Hao Ren sat calmly in his seat beside Han Lingshi. Emily Parkins led the auction gracefully. She was an idol for sure, the way she communicated with the people lightened the mood. Hao Ren fished out his phone, typed something in it and put it back. What he typed was an instruction for Xiao Mei.
Emily Parkins said, "The next item for auction is a work of art that is presented by the Dean of the Swan Art College. Miss Jemima Cortez."
Two men carried a big canvas on the stage and then Emily took off the red silk cloth covering it. Everyone gasped, as Emily said, "Miss Cortez stated that this painting is a depiction of a scene from a battle of the Titans against Men. She says that one man can make a difference, but when the entire mankind walks forward, they become the difference.
I feel this line is indeed the best tag line for the event tonight. We all are trying to make a difference, and we will become the difference. The starting bid for this piece is a million and all the increments must be above ten thousand yuan."
Hao Ren looked over and was enthralled by the painting on the canvas. Several titans dressed in their armors and riding divine steeds were charging towards a man, scrawny, weak and pitiful, yet the eyes of the man revealed a strong intent of battle.
Someone from the ground floor raised the paddle in their hand, and Emily Parkins said, "One Million from Mister Ding. Can I get more? Mister Jeffreys are you not going to bid for this wonderful art? I dare say that it will look really good at the lobby of your hotel."
Mister Jeffreys smiled and raised his paddle as he said, "Two Million, I will accept your suggestion Miss Parkins."
Emily chuckled and then she began to invite the people to bid. Slowly the price of the painting had risen to ten million, and not many people seemed to be interested in such an expensive art. Emily Parkins understood what the people thought, and then she said, "It looks like Miss Tara will be taking this work home with her."
On the first floor, Hao Ren raised his paddle, and said, "Eleven Million."
Emily Parkins raised her head in surprise, as she did not expect anyone bidding at this moment. But she smiled and said, "We have eleven million from Mister..."
The lady paused because she did not know the name of this person. Hao Ren smiled and replied with his name. He did not expect Emily to recall him because he was aware of his own impression on people back in the day.
Emily smiled and said, "Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Hao has bid eleven million on the painting, I wonder if anyone else would like to follow."
The people began to bid, and Han Lingshi asked with some confusion, "Why did you bid for it?"
The young man replied, "Because when I look at that man, I see myself."
Han Lingshi was surprised, Young Master Ye was surprised, and then someone from the first floor sitting area said, "Fifteen Million Yuan."
The people gasped, and Emily turned to look at Hao Ren who did not hesitate and said, "Thirty Million."
He raised the price twice all of a sudden, shocking the person who came after him. Hao Ren did not believe in haggling, he had been earning a lot of money, and apart from letting it rot in the vault of a bank, Hao Ren had no use of it. His personal wealth had reached about a couple of hundred yuan. Since, he got a chance, then he would spend as much as he could in the name of charity.
The people who came here were all those who wanted to earn some fame by giving out alms. However, Hao Ren was different. Thus, he bid so much. The person was embarrassed and then he said, "I forgot that President Hao is accompanied by President Han. Apologies."
Han Lingshi chuckled and said, "Mister Troy, you do not have to worry about me being here. My husband is capable enough to earn and spend as much as he can. You can go ahead, we are all gathered for a good cause."
Mister Troy wanted to say that Hao Ren was being a tiger on the basis of his wife's money. However, Han Lingshi made him shut up. Emily Parkins was at a loss about what to do, when Hao Ren said, "Miss Parkins, don't take this banter seriously."
Then he looked at Mister Troy and said, "Some people have a funny bone and cannot help but stand out. Let us continue the auction."
Then said, he turned around and Emily Parkins counted to three before she slammed the gavel on the counter and said, "Thank you, Mister Hao, for this generous donation."
Hao Ren nodded with a faint smile and sat down. He looked at Young Master Ye and said, "Young Master Ye, if the evidence you have gets out tonight, what do you think will happen?"
Young Master Ye was confused and Hao Ren said, "All this while I have been thinking about what could be the reason why the Shun family was allowed to grow so much. It's not like the people don't know about it, but letting it happen even when they know about it sure is something hard to believe."
Hao Ren was on point, Han Lingshi nodded to his thought, and Young Master Ye smiled as he replied, "They gained something really bad about someone really powerful back in the days of Old Master Shun. However, that someone died a few years ago. The card they hold is waste, and thus to secure their administrative power, they have entered into alliances with like minded business families.
The evidence we have, thanks to your thoroughness, is enough to undermine both, the Shun Family, and the companies involved with them on various levels. Do not worry, they won't be able to gain the upper hand with all the evidence we have. This matter will not be suppressed anymore."
Hao Ren crossed his leg and leaned back in the chair as he said, "This might cause an economic crisis in the Han stock market."
Young Master Ye was surprised and Han Lingshi smiled as she asked, "Ren, you are not thinking about dabbling in it, are you? That will be intentional sabotage and internal trading."
