After the International Association’s Chairman presented the award to the three of them, he smiled and asked, “Before the start of the competition, I have already asked you this. I wonder if you three are willing to auction off your winning works?”

It has become an unwritten rule that in the last round of the International Painting and Calligraphy Competition, the winners would be asked if they are willing to auction off their works1.

Of course, this was all up to their free will.

However, there were too many people who were tuning in to the competition this time round. Dou Xiangling thought for a moment before she pulled Zi Yi’s sleeve and reminded her.

She then said, “I can allow my painting to be auctioned off, but I request for a full and transparent disclosure.”

Zi Yi turned her head to look at Dou Xiangling.

Dou Xiangling gave her a wink.

Zi Yi also ended up nodding. “I also request for a full and transparent disclosure.”

Robert, who came in third place, would certainly not reject the request to auction his painting when the other two ladies had agreed to it.

The Chairman of the International Painting and Calligraphy Association smiled and said, “Great. Then all three of you can give a starting bid for your painting.”

It was not a good idea for the Association to set the starting bid on their own.

Robert revealed his starting bid. “My painting’s starting bid shall be 500 thousand.”

Dou Xiangling was also about to say that her painting’s starting bid would be 500 thousand. In fact, this starting bid was considered very high.

“Me to-”

“My cousin’s painting’s starting bid is two million.”

Zi Yi suddenly said a starting bid on Dou Xiangling’s behalf and everyone was a little confused.

Immediately after, she mentioned the starting bid of her painting. “Mine shall start at five million.”

Everyone: “…!”

Why doesn’t she go rob a bank instead?!

Zi Yi lowered her eyes and looked up before she said with a confident expression, “If you find it expensive, you can choose not to bid. Don’t ever let me know that there are some reckless people who are scolding me over the internet again. I’m not someone with a good temper and I love to expose people.”

Everyone: “…”

She even blatantly threatened everyone!

Many of them felt uncomfortable deep down and thought that no one would bid for Zi Yi’s painting when she had brought up such a high starting bid.

Only the Chairmen of the International Painting Association and Country X’s Association looked at her with admiration.

Shortly after, Country X’s Association Chairman seemed to have said something in the Chairman of the International Painting Association’s ears and he said with an even brighter smile, “Someone has already started bidding for Miss Zi’s painting.”

There were many people who revealed expressions of disbelief.

“Please look at the screen.”

The bidding situation of their paintings was immediately reflected on the screen.

When the crowd saw the screen, they sucked in cold air.

“The first bidder had raised Zi Yi’s starting bid by tenfold. This must be fake!”

Many people wanted to say that the bidder was Zi Yi’s family member or perhaps her suitor. Perhaps they did not wish for her to embarrass herself and thus, they took out the money to bid for it.

However, they were afraid that the person behind Zi Yi would expose their identities.

Since the auction had already started, the viewers who were about to leave the livestream had sat back down once again.

There were many people who felt that no one else would bid for Zi Yi’s painting after the first bidder had increased the price by tenfold.

However, what happened afterwards was something they had never imagined even in their dreams. In less than one minute after the first bidder made their bid, the second bidder came.

“Sii~ Seventy million!”

The third bidder.

“Oh my freaking gosh! One hundred million!”

…

While Zi Yi’s painting was being auctioned off, Dou Xiangling’s and Robert’s paintings were also in the process.

However, who would have the spare energy to pay any attention to their bids?

When the bidding price of Zi Yi’s painting soared to 500 million, everyone was so surprised that they forgot to react.

In the end, Zi Yi’s painting was auctioned off at 880 million.

Everyone spectating the scene: “…”

So much money it was almost disturbing!

Dou Xiangling’s painting had also soared to 180 million.

Robot’s painting was sold for 120 million in the end.

With these types of auction prices, it had refreshed the knowledge of many people who were outside the art circle.

On the other hand, there were many people inside the circle who came forward to speak.

“It’s indeed deserving. I feel that Miss Zi’s painting is worth that price.”

“That’s right. Miss Zi’s painting is capable of shaking the hearts of people. That kind of shock is unable to be described in words.”

…

The Association would follow up with what happened afterwards and so, there was nothing else to do for Zi Yi and the others.

There were other people who came to invite Zi Yi to a meal, but they had been directly rejected by her.

At this point in time, no one dared to say that she was being arrogant. Because of the competition, everyone is well aware that she had the capability to be so arrogant.

When Dou Xiangling and Zi Yi left the Art Museum under the protection of a group of bodyguards, the reporters standing guard outside went crazy.

“Miss Zi, your painting was auctioned off at a high price of 880 million. Do you have anything you wish to say?”

“Miss Zi, how did you manage to salvage a painting where even the judges had deemed it to be unsalvageable?”

“Miss Zi, we came to know that there have been offers for the two paintings you had completed in the first two rounds of competition. Will you agree to their offers?”

“Miss Zi, China’s Painting and Calligraphy Association has officially announced that you are a member of their Association. Why didn’t you bring it up before?”

“Miss Zi…”

At this moment, all the reporters were extremely enthusiastic towards Zi Yi, without the slightest doubt or disdain that was present before. Zi Yi did not reply to their questions and they wished that they could hug her legs and beg her for answers.

However, they had no other choice if Zi Yi chose not to answer. In the end, they finally shifted the microphone to Dou Xiangling.

“Miss Dou, you and Miss Zi are cousins. You have both won first and second place in the competition. Moreover, the painting you had completed was auctioned off at such a high price. Do you have anything you wish to say?”

Zi Yi suddenly stopped walking after the reporter had asked the question.

With how she had stopped walking, the reporters were instantly excited.

Zi Yi swept her gaze across all the reporters and coldly said, “If you didn’t mention it, I would have forgotten. Who was the one who said that my cousin is related to Meng He who was suspected of an economic case? Why aren’t you asking about that now?”

The reporters felt their hearts tighten.

Zi Yi’s eyes flashed and she radiated a powerful aura. “I’ve said it before, after the competition, whoever maliciously slandered my cousin, just you wait.

Coincidentally, the compensation you will be forking out can be donated. I’ll thank you on behalf of those who are living in dire straits.”

Zi Yi left together with Zi Yi after she said her piece, leaving behind a group of reporters who were trembling in fear.

“Miss Zi is the most arrogant master painter I’ve ever encountered.”

The group of judges who came out last could not help but comment.

“But it’s good like this. Her appearance is so outstanding and if her personality were to be soft, she would certainly get bullied.”

“Miss Zi’s skills are truly amazing. I dare to bet that she will certainly go far on this path in the future.”

…

Within the car.

Dou Xiangling looked at Zi Yi who still had a taut expression on her face. She could not suppress the corner of her lips that was curling up.

Even though it sounds slightly humiliating to be protected by a younger sister who was several years younger than herself, she thought that this type of feeling felt great.

Dou Xiangling held onto Zi Yi’s hand and smiled brightly. “Yiyi, thank you.”

Zi Yi looked at the gentle Dou Xiangling and said, “You should be stronger when you encounter this type of situation. Otherwise, you will only get bullied by other people.”

Dou Xiangling nodded and said, “Okay.”

Only then, was Zi Yi satisfied.

1 (This is made up by the author, please do not take it seriously.)