The 30 winners were scattered in every corner of the venue. The appetizing aroma of the abalones was also wafting through the venue. Those who didn't win the lottery were enviously looking at the winners next to them who were tasting the top-grade abalones. Each and every one of them felt itchy in their hearts.
Even the rich people in the VIP area nodded their heads repeatedly after tasting the abalones. They even whispered a few words to the people sitting next to them from time to time.
From their expressions, these billionaires were obviously very tempted by the top-grade abalones provided by the Taoyuan Company.
Not to mention that almost all of these abalones had reached the standard of the top-grade one-headed abalone, just the quality of the abalones themselves made these rich people feel very surprised. It was completely beyond their imagination.
The meat of the abalones was very tender, and at the same time, it had a trace of toughness and was very chewy. Its taste was also quite delicious. Under the cooking of a Michelin-starred chef, not only did it not have the slightest fishy smell, but it also had a special fragrance, which left a deep impression on everyone who tasted it today.
In fact, it wasn't that Chef Liu's culinary skills were superb, but that these abalones grew in the Ring-Tu space and absorbed the rich spiritual energy in the space all day long. Moreover, the seawater in the space was countless times purer than the ocean environment outside, so the meat itself was very pure. Even if an ordinary chef cooked it, there wouldn't be too much fishy smell.
Of course, regardless of whether everyone thought that Chef Liu's culinary skills were good or that the quality of the abalones of the Taoyuan Company was superb, in general, this warm-up event arranged by Feng Jing was a hit.
The atmosphere of the venue suddenly became lively. The guests who had the intention to compete were all eager to give it a try. Many of the rich people in the VIP area also revealed expressions of interest.
There weren't many abalones in each small plate. Feng Jing saw that everyone on the stage was almost done eating, so she said with a smile, "I believe that everyone already has a very direct understanding of the top-grade abalones that our Taoyuan Company is auctioning today. Let's skip the small talk and directly enter the auction!"
Speaking of this, Feng Jing made an inviting gesture and said with a smile, "Next, I will hand the stage over to the chief auctioneer of Hengfeng Auction House, Mr. Lu Zhongguang! Everyone, please give him a round of applause! "
There was a burst of warm applause from the audience.
Lu Zhongguang had a small reputation in Hong Kong, especially in the auction industry. He was the chief auctioneer of Hengfeng Auction House and also one of the executive directors of Hengfeng Auction House. Generally, he would only personally host important auctions. This detail also reflected the importance that Hengfeng Group attached to this auction.
Lu Zhongguang was wearing a slim-fit black suit and a festive red tie. His hair was meticulously combed back, and he wore a pair of shiny black leather shoes. He walked briskly, almost jogging to the center of the stage.
Lu Zhongguang first bowed slightly to Feng Jing, then picked up the microphone and said, "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the abalone auction jointly organized by Hengfeng Group and Taoyuan Company. I am today's auctioneer, Lu Zhongguang! "
"As the saying goes, it's hard to buy a two-headed abalone. As everyone knows, it's very difficult to raise an abalone to the standard of a two-headed abalone, and the risk is very high. Therefore, large abalones that reach this standard have always been very rare. It can be said that it's hard to find even with a thousand dollars. Some people even treat two-headed abalones as family heirlooms!" Lu Zhongguang used his very unique, magnetic voice to say, "Two-headed abalones are already so rare, let alone one-headed abalones. Most of the top-quality abalones that we are auctioning today have exceeded the standard of a one-headed abalone. In the history of Hong Kong, it can be said that this is the first time so many one-headed abalones have been auctioned at one time! "
Speaking of this, Lu Zhongguang's voice began to increase. His voice was full of charisma. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Friends who are interested in this field must not miss such a rare opportunity. Perhaps if you hesitate today, you will constantly regret it in the future …"
Then, Lu Zhongguang picked up the auction mallet and knocked it. He smiled and said, "Just now, everyone has an in-depth and intuitive understanding of the top-quality abalones being auctioned today. Let's get straight to the point!"
"There are a total of three abalones in the first batch to be auctioned!" Lu Zhongguang held a prompt card in his hand and said, "These three abalones are the same as the two abalones that everyone shared a taste of just now. They are all less than ten grams short of the standard of a one-headed abalone. If we were to measure them according to the standard of a two-headed abalone, they would far exceed the standard!"
"The three abalones weigh 599 grams, 592 grams, and 589 grams, respectively!" Lu Zhongguang glanced at the prompt card and said.
After the guests and reporters below the stage heard this number, they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Some people also expressed regret.
