Damn, How could my family be so wealthy?!-Chapter 461 - 460: Comparatively Congenial

"This is the last auction item of our auction today, the painting by Tang Bohu, who is known as the foremost of the Four Great Talents."

"This is also the most famous painting by Tang Bohu, called ’Riding Donkey on the Way Home’."

"As you can see, the painting depicts rugged peaks and miscellaneous trees, with green trees from the hamlets in the mountains welcoming the wind with dancing poses; a person is riding a donkey along the mountain path, rushing towards the thatched cottage deep in the mountains."

The auctioneer had clearly done his homework, explaining the artistic conception of this painting by Tang Bohu once over.

Su Mu, listening to the auctioneer explain all this from below, had the feeling that this was not an auction, but more like a lecture hall.

The auctioneer must also have placed great importance on this last auction item. After explaining the artistic conception of the painting by Tang Bohu passed down by later generations, he showed no sign of stopping his discourse.

"In terms of artistic expression, the mountains and rocks are rendered with long, water-filled strokes, very moist. The autumn trees are a mix of green and yellow, mainly using empty hook techniques with interspersed leaves, approaching the style of Li Tang, Ma Yuan, and other academy painters, but also possessing a very literati painting style."

The auctioneer, not caring whether everyone present could understand, prattled on at great length.

After all, in the auctioneer’s view, the more he spoke, the more he could illustrate the preciousness of this painting by Tang Bohu.

The more precious something is, of course, the higher its price would be.

Accordingly, everyone’s enthusiasm for bidding should be greater as well.

Therefore, the auctioneer did his best to convey all the information he knew.

Indeed, the auctioneer’s elaborate pitch had invisibly increased the value of this authentic work by Tang Bohu.

Being the final lot and after such a focused introduction, this is a psychological suggestion, indicating that the last auction item is extremely rare.

Today’s auction features antiques that are all renowned works.

Among antique items, those that are rare obviously have significant collectible value.

"No wonder this authentic work by Tang Bohu was reserved for the last auction. It seems to be quite a treasure," said the very self-aware tycoon.

Regarding the auctioneer’s lengthy explanations, the tycoon admitted that he hadn’t understood a single word aside from "Tang Bohu."

But that was not important.

What mattered was that the tycoon had heard the name "Tang Bohu," and that was enough.

It’s not that the tycoon knew the names of the Four Great Talents.

It was just that the tycoon claimed he had watched television.

"Flirting Scholar Tang Bohu" had a very high viewership at that time.

Moreover, the tycoon really liked the male and female leads of "Flirting Scholar Tang Bohu," and thus remembered Tang Bohu’s name.

Thanks to the television show, the tycoon had at least learned that Tang Bohu was a renowned figure in ancient times.

Now, with the auctioneer speaking so obscurely, the tycoon was even more certain that this last auction item must be extremely rare.

Scarcity is what makes something valuable, and this was a principle that the tycoon understood.

"Director Zhou, just wait and see how I get my hands on this authentic Tang Bohu painting," said the tycoon confidently.

The tycoon had a fair understanding of his own financial capabilities.

Furthermore, he was very clear about the money in his pocket.

Today, due to Wu Wanli’s little interlude, the tycoon hadn’t been able to calm his emotions for a good while.

Thus, at this point, the tycoon had not acquired anything during today’s auction.

The tycoon felt this situation was not befitting his status.

Naturally, he felt he had to secure this last auction item for himself.

And while the tycoon might be culturally deficient, he was certainly not foolish.

The nouveau riche kept a close eye on the young master of the Su Family’s behavior.

Initially, the nouveau riche saw that the young master had his head lowered the entire time, not even glancing at the auction podium.

That indicated the young master had no interest in the third through the seventh auction items.

Realizing this was a very important reason why the nouveau riche maintained a good mood.

The nouveau riche felt that if the young master had no interest in those five auction items, how could he have a chance to stand out?

Now, upon seeing Su Mu lift his head toward the display because of the eighth auction item, the nouveau riche’s mood soared.

The nouveau riche felt his opportunity had arrived.

