Hiss!
Upon seeing the auction item, everyone gasped in unison.
For what Qu Jianping was pointing at was none other than the grand finale of today's auction!
Shi Boqiong!
The so-called Shi Boqiong was actually a 14-sided crystal die.
Twelve of its sides were engraved with numbers 1 to 12, while the remaining two sides bore the characters "Jiao" and "Nan Qi."
According to expert speculation, this artifact was likely a plaything of the First Emperor during the Qin Dynasty, a prototype of the dice.
How dice evolved from 14 sides to 6 would require further verification.
As for the meaning of "Jiao" and "Nan Qi" on the Shi Boqiong, experts remained tight-lipped.
Therefore, the experts' explanation was not entirely convincing.
However, in the absence of a better explanation, everyone could only accept it as dice for the First Emperor's amusement.
Originally, one Shi Boqiong was unearthed from the Qin Mausoleum and is now housed in the National Museum.
People believed that it was a unique, unparalleled artifact, and there would never be another one in the world.
Yet, unexpectedly, another one appeared at this auction!
Initially, many questioned the authenticity of this Shi Boqiong, but as the auction organizers presented a joint appraisal report from several experts, the doubts gradually subsided.
Especially among those experts was the renowned Elder Dong!
Although Elder Dong's reputation had suffered greatly due to the recent incident with Bai Qi's tomb, his authority in the field of archaeology remained, and it would not be easily erased.
The crowd still instinctively trusted Elder Dong's appraisal.
Naturally, this Shi Boqiong successfully captured countless gazes, becoming the highlight and most prized treasure of the auction.
Some estimated that to stand out from the crowd and successfully acquire this Shi Boqiong would cost at least over one hundred million.
And this figure was a conservative estimate; in reality, at the auction site, fueled by excitement, prices could often double or even exceed this amount!
In other words, without several hundred million in your hand, you shouldn't even think about this item!
Unexpectedly, Qu Jianping had specifically requested to exchange it for a necklace, which was clearly an intentional challenge to Ying Chen!
Even a child could understand that no matter how precious or sentimental Qu Jianping's necklace was, it could not possibly surpass the Shi Boqiong!
"What? Scared?"
"If you're scared, then stop acting like a nouveau riche. At least real nouveau riche spend money without batting an eye!"
Qu Jianping sneered, taunting Ying Chen.
With that, she turned to leave.
A stir of derision arose from the crowd.
"Haha, this kid is in trouble now, isn't he? Pretending to be a romantic without money. In this era, the first element of the 'five essentials' of a suitor – 'deng lu pan xian' – is 'deng'! Without the strength of the Han Dynasty tycoon Deng Tong, don't try to woo girls like him!"
"Speaking of which, the Tie Mao Qu family doesn't seem as iron-fisted and domineering as imagined. Qu Jianping could have shattered this guy's Adam's apple with a chop just now, but she held back at the critical moment. I wonder if this kid is lucky or if Qu Jianping is kind."
"Why even ask? It must be Qu Jianping's kindness! Or perhaps, it's called 'a benevolent heart that can navigate stormy seas'! Not bothering to argue with petty people! Her strength is meant to be used against external enemies; using it on someone like this is simply a waste..."
All the guests present believed that the reason Qu Jianping did not shatter Ying Chen's Adam's apple was that she held back at the critical moment.
No one knew that it was because Qu Jianping couldn't even break through Ying Chen's aura!
Ying Chen had merely released a simple breath, and Qu Jianping felt like a frozen fly, unable to even flutter her wings!
"Let's disperse, let's disperse. The show is over. The auction is about to begin!"
Someone called out.
Just as people were about to leave.
Unexpectedly, Ying Chen stared at the Shi Boqiong on the big screen with a hint of mockery and suddenly said, "Good! Deal!"
A gasp!
His words caused a sensation throughout the hall.
Even Qu Jianping, who had already turned and walked a few steps away, turned back in shock, looking at Ying Chen.
"You... are you sure?" Qu Jianping asked incredulously.
Ying Chen nodded, "Sure."
"You... do you know the value of that thing?" Qu Jianping couldn't help but ask again.
"Of course I do, or rather, no one knows it better than I do," Ying Chen replied.
This statement once again sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.
If Ying Chen knew the value of the Shi Boqiong so well, why would he dare to agree to such an unfair exchange?
Was Ying Chen truly a young master from some hidden noble family, willing to spend a fortune just to win a smile from a beauty?
Was money merely a meaningless number to Ying Chen?
"I think... this exchange is not fair. I once showed this necklace to an uncle who likes to collect things, and he said it was only worth a few hundred thousand."
"So... I'm sorry, I don't intend to exchange it."
A strange expression flickered across Qu Jianping's face, which then became solemn as she spoke.
Clearly, Qu Jianping had misunderstood Ying Chen's intentions, thinking he was spending lavishly just to pursue her.
Although Qu Jianping was somewhat resistant to such behavior, it had still touched her in a way.
For so many years, almost all men had retreated in disgrace under her cold demeanor. Never had anyone like Ying Chen, who was both shameless and willing to spend money, done such a thing for her.
Therefore, she didn't want to hurt Ying Chen.
"Hmm?" Hearing Qu Jianping's words, Ying Chen couldn't help but furrow his brows.
Were people in modern society so untrustworthy?
He had just made a firm promise to exchange for the Shi Boqiong, and now he was publicly going back on his word?
"I don't like your untrustworthy attitude," Ying Chen said coldly, looking directly at Qu Jianping.
"I heard they say you come from a very powerful family? I believe that as a scion of such a family, you should learn to consider the family's reputation. Being untrustworthy has a huge impact on a noble family's name."
"Don't you want people to associate your Tie Mao Qu family with the words 'untrustworthy' in the future?"
...
Everyone present exchanged bewildered glances, their mouths agape.
Their faces all bore a single, massive question: Is this person an idiot?
Qu Jianping was kindly offering him a way out, preventing him from making such an unfair and meaningless exchange, yet he was accusing her of being untrustworthy?
And even dragging the entire Qu family into it?
Wasn't this pure lunacy?
Qu Jianping had not expected Ying Chen to say this. A flicker of anger crossed her brows, which then turned into amusement.
"Good! Good! Good!"
"Since you've even dragged our Qu family's honor into this, then today, for the sake of our Qu family's reputation, I will exchange with you!"
"Everyone here is a witness: it is not I, Qu Jianping, who is bullying you with my status, but he who proposed it!"
"I hope you won't be a man of your word and will definitely bid for the Shi Boqiong!"
"I had planned to leave in half an hour, but for you, I will stay until the auction ends! Let's—"
"Wait and see!"