Chapter 153
"Has he gone mad?" This was Ye Tian’s first thought. Although he didn’t know much about Chen Pingrui, he could guess a thing or two. Otherwise, why would a person emanating such killing aura as Zhang Xiayang follow him, if not for some significant reason?
Everyone had the same thought as Ye Tian. It was one thing for Chen Pingrui to act arrogantly outside, but this was a governmental venue. The usual contenders would be Zuo Zhengyang and Tang Guoqing. What was he doing getting involved? Recklessly courting death was not the usual approach. Everyone avoided drawing trouble and meddling with governmental matters, thus many faces remained expressionless while inwardly they were taking pleasure in the misfortune, waiting for the drama to unfold.
"Mr. Chen offers ten thousand yuan," the auctioneer finally found a way to divert the conversation, though he hadn’t anticipated that a painting from Tan Xiao would start at such a low price, which was truly unreasonable.
"I bid fifty thousand."
"One hundred thousand."
"One hundred and fifty thousand."
Soon, those who were just there for the excitement started to take part. They understood that they were merely stepping stones, the real heavy hitters were yet to come. Being a stepping stone wasn’t that bad, given only so many were available, if you don’t snatch it up, someone else will. Quickly, the price soared directly to five hundred thousand yuan.
Five hundred thousand was offered by Zuo Zhengyang, that was already his limit, a municipal party secretary should only have so much money. No need to worry, someone would buy his wife’s painting.
"I bid one million."
One million, for some well-known masterpieces, this amount wouldn’t be considered much, but for a painting meant for show, it indeed wasn’t low.