A Divine Farmer

Chapter 183 - A Work of Art!

“Is he hyping up the launch of a new drink?” Chen Yaru couldn't help but feel a chill at the thought.

Zhang Xiaolong smiled and whispered, “Do you really think they can find the Four-phenomena Divine Orchid?”

That reminder made Chen Yaru realize that as long as the Four-phenomena Divine Orchid remained in their possession, the Xu family would be at a loss to replicate Elegant Dragon Drinks, no matter what they tried.

“Still, I can't shake the feeling that there's a hidden agenda behind this Charity Auction. They've pulled stunts like this before,” Chen Yaru mused, “But it's unusual for them to involve everyone like this. It's a first.”

If they were to perform their usual solo act, they could control the narrative. But bringing everyone together risked losing the spotlight, something the Xu family would definitely want to avoid.

Yet, they're going about it this way this time. Could it be that they're confident no one will outshine them?

“We should focus on our own tasks and not overthink the rest,” Lee Donghua said with a gentle smile. “Yaru, you're very observant, and it's hard for anything to slip past you. But the world is full of conspiracies, especially in business. I admire Xiaolong's approach: if you're convinced you're doing the right thing, pursue it relentlessly. Let the schemes and tricks fall by the wayside; they're of little consequence to us.”

“Mr. Lee, you're too kind,” Zhang Xiaolong responded humbly.

“Could you not use me as a cautionary example when praising him, Mr. Lee?” Yaru protested, though she was secretly pleased.

For a woman deeply invested in a man's success, his triumphs often bring more joy than her own.

“Mr. Xu has put it beautifully,” the host continued. “We all look forward to seeing the charitable efforts in Qingyang City flourish as Mr. Xu described, not just ushering in a spring but also embracing a fiery summer and a bountiful autumn…”

Chen Yaru couldn't resist commenting from the audience, “With the Xu family's track record, I'd be surprised if their charity didn't face a winter.”

Lee Donghua and Zhang Xiaolong exchanged a knowing look, both smiling quietly to themselves while choosing not to engage with her. It was clear that the girl's grudge against the Xu family was deep-seated and not something that could be dispelled quickly.

“Now, please join me in welcoming our Auctioneer to the stage. It is with great honor that we introduce him. For this special occasion, Mr. Xu has personally invited the Chief Appraiser from the esteemed Wondrous Auction House, Mr. Huang Zhiyong,” the hostess announced with renewed enthusiasm. “Each item presented today has been meticulously inspected by him to ensure authenticity. With Master Huang's extensive expertise, we can assure you that every piece is genuine and truly valuable.”

As she finished her introduction, the spotlight shifted to a middle-aged man seated calmly at one side of the stage. He acknowledged the crowd with a modest nod and a polite gesture.

Many in the audience recognized the esteemed auctioneer Huang Zhiyong and were pleasantly surprised by his presence, which also spoke volumes about the Xu family's considerable influence.

It's well-known that auction houses take a commission from sales, and the earnings of both the auctioneer and the appraiser are factored into this.

Securing the services of a master appraiser like Huang Zhiyong is no small feat for the average person.

Given that this was a charity auction, with items donated by philanthropists and proceeds going to charity, the fees for the auctioneer and appraiser were covered by Xu Jindou.

The Xu family, keen to dazzle at this auction, would need to present an item that would astonish everyone. This meant not only would they be making a significant donation, but they would also be footing the bill for the auction itself—a move that seemed out of character for them.

And with auctions being so unpredictable, with numerous affluent individuals in attendance, there was always the chance that someone else might contribute an item of even greater value, potentially leaving the Xu family to have inadvertently set the stage for someone else's glory.

Chen Yaru was baffled by these thoughts, but as the auction commenced, she settled in to watch attentively.

The Auctioneer, a vibrant young woman, captivated the room with her passionate explanations and her engaging smile, quickly energizing the atmosphere of the event.

As each item was appraised by Huang Zhiyong before being auctioned off on stage, everyone was eagerly anticipating the treasures that would be unveiled.

There was no fear of purchasing counterfeits, as Huang Zhiyong's name was synonymous with trust and authenticity, a reputation unblemished to this day.

The auction items, while not all showstoppers, varied in value, with most in the tens to hundreds of thousands. Not everyone had the wealth of the Xu family.

?The crowd was taken aback when an antique fetched a staggering ten million yuan. Chen Yaru had assumed it belonged to the Xu family, only to discover it was a generous donation from Lee Donghua.

The price might have been slightly inflated, but not by much. Lee Donghua's status as Qingyang's wealthiest was nearly cemented.

“Xiaolong, what's your lot? Can Mr. Lee get a sneak preview?” Lee Donghua asked, his curiosity piqued by the lack of notable items thus far.

“It looks like this one is ours. You'd better keep your eyes peeled, Mr. Lee,” Chen Yaru teased with a wink.

“You're quite the character, Yaru. Alright, Mr. Lee is all eyes. Let's see what special item you two have concocted,” Lee Donghua said, turning his attention to the stage.

The room hushed as the host announced the next lot, but Huang Zhiyong had not yet finished his appraisal, casting a hush over the audience.

“It's a masterpiece, an absolute masterpiece!” Huang Zhiyong finally exclaimed after several tense minutes.

?Disregarding the auctioneer's cues, he approached the microphone with the item in hand and asked, “May I inquire which friend donated this exquisite Jadeite with the Phoenix's Wings?”

Exchanging smiles, Zhang Xiaolong and Chen Yaru stepped forward into the spotlight.

“This is a modest contribution from Soaring Dragon Company to the cause of charity. I hope this jadeite meets with the Master's approval,” Chen Yaru addressed the crowd.

The Soaring Dragon Company? It's a name many are familiar with, especially since Zhang Xiaolong has been in the spotlight for some time. Yet, what remains a mystery is why this company has managed to elicit such a surprised reaction from a steadfast master like Huang Zhiyong.

“It's nothing short of a masterpiece; the craftsmanship of this jade carving is beyond what words can convey,” Huang Zhiyong's voice was evidence enough of his excitement. He was clearly thrilled, yet he made a concerted effort to contain his emotions, seemingly fearful that any sudden movement might damage the delicate item in his grasp. “Could you please tell me who created this exquisite piece?”