The young man smiled and said, "No, I am thinking how the Crown International will climb the ranks again. We will gain a lot without doing anything."
Young Master Ye smiled and then the auction continued. Hao Ren bid for three items, and he won all three of them for a total of ninety-million yuan. His wealth shocked the people, and all the things he bought had great meaning to him.
One thing that was auctioned was a jade necklace, it was one of a kind and belonged to a noble lady from the feudal times. Hao Ren saw a faint mist of good fortune around the necklace and bought it as a wedding gift for Han Lingshi. He did not tell her but that was it.
The last thing he bought was a poster made by a little girl who was suffering from brain tumor. The poster depicted how the child was fighting a big monster with a surgical blade in her hand. The bidding for this poster was ferocious and many people were following him till he reached the thirty million cap.
What shocked people was not the fact that Hao Ren so much money. Everyone who came to this event was a rich guy. They all were worth tens and hundreds of millions. It was not a big deal. The big deal was the fact that Hao Ren really gave away so much money for three things. It was a charity even, not a single penny would have bought him anything of great advantage.
Then why did he spend so much?
Even if they were to look from a publicity stand point, it was a waste of money. However, Hao Ren did not care. His face did not fluctuate even once as he transferred the money to the people responsible for it.
After the Auction came to an end, Hao Ren had a very credible image before the people of the city. The people who wanted to befriend him, came and shared contacts, but it was nothing serious. They were all aware of Hao Ren and Shun Yang running into each other, and were dicey about getting into serious cooperation with him.
The guests were leaving and Hao Ren was among them with Han Lingshi beside him. The couple were enjoying themselves. They did not care about anyone who gazed at them with scorn and malice.
Millie Grand and Emily Parkins came over to the couple just before they were about to leave the place. Millie was the host and organizer of the entire event, and she came to say thanks, because not only did Hao Ren d so generously, Han Lingshi also bought a few things that added up to fifty million.
The two of them came out to be the biggest patrons among the rich of the Jade Capital. Millie gazed at Emily Parkins who stood beside her and said, "President Han, President Hao, I know that it is inappropriate of me to do this, but you do a few things for your friends. Emily is my friend and we are like sisters to each other.
Everyone knows that she is an idol, but lately she has been struggling a lot lately. Apart from that she has a skill that others do not know much about and that is management. She is a masters degree holder in management from the Knox University. I came over because of two reasons, one was to genuinely thank you and the other was to introduce Emily to you both. If you can, please lend her a hand."
Han Lingshi and Hao Ren exchanged a gaze, and the lady nodded. Hao Ren smiled and said, "You do not have to do this, Miss Grand. Miss Parkins might not recognize me, but I certainly do. We used to be classmates in high school and she was our class rep. I would have approached her for a business collaboration after this event myself. So, it should be me thanking you."
The two ladies were surprised and Emily tried to recall Hao Ren for a few seconds before she exclaimed, "You are Silent Ren!"
Her eyes almost turned pink when she found that the person from her past had become so rich. She was not immune to the charm Hao Ren held at this moment. Many women silently wanted to get close to him but the young man had always maintained his distance and did not intend to think of anyone other than Han Lingshi.
Han Lingshi frowned when she saw this, and the young man saw it from the corner of his eye. Emily put up a smile and extended her hand to pat Hao Ren on his shoulder when the young man said, "Allow me to introduce to my better half, Han Lingshi." Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novel-fire.ɴet
Han Lingshi smiled beautifully before she extended her hand to catch Emily's frozen hand, and said, "Nice to meet you, Miss Parkins, I did not expect you to be an old classmate of my husband."
Han Lingshi was marking her territory and showing the lady her true spot. Emily woke up from the stupor and came back to reality as she greeted Han Lingshi.
Then she said, "Sil... President Hao, I did not expect you to have grown into a tycoon. You have to help me now for the sake of being old classmates."
Hao Ren chuckled and said, "Do not worry, I will help you, but I will make you work like hell."
The girl nodded and Hao Ren told her that he will contact her tomorrow and left the place. Millie Grand sighed and said, "Emily, do whatever you want, but do not cross this demonic duo."
Emily was a sensible person and said, "Do you think I am a fool? Han Lingshi will erase my existence. That gaze of hers is not normal. Also, Hao Ren has changed a lot too. They won't allow the idea of a third person in their world. I am not yet insane enough to court death.
But some people are not as wise as I am."
Millie smiled and said, "Do you really think Shun Family will suffer?"
Emily replied, "Whether they suffer or not, it will be clear very soon. These two do not look like people who will leave anything to chance."
Indeed, she was right. The morning followed by the night will be so bright that it would blind many people.
Dream's Note: I know that I am behind my weekly goal, but I have been unwell and rather busy with personal issues. However, I hope that things will be on track by Monday, and I will be back and making up for the missing chapters from this week. Thank you for your support, it means a lot.