136: Chapter 136 Priceless Painting

After Li Runze bid 100 million, a considerable stir rippled through the venue.

Some thought Li Runze was trying to regain the face he had just lost.

Others felt that perhaps there was something special about the painting.

But at this level of bidding, it was no longer something ordinary people could get involved in.

The starting price for this painting was only 500,000.

Now, it had already reached 100 million.

The price had increased two hundred times over.

It was terrifying.

"110 million!"

Qian Hongyuan continued to bite the bullet and follow the bid.

Soon it would be the Qian Family elder's hundredth birthday; using this as a birthday gift for his grandfather would be perfect!

Ever since he was young, Qian Hongyuan had never been as talented as his two older brothers.

His grandfather had never held any expectations for him.

Nor was he willing to let him get involved in the management of the family business.

Therefore, Qian Hongyuan later struck out on his own and started Huyu Live.

Although it was considered a top company in the live-streaming industry, it still paled in comparison to the other industries owned by the Qian Family.

If his grandfather would just relent and let Qian Hongyuan join the Qian Family group, then he, Qian Hongyuan, could transform from a pheasant into a phoenix!

Qian Hongyuan stared fixedly at the painting on the stage, determined to win it.

At this moment, Lin Yi raised his hand once again.

"200 million!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Qian Hongyuan and Li Runze both looked at Lin Yi with confusion.

"Seriously, bro, who taught you to bid like that?"

"People are bidding 100 million, 110 million, and you jump straight to 200 million?"

"Can't you bid a lower price to transition into it?"

"Besides, aren't you a college student? Where the hell did you get so much money?"

"Do your parents give you pocket money in the hundreds of millions?"

Lin Yi felt their resentful gazes and calmly scratched his forehead.

He had originally wanted to keep a low profile.

He just wanted to help Tang Ruowei buy this painting.

But he hadn't expected Qian Hongyuan and Li Runze to push him step by step.

Neither of them was willing to give up on the auction.

Lin Yi couldn't be bothered to bid in small increments with them.

It was too troublesome.

He would simply name a price that would make them give up.

Once and for all.

Qian Hongyuan's face turned red with anger.

His Huyu Live could at most scrape together around 300 million in cash.

But if he used all that money to buy the painting, and the company ran into any operational problems, it would easily lead to disaster!

"210 million!"

Qian Hongyuan thought about it and decided to continue following the bid.

The company is nothing; nothing is more important than making his grandfather happy!

Damn it, forget it! He'd sell everything he had to give it a shot!

"220 million!"

Li Runze also continued to follow the bid.

Whether the Li Group could reach the next level depended on this opportunity.

Besides abundant capital, the Qian Family also possessed vast connections.

This was something Li Runze valued highly.

Therefore, he had to ensure that the Li Group could board the Qian Family's big ship.

Lin Yi curled his lips; he hadn't expected these two to be so persistent.

He sighed and calmly raised his hand once again.

"300 million!"

The people around them were so shocked by this price that their jaws nearly dropped to the floor.

They had originally thought that the necklace worth 100 million earlier was Lin Yi's limit.

They hadn't expected that it was just a warm-up for him.

Many women cast admiring glances at Lin Yi.

Young, handsome, wealthy, and generous!

These virtues were concentrated in one person, making it hard for them not to be moved by Lin Yi.

Quite a few socialites present were already planning how to strike up a conversation with Lin Yi later.

"310 million!"

Qian Hongyuan's voice was already slightly hoarse.

His palms were soaked in sweat.

This price had far exceeded his expectations.

"320 million!"

Li Runze's voice had also dropped a few decibels.

He appeared to lack confidence.

Lin Yi felt speechless.

How could these two be like unkillable cockroaches?

Even now, they still had the nerve to bid against him?

"500 million!"

Lin Yi couldn't be bothered to talk nonsense and intended to end this farce directly.

Sure enough, after hearing Lin Yi's bid, Qian Hongyuan and Li Runze immediately stood up in anger.

"Lin Yi, are you fucking sick in the head?!"

Qian Hongyuan couldn't help himself and pointed at Lin Yi, cursing.

Lin Yi rolled his eyes at him, spread his hands toward the crowd, and explained.

"There's no helping it; I'm just… a rather compassionate person."

"Isn't this a charity auction…"

"I thought I'd make a greater contribution to impoverished mountainous areas!"

Many ladies were very moved after hearing Lin Yi's words.

They hadn't expected this handsome man to be so compassionate!

He was simply the perfect man!

Lin Yi sat in his seat and exchanged a glance with Qian Hongyuan and Li Runze from a distance.

Although the two of them were unwilling to give up, their financial strength no longer allowed them to continue competing with Lin Yi for this painting.

"500 million, going once!"

"500 million, going twice!"

"500 million, going three times!"

"Sold! Congratulations to Mr. Lin for acquiring this painting!"

"At the same time, this price has broken the record for the highest transaction price for a calligraphy and painting work in our country!"

"Let us congratulate Mr. Lin!"

The people around them applauded one after another.

An usherette also delivered the artwork into Lin Yi's hands.

Lin Yi looked at it carefully; the painting was indeed quite good.

However, he was a vulgar person and really couldn't appreciate it.

But Lin Yi subsequently noticed two lines of small text written on the back of the painting.

"Happy Birthday, Nannan!"

Then there was the date when the painting was created.

It was a huge coincidence that today's date was exactly the same as the date marked on the painting.

"Happy birthday!"

Lin Yi whispered to Tang Ruowei.

He carefully packed the painting away and handed it to Tang Ruowei.

"Ding, spent 500 million for the cashback target; the target's favorability has increased by 10 points."

"The cashback multiplier for this transaction is being randomly generated…"

"Generated; the cashback multiplier for this transaction is 8 times."

"Congratulations to the host for receiving a cashback of 4 billion!"

Tang Ruowei looked at Lin Yi gratefully, her hands trembling uncontrollably.

Originally, she had thought that Lin Yi also valued the painting and wanted to buy it for his own collection.

But she hadn't expected that he would pay such a high price to win it, just to give it to her!

Having been in the entertainment industry for a long time, she had seen too many backstabbing incidents driven by profit.

Therefore, Lin Yi's sincerity and generosity were exceptionally precious in Tang Ruowei's eyes.

"Thank you, Lin Yi…"

Tang Ruowei: Favorability + 10 points

Tang Ruowei: Favorability + 10 points

Tang Ruowei: Favorability + 10 points

Current favorability: 40 points.

Lin Yi felt a wave of regret; it would have been better if this favorability had increased earlier.

That way, he could have gotten more cashback.

It was a pity to waste this 500 million consumption opportunity.

"But this gift is too valuable."

"I will save up money to pay you back later, is that okay?"

Tang Ruowei knew that no one's money just fell from the sky.

Even though she was a female celebrity, earning money was very hard work.

Therefore, she didn't want to owe Lin Yi such a huge favor.

In Tang Ruowei's heart, she already considered Lin Yi a very good friend.

Between friends, one naturally shouldn't be indebted!

After hearing this, Lin Yi thought for a moment and shook his head.

"No need, just consider this a small token of my sincerity."

"However… if you really feel embarrassed, I do have a small favor I'd like to ask of you…"