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nRecluse?

nThis introduction shocked everyone present. Everyone looked at him in disbelief. Was this the artist they had heard of?

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nOld Lady Xue, on the other hand, did not understand it. She continued to clamor, “I don’t care if you’re a recluse or what. Xu Fang is the president, and she said that this painting is worthless. What are you blabbering about?”

nXu Fang, who was mentioned, wished she could find a hole and hide in it!

nHowever, the more she wanted to escape from everyone’s sight, the more Old Lady Xue looked for her. “Where’s Xu Fang?”

nShe pointed at Xu Fang and said, “Mrs. Xu, tell them.”

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nXu Fang’s lips trembled and she could not speak. She turned to look at Mrs. Xia for help.

nMrs. Xia felt a sense of exaltation. She’d originally felt that Xu Fang’s act of spreading rumors about Mrs. Xue was not right. Xu Fang’s words at the auction just now had completely pushed her into an awkward position, making her very unhappy.

nThis was her auction, and everyone here ought to give her face. Why would Xu Fang cause trouble in her territory? Not to mention how she’s bullying Yixi’s favorite sister and family!

nHence, the Mrs. Xia who had always been tactful and capable, who would never let others feel uncomfortable under her care, not only did not help Xu Fang but also slowly said, “Old Lady Xue, Xu Fang may be the president of Bin City’s Art Association, but Recluse is the president of the Chinese Art Association!”

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nThis made everyone present understand.

nThe crowd instantly fell silent.

nXue Sheng did not expect the situation to turn around. He was a little stunned and did not know what to say.

nInstead, it was Xiang Huai who suddenly turned around. His cold eyes swept past the person who had mocked them and said lightly, “Yes, we’ve arranged this.”

nIf Fu Chun was called here by a little kid just to be made use of, wouldn’t that make him just a toy?

nHowever, when these words landed in the Sun family’s ears, they felt extremely ashamed!

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nWho the hell could convince a reclusive person to come out and be their accomplice? The Xue family’s son-in-law was mocking them!

nXue Sheng smiled when he heard this, and he became even more satisfied with Xiang Huai.

n…

nAt this moment, Old Lady Xue continued to stab Xu Fang. “But… but why did Xu Fang say that? Their interpretations are too different!”

nMrs. Xia looked at Xu Fang. “That’s right. I’m also very curious. Why is Xu Fang’s evaluation so different from that of Recluse?”

nThe moment she said this, the quiet Xue Xi, who had arranged this scene, slowly said, “Auntie Xu, I also want to ask something. Why was it that when Recluse was looking for the painter Night Li, you told him that Night Li has passed away?”

nFu Chun, who was immersed in the painting, finally reacted. He frowned. “Xu Fang, you said that you and Night Li were dormitory mates. Night Li has passed away, you said, but she clearly is alive. What’s going on?”

nYe Li was stunned. She suddenly understood what was going on and stood up. “Xu Fang, back when we were in school, you were always targeting me. It’s been 18 years. Why are you still like this?”

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nThe rest of the people connected the dots together and imagined various storylines. They instantly understood what exactly happened.

nEveryone started discussing among themselves.

n“So Mrs. Xue is actually really good at painting!”

n“So that rumor about her bribing someone to have her painting displayed in the art exhibition and getting the privilege revoked? That was also spread by Xu Fang, right?”

n“She’d insisted on saying that the artist’s technique was too flashy, but even that person who’s been living in seclusion could tell that this painting is an exceptional piece. Is Xu Fang purposely suppressing her?”

n“I suddenly feel that Mrs. Xue is so pitiful.”

n“Mrs. Xue hasn’t drawn in 18 years. Could it be that she was being suppressed by Xu Fang?”

n“…”

nIt was only when one was deeply engrossed in the topic that one would understand how much damage it had caused.

nXu Fang clenched her fists tightly. She straightened her neck and said firmly, “When it comes to paintings, everyone has their own opinions. Some like the artist Qi Baishi, but there are also others who feel that he’s not good. In my opinion, this painting is indeed terrible. It’s not to my taste. Is there a problem with that?”

nOld Lady Xue had been hating Ye Li for more than ten years. She would only be happy if she could suppress Ye Li. Hence, she quickly added, “Also, if this painting was really good, how come no one made a bid? No matter how good the painting is, it’s just a pile of rotten paper. Why don’t you take a look at it? What kind of value does it have? It sounds priceless, but no one is buying it. What’s the point of saying all that?”

nJust as she said this, a cold and low voice slowly said, “One million.”

nXue Xi was stunned when she heard this familiar voice. As everyone turned their heads in unison, she saw Xiang Huai raising a sign.

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nOne million… Who the hell would spend a million to buy an unknown artist’s painting?

nOld Lady Xue was also stunned. She looked at Xiang Huai as though she was looking at a fool. Liu Yiqiu reminded her, “That’s Xixi’s boyfriend.”

nOld Lady Xue snorted. “Isn’t he the boss of a provision store? Where did he get the money from? It must have been Xue Sheng who made him bid! In the end, he still spent money to save Ye Li’s face. Does he think we are all idiots?”

nAt this moment—

n“1.2 million!” another person shouted.

nHearing this familiar voice, Xue Xi turned around in confusion again and saw Ji Silin raising a sign in the crowd.

nOld Lady Xue: “?”

n“1.5 million!” Fu Chun, who had yet to step down from the stage, suddenly said, “Actually, this price isn’t high enough. That is because this painting’s concept is too rare. It will definitely become Night Li’s magnum opus.”

nThe staff was stunned for a long time. No one wanted a painting that was barely worth 50,000 yuan. Why did it suddenly cost 1.5 million in such a short time?

nOne must know that the highest bid for all the items today was a million!

nAt this thought, the staff raised the prop in his hand. “Is there anyone else who wants to raise the price? If not, it will be 1.5 million.”

n“1.5 million going once…”

nSomeone in the crowd shouted, “1.6 million!”

nEven the reclusive scholar said that this work was definitely worth millions, or even higher!

nThe atmosphere around everyone intensified.

nJi Silin raised his card again. “Two million!”

nAnother person: “2.2 million!”

nOld Lady Xue was stunned by the price. She gulped and said in a domineering tone, “It’s at most three million yuan, right? Can it be sold for ten million?”

nJi Silin raised his card again. “2.5 million!”

nHe seemed to be determined to buy this painting. When he shouted, he looked at the girl sitting in the front row.

nXue Xi also turned around and their gazes met. The usually aloof her smiled at him.

nThis scene fell into Xiang Huai’s eyes, who had been paying attention to her at all times. The little kid’s smile was especially eye-piercing, and it successfully drove up the auction’s atmosphere. He lazily raised his hand. “10 million.”

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