Cai Wenhong merely smiled and did not answer because he was still bidding. He did not have time to explain to them that he had already reached an agreement with Gu Ning that the bronze chimes would belong to the Palace Museum. What they were doing now was merely the bidding process.
However, even if he had the time, he would not explain it now because it would be bad if other people heard about it and spread the news. This was because it was considered an act of deception. Not only would Xiangyun Antique-store be attacked, but the museum would also be attacked.
Therefore, Gu Ning did not say anything.
Of course, when the price reached 8.5 billion, there were no more bids. This was already higher than expected.
In the end, Cai Wenhong naturally won the bid. Anyway, no matter how much the price was, he only needed to pay 5 billion, so he was not afraid at all.
However, the figure of 8.5 billion shocked many people. Many people thought that it would be around 7 billion at most.
Everyone looked at Gu Ning. Some were envious, while some were jealous. They felt that Gu Ning made money too easily.
The most expensive item in this morning's auction was only worth 400 to 500 million.
Therefore, the difference between this and 8.5 billion was too big and too obvious.
After the bidding for the bronze chimes ended, the auction in the morning also came to an end. The auction would continue at 1: 30 pm.
During the one-hour break, they went to have lunch, which was provided by Huarong Auction House.
The auction house would earn a lot of money from each auction, so it was not a big deal to cover everyone's meals.
Those who did not want to eat at the auction house could go out to eat.
Gu Ning, Master Leng, and the others would not be coming in the afternoon, so they left together after the auction in the morning. They went out to eat by themselves.
The group consisted of Gu Ning, Master Leng, Master Xu, Jiang Zhongyu, Cai Wenhong, Chen Darong, Xu Jingchen, and Zi Beiying.
However, before they left, Gu Ning and Cai Wenhong had to go backstage to register. However, because the bronze chimes were not around, the transaction could not be completed for the time being.
Auction houses would charge a certain fee for the items they auctioned, and 8.5 billion yuan wasn't a small amount. However, because Huarong Auction House was a public auction house and Cai Wenhong was the deputy director of the Cultural Relics Administration, it could be waived as long as Cai Wenhong asked for it.
Of course, there was a prerequisite. Not every item could be waived just by saying so. Only the transaction between Gu Ning and Cai Wenhong could be waived.
After the registration, the group of people left.
When the people around them saw that Gu Ning actually left with Master Leng and the others, they felt that their relationship.
Old Master Yuan and Yuan Yilin did not participate in the afternoon, so they left as well.
After getting in the car, Old Master Yuan asked Yuan Yilin seriously, "What's going on between you and Gu Ning?"
In front of Master Leng, Yuan Yilin did not dare to lie, so she told him what had happened at school, the conflict between Gu Ning and Yuan Shuyan, and the warning she gave to Gu Ning. She did not exaggerate.
"Nonsense. Is it possible for the Yuan family and the Rong family to be together? Go and warn Yuan Shuyan not to have anything to do with Rong Zechen. " Old Master Yuan scolded with displeasure. Because of the hostile relationship between the Yuan family and the Rong family, Old Master Yuan felt very uncomfortable when he heard that a member of the Yuan family liked a member of the Rong family. He felt that it was a disgrace to the Rong family.
Although Yuan Shuyan was only from a collateral branch, she was still a member of the Yuan family. Honor and disgrace belonged to the same family.
"Yes," Yuan Yilin replied.
In fact, she had also warned Yuan Shuyan, but when you really liked someone, you would not be able to control yourself, even if the other party did not care about you at all.
Although Yuan Shuyan knew that it was impossible for her to be with Rong Zechen, she did not tell anyone that she liked Rong Zechen. However, most people knew that it was indeed a disgrace to the Yuan family if rumors were spread.
"By the way, you and Gu Ning should stop now. Focus on your business," Old Master Yuan warned them again.
Although many things happened because of Gu Ning, he did not think that it was all Gu Ning's fault. Therefore, Old Master Yuan did not mean to argue with Gu Ning. After all, Gu Ning was just a nobody in his eyes.
However, he disliked Gu Ning.
Gu Ning and the others did not go too far. They went to a nearby private restaurant.
However, as soon as they left the auction house, Gu Ning realized that they were being followed.
Since Gu Ning was driving, it was inconvenient for her to drive back. However, she was sure that it had something to do with the bronze chimes.
Although Cai Wenhong had won the bid for the bronze chimes, it did not mean that everyone was willing to accept it. Especially the musical instrument expert from XX Music Hall in Country R, Harada Honichi, who had kidnapped Chen Darong for the bronze chimes.
Of course, Gu Ning was not certain that it was him. It could be someone else. She first thought that it was Harada Honichi because the people in his country were more barbaric and unreasonable.
About ten minutes later, the group arrived at the private restaurant. The people who were following them were still following them.
However, after parking the car, Gu Ning could see who the people were.
Gu Ning was right. The people who were following them were really Harada Honichi and his men.
Gu Ning narrowed her eyes. She was a little gloomy. She had not gone to look for them, but they had found her first. However, now was not the time to teach them a lesson. Moreover, the other party had not done anything yet, so she did what she had to do for the time being.
Before they arrived, Xu Jingchen had already booked a private room, so they went straight in when they arrived.
Gu Ning kept her guard up. She saw that Harada Honichi and his men had followed them in and booked a private room as well. However, it was very far away from their private room.
After they arrived at the private room, they ordered their food. After the waiter left, Gu Ning said, "Grandpa Leng, Grandpa Xu, and Grandpa Jiang, actually, there's something that I haven't told you. There were too many people just now, so it wasn't appropriate for me to say it. I'll tell you now!"
"What is it?"
Hearing that, Master Leng and the others asked curiously.
"Actually, when I verified the bronze chimes that day, I already made a deal with Curator Cai. I sold the bronze chimes to the Palace Museum for five billion yuan. However, the bronze chimes still have to be auctioned because I want to promote Xiangyun Antique-store, so I have to use this opportunity to promote it," Gu Ning said.
They were shocked to hear that.
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