While Xia Qingtian was still stunned by the words "replica," and by the fact that even a "replica" could be worth 2 million.
"A replica... can also sell for 2 million?" Xia Qingtian couldn't help but ask.
"Although it's not the genuine article, the artist who replicated it was a master painter from two hundred years ago. All the pigments were ground from rare minerals, and it was replicated one-to-one, making it indistinguishable from the original."
"But if it's at this level, it's hard to appraise... " Xia Qingtian increasingly felt that the antique collection circle was too profound.
Not only did one have to guard against modern fakes, but even ancients enjoyed playing such tricks, making the pigments themselves unaffordable for ordinary people.
What was the point of appraising then?
"Every master painter has their own artistic habits. This particular master loved to incorporate his name into his paintings, and sometimes he would even include his beloved wife's name."
Hearing this, Xia Qingtian's lips twitched.
By the time she snapped back to reality, the bidding on site had already surged towards 300 million, the bids echoing grandly, making the atmosphere lively and noisy.
At this moment, Grandpa Fang at Xia Qingtian's table slowly raised his hand, officially pushing the price to 300 million.
Xia Qingtian looked at Grandpa Fang with shocked eyes, seeing his serious expression and tense posture, appearing extremely focused and determined to win.
Xia Qingtian wanted to speak but hesitated.
The bidding on site lingered at 300 million for only a moment before continuing to climb.
This made Grandpa Fang's expression even more grim.
"Uncle Fang," Uncle Shao looked at Grandpa Fang with a troubled expression, seeming to have something to say but holding back.
"This 'Thousand Buddhas Discussion' has been treasured in my Fang family for over six hundred years. Due to my uncle's momentary foolishness, it was stolen by villains. This caused my grandfather to die with regrets and became the only regret of my father's dying moments. This time, even if I have to stake the entire Fang family fortune, I must bring this 'Thousand Buddhas Discussion' back to the Fang family!" After saying this, Grandpa Fang raised his hand again, by which time the bidding had already approached 500 million.
Only one guest from the third floor remained to compete with Grandpa Fang.
Listening to Grandpa Fang's words, Xia Qingtian felt even more uneasy.
If the old man spent his entire fortune to buy back the painting and it turned out to be a fake...
Wouldn't he be so angered that he would spit blood on the spot?
At this moment, a voice reappeared in Xia Qingtian's mind.
"The Chosen One System has been activated.
Option A: Inform Grandpa Fang of the truth, reward: ten million.
Option B: Stay out of it and mind your own business, reward: safe return from this trip to City C."
Well, so if she told Grandpa Fang, she wouldn't be able to return home safely?
What kind of logic was that?
But seeing Grandpa Fang's agitated state, ready to risk everything, Xia Qingtian truly feared that if this continued, the old man might lose his life. In that case, she would likely be plagued by guilt for the rest of her life.
Having been reborn, she absolutely did not want to live her life in such a stifled manner.
"As a Chosen One System, you better show me your capabilities and ensure my safety. Don't make me look down on you," Xia Qingtian muttered in her mind, then reached out and touched Grandpa Fang's arm. "Grandpa Fang, I've heard of the fame of 'Thousand Buddhas Discussion' for a long time, and there have been many replications throughout the ages. This one is being bid so high, it's not necessarily the genuine article from your family's collection. Perhaps... let's take a closer look?"
Grandpa Fang looked at Xia Qingtian with some surprise at her words. "What are you talking about?"
"Qingtian, you may not know this, but the auction house owner is the Lei family of City C, the wealthiest family in the city, and they are renowned in the antique world. The Lei family themselves are experts in appraisal. In City C, whether it's legitimate auction houses or underground black market auctions, as long as the Lei family's name is associated with it, it's a guarantee of credibility. There will be no fakes."
Grandpa Fang clearly agreed with this. Seeing the host about to strike the gavel, he immediately wanted to raise his hand to bid again.
But Xia Qingtian forcefully held his arm. "It's not too late to take another look!"
Why was this old man so stubborn!
"What are you doing?" Grandpa Fang also found Xia Qingtian's actions truly bizarre and presumptuous, his brows furrowed.
Don't delay him from bringing the family heirloom back to the Fang family; this was his only hope in life.
"Uncle Shao, I remember that if there are doubts during the auction, the bidding can be halted for a closer inspection. Is that correct?" Xia Qingtian asked Uncle Shao.
"Yes, there is such a thing, but..." Before Uncle Shao could finish, Xia Qingtian interrupted him.
"As long as there is, please halt the bidding." Xia Qingtian immediately raised her hand to signal the staff member guarding the door of their private room.
The person clearly froze, then recovered and made a gesture to the host on stage.
The host was also clearly taken aback. He merely noted the number of the private room and then gave a dry laugh, pausing the auction.
After someone rushed to explain to the host, the host returned to the stage and said with another dry laugh, "The current price is already approaching five hundred million. Our esteemed guest from Box Qi wishes to take a closer look at the exhibit. If any guest wishes to observe the exhibit up close, that is also possible."
As soon as the host said this, everyone was equally bewildered.
This was a Lei family auction. Who dared to question the Lei family's goods?
As expected, in the main private room on the third floor, a handsome man in his early twenties raised an eyebrow, a hint of displeasure showing on his face.
The people beside him also looked as if they wanted to speak but dared not.
"You... you're too impulsive," Uncle Shao said. "This..."
This put them in a dilemma of whether to go down or not.
"Grandpa Fang, after all, it's something worth five hundred million, and it requires your entire family fortune. What's wrong with taking a closer look?" Xia Qingtian persuaded. "Besides, you might not be able to buy it back today anyway. Since that's the case, it's fine to take a look."
Xia Qingtian's latter sentence managed to sway Grandpa Fang. He lowered his eyelids, glanced at Xia Qingtian, and then slowly stood up. "Then I'll accompany you to make a fool of yourself."
Xia Qingtian only managed a dry laugh. She tried to support Grandpa Fang, but he avoided her, only letting out a soft hum.
Xia Qingtian didn't mind, as long as her conscience was clear.
As Xia Qingtian and Grandpa Fang walked towards the exhibition platform, they garnered all the attention.
Generally, it was when an exhibit was first brought on stage that potential buyers were invited to the stage for close observation, and the time was limited.
If the bidding was temporarily halted, it indicated doubt about the exhibit.
This was a provocation to the auction house and its reputation.
Bai Yuqi, sitting in a private room on the second floor, silently gave Gu Yaoyang a thumbs-up. "This Xia Qingtian really dares! A warrior! No, no, I heard that Lei Laosan is here today. This Xia Qingtian will probably become a martyr. But it's okay, she will always live in my heart."
Gu Yaoyang ignored Bai Yuqi, his gaze following Xia Qingtian, becoming more intense.