Chapter 582: At the Age of Playfulness

Bonhams is no small company; it is an international auction house on par with Sotheby's and Christie's.

Its origins are not complex: in the early 19th century, Britain traded opium and dumped goods to exchange for a vast quantity of art from China. "Oriental Art" gradually began to rise in Europe.

In 1840, the Opium War broke out, and the British shifted from "buying" to looting. Cultural Relics of greater quantity, superior quality, and more exquisite craftsmanship flooded into Britain, making the collection of Oriental art even more fervent.

Consequently, a large number of art auction institutions emerged in Britain, among them the renowned Sotheby's, Christie's, and Bonhams. Counting the time, these three have histories spanning over a hundred years.

Even after so long, the core tenet of these major houses remains unchanged: sell Chinese art, earn Chinese money.

It is not that other countries lack art, but that it cannot gain heat. The reason for this can be summed up in two words: sparse, short.

A short history, few items, relatively weak cultural awareness, and not-so-strong national self-confidence.

To put it bluntly: even if they wanted to tell a story, they couldn't.

Compared to the other two, Bonhams' shareholding structure is more singular, basically controlled entirely by the British. Thus, at its core, it remains the same old British style: arrogant and conceited.

For a long time, Bonhams has claimed to "only serve high-end clients," with its market limited to Europe, America, Hong Kong, as well as Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.

It was only in recent years that Bonhams discovered its two peers were growing fat and oily off the Chinese market, and only then did it belatedly begin to develop the China market.

Therefore, Bonhams is not very famous in the domestic antique circle. If you ran to Panjiayuan and asked if anyone knew Bonhams, nine out of ten people would shake their heads.

But in the collecting world, especially among that tiny group of top-tier collectors, Bonhams' reputation exceeds the first two.

Because the market penetration is slower, there are fewer fakes and High Imitation items. Correspondingly, the barrier to entry is also higher.

So, Lin Sicheng did not lie: he put in quite a lot of effort to get guest passes for Liang Shiya's people.

Fortunately, many friends came today, and friends found friends, managing to scrape together twelve guest passes.

But the two Experts invited by Liang Shiya did not know this; they just felt that this General Manager Lin was unfathomably mysterious.

After meeting, Lin Sicheng said he was going to look at the auction items, and even asked politely if General Manager Liang wanted to join.

Liang Shiya's purpose was to supervise, not to monitor, so she politely declined.

Once Lin Sicheng left, the group was at a loss and had nothing to do.

One, they didn't understand it; two, they didn't like it. They felt that rather than looking at things they didn't understand here, they might as well go shopping.

But the work that had to be done had to be done; Liang Shiya called the two Experts to the side, and also called Guo Yongxin and Chen Jiashan.

"Master He, Master Zhou, we are all laymen here, so we can only rely on the two of you!"

"General Manager Liang, you are too kind!"

Taking someone's money, one must resolve their troubles; professional ethics still had to be observed.

Zhou Zhilin pondered for a moment: "General Manager Liang, is this General Manager Lin's status in the domestic collecting circle very high?"

Liang Shiya paused.

If one were to talk about status, it seemed average.

At least in the background check materials from Chen Jiashan, Guo Yongxin, and Li Zhenghao, collecting was only incidental for Lin Sicheng.

He is not considered famous in this field; one could even say he has no name at all.

However, by buying low and selling high, he earned tens of millions and opened two Artifact Research Centers with investments of over ten million.

The key point is: the time was too short, the earnings too high; it does not fit logic.

Whether it is Li Zhenghao or Liang Shiya, neither believes that at Lin Sicheng's age, he could have such ability and luck.

They suspect that Lin Sicheng being able to earn so much money must be due to financial means. That is, the common way of making money in the collecting and art field: money laundering.

If one reasons this way, at least in the collecting circle, he is definitely not a nobody.

Liang Shiya answered with a question: "Master He, why do you ask?"

He Jian pointed to the guest pass on his chest: "General Manager Liang, Bonhams has not been in China for long, and it implements an invitation system: only when old members provide a joint guarantee can new members enter."

"We came so suddenly today; for him to be able to secure twelve guest passes in such a short time, an ordinary person could not do it."

Oh, so that's what they were asking about?

Liang Shiya was unconcerned, "He has a very good relationship with government departments!"

He Jian wanted to say more but stopped, yet he remembered the sentence Liang Shiya emphasized before coming: tell it like it is!

"General Manager Liang, this is not a common commercial behavior; the intervention of government departments is limited."

To put it bluntly: auction houses are only intermediaries, earning commissions, not the profit generated after selling goods.

Ordinary administrative means are useless against him.

Liang Shiya was thoughtful: "Does it have to do with the matter I entrusted to you two?"

