Chapter 19: The Battle for the Doucai Cup
Xu Youyou glanced back at Gu Fengchuan and quickly caught his provocative look.
Instead of bidding immediately, Xu Youyou deliberately waited for a while.
“Eleven million once, eleven million twice…”
As the auctioneer spoke, Gu Fengchuan grew anxious. After all, buying this yellow jade pendant was not part of his plan. Although the Gu family was wealthy, purchasing it at such an inflated price was clearly a loss.
Fortunately, before the auctioneer’s hammer fell, Xu Youyou raised her paddle again.
This time, however, she hesitated a little. “Twelve million.”
The auctioneer’s eyes immediately turned to Gu Fengchuan, eagerly awaiting him to raise the bid again.
But Gu Fengchuan was only trying to make Xu Youyou spend more money—he didn’t genuinely want the pendant. Seeing her hesitation, he worried she might stop bidding.
“Twelve million once, twelve million twice, twelve million three times! Congratulations to bidder number 0!” the auctioneer announced.
Xu Youyou sighed in relief as the deal was sealed. She didn’t actually know the pendant’s true value, but since the system wanted her to buy it, it must have a significant purpose.
Nearby, Lu Jingyao had remained silent for several rounds, quietly observing. Xu Youyou couldn’t help but wonder why he was here—was it for her Doucai Cup?
With his refined and wealthy appearance, she figured he could drive the price up significantly.
Seated further back, Gu Xueying kept her gaze on Xu Youyou and Lu Jingyao. A chill ran through her heart—could Xu Youyou also be interested in Mr. Lu? Wasn’t taking her wealthy family already enough? Did Xu Youyou want to steal her dream man too?
“This jade bracelet looks nice—do you want it, little sister?” Gu Fengchuan suddenly asked, pointing to the next auction item.
At that moment, Gu Xueying noticed Xu Youyou leaning slightly forward, seemingly trying to get a better look at the bracelet. She mistakenly thought Xu Youyou wanted it.
“This bracelet is so pretty—I like it too. But, since you’ve already bought me the pink diamond necklace, why not let this one go to Sister Youyou? She seems to like it a lot,” Gu Xueying said sweetly.
Gu Fengchuan frowned. “Didn’t she just win a jade pendant? She doesn’t seem to care much about the Gu family—why bother? You, on the other hand, are missing something elegant for your wrist.”
The jade bracelet was stunning—vivid green with excellent clarity—and many people wanted it. After several bids, the price had risen to ten million.
“Eleven million,” Gu Fengchuan bid.
The auctioneer’s face lit up—whenever Gu Fengchuan got involved, the price would jump significantly.
Sure enough, Xu Youyou raised her paddle. “Twelve million.”
She glanced back at Gu Fengchuan, as if declaring she was determined to win this piece.
Gu Fengchuan hesitated. After losing out on two prior items, he couldn’t be sure if Xu Youyou was bidding seriously or just to spite him.
Still, his desire to see her lose money outweighed his caution. “Thirteen million.”
Without missing a beat, Xu Youyou said, “Fourteen million.”
Gritting his teeth, Gu Fengchuan raised his paddle again. “Fifteen million!”
But this time, Xu Youyou didn’t continue. She had no real desire for the bracelet.
When the hammer finally fell, Gu Fengchuan clenched his jaw—he had fallen into her trap again.
” If sister didn’t really want it, why drive up the price? Is she just trying to make you waste money?” Gu Xueying asked innocently.
By now, Gu Fengchuan’s hatred for Xu Youyou was through the roof. “She’s up to no good! I’m telling Mom and Dad everything she did today!”
Gu Xueying smiled quietly—she hoped Xu Youyou would cause more trouble so she would never return to the Gu family.
The auction continued with one item after another, but Xu Youyou stayed quiet, watching as a spectator.
Finally, the last auction item appeared—the Doucai Cup provided by Xu Youyou.
“This is a Doucai Chicken Cup from the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty—a favorite of Emperor Chenghua. Our experts have confirmed its authenticity…” the auctioneer introduced the piece.
Many eyes focused on the high-definition image of the cup displayed on the screen, its delicate form shimmering with history.
“Two hundred and fifty million.”
The starting price was two hundred million, but Lu Jingyao’s first bid raised it by a quarter.
The crowd began murmuring. Xu Youyou even heard someone behind her whisper, “Mr. Lu seems determined to get that cup—maybe we should step back.”
But others were eager to win the treasure.
“Two hundred and sixty million.”
“Two hundred and seventy million.”
“Three hundred million.”
The price soared past the previous auction record for a similar piece, and Xu Youyou’s heart pounded with excitement.
Noticing her reaction, Lu Jingyao subtly signaled his assistant, Liu.
Liu leaned toward her and softly asked, “Miss Xu, you haven’t bid—are you not interested in this item?”
Xu Youyou tried to play it cool. “I’m too poor to afford it,” she quipped.
Liu chuckled quietly, and even Lu Jingyao’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Miss Xu, you’re quite funny. But truthfully, most people here came for this cup,” Liu added.
Xu Youyou’s pulse quickened—if the competition stayed fierce, she stood to make a fortune. “Well then, I wish your boss the best. I won’t compete with him,” she said lightly.
“Three hundred and twenty million,” came a new voice—Gu Fengchuan’s.
He was disappointed that Xu Youyou didn’t react to his bid—he thought she would finally respect the Gu family’s wealth.
But his moment of pride didn’t last. Without a hint of emotion, Lu Jingyao raised his paddle again. “Four hundred million.”
The room fell silent for half a minute.
The auctioneer, stretching the pause as long as possible, finally began the countdown. “Four hundred million once…”
“Four hundred and twenty million!”
Gu Fengchuan’s voice cut through the room. His father had given him a spending limit of five hundred million—this cup was crucial for the Gu family.
