Chapter 145: If You Can

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian sat together, with Deng Chao beside Liu Tianxian; the two had collaborated on The Four Great Constables.

Beside Fang Hong was Jing Tian.

People kept coming over here and there to schmooze and greet; the scene at every table was much the same.

"Sir, have we met somewhere before?" Jing Tian whispered.

The current Jing Tian was still very naive, with short hair that looked youthful and vibrant, but her makeup was ugly, utterly lacking the later warmth.

"No, never." Fang Hong had forgotten.

"Oh!"

Jing Tian nodded slightly and said nothing more.

Yet her big eyes kept darting around, still trying to recall where she'd seen Fang Hong.

Fang Hong wasn't as conflicted as her—did it even matter if they'd met before? Liu Tianxian was chatting with Deng Chao.

Time passed quickly; someone announced the Charity Bazaar Star Night was about to begin, and the cameras were about to roll.

Everyone stop mingling randomly—show the poise of successful people, keep a kind smile on your face for the audience.

The "successful people" on-site straightened their clothes, sat up straight, and resumed their human appearance, gazing at the stage ahead.

Now no one was moving around or networking anymore.

At this moment, stage lights blazed on, Zhang Liangying stepped up and sang a song, melodious and sweet.

"Bang"

Below the stage, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian raised their champagne flutes, clinked them, and drank together with a glance.

"Liangliang is my good friend—I'll introduce you to her later," Liu Tianxian whispered.

"Alright!" Fang Hong nodded.

This was introducing his social circle.

After Zhang Liangying finished singing, the host stepped up and delivered a string of clichés.

"Thank you all for coming to the Charity Bazaar Star Night—Charity Bazaar lives forever for love."

The host spouted a long speech, then announced tonight's auction rules: everyone could bid on items; the winner would receive a Charity Bazaar Charity Certificate and celebrity endorsement.

That meant the celebrity would personally hand you the item and the certificate.

The rules back then were still simple and blunt.

Just as the host was introducing the celebrity guests present,

Su Mang suddenly ran onto the stage and shouted: "Dear friends, let's all give a round of applause for every effort and every drop of sweat!"

"Clap clap clap!"

The audience below clapped and shouted loudly.

"Let's give a big round of applause for the best, the greatest Brother Fang Long!" Su Mang was unusually excitable.

Fang Long stood up from below, smiled, and bowed to the crowd in greeting.

His foundation also accepted Fang! "Clap clap clap!" The audience below clapped vigorously.

"Today marks the ninth anniversary of Charity Bazaar—you may never again see a star gala so precious, so grand, so overflowing with love."

Fang Hong felt this woman onstage was a bit "drunk," speaking incoherently, as if she couldn't stop herself, rambling nonsense.

"Please, let the entrepreneur friends and celebrity friends give ourselves some applause."

"Clap clap clap!" More clapping.

Fang Hong's hands were red from clapping—he had no idea why.

After a long stream of nonsense, Han Geng ran onto the stage again, jumping and singing.

Even before getting to the real point, Han Geng had to deliver warm, touching words about missing children, urging everyone to feel moved.

Han Geng was quite popular right now!

Finally, the real auction began—Miss Jing unleashed her power and snatched the first item: the Dior Handbag.

The entire venue fell silent—not a single person dared speak up.

Beside him, Fang Hong was stunned by the sheer opulence radiating from Miss Jing.

Watching her sprint up the stage, dripping with wealth!

"Did you feel Miss Jing's opulence? It hit me hard," Fang Hong joked with Liu Tianxian beside him.

Liu Tianxian rolled her eyes at him—always talking nonsense.

After Miss Jing finished her speech and returned, the second item was auctioned: an evening gown, 230,000 yuan, won by Tian Hairong.

The auction items now were all branded jewelry, clothing, and celebrities' artworks.

Still worth the price!

But after this year, Charity Bazaar gradually stopped pretending—the items became things provided by celebrities themselves, like some random painting drawn by a star.

Of course, it had to be a big shot or a major director's painting—otherwise, if some nobody brought one up, it'd be awkward.

Or a celebrity's worn clothes, used toys, or jewelry they'd worn—all put up for auction.

It wasn't about bidding on the item anymore—it was about bidding on social connections.

Liu Tianxian had no interest in any auction item—she was just here to watch the show.

Soon, the Chow Tai Fook Dragon Pearl Ring came up for auction; Fang Hong saw the thing glittering gold, with a dragon pearl embedded—perfect for his mother to wear.

Lin Ziling, in her sweet, cooing voice, introduced the item, then opened bidding at 500,000 yuan.

Without hesitation, Fang Hong raised his paddle.

Due to the crowd, chaos erupted again; Lin Ziling spotted a raised paddle and announced: "That gentleman, 600,000."

She didn't recognize Fang Hong!

"This is the Chairman of Yutu Film Industry—everyone calls him Principal; Xiao Lin, just call him Principal."