Of course, and it has a lot to do with it.

Lin Sicheng's goal is to bypass the supervision of the inspection team and raise as much capital as possible in the shortest time.

If he is deeply involved in the collecting field, ordinary methods simply cannot stop him.

Just like what Liang Shiya suspected before: take a precious collection, disguise it as an ordinary collection, bid for it at an extremely low price, and then sell it at an extremely high price.

In one go, it could mean an income of millions.

Of course, He Jian and Zhou Zhilin are true Experts and could certainly identify it. Perhaps they could even intercept it and make a fortune.

But there is a prerequisite: there are only two of them.

Look at the promotional slogan on the display board: this exhibition features 5,682 items of various collections!

Relying on the two of them, they might not even finish identifying them in a year; heaven knows which one is the "leak" Lin Sicheng wants to pick up?

Don't let it end with them making a small fortune while failing to do what the employer asked?

Liang Shiya thought for a moment: "Can we do this: we arrange people, and if we see him raise his paddle, we intercept it?"

The two Experts were stunned for a moment, their faces strange: "General Manager Liang, what if he plays dirty?"

Liang Shiya suddenly realized: if Lin Sicheng plays a game of "to let go, one must first set a trap," the item would end up in their hands.

If it happens to be a fake, then the joke would be on them.

Furthermore, you would arrange for people to raise paddles; couldn't Lin Sicheng arrange it too? How do you know if the person raising the paddle to bid is his person? "Don't rush, let me think about it!"

Liang Shiya pinched the bridge of her nose, "If we know which items he is most likely to bid on, would it be useful?"

Both Experts nodded in unison: "Of course it would!"

If it were thousands of items, they naturally couldn't look through them all. But if it were just a few, could it be that the two of them wouldn't be able to see through it?

Liang Shiya sighed: It seems she still has to follow Lin Sicheng.

"Alright, I will go and communicate with him! CoCo, you come with me..."

Liang Shiya looked at the others, "MaRY, find out about the auction's bidding mode and payment methods. Also, handle a few bidding seats... Master He, Master Zhou, you two rest for a moment. If there is a need, I will send someone to notify you."

"The rest of you don't stay idle either; see who General Manager Lin has brought with him and who he interacts with!"

The group nodded in unison.

Liang Shiya and Chen Jiashan brought their Assistant and entered the preview venue.

The banquet hall was very large, divided into four sections, split into four exhibition halls: Calligraphy and Painting, Jade, Porcelain, and Miscellaneous Gold and Stone items.

Today was just a preview, so there were not many guests, and they soon found Lin Sicheng in the Calligraphy and Painting exhibition hall.

Ye Anning was following beside him, and opposite them were a man and a woman; the four of them were chatting.

Liang Shiya walked over, but when she was five or six steps away, she stopped.

Lin Sicheng was standing sideways to her; he certainly saw her, but he acted as if he hadn't.

Ye Anning saw her too, smiled at Liang Shiya, and whispered a reminder: "Lin Sicheng, Director Liang is coming over!"

Lin Sicheng pretended not to hear.

This woman had just said "please feel free" a moment ago, and now, not even a few minutes later, she had chased after him; it definitely wasn't for anything good.

Ye Anning sighed and took the initiative to greet her: "Director Liang!"

Lin Sicheng turned his head with a feigned expression: "Director Liang, Director Chen, what a coincidence?"

Liang Shiya was stunned, and let out a "Hah."

Coincidence, my foot?

The place was only this big, and they had only separated a few minutes ago?

Over these past few days, she had comforted herself more than once: don't be angry, don't be angry, getting angry makes you age quickly.

But whenever Lin Sicheng showed this kind of extremely perfunctory expression—the kind that says "I'm afraid you don't know I'm being perfunctory"—Liang Shiya's Fire Qi would rise "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh."

You surnamed Lin, get this straight: I am the Party A.

I hold your lifeline in my hands and can make you drop dead at any time.

How dare you treat me with such a dismissive tone and attitude, clearly laced with contempt?

She took a forceful breath, trying her best to control her expression.

"General Manager Lin, may I disturb you for a few minutes!"

Although her tone was polite, her attitude was firm, because Liang Shiya had suffered losses before.

If she had asked whether she could disturb him for a few minutes, Lin Sicheng would definitely have said no.

"Of course you can!" Lin Sicheng nodded, "Director Liang, let me introduce you: this is General Manager Huang, a friend of mine. This is Teacher Huang, my client..."

Liang Shiya had no interest in socializing on such an occasion, but when she heard "friend" and "client," her heart stirred.

"General Manager Huang, Teacher Huang, my surname is Liang. I was previously the CTO of the Asia region for Saishi Technology. I am currently a representative of the United Association, mainly responsible for communicating with General Manager Lin regarding the technical research and development cooperation authorized by the United Association..."

