[A/N: Please reread the previous chapter since I updated them yesterday if you only saw the short version. A bit dizzy yesterday due to lack of sleeping and wrong sleep cycles.]
The first item exhibited didn't even move Ling Qingyu's eyelids. It was nothing more than the famous abstract painting or it seemed.
After the host announced the identity of the painter, people gasped. Their eyes shone with greed to own the painting.
Ling Qingyu was confused. People enjoyed seeing weird pattern designs and felt the true art. How come? Whenever she looked at the painting, why did she feel like an idiot? She couldn't analyze anything.
Ling Qingyu scratched her head, doubtful of her IQ, after comparing with the restless crowd. Even Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue, who had nothing to do with art, were commenting on this and that.
She nearly plucked away her hair from overthinking. Her expression amused Yang Qingyue on the side, who chuckled.
"What? You're even looking down on me." Ling Qingyu narrowed her eyes.
"Of course not, Sister Ling. I'm relieved there is someone who's in the same situation as me," said Yang Qingyue.
Ling Qingyu suspected this girl was lying but there was no evidence. Anyway, she felt better Yang Qingyue accompanying her misery, whether on pretense or not.
Seeing the first item as a mere painting, Ling Qingyu quickly lost interest. Her eyes scanned over other materials underneath the cloak.
She rubbed her knuckles in excitement. Having heard many stories of the protagonist finding a treasure by paying less than the amount it was worth, Ling Qingyu wondered if her luck would give her the opportunity.
'Miss System, can you tell me whether any items here for immortality inheritance or similar?' Ling Qingyu asked in her mind.
Miss System rolled her eyes at Ling Qingyu's request. Although this was the first time she served as a system, Ling Qingyu's presumptuous idea broadened the horizon. But she scanned every object meticulously, despite her opposite announcement.
[Nope, nothing related. But they are good collectibles. You can decorate your empty manor.]
Ling Qingyu's face expressed regret. She didn't anticipate much but wasn't feeling well either. She didn't doubt Miss System's answer because multiverse existence disdained to lie.
Somehow whenever she raised her hand, others stopped competing, as if frightened of being remembered by Ling Qingyu. She understood, why strength was supreme.
"Sold. Congratulations to Miss Ling, who owned the most dazzling epee." The host flattered.
Finally, Ling Qingyu won the prize with half a million yuan. An ancient weapon from the 16th century—Ling Qingyu preferred these to be her manor's decoration rather than abstract art.
"Why do think of buying this one?" Yang Qingyue asked.
"I like weapons. If not for the restriction of firearms, I even want to decorate my house with several types of firearms from different countries." Ling Qingyu said.
"I'm sure, you've no sense of arts." Yang Qingyue mocked Ling Qingyu to speechlessness.
"At least, this epee can be used to cut someone and protect myself." Ling Qingyu retorted. "What's the use of paintings, other than taking up my spacious manor?"
Yang Qingyue's mouth twitched, helpless against Ling Qingyu's answer. Although she had no sense of artistic talent, at least, living in a house where those beautiful paintings were hanging on the walls elated anyone's soul.
It helped as a psychological comfort and raised the prestige when someone visited one's house.
As for what Ling Qingyu thought, Yang Qingyue really didn't want to know. In fact, Ling Qingyu had a simple reason why she rejected these paintings on her manor's wall, because they were all owned by Shen family.
Every rich family, preserving their wealth for generations, had heritage in terms of both real estate and collectible items. These were the tell-tale signs differentiating between the wealthy classes.
What the Shen family sold in today's auction wasn't what they wanted to sell. There were many they kept to themselves. If not for their dire financial condition, Ling Qingyu guessed, this auction wouldn't be held in the first place.
What dire situation? Ling Qingyu had no idea but based on the past conversation with Mr. Shen, Ling Qingyu predicted the big family was in urgent need of money input.
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This was also another reason why Shen family paid huge attention to her, who squandered billions of yuan easily without any hesitation.
Of course, the items in the auction could also belong to other families. Despite not having a bad reputation, Shen family weren't innocent as they depicted themselves in public.