Feng City’s third Priceless Auction was held in the Central Museum of Feng City. It may be a prefecture-level city, but Feng City had always been the host to house the Priceless Auction. It was packed with renowned people of all trades, even celebrities.
The host of tonight’s show was the famous Mei Xiaoyan with her Worldly Treasures program on CTS Television’s second most viewed show. The other two hosts were leading appraisers Yu Boyan and Zhang Jingshen.
The event was scheduled to start at eight but people were already streaming in from six – journalists, celebrities, everyone that was anyone.
“Teacher Huang what are you doing here?” Li Mo found Huang Lixing at the Century Middle School’s entrance, armored to the teeth.
He had a gangster styled overcoat, gangster sunglasses, and even a face mask. If not for Li Mo’s piercing eyesight, he wouldn’t have noticed him.
Huang Lixing raised the collar of his coat, “Priceless Auction is bound to have many of my former acquaintances that I feel less than thrilled to meet. So I took a disguise. Well, how is it?”
“Outstanding.”
“Remember, to call me Grandmaster Huang when we get there, got it?”
“Crystal.” Li Mo nodded.
“You can’t use your name either, or they’ll trace it back to me.”
“I’ll be Li Xuanqing.”
Huang Lixing nodded, “It will do. It is awe-inspiring enough for the antique circles.”
“Come, Xuanqing, follow Grandmaster!”
Huang Lixing’s coat danced in the wind. If there was some background music, he looked no different than a gangster in movies.
“Old Fei!”
“Director Zhang, welcome!”
“Presenting Su Corporation’s CEO, Su Haonan!”
“Presenting Qin Corporation’s chairman, Master Qin Zhen! “
“Presenting the vice-chairman of Thunderstruck Enterprise’s Chinese division, Ye Yunfei, and his wife, Zhang Ming!”
“Presenting Lin Jing, the famous singer!”
“Presenting Dong Fang, a famous host!”
“Presenting Yu Boyan and Old Yu!”
“Presenting Zhang Jingshen!”
The herald checked for invitations and shouted the names of every new arrival. When the last two names were shouted, the crowd was aboil.
“Old Zhang, I heard you and Old Yu are betting on a jade king. The bet may rise to a total value of three billion. Care to comment?”
“Old Yu, with your experience, what do you believe is the most valuable item in today’s auction?”
Yu Boyan and Zhang Jingshen walked side by side as they were bombarded with questions from journalists. Their only replies were a smile and nod.
Outside, Huang Lixing and Li Mo arrived.
Huang Lixing gave the invitations to the herald, who took a long skeptical look at him. He did let him through in the end though.
Almost everyone had their entrance punctuated by a shout, but the herald seemed to have made an exception for Huang Lixing and Li Mo.
“Presenting Lin Pharmaceutical’s young master, Lin Sichong!”
Along with Huang Lixing and Li Mo entering, the herald once again announced a big name that had everyone turning heads.
Lin Pharmaceutical was the most powerful, and largest, drug company in Shenjing Province. It wasn’t just about capital but also the national renown it enjoyed.
The four great clans – Lin, Bai, Su and Yang – had their businesses cover the whole Shenjing Province. While only the Lin clan took it a step further, spreading across the nation.
Lin Sichong was the son of Lin Pharmaceutical’s chairman, Lin Xiao. It was obvious from his title, that he would be the next in line.
Lin Sichong stepped in with all people standing at attention and making way to him to convey their respects.
Huang Lixing and Li Mo were at the side, with none the wiser.
Huang Lixing patted Li Mo’s shoulder, “It’s fine. Something like fame is ephemeral like the breeze.”
Li Mo took quite some time digesting Huang Lixing’s wisdom, but not for the life of him could he figure out if they were spoken out of jealousy or not.
“Young master Lin, welcome, welcome.” Yu Boyan hailed.
Lin Sichong snapped his eyes on him, filled with disdain. He passed Yu Boyan as if the latter was air.
Yu Boyan was embarrassed, forcing a laugh. He darted his eyes around, hoping to dull this awkward moment and that was when he spotted Li Mo.
Yu Boyan’s eyes sparked. But then Zhang Jingshen whispered something and the two left backstage.
“What a close shave. That old coot’s eyes are vicious. He recognized me in an instant. This must be the skill of a lifelong experienced appraiser.” Sighed Huang Lixing.
Li Mo: …
Huang Lixing was in a disguise while no one there knew Li Mo, so the two had no problem taking seats in a far corner.
At their table was a lass with a cap, wide sunglasses and mask on the mouth and nose. The instant the pair sat there, she lowered her head.
Huang Lixing didn’t know her, but Li Mo saw through her get up on the spot.
Century Middle School’s second belle, the diligent An Yuxin.
He recalled something about her parents, that her family was mid-class. Her father was a plain salaryman and her mom worked at a supermarket. She was neither wealthy nor poor, but a far cry from allowing her to indulge in antiques.
Li Mo didn’t expose her. An Yuxin was just standing to get away when a bald middle-aged man casually sat next to her and held her in his fat arm.
Li Mo was stunned.
An Yuxin struggled for a bit before giving up.
“Little Xin, Director Yang is about to arrive. You better help me entertain him, do you hear?”
An Yuxin nodded.
“What are you scared of? Who could you possibly meet here that knows you? Take off the sunglasses and the mask. My little Xin has become so beautiful so why not let others see you? Here, let me help you.”
She then struggled in silence, making the bald man’s efforts in vain. It was then that a refined middle-aged man with gold rimmed glasses approached. The bald man stood up and raised his hand, beckoning the newcomer.
“Director Yang, over here!”
Yang Jianchuan chuckled and sat on An Yuxin’s other side.
“Let me introduce you. This is An- ow!”
An Yuxin punctuated the bald man’s speech with a heel in his foot. She then stood up and shook Yang Jianchuan’s hand.
Yang Jianchuan held the smooth and soft hand of hers in a tight grip, not letting her escape.
“Ah…” An Yuxin cried in pain from Yang Jianchuan’s clutch.
Yang Jianchuan relaxed his grip with some remorse.
An Yuxin leaned on the table, her shoulders shaking in muffled sobs.
Li Mo’s squinted.
