That seemingly ordinary celadon three-legged jar ultimately sold for an "exorbitant price" of 120 million, undoubtedly pushing tonight's charity auction to an unprecedented climax!
Although the subsequent items also included famous paintings, calligraphy, antique treasures, and limited edition jewelry, each of which was precious and sparked some fierce bidding in small circles.
But in the face of the huge impact and shock brought by that 120-million-dollar "earthenware jar," they all seemed a bit overshadowed and dull.
The focus of the guests' discussions remained firmly on President Xiao, whose generosity was outrageous, and his "peerless treasure."
It is foreseeable that Xiao Zhan's story will spread like a virus throughout the entire upper-class circle of the Demon City.
Of course, accompanying his great name will be a series of less-than-flattering labels such as "fool with too much money" and "sucker."
Lu Cheng sat in the VIP section, looking at the mere 2000 villain points for Shen Yan on the system panel, and his cowardly demeanor after missing out on the porcelain, though he was distraught, he seemed relieved to have saved his capital.
Lu Cheng's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Tsk, he had originally hoped that Shen Yan, with his rebirth advantage, could unearth some decent treasure that would bring him huge benefits.
But what happened?
Just two small-profit events, one was intercepted by him, and the other was bought by the sucker Xiao Zhan.
He actually started to see through the mortal world and prepared to lie flat?
With such little ambition, even the villain points contributed were pitifully few.
It seems... keeping him is not of much use anymore.
After squeezing out the last bit of his "future information" value, it's time to... completely dispose of him.
The auction gradually drew to a close.
Tonight's grand show had ended successfully, and Lu Cheng's goals had basically been achieved.
He did not linger too long with those beauties whose hearts he had stirred and who all harbored their own thoughts.
Maintaining an appropriate sense of distance and mystery could better whet their appetites and make them even more irresistibly drawn to him.
Just as Lu Cheng was seeing off several beautiful women one by one and preparing to leave, a small commotion suddenly occurred at the exit of the banquet hall.
Several well-maintained, elegant, and noble-looking women seemed to have been waiting there for a long time.
Seeing Lu Cheng's figure appear, her eyes suddenly lit up, and a solicitous smile immediately appeared on her face. She led a young woman with exquisite features but a hint of stubbornness and subtle impatience in her brows, and "just happened" to walk up, blocking Lu Cheng's path.
This middle-aged woman was Madam Song, the organizer of tonight's charity auction dinner and the Song Foundation.
And that young woman was, of course, her beloved daughter, Song Zhiyi, a proud daughter of heaven who had just returned from studying at a top prestigious university abroad.
"Young Master Lu! Young Master Lu, please wait!"
Madam Song's face was full of fawning smiles, and her tone was even enthusiastically obsequious, her posture extremely low.
"Tonight, we are truly grateful that Young Master Lu could grace us with your presence, making our humble dinner shine with honor!"
"Young Master Lu, this is my humble daughter, Zhiyi. She has just returned from studying abroad and is not yet very familiar with the domestic business environment, but she has long admired your great name and is utterly impressed by your legendary deeds in the business world!"
"I specifically brought her here today to meet you, hoping that if Young Master Lu has the opportunity in the future, you can give her some guidance! Our entire Song family will be eternally grateful!"
As she spoke, she kept signaling her daughter with her eyes, urging her to quickly step forward and greet Young Master Lu, to get acquainted.
Song Zhiyi wore a goose-yellow gauze dress, the bright color making her look delicate and even more adorable, but her figure was not as modest as her appearance suggested... At this moment, she was clearly uncomfortable and disgusted by her mother's deliberate fawning, almost pimp-like, introduction.
However, out of good upbringing and a reluctant compromise for family interests, she still had to suppress her displeasure, step forward, and give a slight nod to the young man in front of her, who was only a few years older than her but already stood at the pinnacle of the Demon City's pyramid, greeting him formally:
"Mr. Lu, hello."
Despite this, in those clear and bright eyes, there was no hint of admiration, flattery, or obsequiousness like those other socialites and noblewomen who desperately tried to get close to Lu Cheng.
Instead... there was a hint of aloofness.
As if saying: I am only following orders, don't expect me to flatter you like other women.
Lu Cheng merely smiled faintly at Madam Song's sycophantic flattery.
Clues, the Song family? Here they come, don't they?
His gaze fell with interest on the charming and somewhat rebellious Song family's young lady before him.
Qi Observation Technique was quietly activated.
Indeed!
Song Zhiyi also had a clearly visible faint golden aura of luck on her body.
"Ding! A new character associated with the Son of Destiny has been detected, and the script 'After Overhearing the Inner Voice, the Plot Seems to Be Going Awry?' has appeared. The male protagonist of this novel has not yet appeared!"
Overhearing the inner voice?
Plot collapse?
Not yet appeared... Doesn't that mean the female lead is left for him?
Lu Cheng's expression remained calm, maintaining the gentle and polite demeanor of a noble young master.
He nodded slightly to Song Zhiyi, his tone carrying a hint of appreciation and encouragement. The gentleness was perfectly balanced, showing goodwill without any deliberate warmth.
"Miss Song, there's no need to be so polite. Your mother is too kind."
"On the contrary, Miss Song, at such a young age, possesses such extraordinary temperament and insight. I believe your future in the Demon City is limitless."
His words were humble and polite, without any air of superiority, instead conveying a comfortable sincerity.
And it successfully sparked a small, ineffable curiosity and scrutiny in Song Zhiyi.
After all, she had met many rich young masters, but most of them were pleasure-seeking and dissolute.
Although Lu Cheng had a good reputation in rumors, she still carried a stereotype... Could this man... really be different?
Just then!
Lu Cheng noticed Xiao Zhan, whose face was ashen and whose body exuded a strong resentment, also walking out of the banquet hall.
He feigned surprise with an "Oh?" then turned to Madam Song and Song Zhiyi beside him, and with a light chuckle, said in a tone of kindly reminder:
"Speaking of which, tonight we must especially thank President Xiao from Longteng Group."
"He actually successfully bid for that peerless treasure, the Song Dynasty Ru ware celadon three-legged jar, at an astonishing price of 120 million!"
"Tsk tsk tsk... Truly... a keen eye for treasure! Extraordinary courage! Adding bricks and tiles to the charity cause, he is truly a role model for our generation! Impressive! Impressive!"
His voice was not loud, but his articulation was clear, with proper intonation, just enough for Xiao Zhan, who was not far away, to hear clearly!
Xiao Zhan, hearing Lu Cheng's blatant and undisguised mockery and humiliation, trembled violently again with anger!
His teeth gnashed audibly!
But at this moment... he couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal!
Because... what Lu Cheng said was all true!
He had indeed spent 120 million, in front of the entire upper-class society of the Demon City, to buy a "broken earthenware jar" that he himself still hadn't figured out what the hell it was!
Even though Ye Shuying comforted him by saying that it could at least sell for tens of millions, so the loss wasn't that great.
But... it had indeed made him, Xiao Zhan, a laughingstock in the upper-class society of the Demon City!
What else could he say?
He could only stare at Lu Cheng with murderous eyes, fiercely! Viciously!
Lu Cheng, however, ignored Xiao Zhan's murderous gaze, as if he didn't feel it at all.
He merely gave the Song mother and daughter an elegant, charming, and captivating smile, and nodded slightly in greeting.
Then, surrounded by bodyguards, he turned and walked away gracefully.
Leaving Xiao Zhan with the back of a victor, filled with disdain and arrogance.