29: A woman's thoughts

As the auction items were displayed and detailed explanations provided, the enthusiasm of the entire audience was ignited.

Compared to the cold antiques from before, the value of this Omega pocket watch was visible to the naked eye; it wasn't just valuable as a collectible.

Its greater use lay in showing off—to put it bluntly, it was a top-tier luxury item, a symbol of wealth and status.

Lu Fan wasn't interested in this at all. While Omega was indeed a brand-name product,

it still had a bit of a gap compared to the top three brands and couldn't be considered a top-tier masterpiece.

More importantly, the consignor was the notorious Traitor, Boss of Hooligans.

No matter how good the item was, he held it in contempt.

The sharp-eyed Tang Jifeng immediately caught Lu Fan's mood: "Brother Fan, what's wrong? Not interested in this pocket watch?"

"Mm~" Lu Fan didn't hide his feelings at all. "Minute repeater, perpetual calendar, and moon phase, with a diamond star map set on the case back.

It's considered a masterpiece among Omegas, but that's about it."

"Even with all that, you still look down on it. Why don't you tell me what counts as a masterpiece? Let me broaden my horizons."

Tang Jifeng felt slightly unconvinced. He considered himself quite knowledgeable about timepieces. If he looked down on such a configuration, what did he want?

"The top-tier masterpieces in the pocket watch world are nothing more than Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet.

Below those three, everyone else is a younger brother.

They can only imitate, never surpass."

Seeing that several people liked hearing his explanations, Lu Fan simply smoked a cigarette and began pointing out the world's wonders.

"Pocket watches are already a setting sun. The current trendsetters in the horological world are wristwatches."

As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, unbuckled his own wristwatch, and placed it on the table.

"This is a Richard Louis. Titanium material, tonneau-shaped case, highly skeletonized.

RMAC2 movement, variable-geometry rotor, 300 meters water resistance.

Origin: Electronics Market area in Shenzhen!"

"Brother Fan~~ this is way too cool!"

Tang Jiped was shocked the moment he got his hands on it.

Just the visual impact brought by the highly skeletonized body made him unable to snap out of it for a long time.

That heavy sense of futurism, unheard-of new technology, and powerful water resistance

made him even more amazed, as if seeing a celestial being.

Once he picked it up, he couldn't put it down. The others gathered around to take a closer look.

Taking advantage of the gap while the others were attracted by the new object and focused on studying the watch,

Lu Fan lightly raised his bidding paddle and joined the bidding sequence, doubling the price with a single move.

There was no other reason; it was simply because he saw Fu Sinian move.

"Number 77 bids 100,000 silver dollars~~~"

Seeing that the big donor had made a move, the auctioneer shouted with extra effort.

This call not only directly discouraged over 90% of the bidders but also ignited Fu Sinian, the powder keg.

He turned his head to stare at Lu Fan, the flames of revenge burning in his eyes, as he slowly raised the bidding paddle in his hand.

"Table 13, Mr. Fu bids 110,000!"

Smoking his cigarette, Lu Fan glanced at Fu Sinian and, while raising his paddle, calmly called out: "200,000~~"

The price shocked the entire room. Time and again, Number 77 was set on forming a blood feud with the Fu Family.

Even The Three Tycoons, who were immersed in their own small circle, couldn't help but cast their gazes over.

Donating 200,000 silver dollars in one go.

This set a record for charity auctions in Shanghai's history.

Although there were many great families in Shanghai that could afford this sum—if not ten, then at least eight—

this was a charity gala. Donating money was just to make a sound; other than gaining temporary fame, it was of no damn use.

Furthermore, while becoming famous on the spot, one might be secretly cursed behind their back as a fool with more money than brains or a spendthrift.

Becoming the laughingstock of after-dinner talk.

Having placed his bid, Lu Fan sat firmly like a fisherman on his platform, while Fu Sinian was directly roasted over the fire.

Everyone's eyes fell on him, all wanting to see how the Fu Family would respond.

Would they go head-to-head, or would they wimp out?

Everyone knew Number 77 was already trying to rise by stepping on the Fu Family, and he had already won two rounds.

If he crushed them again this time, then Number 77 using the momentum to rise would become an indisputable fact.

In a roundabout way, it also meant that from then on, there would be no place for the Fu Family in Shanghai.

This would also become a landmark event in Shanghai this year.

"250,000!"

Fu Sinian didn't raise his paddle; he stood up directly to face Table 77 and announced the price loudly.

This 50,000-dollar price increase also announced to everyone present: My Fu Family is not wimping out!

The atmosphere at the scene could no longer be described as just 'swords drawn and bows bent.'

With Fu Sinian's bid, everyone's focus and the pressure shifted sides again.

Smoking his cigarette, Lu Fan fell into deep thought. He wasn't thinking about whether or not to raise the bid,

but rather how much more donation he could squeeze out of this Fu Family.

Since he couldn't stop the other party's trend of becoming a Traitor, he would make him contribute a bit to the war effort before he officially became one.

Tang Jifeng leaned over with a hint of alertness to remind him: "Brother Fan~~ be careful of a cornered dog jumping over a wall!"

But Tang Li, who was beside him, appeared very calm: "Brother Lu Fan, you should just let the Fu Family have this pocket watch.

Since they want to contribute to the war effort so much, why stop them?

A donation is a donation, no matter who gives it!

Once this opportunity passes, the Fu Family won't offer such a high price again."

Tang Li's unconventional way of looking at the problem made Lu Fan's eyes light up.

This little girl actually has some substance; she could actually think the same way as him.

"I'll take good advice when I hear it. I'll listen to you, Second Miss Tang!"

Lu Fan decisively placed the bidding paddle on the table and gave up the bid.

"250,000 once, 250,000 twice, 250,000 three times, sold!

Our thanks to Fu Sinian of Table 13, and the Fu Family for their generous donation~~"

Accompanied by the applause of the entire audience, Fu Sinian slowly turned around.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a half-smile, his gaze shooting straight at Table 77.

He was seen slowly raising his thumb, then flipping it over, thumb pointing down.

This was no longer a simple provocation.

It was a direct falling out.

An insult!

"Damn it~~"

Seeing Fu Sinian's smugness, Tang Jifeng gnashed his teeth in hatred.

Sheng Aiyi's face was calm, but her heart was already filled with displeasure.

So she spoke up and suggested: "Since we're playing, let's play a bit bigger.

Mr. Lu, for the next auction item, do you dare to start the bidding directly at 250,000?"

As she spoke, Sheng Aiyi's gaze met Lu Fan's directly.

Just now, the way Lu Fan and Tang Li played along with each other had caused an inexplicable ripple in Sheng Aiyi's heart when she saw it.

Fu Sinian's gloating this time directly added fuel to the fire.

Fu Sinian naturally became the punching bag.

Tang Li's eyes lit up: "Seventh Sister, this move is brilliant! This little sister is impressed!"

This scene completely baffled Tang Jifeng: "What are you guys trying to do?"

Tang Li rolled her eyes: "Fourth Brother, what else can you do besides chasing romance? You're so stupid!"

Xu Lai held Tang Jifeng's arm and explained softly: "Seventh Sister's suggestion to bid 250,000 is an open scheme.

If Fu Sinian follows, then we continue to let him contribute to the war effort.

If he doesn't follow, then it's an instant win, and we get our face back."

Lu Fan listened to the three women, one sentence after another.

Cold sweat kept breaking out on his back.

They say nothing is more poisonous than a woman's heart; one is poisonous enough, how can you handle three?