Su Mang was utterly annoyed, snatching the microphone and rushing over, placing a hand on Fang Hong's shoulder as he introduced him to the entire hall, as if afraid no one would know.

"Alright, Principal 600,000." Lin Ziling's voice was pleasant; she studied the man carefully.

Upon hearing "Principal," some turned their gazes toward Fang Hong; a few even stood up to look.

Xiao Wang and Da Wang also looked toward Fang Hong—they'd never seen him in person before.

Someone raised a paddle: 700,000! "Ms. Zhang Lan, 700,000!" Su Mang shouted.

Fang Hong raised his paddle again: 800,000! "Principal 800,000!" Su Mang raised his voice again—as if Lin Ziling had vanished from the scene; Su Mang was the only one shouting, and he was exhilarated.

Zhang Lan raised her paddle again: 900,000! "900,000! Ms. Zhang Lan, 900,000!" Su Mang was ecstatic.

Fang Hong calmly raised his paddle: 1,000,000! "1,000,000! 1,000,000! Principal 1,000,000!" Su Mang screamed with excitement, as if the money were going to her.

Liu Tianxian glanced sideways, thinking the bid was too high: "Why are you bidding on this?"

"For my mother," Fang Hong said.

So that's why—Liu Tianxian understood.

"One million once—is there anyone else? Is there anyone else?" Lin Ziling watched from the stage.

Zhang Lan stopped raising her paddle; she felt it wasn't worth it—better to buy it herself.

The Principal still has more money! "Second time."

At this point, Huayi's Xiao Wang raised his paddle: 1,100,000.

"Xiao Wang General Manager, 1,100,000! 1,100,000!" Su Mang's voice was hoarse.

Fang Hong raised his paddle and shouted directly: "1,500,000!"

Before Su Mang could get excited, Xiao Wang extended five fingers—meaning an additional 500,000, totaling 2,000,000—extremely wealthy!

"2,000,000! Is there anyone else?" Lin Ziling held the microphone.

Fang Hong tossed his paddle onto the table and stopped bidding. Naturally, no one else would challenge Xiao Wang General Manager—anyone who did was asking to be ruined.

"Once, twice—congratulations, Xiao Wang General Manager."

Xiao Wang stood up, adjusted his suit buttons, smirked at Fang Hong, and strode onto the stage with elegance.

The Jade Rabbit Principal isn't so impressive after all!

Liu Tianxian didn't understand—given Fang Hong's nature, he should've pushed to the end. She asked, puzzled: "Why did you stop?"

"What's the point? Better to just spend my own money and buy it," Fang Hong said calmly.

"You can swallow this insult? That's not like you."

"Let the enemy boast for now," Fang Hong said. Liu Tianxian, seeing his calm composure, fell silent.

Jing Tian beside him watched the man, growing more and more familiar.

"At these high-end gatherings, riffraff and lowlifes always slip in, polluting this circle," Xiao Wang General Manager said bluntly on stage.

Everyone in the hall knew he was mocking the "Principal," since everyone knew the two had a feud.

"Clap, clap, clap!" Someone clapped loudly, shouting that Xiao Wang General Manager spoke well.

Fang Hong turned to look—it was Da Heiniu. Damn, he's insane.

Liu Tianxian looked pained and reached out to hold his hand.

"I'm fine," Fang Hong said.

After mocking Fang Hong on stage, Xiao Wang General Manager stepped down.

He's rich now—and when you're rich, you seize every chance to vent your anger!

The auction continued as usual; the hall remained chaotic, and soon an artwork was auctioned—a rock garden sculpture, made entirely of stainless steel.

Starting bid: 2,000,000. Da Wang General Manager raised his paddle immediately—he simply loved this kind of thing.

Fang Hong raised his paddle too, extending five fingers, raising the price to 2,500,000.

Su Mang was still ecstatic, shouting loudly: "2,500,000! Principal 2,500,000!"

The stage's celebrity host was completely forgotten—amid the noise, only her voice could be heard!

Da Wang General Manager glanced at Fang Hong, then raised his paddle again, adding 500,000: 3,000,000.

"Da Wang General Manager, 3,000,000! Is there anyone else bidding?" Su Mang shouted.

Fang Hong stood up and roared: "4,000,000!"

He jumped 1,000,000 at once—seeming to have lost his composure.

"Young people just can't hold their temper," Xiao Wang General Manager mocked the audience.

"How could the Principal compare to General Manager Wang? That's just inviting humiliation," others flattered.

Da Wang General Manager hesitated, then raised his bid to 5,000,000—far beyond his expectations, but he had to save face, so he pushed back.

He thought the other side clearly lacked the funds.

Fang Hong sat down, tossed his paddle again, and quit.

"Aren't you bidding anymore?" Su Mang rushed over to ask.

"You're strange. Whether I bid or not is my business—what's it to you?"

Fang Hong was baffled—she'd even come over specifically to ask.

Su Mang was embarrassed; indeed, it was his choice—he was free to bid or not. Her intervention felt like pressure.

