As soon as the auctioneer's words faded, a hostess in a qipao stepped forward, a radiant smile gracing her lips as she presented the first item to the hundred-plus guests in the banquet hall.
The item was a brand-name antique watch, a true collector's piece. The starting bid of 10,000 yuan was undoubtedly just a formality, as someone immediately raised the price to over 200,000 yuan.
"250,000! This gentleman bids 250,000!"
"300,000! Our beautiful Miss Yuan Ziyun bids 300,000! 300,000 it is!"
"Excellent! Now we have 450,000 from the esteemed Madam He."
"500,000!"
The attendees of this charity gala were all prominent figures from Hong Kong's high society and entertainment circles. Many were regulars at such social events, their faces well-known to the auctioneer.
Unlike typical auctions, however, the atmosphere at this charity gala's auction was remarkably subdued. Bidding wars were primarily for show, meant to liven the mood. As the bidding price approached the item's true value, only a handful of bidders remained.
In the end, Cai Hong secured his desired item for 580,000 yuan.
"Thank you, Sir Cai Hong, for your generous donation to impoverished children!"
With the auctioneer's final gavel strike, thunderous applause erupted across the hall.
The white-haired old man rose, offering a detached nod of gratitude to the applauding guests.
This was a common practice at charity auctions: some patrons would offer their prized possessions for bidding, only to bid them back up themselves, simultaneously donating to the cause and showcasing their wealth.
The guests operated under an unspoken agreement: no one would suddenly jump in to outbid the original owner at a higher price. Those who broke this rule risked being ostracized from the social circle.
Li Zhen diligently whispered everything she knew to Lu Chen, the two of them seated unobtrusively in a corner, observing the auction more as spectators.
Following the successful sale of the first item, the remaining lots were auctioned off swiftly, one after another. Only a few exceptional items without the original owner's involvement sparked relatively heated bidding wars.
Lu Chen made a single bid, securing a limited-edition Chanel bag for 50,000 yuan. He immediately gifted the designer bag to his assistant.
"For me?" Li Zhen exclaimed, both astonished and delighted, scarcely daring to believe it.
With her income, Li Zhen could have gritted her teeth and saved half a year's salary to buy such a designer bag. But Hong Kong's high cost of living and exorbitant expenses made it impossible for her to bring herself to spend 50,000 yuan on a bag.
At street stalls in the night markets, you could buy a knock-off for just 50 yuan.
Yet, despite her reservations, few women could resist the allure of a designer handbag. It's easy to imagine Li Zhen's excitement when she suddenly received this special gift.
"Boss, you're going to make me fall in love with you!"
After working with Lu Chen for a few days, Li Zhen had a good grasp of her new boss's personality. Lu Chen was generous, easygoing, and never put on airs, making him remarkably approachable.
This emboldened her to crack a harmless joke.
Or perhaps it wasn't entirely a joke.
Lu Chen chuckled softly. "Falling in love with me is unnecessary. I already have a girlfriend. Just focus on working hard in the future."
Lu Chen had always been generous with those who worked for him. Yesterday, he had gifted two BMWs. Giving his assistant a bag today was nothing extravagant, considering how much he would rely on Li Zhen in both work and personal matters going forward.
"Thank you, Boss!"
Li Zhen beamed as she caressed the handbag, already imagining the envious glances from her girlfriends when she showed it off later.
"Now for our next item, something truly unique," the auctioneer announced, stepping forward onto the stage.
With a peculiar expression, he continued, "Donated by Mr. Lu Chen, it's a song that hasn't been written yet."
The banquet hall erupted in murmurs the moment the words left his lips.
Previous auction items had included luxury jewelry, watches, handbags, antique crafts, and the like. The sudden appearance of "a song that hasn't been written yet" seemed utterly absurd.
Worse still, few in the room knew who Lu Chen was or had even heard his name.
'Is this auction item some kind of joke?'
Some guests gasped in surprise, others frowned in confusion, some scoffed, and others whispered among themselves, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Someone shouted, "A song that hasn't even been written can be auctioned for charity? Are you serious?"
The one who voiced the challenge was none other than Liang Zhihao.
Liang Zhihao had never liked Lu Chen and, having failed to embarrass him earlier, had held a grudge ever since.
Now that Lu Chen's charity auction item was revealed to be just a song, it not only resolved Liang Zhihao's lingering doubts but also gave him a fresh opportunity to mock Lu Chen.
"Who's Lu Chen? I've never even heard of him!" Liang Zhihao shouted rudely.
Though his outburst was impolite, his question resonated with many guests. Many eyes turned toward Shu Jing, who was seated at the front.
All auction items were donated by guests. Shu Jing's charity foundation had been established for years and had hosted dozens of fundraising galas. How could such a thing happen?
The auctioneer, a seasoned professional, quickly intervened: "Mr. Lu Chen is a renowned singer from the Mainland. His award-winning works hold a prominent position in the Mainland's pop music scene!"
"The winning bidder will receive a custom-composed song from Mr. Lu Chen, tailored for themselves or a designated recipient. The starting bid is 10,000 yuan."
Unlike previous lots that immediately drew bids, a strange silence settled over the banquet hall.
The atmosphere had shifted.
Liang Zhihao sneered, "So he's from the Mainland. No wonder I've never heard of him."
His pointed remark drew laughter from several guests, while others wore mocking expressions.
'It would be a miracle if anyone bid on such a showboating item!'
'This might be the first lot to go unsold tonight. Now that would be a spectacle worth watching!'
'This guy…'
Li Zhen's eyes burned red with anger. Liang Zhihao had gone too far.
Lu Chen had never wronged him; they hadn't even met before today. Yet he was being singled out for such blatant ridicule.
Lu Chen, however, remained remarkably calm. He turned to reassure his assistant, "We shouldn't waste our energy on him. He's not worth getting angry over."
"But..."
Li Zhen bit her lip. She wanted to say that Liang Zhihao's disruption had ruined any chance of Lu Chen's song being auctioned. How could they possibly maintain their dignity here now?
(End of Chapter)
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