair of rare pink diamond rings are 20 and 28 carats, respectively, and a private collector kept it for more than 60 years. The GIA verified the diamonds and graded them as “Fancy Deep.” They are fitted on silver rings.”
Everyone’s attention is on the rings, and they talk about themselves.
“It’s finally starting.”
“The diamonds look better than the news.”
“But spending more than 100 million for a pair of rings is too expensive.”
“This should be the world’s most expensive pair of diamond rings. I wonder who will win them.”
Many people among the crowd are multibillionaires, and they are interested in this pair of rings.
After a lengthy introduction, the auctioneer invites the audience to look at the rings.
Dong Xuebing and many others immediately went up to the stage to look at the pair of rings in a glass box.
It’s perfect. The pink color captivated everyone, and the cutting was perfect. It sparkles from every angle, and the clarity is flawless. This pair of rings look more valuable than any other diamond ring. No wonder the estimated price is 200 million.
Everyone returned to their seats after the inspection ended.
Dong Xuebing is more determined to buy this pair of rings, and he knows Xie Huilan will love them.
The auctioneer shouts. “Let’s start with the bidding. The minimum bid is 1 million, and the starting bid is 80 million RMB.”
Many people raised their number signs.
“81 million….”
“85 million….”
“90 million….”
“91 million….”
“Oh, 100 million! No. 22 bid for 100 million!”
The price shot up and exceeded 100 million before Dong Xuebing could raise his number sign.
Dong Xuebing knew the competition was fierce, and he quickly raised his sign. “110 million!”
A middle-aged woman outbid him. “120 million!”
A young man shouted. “125 million!”
The auctioneer smiles. “No. 237 had bid 125 million. Any higher bids? 125 million…. Going once….”
Dong Xuebing raised his sign without hesitation. “130 million!”
A businessman quickly shouts. “140 million!”
The middle-aged woman turns and looks at them before shouting, “160 million!” She increased the bid by 20 million.
But the next moment, someone outbid her. “170 million!”
“180 million!”
“185 million!”
“200 million!” The businessman is determined to get the rings.
The bids exceeded 200 million within two minutes. This is the experts’ estimated price.
There’s a short pause in the auction hall.
The auctioneer said. “No. 28 had bid 200 million…. Any higher bids?”
Many people gave up at this price.
The young man paused for a while and shouted. “205 million!”
The middle-aged woman shouts. “210 million.”
The businessman looks at them and bids, “215 million!”
The woman thought for a while and gave it.
The young man is hesitating.
“215 million once….” The auctioneer starts to count. “No. 28 bids for 215 million. Any more bids?”
This amount is nearing Dong Xuebing’s bottom line. He only has 280 million, and if he can’t get the diamonds at 240 million, it will be over his budget when he includes the 10% commission and other taxes.
But…. Dong Xuebing is going all out for Sister Xie.
Dong Xuebing raised his sign slowly. “220 million!”
The young man clenched his teeth and raised his sign. “221 million!”
Dong Xuebing increases his bid without hesitation. “225 million!”
Everyone turns and looks at the young man with sunglass.
“225 million once….” The auctioneer raised his hammer. “No. 3 bids for 225 million!”
The young man threw his sign on the table and turned to his friends. He is not going to bid anymore.
The bids had exceeded the diamonds’ valuation.
The businessman hesitated and did not make any bids.
The middle-aged woman, who had given up, suddenly raised her sign. “230 million!”
Dong Xuebing cursed under his breath. “233 million!”
The middle-aged woman quickly increases her bid. “235 million.”
The competition is fierce, and only the woman is competing with Dong Xuebing.
Dong Xuebing doesn’t know how much that woman will spend, but he knows he doesn’t have enough money now.
What should I do?
Should I continue to bid?
Dong Xuebing looks at the woman’s expression and notices her eyes are twitching. This amount should be her maximum, and she can’t increase it anymore. He maintained his poker face and raised his sign. “237 million!”
The woman’s face changed.
This price is astronomical.
The total amount will cost close to 300 million if this bid is finalized, including the charges. This had far exceeded the value of the pink diamonds.
“237 million once….” The auctioneer raises his hammer again. “No. 3 had bid 237 million…. 237 million going twice…. Any more bidders?” He raised his arm. “237 million thrice! Sold!”
Dong Xuebing is relieved. He got it!
The auctioneer laughs. “Congratulations to No. 3 for winning the bids.”
Everyone clapped.
Everyone knows this pair of rings will fetch a high price, but no one had expected it to exceed its valuation by so much. The auction house evaluates the valuation, which is higher than the market value. Yet, the final bid had exceeded the value by 40%. This is indeed the most expensive pair of diamond rings in the world.
Dong Xuebing is feeling terrific as he smiles at everyone.
He got it!
Dong Xuebing finally got the rings!