If he could secure this authentic work by Tang Bohu, the nouveau riche believed the young master would definitely see him in a new light.

"Heh heh."

Director Zhou merely smiled and said nothing.

Compared to the nouveau riche, Director Zhou still had some of Elder Su’s demeanor.

From the first to the seventh auction item, Elder Su had sat as stable as Mount Tai.

Mr. Fook, the spokesperson for Elder Su, hadn’t raised his paddle once, and Director Zhou understood that Elder Su was here for the eighth auction item.

Director Zhou knew that ever since Elder Su stepped back, he rarely attended such public events.

Even the organizers could not invite Elder Su if the auction did not have something that interested him, no matter their reputation.

Putting all the analysis together, Director Zhou realized that the genuine Tang Bohu piece was the reason Elder Su attended the auction.

Since it was something Elder Su set his sights on, Director Zhou naturally did not dare to compete with Elder Su for it.

But Director Zhou felt he was not very familiar with the nouveau riche sitting next to him, and saw no need to remind him of this point, right?

After all, the nouveau riche also had two eyes, and once Mr. Fook raised his paddle, wouldn’t he see it?

And if he saw it, wouldn’t he understand?

Therefore, Director Zhou maintained his silence at this moment.

"You don’t believe in me?"

The nouveau riche misunderstood Director Zhou’s chuckle.

The nouveau riche didn’t have that much craftiness.

Moreover, not being familiar with Elder Su, the nouveau riche couldn’t possibly know that Elder Su was targeting the very Tang Bohu original he was resolved to win.

The nouveau riche felt as though Director Zhou’s laugh suggested he didn’t have the financial strength to secure the Tang Bohu original.

Being looked down upon to his face, the nouveau riche’s pride was at stake.

Originally, the nouveau riche had felt a good connection with Director Zhou.

But because of Director Zhou’s laugh, the nouveau riche decided to overturn the little boat of friendship that had just been established between them.

"Not at all, I just think this Tang Bohu original must be very expensive, I probably won’t have a chance to get it."

Director Zhou of course noticed the change in the nouveau riche’s expression.

He was even less inclined to tell the nouveau riche that Elder Su was interested in the original.

After all, his acquaintance with the nouveau riche was brief, and Director Zhou felt he had no obligation to inform him of these matters.

"That’s true, the most expensive one will definitely be the last to come out, and to get this Tang Bohu original, it’s impossible without shelling out real money."

At this, the nouveau riche held his head high.

The nouveau riche knew that in terms of conversational skills, or the so-called refinement that those born into prestigious families boasted, he definitely couldn’t compare.

Hearing Director Zhou’s words, the nouveau riche felt he had his own advantage.

That was, he had money in his hands.

Moreover, they were all readily available liquid funds.

The ones present were all tycoons; no one would believe that they didn’t have money.

After all, just because their cultural level might be a little low, it didn’t mean they were actually brainless.

They were all business magnates from Huadong City, claiming they lacked money was something nobody with a bit of intelligence would believe.

But the tycoons also understood that while these magnates might be rich, it didn’t necessarily mean they could put a lot of cash on the table.

For business people, most of the money was tied up in company operations.

In this regard, the tycoons felt they had a significant advantage.

Although the tycoons had also started a company of moderate size, it was purely for show.

The tycoons weren’t foolish enough to sink all their money into the business.

If they did, how would they maintain their enjoyable lifestyle?

The man known as Director Zhou smiled as he looked at the self-proclaimed wealthy tycoon beside him.

Richer than the Su Family?

Even ten such tycoons wouldn’t be a match.

Director Zhou was only waiting to see what kind of expression the tycoon would wear upon learning the truth.

He felt that might be the greatest reward of attending the auction today.

He’d already prepared himself to leave empty-handed anyway.

Being a bystander watching the excitement was fine with him.

...

"Grandpa, this is the last auction item, do we have to wait until the auction is over?"

"How about we leave early, to avoid the crowd when everyone leaves together?"

Young Master Gu found the time particularly tough without his smartphone, which had been confiscated by his grandfather.

