Sun Yi Lang, dressed in a Tang suit, his complexion ruddy and his spirits high, walked onto the stage.
A wave of applause erupted from below, indicating Sun Yi Lang's significant standing in Jiangcheng's antique circle.
Raising his hand to signal for quiet, Sun Yi Lang then smiled and said, "Bo Gu Zhai has received much favor from everyone, leading to today. To give back to you all, we have specifically brought out dozens of treasures for auction. Among those present are my peers, antique enthusiasts, and antique collectors. Regardless of your status, today's auction is bound to leave you satisfied."
Sun Yi Lang spoke with great confidence, "To avoid wasting everyone's time, I announce that the auction officially begins. Now, please bring out the first auction item."
A shop assistant quickly carried a porcelain vase, placing it on the display stand. Several cameras were positioned around the vase, ensuring every angle was captured.
A clear image of the porcelain vase appeared on the big screen, extremely sharp.
"To demonstrate our sincerity in this auction, any guest wishing to bid can personally approach and examine it. After confirming its authenticity, you may then proceed to bid. This is a first in the auction world! Friends interested in this porcelain vase are welcome to come forward."
As Sun Yi Lang finished speaking, over a dozen people rose and walked swiftly to examine the item one by one.
Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor, Shen Shi Yun smiled faintly, "Sun Yi Lang certainly has his methods. This way, it will attract the attention of those individuals to the greatest extent, increasing the chances of fetching a high price."
Zhou You De, looking at the porcelain vase on the big screen, frowned, "I feel like I've seen this porcelain vase somewhere before; there's a strange sense of familiarity."
His words caused Shen Shi Yun to pause slightly, "The Zhou family is also an antique lineage, so it's not surprising that Young Master Zhou has seen many similar porcelain vases."
Shen Shi Yun's words dispelled Zhou You De's doubts. He smiled and nodded, "Perhaps. But looking at the vase's condition, it seems quite good. Its value should be between 1.5 million and 2 million. If there are collectors who particularly appreciate porcelain, it might even go higher."
Coming from a distinguished antique family, Zhou You De's eyesight was naturally excellent. However, encountering a divine figure like Ye Fan could only be attributed to his bad luck!
Heh~
"By using this auction, we can make a substantial profit, and that matter can finally be pursued with full force. I lost two hundred million this time; thankfully, I had Young Master Zhou's help, otherwise, the old man would surely have had opinions about me."
Recalling being tricked by Ye Fan and Shen Tian Yin working together, a cold glint flashed in Shen Shi Yun's eyes.
She, the future mistress of the prestigious Shen family, had been schemed against by Shen Tian Yin. She could not let this humiliation pass.
Zhou You De frowned, "What did Qin Zhong say? Those two hundred million all went into the pockets of the Antique Association."
Shen Shi Yun shook her head and sighed, "He's only the vice president. While he has authority, he doesn't have absolute power. Zhu Zi Ming is above him. That old man outwardly doesn't interfere with the Antique Association's affairs, but all commands ultimately have to go through him to be issued."
"Then let him disappear forever."
Taking a sip of red wine, Zhou You De narrowed his eyes and said viciously.
...
In another private room on the second floor, Qi Yuan Hao twirled his prayer beads, looking with interest at the information about Ye Fan in his hand.
"Has this person never been famous before?"
The bodyguard quickly nodded, "Young Master, we have thoroughly investigated. This Ye Fan seems to have appeared out of nowhere. He was unknown before. It's likely he just got lucky and guessed correctly on a few items."
Looking down upon Ye Fan with disdain, the bodyguard's words carried contempt.
However, Qi Yuan Hao shook his head, "He knows how to endure, to accumulate strength before a powerful strike. Someone like this is worth recruiting."
He tossed the file onto the table.
"Zhou You De came to Jiangcheng for the Shen family's second daughter, Shen Tian Yin. Although the Shen family is not comparable to our Qi family, they are still significant. Once this marriage alliance is successful, the Zhou family will gain an advantage over us. Therefore, we absolutely cannot let Zhou You De succeed. This Ye Fan is a romantic rival to Zhou You De. An enemy's enemy is a friend. I think we can join forces. You go and invite Ye Fan, tell him I'm treating him to tea tonight."
"Young Master, this bumpkin, is he worthy of having tea with you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qi Yuan Hao's expression gradually turned grim, and two cold beams of light emanated from his eyes.
The bodyguard trembled violently and bowed his head respectfully, "Your subordinate will attend to it immediately."
...
Ye Fan gazed intently at the second floor. There were three private rooms in total. The two young masters from Hai Cheng were situated on either side, so who occupied the central main seat?
"The main private room of Bo Gu Zhai has seemingly never been opened to anyone. I've attended Bo Gu Zhai auctions before, and there was never anyone there. However, there are speculations below that it might be the exclusive private room of Jiangcheng's prominent figure."
Seeing Ye Fan's constant gaze towards the second floor, Shen Tian Yin whispered in his ear.
Intelligent women never need many words; with just a gesture or a glance, he understood her thoughts. Undoubtedly, Shen Tian Yin was such a woman.
"The one from the City Lord's Mansion? If that's the case, could the City Lord's Mansion be behind Bo Gu Zhai?"
Ye Fan's brows furrowed deeper. If that were true, it would likely be even more difficult to deal with Sun Yi Lang.
Ji Nan Shan, standing beside him, shook his head, "I've never heard of any connection between the City Lord's Mansion and Bo Gu Zhai. However, the City Lord's Mansion's chief steward is quite close to Sun Yi Lang."
"Lin Yang?"
Ye Fan was slightly taken aback. This was the same Lin Yang who had caused trouble when he was dining with Jiang Zhi Tao before.
However, if it were just him, he wouldn't be able to provide Bo Gu Zhai with complete protection, right? There must be someone else supporting Bo Gu Zhai from behind.
"The Antique Association."
Ye Fan suddenly stated, "I understand. This is a complex network of relationships. Bo Gu Zhai, the Antique Association, and the City Lord's Mansion are all interconnected, forming a chain of interest. The previous appraisal fair was jointly organized by Bo Gu Zhai and the Antique Association."
Hearing Ye Fan's words, Ji Nan Shang and Shen Tian Yin both frowned.
"No wonder Bo Gu Zhai's business in Jiangcheng has been growing, eventually becoming the leader in the antique industry. It turns out they have the support of the Antique Association and the City Lord's Mansion."
Ji Nan Shan suddenly realized. If Ye Fan hadn't pointed it out, he probably wouldn't have thought in that direction.
"But what is Shen Shi Yun's connection to them? Although the Shen family is also a prominent antique family in Jiangcheng, they have other businesses. With Shen Shi Yun alone, could she possibly be involved in these people's interests?"
Ye Fan frowned again. The high-imitation antiques were undoubtedly related to Shen Shi Yun, but what role did she play in this chain of interest?
Even Ye Fan couldn't figure it out.
At this moment, the price of the porcelain vase had already climbed to 900,000, with a middle-aged man bidding.
Seeing that the time was about right, Ye Fan put aside the matters he couldn't comprehend and stretched lazily.
He snorted and laughed, "Buying a fake for 900,000. My friend, are you just spending money with nowhere to put it?"