Chapter 218: Chapter 218

"Miss Luuo, Lady Luuo, please follow me."

Luuo Yunqi and her mother followed the attendant up the stairs. The second floor was a ring of private boxes, offering an unobstructed view of the auction stage below through the windows.

Only distinguished guests, whose stature necessitated discretion, were qualified to ascend to the second floor. Ordinary customers could only take seats in the grand hall on the first floor.

Thinking of this, Luuo Yunqi raised her chin slightly, perfectly embodying the poised demeanor of a proud young heiress.

At this moment, Leng Yunyang and Leng Xuexi were also led by an attendant to their box.

At seven o’clock, the guests downstairs began arriving one after another.

Qin Xiangge and Mrs. Qin did not go upstairs; they sat in a corner of the grand hall.

Qin Xiangge glanced toward the second floor, a flicker of regret crossing her eyes.

Though the Qin family was well-regarded in Qingzhou, they wielded little real power. In such a lavish and decadent setting, they could only sit neglected in a corner.

This reinforced her resolve.

As the guests gradually took their seats, the clock edged closer to eight.

In the most secluded corner behind her, a boy in black silently took a seat.

"Welcome, honored guests, to tonight’s auction." The auctioneer ascended the stage, stepping up to the podium. His voice, amplified through the microphone, reverberated through every corner of the auction hall.

After a brief explanation of the rules, the auctioneer wasted no words and moved straight to the main event.

"The first item this evening is a piece from seventy years ago by Master Hai Hua, titled ’Cat and Fish Play.’"

The background and detailed images of the painting appeared on the large screen behind him as the auctioneer gave a concise introduction. Two hostesses, dressed in elegant Qipao dresses, slowly unveiled the original painting for all to see. Its details were magnified on the screen, exposed to every pair of eyes in the room.

Master Hai Hua was a renowned modern painter of great significance. After his death, his grandson supposedly kept his works, but most were tragically destroyed in a fire. Few pieces remain, making his works extremely valuable to collectors.

Once this item was announced, bidding cards shot up one after another.

Ultimately, a collector successfully acquired it for five million.

The second item was a pair of multicolored carved lanterns. After some introduction by the auctioneer, bidding started at three million.

Leng Yunyang lazily asked, "Like them? I’ll bid for them and hang them by your bedside. They’ll light your way when you get up at night."

Leng Xuexi shuddered, shaking her head repeatedly, "Please spare me, big brother."

She’d have nightmares if those ended up by her bedside.

The lanterns eventually sold for nine million to a businessman.

Everyone knew the early items were just warm-ups; the real treasures were reserved as the grand finale.

Finally, the fifth item appeared—an ancient Guzheng named "Fengming."

"Starting bid: five million."

Leng Yunyang lazily raised his paddle, "Ten million."

Leng Xuexi snapped irritably, "Brother, why are you bidding for a Guzheng?"

"So you can practice Guzheng in your spare time—become a graceful and dignified lady. Isn’t your brother kind to you?"

Leng Xuexi was so infuriated she wanted to curse.

Qin Xiangge instinctively looked toward the second floor. The glass windows were one-way; those upstairs could clearly see below, but those downstairs couldn’t see into the private boxes.

Still, Qin Xiangge recognized the voice.

In Qingzhou, when it came to wealth, nobody could rival the Leng family.

Qin Xiangge tightened her grip on the bidding paddle and glanced at Mrs. Qin beside her.

Mrs. Qin nodded, "Continue."

Qin Xiangge raised her paddle, "Eleven million."

Leng Yunyang glanced in her direction, the corner of his lips curling into a playful smile.

He raised his paddle again, "Twenty million."

Leng Xuexi hurriedly chimed in, "Big brother, let it go. Qin Xiangge probably really needs it."

Her brother was incorrigible. Qin Xiangge was clearly determined to acquire "Fengming," yet her brother had deliberately inflated the price. If she were Qin Xiangge, she’d be livid.

Qin Xiangge gritted her teeth, glaring toward the second floor. She nearly crushed the paddle in her grip.

She hadn’t offended Leng Yunyang, had she? So why was he deliberately provoking her?

Something that could’ve been acquired for just a few million was now driven up to over twenty million. Even for the Qin family, this was extravagant.

Mrs. Qin furrowed her brows, then finally gritted her teeth and raised Qin Xiangge’s paddle, "Thirty million."

Qin Xiangge abruptly turned her head, "Mom..."

The price was absurd.

A heavy silence fell over the second floor.

The auctioneer announced excitedly, "Thirty million for the first time..."

Qin Xiangge’s heart hung in suspense.

Until the auctioneer struck the final blow, "Sold for thirty million, to lady number 17!"

Qin Xiangge felt no joy at all. She and Mrs. Qin both wore grim expressions, their faces as dark as a pot bottom.