Of course, that was just a random thought he had. He was still well aware of how precious the manuscript truly was.

While Fang Chenyi’s imagination was running wild, the auctioneer on stage had already launched into an endless introduction of the treasure.

The foreigners in the audience listened, mesmerized, their eyes fixed on the sketchbook under the glass case on the central auction block, a fierce desire for possession written all over their faces.

Finally, after a lengthy explanation, the auctioneer got to the main event.

"Alright, my dear ladies and gentlemen, I trust you now have a thorough understanding of this treasure and are determined to make it your own. So, let our auction begin! One sketchbook, a personal manuscript of Mr. Picasso, with a starting bid of one Chinese yuan! Each increment must be no less than one million Chinese yuan! And now, you may begin bidding!"

The crowd erupted.

As the auctioneer’s words rang out, everyone in the hall was stunned.

’One yuan? In *RMB*?? What is going on?’

’Don’t these auctions use euros? Why are they using Chinese yuan?’

’And the starting price is just one Chinese yuan? Is this a joke? This is a work by Mr. Picasso! A starting bid of one yuan... have the higher-ups at Sotheby’s lost their minds?’

Of course, after the initial shock, the first to snap out of it were the Huaxia People in attendance.

A look of delight spread across their faces when they heard Chinese yuan would be used. This turned into pure satisfaction when they heard the starting bid was one yuan. ’The owner of this sketchbook must be one of us, a Huaxia person! And they must have found out about the Copper Beast Head being auctioned for a starting bid of one euro this morning. This is deliberate, a direct slap in the face!’

’So satisfying! This is fantastic!’

Seeing the commotion below, the auction organizers felt helpless, though this situation was entirely within their expectations.

Backstage, Averill quickly instructed the auctioneer through his earpiece to get the situation under control.

Fortunately, this auctioneer was genuinely skilled and quickly steered the conversation back to the manuscript.

Then, the first person in the room raised their paddle, and the crowd snapped out of it as if waking from a dream. ’This isn’t the time for discussion. The most important thing right now is whether I can get my hands on this item!’

"One yuan. I’ll take it! Not that it’s very useful, but you can’t beat the price."

When this voice rang out, everyone froze for a second. Once they processed it, murderous glares shot toward the portly man in front of Fang Chenyi.

The portly man, however, was completely unfazed. He made a slight, circular bow to the people around him and said with a cheerful grin:

"Hehe, it was nothing, really. No need to thank me. To be honest with you all, this is just pocket change. Chump change. If I dropped this amount on the floor, I wouldn’t even bother picking it up."

At his words, the surrounding Huaxia People burst out laughing. Fang Chenyi couldn’t help but chuckle as well. ’This guy is a real character. How can you act so smug after bidding one yuan? Truly one of a kind.’

Although the auctioneer wanted nothing more than to go up there and kick the portly man a couple of times, he could only force a smile and say:

"Alright, number thirty-eight, this gentleman from Huaxia, has bid one Chinese yuan. Are there any other bids?"

Perhaps the portly man’s antics had flustered him, because the auctioneer asked a rather idiotic question. A work by Master Picasso was bid on for one yuan, and he was asking if anyone else would bid? Was that even a question?

"I bid ten million US Dollars!"

A foreigner in the crowd raised his paddle and shouted loudly.

After he finished speaking, the auctioneer rolled his eyes helplessly and had to say apologetically to the gentleman:

"Oh, I’m sorry, sir, but bids for this item must be made in Chinese yuan. Bids in any other currency are not valid. The current bid remains one Chinese yuan from gentleman number thirty-eight."

It wasn’t that the auctioneer was trying to make things difficult. The main reason was that Fang Chenyi had specifically instructed beforehand that today’s auction must be conducted in Chinese yuan. There was nothing to be done about it.

"Oh, fuck. Who the hell knows how much ten million US Dollars is in Chinese yuan? Fine, I’ll bid ten million Chinese yuan then!"

The moment the foreigner’s words fell, the portly man in front of Fang Chenyi raised his paddle without hesitation.

"Haha, I have to say, Sotheby’s is pretty considerate! I didn’t know the damned US Dollar exchange rate either. In that case, twenty million Chinese yuan!"

After speaking, he didn’t forget to shoot a provocative glance at the foreigner who had spoken so rudely earlier.

Seeing this, Fang Chenyi secretly gave him a thumbs-up. ’If I weren’t the owner of the item, I would have put that foreigner in his place myself,’ he thought. ’Seeing the portly man shut him down directly is pretty satisfying.’

"Fifty million US— uh, fifty million Chinese yuan!"

"Fifty-one million!"

"Fifty-five million!"

...

Perhaps because the portly man had set such a good precedent, the rest of the auction proceeded smoothly. He didn’t even need to bid again. A fierce bidding war had already erupted on the floor, with the electronic screens flashing green and the speakers periodically announcing new bids.

In less than five minutes, the price had already skyrocketed to one billion Chinese yuan. And from the looks of it, it showed no signs of stopping.

Seeing this, Bai Menghan and Fang Chenyi simply lowered their heads and started whispering to each other.

Seeing this from the side, Demo Did secretly gave a thumbs-up. ’The boss is really the boss,’ he thought. ’Not even concerned about how much the item will sell for at a time like this.’

...

"Three billion! I bid three billion!"

At these words, everyone in the room was stunned. All eyes turned to a foreigner in the crowd with slightly graying hair.

Seeing the attention on him, the foreigner smiled and nodded to the crowd, then said in a very casual tone, "Hehe, I hope everyone will do this old man a favor. I really am quite fond of this manuscript!"

As soon as he said this, those who were about to raise the bid opened their mouths but ultimately said nothing. It was clear they had given up the fight.

Seeing this, Fang Chenyi furrowed his brow slightly. ’This old man is trying to use his status to pressure everyone. That won’t do. My target price is much higher than just three billion. After all, this sketchbook has over fifty pages.’

"This is Master Picasso’s life’s work, and you think you can take it for just three billion? No way, absolutely not! I bid three billion and one million!"

The foreign old man, whose face had been wreathed in smiles, was suddenly stunned to hear this mocking voice from the crowd. ’Someone here dares to disrespect me? Do they not want to leave Paris in one piece?’

[To be continued...]