Chapter 176 Auction (1)

The entire auction hall was splendid and atmospheric, and the background wall displayed the white company name of Sotheby's, indicating that the auction organizer was trustworthy for all attendees.Below the stage, bidders of various skin colors and hair types were whispering to each other. At the back of the auction hall, rows of agents in suits were adjusting their phones.

During the upcoming auction, their bosses would be giving them their bidding instructions through these phones, across thousands of kilometers, or even an entire ocean.

What they had to do was to give advice, listen to the boss's bid, and then shout it out for everyone to hear.

Although everyone was talking to the person next to them, the atmosphere in the hall was distinctly divided.

Aside from those who often dealt with Huaxia people or were stationed in Huaxia, few foreigners engaged with Huaxia people.

In just a glance or a frown, these foreigners inevitably displayed some contempt and disdain.

Even though the Huaxia people present were not financially inferior, it did not change the prejudice in their minds.

"These foreigners always act as if we've stolen their manure to fertilize our own fields," Mr. Chen Tian scoffed, not taking the subtle glances thrown their way to heart, even joking with Gu Yu.

Gu Yu just gave a knowing smile in response.

Though Mr. Chen Tian's joke was a bit foul, it was indeed very apt.

He had just glanced at a few blonde and blue-eyed foreigners in the front row, and they kept glaring back at him and gesturing at him from their table.

Their murmuring was too distant to make out clearly.

Mr. Chen Tian sat in his chair like an old monk in meditation, his eyes closed as he rested.

Once Gu Yu's initial interest in the auction had waned, he too found it rather dull and casually picked up the competition catalog from the table to read.

Rather than a catalog, it was more like a book.

It was incredibly thick, totaling over three hundred pages.

Aside from extremely rare items which had a page of their own, it mostly had three to four items per page, and the quality of the images was not as high as those from a private auction he had previously attended with Mr. Chen Tian.

This catalog had at least a thousand items listed for auction.

Even if it took three minutes per item, it would take fifty hours to get through them all...

However, Mr. Chen Tian certainly wouldn't be staying here for fifty hours, as his goal was only one.

Gu Yu followed the index and found Snake Head, which was quite early in the auction sequence, at the 72nd place.

If the auction sped along, it might come up this morning.

Gu Yu studied the somewhat coarse image of Snake Head in the catalog; the fierce vertical pupils, the erect figure of the snake, and a slightly open mouth revealing sharp fangs covered in an antiqued bronze texture—all reflected the ancient Huaxia people's reverence and respect for the snake.

Although he had not yet seen the full extent of it, Gu Yu could already feel the weight of history. S~eaʀᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

If he didn't have Golden Eyes, this sensation might not have been so strong, but he did have Golden Eyes, and the past of Snake Head flipped before his eyes like frames of a film.

It was a history of a nation's blood and tears, a history of shame! An unforgotten past for all Huaxia people!

Gu Yu closed the catalog, diverting his attention from Snake Head. He glanced at Mr. Chen Tian, who was still resting with closed eyes, as if he could understand why Mr. Chen Tian was determined to win this item at all costs!

This wasn't about bidding for money, or buying a collectible for display; it was about the backbone and spirit of the Huaxia nation!

The scars left from past beatings were to be slowly healed by their descendants!

"How about it? Could you tell if it's genuine?"

Mr. Chen Tian slightly opened his right eye and glanced at Gu Yu.

Gu Yu paused, then shook his head.

"Based merely on a photo that's not clear enough, I dare not confirm."

"Well, then we'll just patiently wait for it to come up," Chen Tian nodded slightly, then closed his eyes again.

Gu Yu took out his phone, preparing to take a few photos of the auction scene to send to Lin Xinyue.

Suddenly, a stout, bearded middle-aged man dressed in the style of a Dubai tycoon and accompanied by a similarly dressed little boy, rose from the front row and approached.

"Chen, long time no see. It's been a while since you last visited me in Dubai," said the turban-wrapped bearded man, grinning as he greeted him.

His gold teeth gleamed.

He placed both hands on the table, his fingers adorned with various gemstone rings.

"Lance, it's been a while. I didn't expect to meet you at an auction. I've been too busy lately and haven't had time to travel abroad," Mr. Chen Tian opened his eyes and hurriedly greeted the familiar face.

"Ah... that's a pity. Recently, my pool welcomed nine international supermodels. They all wanted to meet my old friend!" Lance exclaimed with a laugh, and cheek-to-cheek with Chen Tian for a second.

"Hahaha, Lance, you know me well! I'll definitely visit you when I have the time!" Mr. Chen Tian laughed heartily.

Lance smiled, then pulled the little boy at his side to the front:

"Chen, let me introduce you. This is my twenty-seventh child, Lampeto." Lance said, squeezing the little boy's neck to prompt him: "Lampeto, come greet your Uncle Chen."

"Salaam (Hello)..."

The little boy seemed shy but bravely greeted Mr. Chen Tian under his father's encouragement.