Chapter 291 - The Hundred-Year Ginseng Was Stolen

Hu Jing couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What are you planning to bid on?”

After looking through part of the auction list on the invitation, she knew the items up for auction were all very valuable, with a starting bid of no less than one million each.

She was curious that Ye Fan was actually participating in the bidding.

“I’m buying some medicinal herbs,” Ye Fan said with a light smile.

Hu Jing responded, then turned her head forward and watched the auction seriously.

The seventh item up for auction, the Changbai Mountain humanoid century-old ginseng that Ye Fan wanted, finally came up.

This hundred-year-old ginseng had been appraised; it was one hundred thirty-one years old, from Changbai Mountain, with intact roots, and had arms and legs in human form.

It was a top-quality ginseng, much better than the century-old ginseng typically available at public auctions.

“The starting bid is one million!” After introducing the Changbai Mountain humanoid century-old ginseng, the auctioneer announced, “Each subsequent bid must increase by at least ten thousand.”

“One million one hundred thousand!” someone immediately called out, holding up their placard.

“One million one hundred fifty thousand!”

“One million three hundred thousand!”

As the bidding progressed, the price of the Changbai Mountain humanoid century-old ginseng continued to climb.

Hu Jing listened and couldn’t help feeling a bit anxious for Ye Fan, “What to do?

Many people are competing for it.”

“Hehe, it’s normal.

As long as one has money, generally, no one would easily pass on a century-old ginseng.

Even if it’s not needed immediately, it can be collected and preserved as an antique,” Ye Fan said calmly.

As the price reached around one hundred eighty thousand, the bidding finally slowed down.

Although century-old ginseng is precious and rare, it’s not unique, unlike some antiques and treasures of which only one or two pieces exist in the world.

Once missed, they can never be acquired again.

Thus, when the price reached the psychological threshold, the people at the auction gradually calmed down.

“One million eight hundred thirty thousand, the first time!”

“One million eight hundred thirty thousand, the second time!” the auctioneer called out.

At this moment, Ye Fan nonchalantly raised his placard and called, “Two million!”

As Ye Fan placed his bid, many people turned their heads to look at him curiously.

“Two million one hundred thousand!” the earlier bidder who had bid one million eight hundred thirty thousand called out, slightly gritting his teeth.

Ye Fan’s calm voice followed, “Two million five hundred thousand!”

The crowd was slightly surprised, and even more people turned to look at Ye Fan.

Among these people was an absolutely beautiful face.

When the owner of this beautiful face realized that the bidder was Ye Fan, she first felt a sudden surprise and then, seeing a seductively beautiful woman sitting closely next to Ye Fan, she immediately became furious.

“Ye Fan, to think my sister is hopelessly devoted to you, and here you are cozying up with a fox spirit!” Mo Xiaoyan clenched her fists, filled with indignation, and thought to herself, “I must tell my sister and expose your true colors!”

“Hmph!” She huffed angrily, forcefully turned her head back, and refused to look at Ye Fan again.

“What’s wrong?” asked a poised, elegant, and noble-looking beautiful woman sitting beside her with a light smile.

That beautiful woman was none other than Dongfang Yunqi.

Mo Xiaoyan shook her head lightly.

“It’s nothing.”

As the auctioneer was about to call out “two million five hundred thousand” for the third time, she suddenly raised her paddle and exclaimed, “Three million!”

Her bid caused a murmur of astonishment to ripple through the auction hall.

A hundred-year-old ginseng fetching three million was clearly a high price; even Ye Fan’s earlier bid of two million five hundred thousand had been somewhat steep.

Ye Fan had thought the hundred-year-old ginseng was as good as his when someone unexpectedly intervened, driving the price up to three million with a determined stance.

He turned his gaze towards the sound and saw two beauties sitting in the center position up front.

Though he couldn’t see their faces, their elegant attire and demeanor alone suggested that these young women were both beautiful and either wealthy or noble.

Furthermore, their silhouettes seemed vaguely familiar to him.

From their sitting posture and silhouettes, Ye Fan could tell that one of them was Dongfang Yunqi.

However, while the other’s silhouette also felt familiar, he couldn’t recall who she was at the moment.

Mo Xiaoyan, although a twin of Lu Xiaoman and almost identical in appearance, had a different upbringing which influenced their styles and demeanors greatly.

This party and auction hosted by Yun Qi Auctions was Mo Xiaoyan’s official entrance into Hua Hai’s high society.

Consequently, she had dressed exceptionally for the night.

Her soft hair was elegantly swept up by a professional stylist into a sophisticated, noble style, revealing a swan-like delicate neck.

She wore a lavish, elegant evening gown.

The gown was personally crafted for her by a royal designer from the Champs-Élysées in Paris, with over 150 years of tradition, who had dedicated three months to its creation.

Therefore, from her silhouette alone, Ye Fan couldn’t link her with Lu Xiaoman, or guess that this was Mo Xiaoyan.

After Mo Xiaoyan placed her bid, she slightly curled her lips in a seductive smirk and thought, “Hmph, I won’t let you win anything tonight!”

Dongfang Yunqi, taken aback by Mo Xiaoyan’s sudden participation in the bidding, couldn’t stop her in time.

“Ye Fan, what do we do?

The bid is already at three million,” Hu Jing asked worriedly.

Ye Fan responded calmly, “Mm.

Let someone else have it; it’s not that important.”

Bidding further would have driven the final price much higher than its actual value, so Ye Fan chose to step down.

Without the century-old ginseng, they could simply replace it with one that was aged over fifty years; the effect would be nearly the same.

Playing the fool was not something he was prepared to do impulsively.

With Ye Fan stepping down, the century-old Changbai Mountain ginseng inevitably fell into the hands of Mo Xiaoyan.

During the subsequent auction, Ye Fan paid little attention, having little interest in antiques and luxury collectibles.

However, he did notice, unintentionally, that Xiao Yichen was also present at the auction.

The auction ended smoothly, and it was time to proceed to the party hall that had been prepared in advance.

Before the party officially started, Dongfang Yunqi gracefully led Mo Xiaoyan to the podium.

At that moment, everyone fell silent, their gazes fixated on Mo Xiaoyan.

Naturally stunning and regally poised, Mo Xiaoyan, especially in her almost full ceremonial attire, exuded an authoritative aura uncommon in women.

Standing beside Dongfang Yunqi, she even managed to outshine him.

“Ye Fan, isn’t that Lu Xiaoman?” Hu Jing’s eyes widened as she looked at Mo Xiaoyan, who dazzled all present.

Shocked and incredulous, she tugged on Ye Fan’s clothes as she spoke.

Ye Fan was also surprised.

He had not expected Mo Xiaoyan to attend the Yun Qi Auctions’ event, much less be formally introduced by Dongfang Yunqi.