Chapter 53
The moment Ling Yue saw the painting, she was overcome with excitement. This painting was no ordinary painting, but her spatial treasure, and she never expected it to have come with her to this world.
"Without a historical background, even the best painting is useless. Let's take it down and not waste our time."
"Yeah, we're here to bid on premium items today, not to collect trash."
"Actually, this painting is quite well-painted and should have some collection value."
"You never know, it could be a modern imitation. Better take it down."
The people in the audience grumbled with displeasure. They were all successful individuals with status and position, so naturally they wouldn't bid on something without a historical background.
The host was a bit troubled, but this painting was designated for auction by the distinguished guest of the Purple Hall.
"I'll take this painting for a hundred thousand," a crisp, cold voice suddenly rang out amidst the clamor.
Everyone turned their gaze toward Ling Yue, who had bid, with varying expressions.
Qin Lie's gaze fell upon Ling Yue, his eyes deep in thought. This painting was one he had acquired at an auction, immediately recognizing it as belonging to his beloved Yue Er. So he had brought it back and put it up for auction as a medium to reunite with the one he had longed for. That day, he had set up an array and learned that he would soon be reunited with his beloved, and this painting was the key.
"My sister has finally made a move. You can't outbid her for something she has set her sights on," Lan Ji had been waiting for Ling Yue to bid, but the auction was almost over, and he was getting anxious. He wanted to give Yue Yue a gift, but it had to be something she liked.
"Does she even have a hundred thousand?" Song Yanxue sneered, though she suddenly recalled the day when Ling Yue had opened an extremely precious jadeite during a gamble, earning over a billion.
Glaring fiercely at Ling Yue, Song Yanxue snatched the bidding paddle from Song Ziyuan's hand and raised it. "One million!"
She looked at Ling Yue defiantly, as if challenging her to follow suit.
"Ten million!" Ling Yue's crisp, cold voice rang out again. This painting was her spatial treasure, how could she let it go to someone else?
"Twenty million!" Song Yanxue continued raising her paddle.
Song Ziyuan had wanted to stop her, but considering Ling Yue's knowledge of antiques, he changed his mind. If she valued this painting so highly, its value must not be low.
"Fifty million!" Ling Yue followed without hesitation. If Qin Lie wasn't present, she would have directly cast a silence spell on Song Yanxue to stop her from revealing her true identity as a cultivator.
"One hundred million," Song Yanxue gave Ling Yue a triumphant smile. One hundred million was just a drop in the bucket for the Song family, but for Ling Yue, it was her entire fortune. She didn't believe Ling Yue could keep up.
Lan Ji was itching to rush down and give Song Yanxue a beating. "So it's about who has more money? Don't be afraid, Yue Yue. Your cousin has plenty of money for you to bid with."
Ling Yue smiled and glanced toward the VIP box. "Two hundred million." Of course, she wouldn't use Lan Ji's money.
"Which family's young mistress is she? I've never seen her before."
"To be seated in the front row, her status must not be simple."
"She's the abandoned daughter of the Ling family, isn't she?"
"That's right, it's her. She's even wearing a mask to cover the burns on her face. I heard she was disfigured in a fire, and her face is terribly scarred."
"Speaking of which, the Ling family has been quite unlucky lately. Besides this former young miss, the current young miss has also been disfigured. And it seems the Ling family has offended someone, as all the families they had partnerships with have cut ties with them. The Ling family probably won't last much longer."
Song Yanxue tightly gripped the bidding paddle in her hand. She wanted to continue bidding, but seeing Ling Yue's half-smiling expression, she hesitated, worried that if she bid again, Ling Yue might not follow suit, leaving her stuck with a painting not worth two hundred million.
"Enough," Song Ziyuan took the bidding paddle from Song Yanxue's hand. He didn't think the painting was worth two hundred million either, so there was no need to compete with Ling Yue.
Song Yanxue secretly breathed a sigh of relief and turned to look at Ling Yue, who had lowered her head. She assumed Ling Yue only had the over one billion from selling the jadeite, so she couldn't possibly afford two hundred million. Her mood lightened as she wondered how Ling Yue would handle this.
"Two hundred million going once!" The host looked around at the crowd, seeing no one bidding further. "Two hundred million going twice!"
After a moment, the host brought down the gavel. "Two hundred million going three times! Congratulations to the young lady on acquiring this painting. Please proceed to the back office to complete the transaction."
Ling Yue rose and headed toward the back office.
Song Yanxue quickly followed, determined to see how Ling Yue would come up with two hundred million.
Zhou Mucheng hesitated for a moment before also following.
Song Ziyuan shook his head helplessly and walked toward the back office. He was worried his sister would provoke Ling Yue again, who was no longer the meek, subservient "bun" she used to be.
"I'm going to pay for my Yue Yue," Lan Ji excitedly got up and followed Ling Yue to the back.
"I'll go with you," Qin Lie stood and followed Lan Ji. He wanted to see Ling Yue, who was completely different from the one in his memories. Recalling the results of the array he had cast, a feeling of nervousness and anticipation welled up inside him. Could it be his Yue Er had returned?
Ling Yue handed her bank card to the staff member.
Song Yanxue wore an expression like she was waiting for a show.
The staff member took the card and swiped it in the POS machine. "I'm sorry, Miss Ling, but the balance on this card is insufficient."
"Haha!" Song Yanxue couldn't help but laugh out loud. She knew Ling Yue didn't have that much money. She had been acting so calm before, but now the truth was out.
Ling Yue took back the card and looked at it. "My apologies, I took out the wrong card." This card was one she had specifically obtained for Jiang You to conveniently transfer money to her.