Si Yingjie was a typical fu'erdai (second generation rich). His father built up the family business and saw it thrive, while his sisters studied abroad and later joined the company, catching the wave of a new generation's prime time. The whole family was on the rise with a bright future ahead.
As the youngest son born late, his parents doted on him. Though there could have been in-fighting like in other rich families, he was an unmotivated good-for-nothing only interested in enjoying life.
His sisters would call out endearingly, "Our sweet little brother!"
Other than one big tumble in marriage, Si Yingjie's life went quite smoothly.
Skiing in summer and surfing in winter, when free he would go see the northern lights in the Arctic, or drift over oceans in a hot air balloon. Occasionally he went camping in the mountains or visited research stations in Antarctica.
In addition, he liked participating in some niche activities, like ghost-hunting tours in European suburbs or spending two days and one night on a prison island.
This auction was a club he had signed up for four, five or six years ago (he couldn't remember exactly). Members could bring their own collectibles to appraise by others and trade freely.
According to Si Yingjie he first joined to buy his mother a gift, but later found it quite fun so he never withdrew his membership.
The club meetings were irregular, each hosted by a different member. One could participate when available without entry barriers. But the different hosts had different ideas so each meeting had its own style.
Usually the trades would be completely anonymous - some collectibles had questionable provenance after all. As long as one had an invitation letter, no matter how it was obtained, one could participate.
Not just Si Yingjie, even Jian Jing found it very amusing.
The anonymous auction was just like something out of a fantasy novel.
Full of anticipation, she took a flight, arrived at the pier after ninety minutes, then boarded the luxury yacht the host had docked by the seaside, heading for the auction location on the open seas.
The yacht was enormous, over 150 meters long with 20 guest rooms, accommodating over 60 crew members. It had outdoor swimming pools, helicopter pads, private theaters, gyms, saunas and spas among other amenities.
In short: luxurious.
Each room was decorated in a different national theme, first come first served.
Jian Jing chose the English castle room. The fireplace and armchairs made her think of the Gryffindor common room from Harry Potter.
On her table was a rabbit badge and a yacht user guide.
There was also an introduction to this trading event.
The public auction would start at 8 pm every night. Guests could go to the banquet hall on the yacht's third floor where the host had invited appraisers to help evaluate and suggest prices. Guests could also trade among themselves without restrictions or liability.
The only thing to note was best not to reveal one's true identity. Everyone would use zodiac aliases.
With exactly twelve guests this year that worked out perfectly.
Naturally Jian Jing got "Rabbit of the Zodiac".
"How mysterious." She complained but still found it great fun. After changing clothes she went to the bar on the fifth floor facing the outdoor pool to get some food and drinks.
Today's temperature was over 20 degrees Celsius and the sun shone brightly. She had just stepped onto the deck when she discovered someone was already swimming in the pool.
Judging by the physique it was a young man with healthy tan skin. Under the shimmering water his shoulders, neck and waist showed a streamlined yet strong silhouette - very captivating.
She paused briefly then quietly took out her phone.
Opening the camera, the man had just swum to the other end and suddenly grabbed the pool ladder to climb out. Glistening water droplets sprayed out, flowing along the muscular contours before disappearing into his swimming trunks.
Easy on the eyes.
Her fingers automatically clicked without needing conscious thought.
Azure skies, hard pecs and abs.
Brother Jin is so hot.
She increasingly liked this Si Yingjie.
Jian Jing happily sat at the bar and ordered a glass of yangzhi gum syrup. Waiting, she casually posted the photo in her Moments.
The drink promptly arrived but she suddenly felt something amiss.
Why were there so many red notification dots on WeChat? Glancing down, the lychee juice nearly choked into her windpipe.
She had absent-mindedly posted publicly instead of limiting to female friends only!
Oh no no no!
Jian Jing: Ah!~~
[Photo.jpg]
Likes: Scriptwriter Xu, Director Ding, Director Huang, Zheng Keyan, Golden Crow Chief Editor...
Zuo Xin: Eeeeek~~~~
Zheng Keyan: Like!
Female Writer No. 1: Not bad, eye candy.
Female Writer No. 2: An affair? Looks promising.
Kang Mu Cheng: ?
Si Yingjie: Hahaha, Jian Jing be bold, if you like him make a move!
Kang Mu Cheng replying to Si Yingjie: Don't lead the innocent astray
Kang Lei: I think it's perfectly fine.
Ji YunYun: Wow! So hot!!
Ji Feng replying to Ji YunYun: Behave, underage girl!
Ji YunYun: Turned eighteen last month, dear brother?
Ji Feng replying to Ji YunYun: Why are you on your phone during class?
Ji YunYun: Why are you on your phone during work?
Ji Feng: Teacher Jian, take a look at Article 363 on disseminating *bawdy and lascivious material
Jian Jing: "......"
She silently deleted the post, pretending nothing had happened.
However Jiang BaiYan soon sent over the photos too, ranting indignantly: [Teacher Jian how dare you! As if none of us have abs!!]
Then he uploaded a whole batch of stock photos in retaliation.
Jian Jing coolly: [Seen all of them already]
Jiang BaiYan: [????]
Jian Jing: [Director Mei sent them to me, plus behind the scenes shots from set]
Jiang BaiYan: [Aren't wildflowers more fragrant than cultivated ones?]
Jian Jing shamelessly: [None are fragrant]
Jiang BaiYan: [Crying.jpg]
Ji Feng messaged next.
He forwarded Article 363 of the Criminal Law.
