Chapter 719 - The Last Item

It was as if everything that had been found in treasure hunts in the past decades were gathered and presented at this moment. 

The voices of the core members spouting money echoed everywhere in the entire hall.

It was very lively.

"I can't believe it, even the ring of the first monarch of our country is found! This is the very ring of the founding father of Huaxia! It is not even on the list. Ming Zhi Yi must have found it on his own," Old Xiong muttered in shock. His sharp eyes narrowed at the old ring on the stage.

The amount had already climbed up to a high price, but was still considerably low if the historical significance of the ring was taken into consideration.

Xiong Zhi glanced at her grandfather. "Do you want that, Grandpa?"

Old Xiong looked at his granddaughter, his eyes crinkling in amusement. 

"I am just marveling at that man's ability to find something old and have long been thought as lost. But if I say I want it, will you buy it for me?"

"If Grandpa wants it, why not?"

"Nine!" One of the VVIP guests raised his placard and added another half of the latter's auction price.

It was already in billions.

"Ten!"

"Twelve!"

"Thirteen!"

"Sixteen!"

It went up to twenty billion. 

"Are you sure that you can buy me this?" The old man raised his eyebrow, teasing Xiong Zhi.

Xiong Zhi raised her placard. "Thirty."

Everyone turned silent. 

"Going once! Going Twice! Sold!"

Xiong Zhi looked at her stunned grandfather. "Of course."

Old Xiong: ….Too domineering.

Many people looked at Xiong Zhi and whispered.

Was she not the Young Miss Xiong who became a VVIP because of her huge contribution in the last major event of IAmFashionista? A dress that could have been at most one billion dollars, but was pushed up to twenty billion, a totally unimaginable and rather foolish price. 

Many thought that she was too foolish to waste such an amount for a mere dress, no matter how precious it was.

So the reason why she spent twenty billion was to secure a VVIP position in the organization at the fastest time without any requirements. Even if the price was high, this was worth it.

However, right now, to spend twenty billion without qualms for the second time in the IAmFashionista auctions, this girl was simply a spendthrift after all!

For appearances though, they praised Xiong Zhi as a great contributor for today.

To everyone's surprise, the long lost ring of the founding father of Huaxia was not the last item today.

"There's actually more?"

"The last is usually the best. What could be better than the national treasure ring of the founding emperor?"

The lights dimmed again. The song suddenly changed into a low beating tempo, rousing the excitement and anticipation of the listeners.

The person who came up on the stage this time was not the host, but Ming Zhi Yi himself who still wore a mask.

The tall man came up on the stage. The guests who were still gossiping and marveling at Xiong Zhi's sudden display of her immense financial power turned quiet.

"I think everyone here enjoyed the 'special course' that we especially presented. This event marks my first year as the head, and I shall not let any of you be disappointed."

Ming Zhi Yi suddenly turned towards the direction of Xiong Zhi's table. The pitch black eyes under the mask were directed at her. 

Xiong Zhi felt the sharp and scrutinizing gaze thrown at her. 

She could feel her limbs turning cold. 

Those eyes were cold and searching. As if knowing, but at the same time, observing.

Ming Zhi Yi smiled at Xiong Zhi. 

"I especially thank the young heiress of the esteemed Xiong family for giving value to the founding ring at the price that it is worthy of. At the same time, more people will be helped by your generosity. The organization is indebted to you, Lady Xiong Zhi. Thank you, and felicitations."

He bowed in salute like a great showman. 

The guests obligingly followed in applause.

The man's gaze was full of meaning. Did he perhaps find out something about them and their plans? Were they exposed? Did Lu Jin sell them out?

She then felt a familiar warm hand over her tightly clenched fist.

She looked sideways and met Linfeng's calm eyes.

The clarity in his eyes calmed her down.

Ah, Linfeng seemed to be doing this move a lot for her nowadays.

With a faint smile, Xiong Zhi looked back again at the stage. She raised her hand to dismiss Ming Zhi Yi's thanks, as if taking it for granted graciously. 

Being the major contributor tonight so far, it was natural for Ming Zhi Yi to thank Xiong Zhi's contribution as the head of the organization. This was similar to what happened several years ago, when she purposely raised the price of the dress to an unimaginable amount.

No one among the unsuspecting guests thought that it was strange for Ming Zhi Yi to suddenly mention her.

Fortunately, Xiong Zhi's perpetually fixed mask of coolness had been deeply ingrained. She did not outwardly show any surprise at the sudden attention he had given to her, and so no one noticed her subtle gaffe.

'Ah, too bad, she held on. How boring.'

With the same smiling face, Ming Zhi Yi tore his eyes away from Xiong Zhi and continued his speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now that we are done presenting to everyone the 'special course', I shall be now presenting the very last item that everyone here will definitely love. It is a treasure that shocked us when we first uncovered it, so I hope that it will also become an unexpectedly pleasant surprise to everyone."

The guests refocused their attention on Ming Zhi Yi's words. 

This night was truly special. This was the first time that many priceless treasures were presented in the same year. 

This must be the power that Ming Zhi Yi wanted to show off to them.

Everyone had to admit that this was terribly impressive. It showed how capable he was and how wide his network of resources was.

Murmurs came around.

"Since the items that are presented beforehand are all priceless treasures, then…"

"Yes, this last item that Ming Zhi Yi himself will be introducing to everyone, it must be something that is of greater worth than those treasures, will it not be?"

The guests waited with anticipation.

From behind the curtains that parted slightly, another man in a festive silver mask came to the center of the stage. He was pushing forward a huge trolley covered with glossy purple satin fabrics. 

Xiong Zhi and Linfeng recognized him immediately. 

It was Lu Jin.

Usually, a gorgeous lady whom the host or the showman brought as his partner would bring the trolley on the stage, but right now, it was Ming Zhi Yi's son instead. 

This item must truly be precious.

Everyone's curiosity was magnified.

Lu Jin's entrance was short. He just pushed the trolley on the stage. 

Beneath his mask, he subtly glanced at the Lu family's table. 

A pair of solemn silver-blue eyes met his. 

Thump.

Immediately, Lu Jin lowered his eyes, bowed gentlemanly, and withdrew from the stage.

The lights dimmed further and the overhead spotlight shone down. 

The light from above illuminated Ming Zhi Yi's face. 

It gave off a mysterious and tense vibe.