Chapter 119: Gathering of Big Names
Chapter 119: Gathering of Big Names
“Brother Gao Jing!”
Seeing Gao Jing again, Niu Jinxing acted like a brother reunited after many years apart.
He opened his arms wide and gave Gao Jing a strong hug!
Gao Jing chuckled.
Whenever and wherever, Brother Fatty Niu’s style was always this over-the-top.
Like a 10,000-watt light bulb in the dark.
Bright and dazzling!
Actually, Gao Jing knew very well this was just the other’s habitual disguise.
To really believe Niu Jinxing was a straightforward person with zero hidden depths.
Well, that would make you an idiot.
But Gao Jing also sensed that Brother Daniou had a bit of a histrionic personality disorder.
Otherwise, why would he behave like this every single time?
He simply acted so much he got completely into character.
“And who is this?”
After the initial hug, Niu Jinxing winked suggestively at Gao Jing.
His gaze drifted to Ji Yu, who was standing beside Gao Jing.
Gao Jing introduced her openly. “Ji Yu, my private legal advisor.”
“Ah.”
Niu Jinxing understood.
He gave Ji Yu a slight bow. “Miss Ji, nice to meet you. I’m Niu Jinxing from the Fuli Group.”
“Director Niu, pleased to meet you.”
Ji Yu gracefully extended her hand. “I’ve heard much about you, delighted to make your acquaintance.”
Niu Jinxing shook Ji Yu’s hand.
A gentleman’s brief touch, just her fingers.
He quickly released it. “Miss Ji, let me introduce you. This is Zhang Ying, our Group’s business manager.”
He added. “Also my sister-in-law.”
“Manager Zhang, nice to meet you.”
“Miss Ji, nice to meet you.”
Zhang Ying smiled warmly, taking Ji Yu’s hand. “Just call me Sister Ying.”
They all sat down in the private room.
Niu Jinxing was hosting the dinner that evening.
No other outsiders.
Just the four of them.
The table wasn’t laden with exotic delicacies or rich meats; it was mainly home-style dishes.
Just like an ordinary get-together among friends.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
Zhang Ying and Ji Yu seemed to hit it off instantly. The two women sat close, sharing whispers.
Meanwhile, Niu Jinxing pulled Gao Jing aside for drinks and conversation.
He said to Gao Jing, “I heard quite a few big names came this time. Tomorrow evening should be quite a lively affair.”
Previously, Hundred-Fruit Wine’s fame was confined to a small circle.
This time, Gao Jing had asked Niu Jinxing for help.
Besides arranging the auction house listing, he also asked Niu Jinxing to spread the news.
Gao Jing’s goal was simple.
To inflate the price of Hundred-Fruit Wine, making it a steady, significant source of funds!
Now, Gao Jing wasn’t afraid of being coveted by big predators like the Qin Family.
If pushed too far.
He could just hide away in the Great World. Come back only after becoming a Shaman.
See who’s scared of whom then!
So, while low-key was good, one shouldn’t be too low-key and be underestimated.
Sometimes, you need to show your fangs.
This Hundred-Fruit Wine auction was mainly for Gao Jing to make an appearance.
Niu Jinxing was worried Gao Jing might feel the pressure, so he was giving him a heads-up.
But it really wasn’t necessary.
Still, for Niu Jinxing’s help and support.
Gao Jing was grateful.
Any lingering resentment naturally melted away.
Everyone enjoyed the meal.
The next day, Gao Jing took Ji Yu shopping at a big mall in Huhai.
Calling it “purchasing work clothes.”
Senior Ji was used to his tactics by now. Unable to resist, she could only ‘lie flat’ and…
Let him have his way.
Finally, they returned to the hotel laden with large and small bags of luxury goods.
In the evening, dressed splendidly, she accompanied Gao Jing to the World Financial Center.
They met up first with Niu Jinxing and Zhang Ying.
Then, they took the high-speed elevator up to the 77th-floor auction hall of the Jiashang Auction House.
Before the auction officially began, guests mingled in the reception hall outside.
Those invited tonight were all rich or powerful. Many knew each other.
Holding champagne glasses, they exchanged pleasantries. Men and women chatted lightly, smiles on their faces.
It was as if they all wore masks.
This was probably what they called high society.
Gao Jing didn’t know any of these people. Of course, he couldn’t just shamelessly push in to make small talk.
He retreated to a corner, chatting with Niu Jinxing.