But no one said anything—it wasn't their affair. Many in the hall were already laughing at the Principal.

"That's all you've got? If you can't afford it, don't play!" Da Wang General Manager mocked on stage.

The audience of celebrities erupted in applause: "Clap, clap, clap!"—enthusiastically cheering.

Red Pants raised a thumb toward the stage: "Da Wang General Manager is awesome!"

Other celebrities whistled loudly at the stage—crowd was lively, exuberant.

Liu Tianxian didn't know how to comfort him, whispering softly: "Don't take it to heart."

"What do I care?" Fang Hong looked at her, his face calm.

Liu Tianxian met his gaze, saw the stillness in his eyes, and said nothing more.

The other side was clearly provoking him—it was quite hard on him.

The auction was nearing its end, with only two items left: one was Fang Long's Tourbillon Wristwatch.

The other was the artwork "Lotus Pond Entering Dream!" First up was Fang Long's Tourbillon Wristwatch, starting at four million.

It was said to be worth over a hundred million—just said, that's all!

General Manager Wang raised his paddle directly: 5.5 million, surpassing the previous highest bid of five million! Such directness meant he had an agreement with Fang Long—he had to win it.

It was essentially a greeting gift to Fang Long, buying Fang Long's face, turning this item into the most expensive lot in this Charity Bazaar—that was the spectacle.

Of course, it wasn't free; they would soon launch a series of collaborations, with "The Twelve Zodiacs" as the model example.

Naturally, the crowd fell silent—no one would challenge General Manager Wang.

"Six million!" Fang Hong raised his paddle again, stubbornly.

"Seven million!" General Manager Wang raised his paddle.

"Seven million and one yuan!" Fang Hong held up one finger and stood: "No matter how much General Manager Wang bids today, I'll add one yuan more."

This stunned everyone—could you even play like this? Most people just laughed at him, thinking he didn't understand the rules here.

Liu Tianxian tugged Fang Hong's sleeve, signaling him not to lose face! "Principal, minimum bid increment is ten thousand."

That meant you couldn't bid one yuan—you had to bid in ten-thousand increments.

"Country bumpkin!" Red Pants cursed loudly.

Fang Hong ignored him and shouted: "Whatever General Manager Wang bids today, I'll add ten thousand more!"

They were locked in! The crowd turned to General Manager Wang.

General Manager Wang's face darkened; he gritted his teeth and raised his paddle: "Ten million!"

"Whoa!"

Everyone exchanged glances—ten million was the highest price in Charity Bazaar history.

Usually five million was the ceiling; now it had doubled outright.

In such settings, people would raise their paddles twice as a formality—no one played this aggressively.

No one's money came from the wind.

The most excited person here was Su Mang; the one with the most face was Fang Long.

"Match it!" Fang Hong said calmly.

Liu Tianxian whispered: "Isn't this a bit too much?"

"No problem—I'll have Yu Xian work hard for this," Fang Hong leaned down and whispered.

Liu Tianxian understood his meaning: a single film could earn over a hundred million; this money was just from the rights share.

She had been closely following Fang Hong's film projects in the United States, having participated herself—she knew exactly what he was filming.

The venue fell silent for a moment—even General Manager Wang made no move. He had just bid ten million to crush the Principal with money.

But it seemed the other side was determined to fight him—this wasn't fun anymore. High stock value didn't mean you could spend like this.

Still, they had to buy Fang Long's face—it was all arranged. General Manager Wang tried raising his paddle again: "Thirteen million!"

That was the limit—anything higher wouldn't be worth it; no one knew if Fang Long's film profits could reach that level.

This bid was meant to make the Principal back down from the cost.

"Is that all you've got?"

Fang Hong threw General Manager Wang's own words back at him, calmly: "Match it—add ten thousand!"

"Fucking hell, you can't play like this!" Red Pants pointed at him.

No matter how much others bid, he only added ten thousand!

"If you can't afford it, don't play," Fang Hong said.

Earlier, he hadn't played like this because the items weren't important to them—they could walk away anytime.

Now it was different—they had to buy! The atmosphere grew quiet, the chatter gone, the ease vanished—only tension remained.

The two sides were about to clash again!

This contest was simply who had more money—and it seemed the Principal still had strength, making those who had mocked him uneasy.

"Can't afford to raise? If you can't, just tell me—I, Jade Rabbit, can lend you money," Fang Hong said toward General Manager Wang's side, his tone dismissive, dripping with provocation.

This was blatant bullying, treating Huayi as Jade Rabbit's younger brother—borrowing money required giving up something! General Manager Wang's face turned dark; even if he quit now, he'd lost face—being mocked in front of hundreds.

In truth, Fang Hong said this on purpose—he feared being stuck with the item and was somewhat unsure himself.

Xiao Wang shouted: "Don't push us too far!"

"I love seeing you angry—the angrier you are, the more excited I get," Fang Hong said lightly, treating Huayi as if it didn't exist.

(End of Chapter)