344: Are you here to cause trouble?

As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, someone in the audience immediately raised their paddle.

"Fifty-one million!"

"Fifty-two million!"

"Fifty-five million!"

The price soared instantly, and the atmosphere on-site reached a climax.

Lei Jun looked through the glass window, carefully examining the handscroll, a hint of satisfaction appearing in her eyes.

The brushwork was indeed in the style of Emperor Huizong of Song—delicate and agile, depicting the birds' expressions vividly—and its condition was better than she had expected.

She had already decided in her heart that she must win this handscroll.

The wealthy tycoons below were all determined to get it, raising the price one after another.

Among them, Mr. Zhang, who was in the real estate business; Mr. Li, who was in finance; and Mr. Chen, who had returned from overseas, were competing most fiercely.

They all knew the value of this handscroll; not only could it appreciate in value as a collection, but it could also showcase their status and position.

Most of these tycoons knew Lei Jun and were aware of how vast her financial resources were.

At first, they were worried she would make a move and felt somewhat apprehensive.

But seeing Lei Jun sitting in the VIP box without any movement—neither raising a paddle nor showing any expression—they gradually felt relieved.

Mr. Zhang secretly rejoiced: Fortunately, Lei Jun isn't interested, otherwise I wouldn't be her match at all. I must take this handscroll; keeping it at home for my collection would be so prestigious.

He immediately raised his paddle: "Seventy-five million!"

Mr. Li, unwilling to be outdone, immediately raised the price: "Seventy-eight million!"

Mr. Chen followed closely behind: "Eighty million!"

The price climbed all the way to ninety million, and the speed of bidding gradually slowed down. Every time the auctioneer called out a price, they had to wait several seconds before someone hesitantly raised their paddle. After all, ninety million was no small sum; even for the wealthy, they had to consider the cost-performance ratio.

The auctioneer felt a bit anxious; he had originally thought Lei Jun would make a move, as the scarcity of this treasure would be highly attractive to top collectors.

His gaze frequently darted toward Lei Jun's VIP box, filled with doubt: Did Ms. Lei Jun not want it, or was she waiting for the final moment to strike? If she didn't step in, it would be difficult for the price of this handscroll to push any higher.

Mr. Zhang gritted his teeth and raised his paddle again: "One hundred and fifty million!"

This was already the upper limit of what he could bear; any more and he would have to give up.

Mr. Li and Mr. Chen glanced at each other, both seeing hesitation in the other's eyes.

One hundred and fifty million—this price had already exceeded their expectations; raising it further wouldn't be worth it.

Both shook their heads and gave up on bidding. Seeing this, the auctioneer immediately said, "One hundred and fifty million for the first time! One hundred and fifty million for the second time!"

He raised his gavel, preparing to strike for the third time and announce the sale.

Just then, Lei Jun slowly picked up the number paddle on the table and lightly raised it.

The auctioneer's gavel stopped mid-air. He froze for a moment, then shouted excitedly, "Ms. Lei Jun bids one hundred and fifty million and one yuan!"

The entire room instantly fell silent, and everyone's gaze turned toward Lei Jun's VIP box.

One hundred and fifty million and one yuan—only one yuan more than Mr. Zhang's bid!

Lei Jun had intentionally added only one yuan.

The auctioneer was overjoyed; he knew Lei Jun wouldn't let this treasure go.

Adding only one yuan was both domineering and a display of strength, truly worthy of a top tycoon.

He immediately raised his voice and shouted to the audience, "Ms. Lei Jun bids one hundred and fifty million and one yuan! Does any lady or gentleman wish to raise the bid?"

Mr. Zhang's face instantly flushed crimson, both angry and annoyed.

He hadn't expected Lei Jun to strike at the last moment, and to only add one yuan—this was clearly a deliberate attempt to toy with him!

He stared at Lei Jun's box, his eyes full of fury, pondering whether he should bid again.

The surrounding tycoons were also buzzing with discussion; some felt Lei Jun's move was incredibly domineering, while others felt she was intentionally showing off.

But regardless, everyone knew that once Lei Jun made a move, this treasure basically had nothing to do with anyone else.

Mr. Li secretly rejoiced that he hadn't raised the bid just now, otherwise he would have become Lei Jun's stepping stone.

Mr. Chen, on the other hand, smiled and shook his head, feeling even more admiration for Lei Jun's financial power and boldness.

Mr. Zhang gritted his teeth and decided to bid again after all.

He took a deep breath and raised his paddle, shouting, "One hundred and sixty million!"

He didn't believe Lei Jun would follow! After shouting the price, Mr. Zhang looked triumphantly at Lei Jun's box with a provocative gaze, as if saying: Let's see how you'll raise it now!

The auctioneer immediately shouted excitedly, "Mr. Zhang bids one hundred and sixty million! First time! One hundred and sixty million for the second time!" Just as the auctioneer was about to raise his gavel again, Lei Jun slowly raised her paddle once more.

The auctioneer immediately said, "Ms. Lei Jun bids one hundred and sixty million and one yuan!"

"Whoa!" The audience erupted in an uproar again.

Another addition of only one yuan!

Mr. Zhang was so angry he was trembling all over, his chest heaving violently. He hadn't expected Lei Jun to be so excessive; she was clearly playing him!

He looked at Lei Jun's box and couldn't help but roar angrily, "Are you here to cause trouble!"

Lei Jun didn't care at all about Mr. Zhang's roar, her face remaining expressionless.

She found it laughable; bidding was a matter of one's own ability—if you can afford it, bid; if you can't, give up. There was no need to get so worked up.

She looked toward the door and signaled with her eyes for the auction house staff to come and handle it.

The manager, who had been on standby at the door, immediately walked in. Seeing Lei Jun's gaze, he instantly understood her meaning.

He walked quickly to the floor and said respectfully to Mr. Zhang, "Mr. Zhang, please mind your words and actions. The auction has its rules; bidding is voluntary. Either you continue to raise the bid, or this item will belong to Ms. Lei Jun."

Mr. Zhang's face turned shades of blue and white; he knew in his heart that he could no longer afford to raise the bid.

One hundred and sixty million was his limit; even if he wanted to add more, he couldn't produce any more money.

He stared fixedly at Lei Jun's box, his eyes full of resentment and anger, but ultimately he helplessly lowered his hand.

Seeing this, the auctioneer immediately raised his gavel and shouted loudly, "One hundred and sixty million and one yuan for the first time! One hundred and sixty million and one yuan for the second time! One hundred and sixty million and one yuan for the third time! Sold!"

The gavel fell, and this partial handscroll of Emperor Huizong of Song's 'Birds from Nature' was finally won by Lei Jun for the price of one hundred and sixty million and one yuan.

The whole room broke into warm applause; some admired Lei Jun's wealth, while others were just enjoying the spectacle.

Lei Jun stood up calmly and said to Lei Ying, "Let's go and handle the paperwork."

Accompanied by the manager, Lei Jun quickly finished the paperwork, and the staff carefully handed her the brocade box containing the handscroll.

Lei Jun took the brocade box; it felt heavy in her hand, but she was very satisfied.

This treasure was indeed worth her move... Back home, Lei Jun carefully arranged the brocade box.

Looking at this rare treasure, she felt a slight sense of accomplishment.

Just then, the system prompt sounded in her mind.

[Congratulations host, the system level has increased to Level 20!]