After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future
Chapter 464 - 459: Always Just One Price More

"Deng Chao bid 1.2 million, and it's also close to your eighth anniversary with Li,"

"Huang Bo bid 1.25 million, your relationship with Xiaoou is truly enviable,"

"Wu Jing bid 1.3 million, truly worthy of being our newly crowned top box office director."

Whether it's providing items or participating in the auction, the primary goal is to buy their way to fame or to get fame for free.

Thus, the first item becomes particularly important, whether their intentions are genuine or feigned, as everyone wants to assert their presence.

Mr. He, an enduring figure in the entertainment industry, could joke with anyone participating in the bidding.

In the blink of an eye, the price reached 1.5 million.

But those with discerning eyes knew it was far from over, as the tycoons sitting on the front row leather sofas hadn't made a move yet.

"Mr. Liu, interested?"

Lu Liang noticed Liu Qing seemed eager to join. Liu Qing smiled and nodded, "Indeed, I do have some thoughts."

Lu Liang raised an eyebrow, his expression one of annoyance, "What to do? I'm also kind of tempted."

"Since Mr. Lu likes it, I'll let…"

Liu Qing chuckled, about to give up mid-sentence. Although she didn't get along with Lu Liang, it wasn't worth being petty over.

However, Lu Liang looked at her with a very strange expression and then glanced at the gorgeous female star on stage.

Though he didn't say it, Liu Qing could feel that this damn Lu Liang was comparing how they dressed.

The result was obvious; she was utterly outmatched.

Liu Qing admitted she wasn't as attractive as the female star on stage, but by what right did Lu Liang judge?

Even if she couldn't outbid him, she planned to make him pay a "tuition fee."

Liu Qing raised her hand, directly raising the bid to two million.

The Wang brothers from Huayi, who originally intended to bid, turned into quails upon seeing Liu Qing's bid.

Because regular auction attendees knew that raising the bid once might indicate interest or mere participation.

But skipping directly to a higher bid by several hundred thousand showed a determination to win the auction item at all costs.

If they continued bidding then, they'd have to consider if it might offend the other party.

Huayi was indeed powerful, claiming to be the top capital in entertainment, but compared to the Liu family, it was like a frog at the bottom of a well.

"What did you do?"

Zhu Hu, with a look of eating melon, noticed Lu Liang's interest in the female star, guessing he might bid.

But why was Liu Qing interested in this item too, and showing such intense determination?

Even if they didn't get along, there was no reason to throw money away over pride; such conflict is the least useful.

Lu Liang licked his lips, unsure of what to say, slightly embarrassed: "No idea."

He raised his hand, adding to the bid.

"Tianxing's Mr. Lu bids 2.05 million!"

Mr. He, surprised and having hosted many charity auctions, couldn't help but understand Liu Qing's attitude.

With Lu Liang choosing to increase the bid at this moment, it meant an exciting scene was about to unfold.

Unlike with his celebrity friends, he didn't dare to tease Lu Liang casually, suddenly turning serious.

The previously noisy venue quieted down, everyone's eyes turned to Liu Qing, anticipating her next move.

If there's drama, everyone becomes an eager spectator.

They only regretted not being able to take out their phones to record, as the legendary business warfare was about to unfold before their eyes.

Liu Qing did not disappoint,

raising her hand, she added another half a million.

"DiDi's Mr. Liu bids 2.55 million…"

Mr. He, struggling to contain his excitement, watched as Lu Liang raised his hand again to add to the bid: "Tianxing's Mr. Lu bids 2.6 million!"

Tick, tock, tick, tock~

As time ticked away,

Reba could hardly manage her expressions anymore, Mr. He's smile also stiffened, and everyone in the crowd dared not breathe.

For the past few minutes, it was Liu Qing adding half a million each time, and Lu Liang always just one step ahead of her.

When the camera panned to them, both appeared calm, whether it be half a million or fifty thousand, as if it were inconsequential.

Round after round, a dozen times, a necklace originally priced at just 1.18 million soared to 8.1 million.

It had even surpassed the record from '09 when Giant Group's Shi Yuzhu fiercely bid 7.8 million for the painting "Garden Sisters."

That year, Shi Yuzhu became the highest bidder, setting the record for the highest single item price in the fourteen years since the Bazaar Charity Dinner was founded.

The record held for eight years was broken tonight by Lu Liang.

Liu Qing again raised her hand, adding another half a million.

Her usually calm demeanor finally showed a ripple, as she looked at Lu Liang with a smile, her intent clear.

If Lu Liang continued, she would stop playing with him.

Lu Liang also had the option to give up, and then she would obtain the necklace for 8.6 million, making a fool of herself.

Lu Liang smiled casually,

without a second thought, he just made a gesture,

but this time, it was not a mere bid.

Mr. He was slightly distracted, hesitated for a few seconds, then suddenly shouted excitedly, "Mr. Lu from Tianxing bids 10 million."

With these words, the whole room was in uproar.

Even Yang Tianbao, who was married, nearly drooled over the sight of Lu Liang.

They were all sitting in the back seats, unable to clearly see the expressions and facial details of Lu Liang and Liu Qing.

But they knew that this move by Lu Liang undoubtedly meant, whether it was 500,000 or 50,000.

