The next day.
Evening. Party School's dormitory.
Dong Xuebing packed his things in his room and brought his bank cards with him.
His roommate, Han Xinghua, asked: "Chief Dong, are you going out?"
"Yes." Dong Xuebing turned to Xiao Dong. "I have something to do."
"This is a closed class. If you want to go out, you might need to apply for leave." Han Xinghua reminded him.
"I will not be going out." Dong Xuebing packed the money. "I will be walking around the compound to relax."
"Ok. That's not a problem. If I take too many days off, it might affect my grades."
Dong Xuebing knew about this. But today is the auction for the pink diamonds, and he must attend the Party School. After leaving the dormitory, Dong Xuebing looked around and walked towards the Party School's main entrance. He looked around and used STOP to stop time. After that, he climbed over a low wall in the backyard and hailed a taxi.
In the taxi.
"Sir, to Jia De Auction House."
"Ok."
"Thank you."
Twenty minutes later. Jia De Auction House's entrance.
Dong Xuebing paid and alighted from the car. He put on a pair of sunglasses as he does not want anyone to recognize him. After all, he is a government official, and it will not be good for him to participate in an auction worth more than 100 million RMB. That's why he put on a disguise to avoid trouble.
Jia De Auction House was crowded.
Maybe the pink diamonds were too eye-catching, and there were many people there.
Dong Xuebing settled the paperwork at the front desk and collected his auction pass before entering the venue. The venue was almost full, and Dong Xuebing searched for a long time before he found an empty seat at the back row. It was a break, and the Autumn Auction will start in the afternoon. Because the pink diamond is the finale, Dong Xuebing had arrived at the auction in time.
After the break, the auction started again.
Many people who had gone to the bathroom or outside to smoke returned.
"The next item is a Ming Dynasty blue and white porcelain … …" The auctioneer shouted into the microphone.
But Dong Xuebing's mind is not on this. He closed his eyes and waited quietly. This is the time for him to rest up, and there will be a fierce battle later.
One item … …
Two items … …
Three items … …
Soon, the three items were sold. Surprisingly, there was still a very valuable painting that was not sold. Recently, the antique collection market has not been as hot as two years ago, and people's investment concepts have gradually become more rational. For example, the falling price of Hetian jade and the lack of supply of jadeite all indicate that the current collectibles market is in a bubble. Of course, there is no doubt that there is no shortage of buyers for good things.
For example, the item below.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming to Guardian's autumn auction this season. It's finally time for our last auction." The auctioneer smiled from ear to ear and said, "I believe everyone already knows. That's right, the last item in the collection is a pair of extremely precious pink diamond rings. This pair of rare pink diamonds weighs about 20 carats and 18 carats respectively. It has been kept as a private collection for the past 60 years. This diamond is rated by the Gemological Institute of America as a 'Rich Pink' grade — the most perfect pink color. It is inlaid between the shield-shaped diamonds on the silver ring."
Instantly, many people's attention was drawn to this and they began to discuss it.
"It's finally starting."
"Seeing it with my own eyes is even more beautiful than in the news."
"But the price is too high. Spending a few hundred million to buy a pair of diamond rings? How extravagant is this?"
"This is the most expensive pair of diamond rings in the world. I wonder who will get it."
There are many multi-millionaires and billionaires in the auction hall, but they feel this pair of rings is too far away from them.
After some introductions, it's time to look at the rings.
Dong Xuebing, along with many others, went up the stage to look at the pair of diamond rings in the glass case.
Beautiful, it was indeed ridiculously beautiful. That pink color seemed to have a bewitching magic, constantly pulling at everyone's eyes. The luster and cut surface of the diamond were also perfect. No matter from which angle you looked at it, the luster of the diamond was impeccable. What a good pair of pink diamonds. Compared to ordinary diamonds or even colored diamonds, it was more than a grade higher. It was simply too rare. No wonder it was valued at 200 million yuan!
The appraisal ended.
Everyone returned to their seats.
Dong Xuebing is determined to buy this pair of rings again. Xie Huilan will love this pair of rings!
The Auctioneer shouted. "The bidding starts now. Every round, the starting bid is set at 1 million RMB. The starting bid is 80 million RMB."
After the Auctioneer finished, many people raised their paddles!
"81 million!"
"85 million!"