The so-called standard of a one-headed abalone and a two-headed abalone was based on how many abalones were one sima catty. If an abalone weighed or exceeded one sima catty, then it was undoubtedly a one-headed abalone. Two-headed abalone meant that two abalones weighed or exceeded one sima catty. In other words, abalones that weighed more than half a sima catty and less than one sima catty were two-headed abalones.
The measurement unit of a sima catty was heavier than the catty in our general sense. One catty was 500 grams, and one sima catty was about 604.79 grams.
In other words, the standard of a two-headed abalone was that a single abalone weighed or exceeded 600 grams. The weight of these three abalones was incomparably close to 600 grams. The heaviest abalone was only five grams short, which was one sima catty. This was no different from a one-headed abalone. The difference between the other two abalones was also very small.
However, because of this difference of a few grams and more than ten grams, strictly speaking, it could only be considered a two-headed abalone — a super-large two-headed abalone. In terms of value, it was a lot worse.
Lu Zhongguang smiled and announced, "Three abalones will be auctioned in a batch. The guests who bid in the top three will receive the auction items. The highest bidder will bid for the heaviest abalone, and so on! Of course, if you like these three abalones very much, you can bid multiple times. If your bid is ranked in the top three, then congratulations, you will be the sole owner of these three abalones! "
"I believe that everyone is very clear about the rules of this first batch of auction. Then, let's officially start the auction!" Lu Zhongguang said, "The starting price of the first batch of three abalones is 800,000 Hong Kong dollars. Each bid must not be less than 10,000 Hong Kong dollars. Next, please bid!"
"Mr. No. 214 bid 820,000 Hong Kong dollars!"
"Mr. No. 186 bid 830,000 Hong Kong dollars!"
"Ms. Chen in the VIP area bid twice, 880,000 Hong Kong dollars and 900,000 Hong Kong dollars! It seems that Ms. Chen is also very interested in this batch of high-quality abalones! Are there any higher bids? "
"Ms. No. 39 bid 910,000 Hong Kong dollars! Your eyesight is too good! Guests, this is a rare opportunity. Don't hesitate! "
As soon as the auction started, everyone was very enthusiastic about bidding. Lu Zhongguang also changed his gentle and elegant temperament. His tone and intonation became full of passion. His voice was also very high pitched, and even a little hoarse.
He was a very experienced auctioneer. He knew how to mobilize everyone's emotions and stimulate everyone's desire to bid.
Of course, in fact, he didn't need to deliberately mobilize people's emotions. The guests were quite enthusiastic about bidding.
This was because most of them were not considered rich. Many of them were from middle-class families or slightly wealthy families, as well as some owners of seafood restaurants and seafood stores. They had also heard the news and came over.
These people had limited financial resources. They were very clear that the three abalones were being auctioned according to the market price of two-headed abalones. In fact, in terms of quality and weight, they were very close to one-headed abalones. The price-performance ratio was very high.
In addition, there were more than a dozen super-rich people who came today. The poorest of the 30 people in the VIP area had a net worth of one or two billion. Once the rich people in the VIP area bid for the one-headed abalones, the people in the ordinary area would basically be unable to compete with them.
As the auction went on, the price would definitely be higher and higher.
Because the number of one-headed abalones was decreasing, and at the same time, the weight was increasing, the price would inevitably rise.
Therefore, many of the guests in the ordinary area hoped to seize the opportunity in front of them.
However, when most people had such thoughts, the price was destined to not be too low.
Soon, the highest price exceeded one million Hong Kong dollars, and the third price reached 960,000 Hong Kong dollars.
Everyone's enthusiasm was still very high, because even if it was one million Hong Kong dollars, it was still quite cost-effective.
There was no need for Lu Zhongguang's encouragement. Soon, the prices of the top three abalones exceeded one million Hong Kong dollars, and the highest price reached 1.2 million Hong Kong dollars.
At this time, the frequency of the bidding gradually slowed down, and Lu Zhongguang could take a breather. Just now, he had been speaking at a very high frequency. Sometimes, the bidding was so fast that he did not have time to report the price. Soon, a new price was refreshed. As a veteran auctioneer, he was a little overwhelmed.
Lu Zhongguang was secretly amazed. This is crazy!
Of course, Lu Zhongguang was also very clear that this madness was just an appetizer. The real feast was the auction of the one-headed abalones, especially the three heaviest one-headed abalones. They would probably be auctioned for a sky-high price!