Such boring little tricks, he was already tired of playing them, and Lu Liang was ready to start using his financial power to crush.

A wave of curious glances once again focused on Liu Qing, expecting her to raise her hand again.

Even if they switched roles, and she shouted out the bid herself, after all, she was a Liu family woman, she couldn't lose face, could she?

Liu Qing was dumbstruck, not expecting to be outmaneuvered by Lu Liang, she snorted coldly, "A meaningless battle of egos."

Lu Liang heard her, but his face still wore a smile, he had nothing else, just a bit of spare cash.

Anyway, to bid again would be just 8.65 million, Liu Qing wouldn't continue competing, might as well round it up.

Mr. He noticed that Liu Qing did not want to continue, so this time he counted down especially fast.

Creating the illusion, not that Liu Qing didn't want to continue, but that the countdown was too quick.

After all, she was a big shot, and with a deep background, he couldn't deliberately dawdle and let her lose face.

Mr. He smiled brightly, bowed deeply, and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Lu from Tianxing for successfully winning the Dragon's Kiss dazzling stone necklace, and thank you for your contribution to charity. I, on behalf of the Bazaar Charity Association and the beneficiary children from impoverished mountain areas, express my utmost gratitude to you."

Liu Qing's face had to be saved,

and so did Lu Liang's.

Though anyone with eyes could see that it was a battle of egos, he once again talked about the significance of tonight's charity auction.

Intentionally guiding the guests present, Lu Liang spending money was not for other reasons, it was fundamentally because he had a love for charity.

Lu Liang, with a smile on his lips, also appropriately stood up and waved to the crowd saying, "Thank you all for giving way."

Just then, a ceremony lady holding a delicate jewelry box approached, and Reba also came in front of Lu Liang, intending to take the necklace off.

"Just keep wearing it, it looks better on you."

Lu Liang revealed a barely noticeable smile, seemingly speaking to Reba, but also seemingly speaking to a certain competitor.

After all, making him spontaneously spend several million more, he had to let out the words in his heart that hadn't been said.

Liu Qing glanced sideways, said nothing,

Folded her arms, and crossed her legs.

Reba thought Lu Liang was only speaking to her, her face went red, and she became flustered, "Mr. Lu, how could I?"

She wanted the ceremony lady to help take the necklace off, feeling the necklace heating up and making it uncomfortable to wear.

"Keep it on."

Lu Liang did not say more and returned to his seat.

Reba, bewildered, nearly burst into tears.

Seeing this, Mr. He quickly came to her rescue, "Reba, come up quickly, we need to introduce the second item for auction, otherwise, we might have to work overtime today."

The sudden burst of Mandarin eased Reba's awkwardness, she glanced at Lu Liang then went back to the stage.

Due to the effects of the first auction item being so impressive, the subsequent items seemed somewhat dull, except for the last few key items, the highest price for the others was no more than one million.

Lu Liang and Liu Qing also intermittently made a few bids, but these few times they tacitly avoided competing with each other and perfectly missed each other's bids.

An hour and a half long auction, in the blink of an eye.

If there hadn't been a fake donation incident, then this edition of the Bazaar Charity Dinner would have raised a total of 78.52 million.

"Mr. Lu, we need to pay 12.82 million," Xu Jiawei softly informed.

He had been keeping track, Lu Liang had bid on four items including a necklace, a stone sculpture, a painting, and a high-end crocodile skin suitcase.

"The necklace, just say it was a gift for her, and for the stone sculpture, the painting, and that suitcase, have them delivered to the company in Modu."

Lu Liang nodded slightly, swiped his card to pay, and instructed Xu Jiawei to stay behind to handle the follow-up, while he and Zhu Hu left first.

Liu Qing cast another glance at Lu Liang, her eyes full of resentment, and her heart raced with ten thousand thoughts.

This bastard Lu Liang, had probably already planned to bid for the necklace to gift to that girl.

Because of her involvement, it drove the price up and correspondingly, the sentiment too.

Critically, Lu Liang could also use the name of competing with her to give the necklace naturally, it would spare him gossip and make the girl accept and remember his kindness.

Afterwards, Reba took off the necklace, returned it to the organizers, and planned to leave.

"Mr. Lu, are you leaving? Did you pay? Did you give me the necklace?"

She was bewildered, her head as if stirred by a big iron stick, turned into a mess, "Why?"

Mr. He, drinking water, came over smiling and said, "There are two reasons, one is that Mr. Lu likes you, and the other is that the necklace is not important to him, but winning it from Mr. Liu is very important, which do you think it is?"

"I don't know~" Reba was dazed, muttering to herself, "Didn't they say Mr. Lu already had a girlfriend?"

"Are you talking about that internet celebrity?"

"Yes."

"They broke up a while ago, but..."

"But what?" Reba suddenly curious.

Mr. He said, "Rumors say he has a new girlfriend, but that photo was very blurry, and hasn't been confirmed by the person himself."

He then asked, "Do you have his contact information? If so, it's better to ask him directly, make it clear."

"Thank you, Mr. He."

Reba quickly thanked him, lowered her head and stealthily glanced at the business card in her hand, she had Lu Liang's contact info, given to her by someone claiming to be Lu Liang's secretary.