Niu Jinxing quietly pointed out a few figures: like a direct descendant of some family, or the chairman of some corporation.
Just then, another group walked in. Instantly, Niu Jinxing’s eyes lit up.
Patting Gao Jing’s shoulder to remind him, Paipai said, “Here comes another big shot.”
Gao Jing followed his gaze.
He saw an elegant and dignified older man, accompanied by a widely famous actress, stepping into the party hall surrounded by a crowd.
Even though Gao Jing rarely followed celebrity gossip, he recognized them.
Ji Yu’s eyes sparkled like stars.
Her idol!
“Niu Jinxing watched in envy. “Half the entertainment industry calls him Dad. Miss Zhou was so lucky to become his goddaughter early on — now she’s an international superstar.”
He lowered his voice, “They say he has chronic back pain… maybe he’s here for the Hundred-Fruit Wine? Oh!”
Fatty Niu’s tone suddenly filled with surprise, “Wang Baoshi is here too.”
Stepping into the hall right after the big shot was an ordinary-looking young man of average height, slightly hunched.
He was even more famous.
The young heir of Mingde Group. Founder of Ruby Fund. The biggest hit account on Weibo with over 70 million followers.
Universally called the Peoples Heartthrob online!
Only lately, he’d been unusually quiet — no posts for months.
Even Weibo had stopped calling him “Hubby.”
His appearance today? Guaranteed to trend if caught on camera.
“His taste though,” Ji Yu whispered to Gao Jing, looking slightly disdainful.
The woman beside Wang Baoshi had a face like every other trending influencer — barely different from his last three girlfriends.
Gao Jing just smiled without commenting.
The appearance of these two influential figures instantly livened the party hall.
People swarmed forward to greet them, revealing every flavor of human nature.
By 7:45, everyone slipped inside.
The auction kicked off at 8.
Gao Jing got settled with Ji Yu, Niu Jinxing, and Zhang Ying in a corner of the auction room.
Brother Fatty Niu looked completely unruffled tonight.
He’d been sent on family duty: if not a soul bid on the Hundred-Fruit Wine, he’d snatch every bottle to support Gao Jing.
Though realistically, that wouldn’t happen.
The Qins might be absent, but their agents were definitely among the crowd.
Qin Jingye had to get the Hundred-Fruit Wine!
Even if Fatty Niu failed to bid successfully, Gao Jing promised him two bottles at the auction’s lowest closing price.
A “thank you” for trying.
So Fatty Niu sat solidly like Mount Tai, calmly waiting for the main attraction.
Immediately at 8 PM, Jiashang Auction House’s autumn auction officially commenced.
First item announced: one bottle of Hundred-Fruit Wine — clay vessel, red sandalwood stopper!
“Esteemed guests, our opening bid tonight: a rare Hundred-Fruit Wine, handmade by the Master,” the auctioneer declared clearly. “Nourishing, soothing, sleep-improving. Jiashang is privileged to offer a very limited batch. Opening price: 100,000 yuan. Minimum bid increment: 10,000 yuan.”
Hearing “handmade by the Master,” Gao Jing almost choked.
Nowadays, anyone could slap a “Master” title on a label and fool customers with packaging.
He once mocked others for it.
Now he wore that same silly label himself!
Ridiculous.
Truthfully, Jiashang Auction House struggled too.
Hundred-Fruit Wine wasn’t like vintage Sprite — hard to hype.
They fumbled together some vague phrases.
At least someone was backing them financially.
After the auctioneer finished, the room went silent for seconds.
Most attendees had never heard of “Hundred-Fruit Wine,” nor was it listed in the catalogue.
Clearly added last-minute.
Very odd.
Felt like a lapse from the prestigious Jiashang.
Many exchanged uneasy glances.
“One million.”
Then a sign shot high, shattering the tension instantly.
The baffled auctioneer perked up: “One million! Bidder 39 offers one million! Any higher bids?”
Jumped to a million already?
That’s a shill!
Suspicion flashed through many minds.
Disappointment too.
Jiashang wasn’t some fly-by-night house.
Playing dirty risked their reputation.
But this doubt vanished as another sign lifted. “Two million.”
The bidder? Miss Zhou, Bidder 7!
A stir rippled through the hall instantly.
Miss Zhou would never work as a plant.
Who could afford her fee?
Meaning the wine truly was special.
People just hadn’t known beforehand.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Tonight kept bending the norms.
Felt distinctly eerie.
“Three million!”