Huang Zhi extended his hand: "General Manager Liang, nice to meet you!"

As he spoke, he intentionally sized her up a few times.

A month ago, when Lin Sicheng went to his place to order food, he had told him a bit about it.

Upon hearing the term "United Association," Huang Zhi guessed the identity of the woman before him: an imperial envoy sent by Party A specifically to trip Lin Sicheng up. Seeing Liang Shiya here did not surprise Huang Zhi. What he found strange was Lin Sicheng's attitude: you know exactly what she is here for, yet you still provoke her? In a flash, Liang Shiya withdrew her hand and shook hands with Huang Lan as well.

Huang Zhi retreated at the right moment: "General Manager Liang, then you two go ahead and talk!"

"General Manager Huang, no need, I only have a few words to say!"

Having suffered losses several times, Liang Shiya didn't beat around the bush at all: "General Manager Lin, are you participating in the auction today?"

Lin Sicheng shook his head: "Not necessarily!"

"If you participate in the auction and it involves financing, you can notify us in advance, and I can have Director Chen and Director Guo assist... After all, they are more professional..."

Lin Sicheng smiled: "Alright!"

"Okay, then you go ahead and get busy!"

Liang Shiya smiled at Ye Anning again, "Goodbye, Miss Ye!"

"Take care, Director Liang!"

From beginning to end, it was only two minutes.

Watching Liang Shiya's back, Ye Anning was confused: "This Director Liang's attitude is quite good, why do you insist on provoking her?" Lin Sicheng was noncommittal: "A good attitude doesn't necessarily mean she's a good person!"

Ye Anning pursed her lips.

That wasn't what she meant.

The positions of the two sides were naturally opposed; it was impossible to remain peaceful forever.

However, at least in the early stages, one could try to avoid direct conflict as much as possible.

Even if it was just maintaining harmony on the surface, it was better than being at each other's throats.

But Lin Sicheng, on the other hand, was deliberately forcing Party A to increase the intensity on him?

Lin Sicheng just smiled and didn't speak.

He had thought the same way before, but after meeting her, he discovered that this Director Liang was actually truly someone who worked in technology.

To put it simply: those who come from a technical background usually have relatively straightforward personalities.

It's not that they don't have a mind for it, but they don't have the time or energy to ponder these things. Over time, they develop a straightforward personality.

Furthermore, the better one is at technology, the more obvious this trait becomes. For example, Director Tian from the Forbidden City, or Deputy Director Fang from the Cultural Heritage Research Institute. After discovering this, Lin Sicheng immediately changed his strategy: since they would fall out sooner or later, it was better to fall out early.

If Liang Shiya could maintain a hostile attitude toward him, she would not have much time for preparation and consideration.

A woman's personality is mostly emotional, and given her usual habits, she would basically use any trick she could think of immediately. Moreover, it would likely be straightforward and direct.

For example, this time: suspecting he would use the trick of "secretly crossing the Chencang passage," Liang Shiya came directly to warn him.

Because Ye Anning, Huang Zhi, and Huang Lan were present, Liang Shiya spoke so tactfully in order to maintain her composure.

To put it another way: as long as it relates to financing, all of Lin Sicheng's commercial activities must be reported to the first party.

This includes auctions, as well as friends or clients from whom he prepares to borrow money.

The assistance Liang Shiya spoke of is actually "investigation" and "auditing."

But it does not matter.

Lin Sicheng came this time because Huang Zhi introduced two clients to him. He is preparing to have a talk to see if he can sell off a few items in his hands. It is not that there is no other way.

In just one short month, he has to raise one hundred million. The key is, these few women are watching him so closely?

To be safe, it is better to try not to use crooked methods...

The clients would not arrive for a while, so the group strolled around casually.

Seeing no one around, Huang Zhi gave a thumbs up: "Lin Sicheng, you are the best!"

With Huang Zhi's status and his Small Courtyard, he knows exactly what Lin Sicheng has been doing during this time.

But precisely because he knows, he is even more aware of the difficulty involved, which is why he admires him.

Not to mention anything else, just consider one point: in this lifetime, Lin Sicheng is basically destined to have no connection with the words "going abroad."

Thinking that Lin Sicheng would lose many, many pleasures, Huang Zhi felt sad for him.

"Lin Sicheng, do you regret it?"

Lin Sicheng did not understand: there are gains and losses, what is there to regret about this?

But immediately, he realized: Huang Zhi was winking and making faces, looking mischievous.

Lin Sicheng sighed: "General Manager Huang, you just happen to have the surname Huang!"

Huang Zhi raised his eyebrows: No kidding?

Even though this brother is forty, he is at the age where he loves to play.