Jian Jing: [Well come arrest me then!]
Ji Feng: [......]
Jian Jing: [What's it to you if I didn't see you in it?]
He also quieted down.
Then of course Boss Kang followed up.
After much careful deliberation he tactfully said: [Stay safe]
Jian Jing feigned ignorance: [I won't fall into the sea and even if I do I know how to tread water, don't worry!]
Typing ellipses appeared on his end but nothing got sent out after a long while.
Meanwhile Si Yingjie eagerly asked: [Having fun?]
Jian Jing sent him a sticker with two thumbs up and eyes sparkling.
No more explanation needed.
"Hi," While she was messaging the hunk with nice abs came over on his own initiative. "You're here for the auction too?"
Raising her head Jian Jing saw his handsome features clearly: sharp and confident with typically mixed-blood good looks, which nicely complemented his fit body. Approachable and refreshing without stealing the spotlight - the kind of hunk any girl would like.
To such a person even small talk deserved full replies: "Yeah I am. You too?"
"Me too." He smiled charmingly, "So which zodiac are you, miss?"
"Rabbit."
"What an adorable alias." Wu Ma chatted casually. "Are you here to sell or buy?"
"I'm looking to buy some interesting collectibles," said Jian Jing.
"What kind of collectibles? Age or country?" Wu Ma asked very warmly.
She shook her head with a smile. "I have no idea actually, just want to browse around. Is this your first time?"
"Second. My first was three years ago when I accompanied a friend. I helped him find some great stuff. Maybe I can lend you a hand too."
The handsome Wu Ma smiled conspiratorially, eyes glinting mischievously. "Just tell me what you're looking for and I can ask around. Ceramics and sculptures are my expertise. If you trust me I can also take a look on your behalf."
Jian Jing understood: "How much would I need to pay you?"
"For pretty ladies like yourself, just a tiny bit." He rubbed his nose while gesturing a little pinch with his fingers. "Five thousand USD flat rate, plus one thousand per successful purchase you won't need to split with me.
"What if I can't decide on anything?" asked Jian Jing
"Then we'll just be friends, no loss to me either," Wu Ma shrugged.
Totally new to this, having a handsome guide did sound better than fumbling blindly to Jian Jing. She nodded. "I want to know what's available."
Wu Ma smiled brightly. "You're in luck, ms. Rabbit. Some truly valuable collectibles this year."
She put on a keen listening expression.
"Since this is just a casual club, many members are rich or influential. But the really precious antiques still go to major auction houses, safer that way."
When it came to work, Wu Ma immediately showed his professionalism: "The transactions in the club are more like a 'pastime' to me. This kind of treasure appraisal game full of uncertainty is very interesting. Sometimes we can indeed buy some rare antiques that are hard to find on the market, but no one would bring real treasures here as game props."
He glanced at Jian Jing and lowered his voice, "But this year—I can't confirm whether the news is true, I just vaguely heard the rumors—it is said that national treasure-level collectibles have been brought to the trading fair."
Jian Jing was very surprised: "Really?"
"No one knows. It's just a rumor. In most cases it's false. Only in very few cases..." He paused, then smiled and said, "To be honest, although I've heard this kind of statement, I don't believe it. Sometimes this kind of half-true and half-false news is to stimulate the gambling desires of customers. Miss Rabbit, I suggest you don't take it seriously. It would be more appropriate to treat this as a party outing."
The advice was very sincere, and Jian Jing couldn't help having some good feelings towards him: "I think so too, but you still haven't got to the key point."
Wu Ma smiled. He had a different charm in the sea breeze: "Then let me talk about the situation I know."
"The collectibles at the trading fair are divided into several categories: 1. Genuine antiques from all over the world, with varying ages, usually worth tens of thousands to millions, not too expensive; 2. Some collectibles with special significance, this range is very wide, at the last fair someone sold a famous movie star's personal belongings, the value varies from person to person; 3. Some special movables and real estate, usually traded between acquaintances, does not appear in public."
Jian Jing finally had a general idea.
She asked, "Where do I go to see other people's collectibles?"
"Everywhere," Wu Ma picked up his T-shirt that was tossed aside and casually put it on, "Follow me."
Somehow, Jian Jing regretted not bringing a swimsuit. She bought it in Mermaid Island, and after so long, she never had a chance to wear it even once.
She gloomily followed Wu Ma downstairs to the fourth floor area.
There was a restaurant and cafe here. It wasn't meal time yet, and there were only a few people scattered around the cafe.
At the round table by the window, three people were appraising an exquisite Fabergé egg.
Jian Jing: This prop looks like it was seen in some film or TV series?
"A very exquisite egg," said the middle-aged man in Tang costume wearing gloves, carefully examining it with a magnifying glass, slowly saying, "Although it is not a Fabergé work, just an imitation by other jewelers at the same time, it is very well preserved. I think it is still a good choice as an ordinary collectible."
There was a monkey badge next to him, looking like an appraiser.
Sitting next to him, a woman with delicate makeup said, "If you want a real Fabergé work, I also have one of his cigarette cases, made in London."
She had a goat badge pinned to her chest, sounding like the seller.
Finally there was the middle-aged man with a pig badge around his waist, picking and choosing, "Don't you have that famous Imperial Easter Egg?"
The appraiser with the monkey badge said impartially, "It’s too rare. Almost all are collected in museums. Even if privately owned, it would not be brought here for trade."
It seemed the first time for Pig, who immediately asked, "Is this trading fair so low-end? I heard there were national treasure-level collectibles here this time, that’s why I came."