"90 million!"
"91 million!"
"Oh, 100 million RMB! Lot 11's 100 million RMB!"
Before Dong Xuebing could even raise his paddle, the price of the pink diamond had exceeded 100 million RMB!
Dong Xuebing's heart sank as he knew the bidding will be intense. He immediately raised his paddle and shouted. "110 million!"
A middle-aged woman followed up with a bid, "120 million!"
A young man in his thirties also said, "One hundred and twenty-five million!"
The auctioneer smiled as he held the microphone and said, "One hundred and twenty-five million for number 137. Is there a higher bid? One hundred twenty-five million going once … "
Dong Xuebing raised his paddle without hesitation. "130 million!"
A businessman shouted. "140 million!"
The middle-aged woman turned and looked at them. "160 million!" She immediately raised the bid by 20 million.
Even so, the people below didn't show any signs of stopping. "170 million!"
"I bid 180 million!"
"185 million!"
"200 million!" That businessman is determined to get the pink diamond.
200 million RMB. It's only two minutes into the auction, and the price had already reached 200 million. This is the estimated market value of the pink diamond.
The auction hall became quiet for a while.
The Auctioneer said. "200 million! Lot 28's bid is 200 million! Any other bidders? "
At this price, the number of bidders dropped by a few times, and the few bidders who were active earlier shook their heads and gave up.
That young man paused. "205 million!"
The middle-aged woman shouted. "210 million!"
That businessman looked at them. "215 million!"
The middle-aged woman paused for a while and put down her paddle. She has no intention to continue bidding.
That young man is also hesitating and frowned.
"215 million going once …" The Auctioneer said. "Lot 28's bid is 215 million. Any other bidders?"
This price is close to Dong Xuebing's bottom line. He has about 280 million RMB, and if the price is less than 240 million, he will have to pay 10% commission, taxes, and other fees. He cannot afford it, and even if he manages to buy it, he will be penniless.
But …
For Sister Xie! I will go all out!
Dong Xuebing raised his paddle slowly. "220 million!"
That young man gritted his teeth and raised his paddle. "221 million!"
Dong Xuebing increased the bid without hesitation. "225 million!"
Many people are looking at this young man in sunglasses in surprise. The Auctioneer and the other staff are also looking at him.
"225 million going once …" The Auctioneer raised his hammer. "Lot 233's bid is 225 million …"
The young man frowned and threw his paddle on the table. He said something to his colleague and did not continue bidding.
The current price of the pink diamond had exceeded the value of the pink diamond. But the rarer the item, the more valuable it is.
The businessman who had been bidding hesitated for a while and did not say a word.
But at this moment, the middle-aged woman from before seemed to have moved, and she fiercely raised her card again, "230 million!"
Dong Xuebing cursed in his heart and continued. "233 million!"
The middle-aged woman quickly said. "235 million!"
The bidding is too intense, and only Dong Xuebing and that middle-aged woman are left.
Dong Xuebing does not know how much the middle-aged woman is planning to spend, but he knows he does not have enough money.
What should I do?
Should I increase the bid?
Dong Xuebing noticed the expression on the middle-aged woman's face. She seems to be in pain, and this price is too much for her. Dong Xuebing tried to show a calm expression and raised his paddle. "237 million!"
The middle-aged woman's face changed.
This is a sky-high price!
If it is sold, the final bid will be close to 300 million. This is more than the estimated value of the pink diamond!
"237 million going once!" The Auctioneer raised his hammer again. "Lot 233's bid is 237 million going twice … Is there any higher bid …" The Auctioneer's hand paused in mid-air. "237 million going thrice! Sold! "
Dong Xuebing's eyes lit up. It's done!
The Auctioneer laughed. "Let us congratulate Lot 233!"
Everyone started clapping. Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Everyone knew that this pair of pink diamonds could be sold for a sky-high price, but they didn't expect it to exceed the estimated price by so much. That was because the estimated price was set by the auction company, and it had already exceeded the market value by a lot. But in the end, the final price exceeded the estimated price by 40%. Based on this amount, the most expensive pair of diamond rings in the world … indeed deserved it. This was the highest amount of diamond rings ever sold in history!
Dong Xuebing smiled at everyone. He is overjoyed in his heart.
I got it!
I finally got the pink diamonds!
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