Despite this, Young Master Gu didn’t dare to snatch his phone back from his grandfather’s hands.

He couldn’t imagine the fury he would face when they got home if he caused any disturbance now.

All he could do was sit there in distress, and Young Master Gu noticed that the young master of the Su Family seemed to have been playing with his phone the whole time.

Su Mu and Elder Su were seated front and center in the first row of the auction hall.

On the other hand, Old Man Gu and Young Master Gu sat at the very end of the last row.

From his side view, Young Master Gu could still see Su Mu with his smartphone.

Seeing Su Mu play with his phone, with no reaction from Elder Su, was something Young Master Gu found unbearable.

Both young men, yet his grandpa had snatched away his phone, while the young master of Su Family freely played with his in the prime spot.

More importantly, the person sitting beside him was also his grandpa.

Elder Su didn’t show the inappropriate behavior of snatching his grandson’s phone.

Compared to this, Young Master Gu felt even stranger about his own grandfather’s behavior.

It was an auction, not a class; what was wrong with playing on a phone?

Besides, Young Master Gu felt that since he and his grandpa were already seated in the most inconspicuous spot at the back, who would notice?

If Su Mu, sat in a prominent position, didn’t consider these issues, Young Master Gu thought his own grandfather was being neurotic.

Could it be that his grandpa had lost his wits in anger?

Bored out of his mind from the third to the seventh auction items, Young Master Gu started to indulge in all kinds of wild imaginings.

Eventually, he came to a conclusion.

His grandpa must have suffered a setback at the hands of Elder Su and was taking it out on him.

Feeling deeply wronged but not daring to express his anger, Young Master Gu could hardly bear it.

Finding it hard to endure, he was relieved that the bidding for the last item had begun.

Seeing his grandpa hadn’t raised his bidding card from the beginning to the end.

Young Master Gu thought that his grandpa probably wouldn’t make a move at this auction.

He didn’t want to leave with those people who mocked him after the auction had ended.

Young Master Gu was afraid of becoming the target of another round of taunts.

Believing his grandpa had no intention of bidding, he assumed it would be the same for this last item.

So, he tactfully made a suggestion, which he considered to be very considerate.

Young Master Gu wasn’t foolish; he couldn’t directly tell his grandpa that he was afraid people would gossip after the auction ended.

That could upset the old man, and Young Master Gu would be the one to suffer.

From the moment his grandpa snatched his phone, Young Master Gu had sensed his grandfather’s wrath.

Not wanting to further fuel his grandpa’s anger which he couldn’t withstand, he considered leaving early was a good choice.

At least their moods wouldn’t deteriorate further.

What Young Master Gu hadn’t anticipated was that his thoughtful, careful suggestion would be met with an angry glare from his grandpa.

Had he said something wrong again?

Scratching his head, Young Master Gu was utterly baffled.

Old Man Gu, seeing his grandson looking confused, was so irritated he almost blew out his beard.

He had been waiting in the auction hall for so long, enduring idle chatter.

Wasn’t it all to seize the opportunity when Su Junqiang made his move, to intercept and prove himself?

In any case, Old Man Gu, based on his understanding of Su Junqiang, believed that since his retirement, the man had been rather laid-back.

Old Man Gu thought if he showed a strong desire to bid, Su Junqiang probably wouldn’t insist on competing.

In the end, Old Man Gu was waiting for the outcome.

If he managed to secure Tang Bohu’s "Riding Donkey Thinking Homeward" painting,

Old Man Gu wouldn’t care whether Su Junqiang had let him have it.

He could boastfully tell others that he had won the bid by competing with Su Junqiang.

Old Man Gu had been waiting for this moment, forcing himself to withstand so much gossip.

Yet here was his grandson, failing to grasp his painstaking intentions.

Just as his plan was about to be set in motion, his grandson suggested leaving?

If it wasn’t his own flesh and blood, Old Man Gu might have suspected an ulterior motive.

But this just proved one thing to Old Man Gu—that his grandson’s intelligence really wasn’t up to par.

If it were Su Mu, he certainly would have pondered the reason behind his grandpa staying there for so long.