Chapter 497: But I think you'll like it

The auctioneer took the tray from the assistant, a deep blue gemstone necklace lay still on the blue cloth.

Light shone from different angles, the gemstone's interior refracted a deep light.

He turned slightly sideways, the large screen behind him magnified the details, letting the audience see more clearly.

"This lot comes from a private collector in M Guo; this necklace was once collected by a branch member of the Y Kingdom Royal Family."

"The piece was completed in the 1980s by a now‑deceased renowned designer; it has not appeared in public view for forty years, and today marks its first appearance."

"The starting bid is five million, with each raise no less than one million!"

Bidding calls followed immediately: "Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang, ten million."

Someone else bid, and the price kept climbing.

Mu Youyu was lounging on the sofa scrolling her phone, but when she heard the words "Y Kingdom Royal Family" she glanced over.

Jiang Liangjin gestured to his Special Assistant beside him.

The Special Assistant understood, pressed the room's bidding device, and a string of numbers appeared on the screen.

The auctioneer downstairs raised his voice a notch: "Er Shi Er Hao Bao Xiang, fifty million."

Another number jumped up right after: "Yi Hao Bao Xiang, seventy million."

Taking the chance, Jiang Liangjin tugged Mu Youyu's sleeve and asked, "Do you like it?"

Mu Youyu replied honestly, "It's nice, but Grandma probably wouldn't like this style."

Jiang Liangjin chuckled low, "But I think you'll like it."

The auctioneer downstairs kept shouting, "Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang, one hundred million!"

The hall hushed slightly, another room's bidding light slowly lit up: "Yi Hao Bao Xiang, one hundred fifty million."

Jiang Liangjin showed no reaction.

The Special Assistant understood, and the auctioneer raised his voice again: "Er Shi Er Hao Bao Xiang, two hundred million."

Yi Hao Bao Xiang seemed to hesitate, its bidding light did not light up immediately.

The auctioneer began the countdown, drawing out his words; one second before the hammer fell, that room's light finally lit up: "Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang, three hundred million."

Jiang Liangjin turned his head to the person beside him and said, "No need to look, it's mine."

The Special Assistant sensibly reported the number directly.

"Er Shi Er Hao Bao Xiang, six hundred million!" the auctioneer called three times, the hammer fell, sealing the deal: "Sold!"

……

A few minutes later, staff entered lightly, placing a dark jewelry box on the table with both hands; the Special Assistant finished the procedures, and the staff bowed and retreated.

Jiang Liangjin placed the jewelry in Mu Youyu's palm, saying, "Here, take a look."

Mu Youyu leaned on him, lifted the lid, and blue light spilled from the box, more intense than what she had seen on the screen.

She picked up the necklace, examined it for a moment, then gently placed it back in the box.

Jiang Liangjin tilted his head toward her, asking, "If you like it, why aren't you wearing it?"

Mu Youyu blinked and explained, "It's a bit heavy."

"Then let's just leave it for now." No one should be tired enough to tire Youbao.

Okay.

Whenever an item is up for auction, there is a preparation interval; Mu Youyu wasn't in a hurry, she turned her gaze and asked, "Is A Jin trying to cheer me up?"

Jiang Liangjin's profile met her gaze, asking, "Then are you happy?"

Happy.

The Special Assistant and the bodyguard felt they were just in the way.

……

About half an hour passed.

Not knowing which item number it was, the auctioneer's tone became a touch more solemn than before.

The assistant brought up the tray, on a dark red velvet lay a set of ruby jewelry.

Necklace, bracelet, crown, and ring—four pieces forming a set, each gem cut with distinct angles.

He turned slightly sideways, the large screen magnified the details; the gemstones' purity was fully visible, with almost no impurities discernible to the naked eye.

"This lot is one of the season's finale pieces," the auctioneer said calmly, "this set of ruby jewelry originally came from the private collection of a deceased royal family member in H Country; the entire set was crafted by a hall‑of‑fame jewelry designer from the mid‑20th century, taking three years to complete."

"In the decades since, the set has been worn only three times at major royal events, each appearance causing a sensation…… Twenty years ago, it was bought by a noble in H Country for 1.9 billion, and today it comes up for auction a second time."

Low murmurs rose in the private rooms; it was clear many had come for this jewelry set.

The auctioneer waited a few seconds, then called loudly: "Starting bid is ten million, each raise no less than one million! Bidding begins now!"

Hardly two seconds after the words fell, the bidding light lit up: "Yi Hao Bao Xiang, fifty million."

At the same moment another light came on: "Shi Hao Bao Xiang, fifty‑one million."

Bidding heated up, Yi Hao Bao Xiang and Shi Hao Bao Xiang went back and forth, the price broke past one hundred million with no sign of stopping.

The auctioneer had anticipated this, keeping his tone steady: "Yi Hao Bao Xiang, one hundred ten million."

After a pause, "Shi Hao Bao Xiang, one hundred twenty million."

Just when everyone thought the bidding would ease for a moment, the light in Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang came on.

The auctioneer's voice finally gained a hint of fluctuation: "Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang, two hundred million."

Jiang Liangjin tilted his head slightly and said something to the Special Assistant.

The Special Assistant pressed the bidding device, and the numbers on the screen leapt up: "Er Shi Er Hao Bao Xiang, five hundred million."

The hall fell silent for an instant.

That room had previously won that blue sapphire necklace for six hundred million, already making many remember its number.

At this moment, his second bid followed the same pattern of increase.

I don't know if it's someone from C Shi, or rather someone who rushed back specially from another country.

Obviously, Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang clearly had no intention of yielding; the bidding light lit up again almost without hesitation: "Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang, one billion."

Jiang Liangjin showed no change in expression, and the Special Assistant continued bidding.

"Er Shi Er Hao Bao Xiang, one point five billion."

The numbers jumped onto the screen; Yi Hao Bao Xiang started raising the bid again, and Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang hesitated before following.

A knock sounded at just the right moment, and Jiang Liangjin paused.

The bodyguard, perceptive, opened the door; outside stood a middle-aged man in a dark suit, his demeanor steady.

"Sorry to disturb you; I am the client from the neighboring Er Shi Yi Hao Bao Xiang. My lord wishes to have a few words with the honored guest inside—may I trouble you?"

Without waiting for the two inside to signal, the bodyguard immediately smiled and stepped aside to let them through, saying, "Sure, sure, please come in."

The middle-aged man stepped back half a step and made an inviting gesture toward those behind him.

Jiang Liangjin frowned slightly, wondering how anyone was being let in.

Turning his gaze over, he could see the visitor was a man wearing a dark gray shirt, a hint of gloom in his brow and eyes.

Jiang Liangjin cleared his view of the visitor's face, startled slightly, and the displeased expression on his face faded away.

Mu Youyu sensed the atmosphere, looked up from her phone, and also froze.

"Third uncle?"