In the end, the three extra-large two-headed abalones were sold for 1.89 million Hong Kong dollars, 1.87 million Hong Kong dollars, and 1.86 million Hong Kong dollars, respectively.
The three abalones were won by the boss of a powerful advertising company and the owners of two seafood restaurants.
Buying an abalone at such a high price, the three people who won the bid were still very happy. The people next to them were also very envious. Some people secretly regretted that they did not clench their teeth and bid again.
Madam Chen, who was in the VIP area, gave up at around 1.5 million Hong Kong dollars. She had participated in the auction with an attitude that it was dispensable, because the real goal of the rich people in the VIP area was the one-headed abalone at the back.
Lu Zhongguang's back was soaked in sweat, and his shirt was a little sticky on his body. However, he was in a very high mood.
"Congratulations to the three of you!" Lu Zhongguang said. "Thank you for bringing a good start to this auction! Now, let's start the auction of the one-headed abalone! "
As Lu Zhongguang spoke, he glanced at the prompt card in his hand and said, "In this auction, there are a total of 21 high-quality one-headed abalones, ranging from 610 grams to 650 grams in weight! Now, let's auction the first one! The starting price is 1.5 million Hong Kong dollars! Each bid must be no less than 30,000 Hong Kong dollars! Everyone, please bid! "
Although this one-headed abalone was only a dozen grams heavier than the two-headed abalone, the starting price was almost double.
No one thought that there was anything wrong with this. A dozen grams of weight was actually a dividing line. Two-headed abalones and one-headed abalones had completely different meanings, and their preciousness could not be mentioned in the same breath.
"1.55 million Hong Kong dollars!"
"1.58 million Hong Kong dollars!"
"1.61 million Hong Kong dollars!"
...
As soon as Lu Zhongguang finished speaking, there were people bidding one after another.
The auction of the oversized two-headed abalone had completely stirred up everyone's emotions. There were also many seafood store owners in the ordinary area. They had originally held a wait-and-see attitude, but now they were full of hope to bid for a one-headed abalone as the treasure of their store.
There were also many well-off old foodies who looked at the one-headed abalone on the stage, drooling and bidding.
The later abalones in the auction would get heavier and heavier, and the price would definitely get more expensive, so many people wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to fight for it. After all, at this time, the rich people in the VIP area had not participated in the large-scale bidding.
When the 630-gram or even 650-gram abalones were auctioned, it was obvious that it would be a game of wealth for the rich people in the VIP area. It would have nothing to do with them anymore.
Therefore, when the one-headed abalone was auctioned, everyone's enthusiasm for bidding did not decrease at all. The competition was even more intense than the auction of the oversized two-headed abalone.
After a while, everyone's bids had exceeded two million Hong Kong dollars, and the price was still rising rapidly.
"2.3 million Hong Kong dollars!"
"2.33 million!"
"2.4 million Hong Kong dollars!"
...
In the end, the one-headed abalone was sold at a high price of 2.83 million Hong Kong dollars. The successful bidder was still the owner of a seafood company in the ordinary area. When the hammer finally fell, the owner breathed a long sigh of relief.
The rising price was somewhat unexpected to him. Fortunately, he had been gritting his teeth and competing, and he did not hesitate to raise the price, showing his competitors his determination to win.
Of course, the key was that the rich people in the VIP area did not bid much. Even if they did bid, they did not fight to the death. Often, after one or two rounds, they would shrug their shoulders and smile and give up.
Therefore, he was able to win a one-headed abalone without any mishaps.
This time, he had the treasure of his store! The owner said happily in his heart, while he thanked the people who congratulated him next to him.
The auction had just begun, and the Taoyuan Company had already earned 8.45 million Hong Kong dollars. There were still 17 top-grade one-headed abalones waiting to be auctioned. It was conceivable that the subsequent prices would not be lower than the price of the first one-headed abalone.
At this auction, this mainland company would earn tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars! Many people did a little calculation in their hearts and could not help but exclaim.
Many people looked enviously at Feng Jing, who was standing at the side of the stage. Many media reporters also pointed their cameras at the beautiful boss.
The auction had just begun, but it had already set the tone for success. Feng Jing would definitely be the focus of all the major media reports in Hong Kong tomorrow.
However, no one knew that the owner of the Taoyuan Company, who had really made a lot of money, was sitting happily in the audience. Xia Ruofei was also watching and calculating how much money he would make this time!
The auction continued, and there was almost no break in the middle. The hostess brought the second top-grade one-headed abalone up on stage. After showing it around the stage, she placed it on the display table in the center of the stage.
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