Seeing the next lot come up while Jiang Cheng stayed silent, Li Zewei beside him prompted, "Chairman Jiang, shall we go for this piece?"
Because Jiang Cheng had already taken every previous item…
At this point the other bidders were puzzled by his continued silence.
They were skeptical yet also entertaining another thought.
Some, realizing no one was competing, started throwing up their paddles as if grabbing bargains.
After all, sitting there half an hour and leaving empty-handed was frustrating.
Unlike the others stewing in irritation…
Li Zewei's commission had already hit 2.5 million, and he looked at Jiang Cheng with even deeper respect.
Jiang Cheng glanced at the screen: a canvas by South-Korean painter Lee Ufan, titled Correspondence, opening at 2.2 million.
One look and he shook his head—wasn't this just two oversized electrical plugs on a sheet?
The paper was split in half, a big plug on each side.
The painting left Jiang Cheng utterly baffled.
It was the sort of picture where whoever bought it had to be a moron.
At least landscapes or portraits required some skill.
Those genres demanded real painting ability.
As for this so-called conceptual work, apart from being laughable, Jiang Cheng saw zero collectible value.
Even with the System footing the bill, he didn't want it.
Watching the frantic bidding, Jiang Cheng shook his head in disgust. "A painting of two plugs?? What the hell?? Skip anything from South Korea or Japan—don't even ask me."
The moment Jiang Cheng finished, Wang Congcong leaned forward and gave him a big thumbs-up: "Great minds think alike."
Li Zewei caught the cue at once, nodding respectfully. "Understood, sir."
Some bidders had raised their paddles hoping for a steal, others just for fun.
Most still assumed Jiang Cheng would eventually snatch the piece.
To them, joining in was merely going through the motions.
Even if they didn't win, lifting a paddle gave a sense of participation.
Who knew Jiang Cheng would break the pattern this time.
Not only did he abstain, he openly scorned the artwork.
His words instantly made fans of the painting doubt their own taste.
A tycoon's opinion is always contagious.
Though they'd initially resented his claim of buying everything, even sneering at it…
everyone present was wealthy; some central-seat big shots matched his background.
His declaration had sounded like outright contempt.
Many deliberately tried to outbid him at first, but eventually quit.
After all, these lots ran into the millions.
For most tycoons, nabbing even one or two items was already impressive.
If the price strayed too far from their expectations, they wouldn't throw away millions for pride.
Reality isn't a novel where every rich man can casually splash a hundred million around.
Yet Jiang Cheng's total spend had long surpassed the hundred-million mark.
Faced with such absolute might, most Second-generation rich kids were crushed.
After seeing his financial muscle, their resentment evaporated.
As the saying goes: if you can't beat them, join them.
Now they endorsed his words instead of opposing them.
Those still competing quietly lowered their bidding cards.
Seeing the room cool off, the auctioneer kept smiling without a flicker of annoyance.
Because barring surprises, Jiang Cheng would become Poly Auctions' honored guest from now on.
If he disliked even one piece, they'd never offer it again at any sale he attended.
"Number thirty, Mr. Yuan, at three million! Any further bids?"
The female auctioneer chirped her standard call.
Each repetition sank Mr. Yuan's heart a little lower.
He was the sucker who'd idly pushed the price, fully expecting Jiang Cheng to take it in the end.
He'd raised his paddle out of boredom, not because he wanted the work.
Jiang Cheng's scathing remark had already filtered forward to him.
Now, staring at the screen, he too saw nothing but two giant plugs.
He cast frantic glances around the room…
praying another fool would appear to rescue him.
Sadly, no further bid came.
With the gavel's final fall the painting landed squarely in his lap. "Congratulations to Mr. Yuan, bidder number thirty, for securing this masterpiece Correspondence!"
He became the only buyer besides Jiang Cheng in this session.
Thanks to Jiang Cheng, the piece had been widely mocked.
Yet, given the circumstances, nearby bidders still offered polite congratulations.
The man couldn't squeeze out a smile in return.
"Damn, three million for two oversized plugs—must've been hit in the head."