The Auction officially began.
This was a high-profile auction focused on rare cultural artifacts and exquisite antiques—the very reason Jin had insisted on attending.
The first item up for bid was a delicate Gilded Silk Fan. As it was carried onto the stage, Jin and Elsa's hearts began to race.
The fan was crafted from the finest golden silk, its surface adorned with a lifelike depiction of a dancer mid-motion. Every fold and detail shimmered under the lights, a true masterpiece.
Jin leaned slightly toward Jason Carter's ear, her voice low and filled with excitement. "This is a Gilded Silk Fan, crafted using a weaving technique originating in mid-19th-century Europe. The threads are finer than a spider's web, incredibly soft, almost like satin."
She continued, her words practically trembling with passion: "It's made from one-year-old mulberry silk, carefully processed to produce sheer, transparent threads. Over four thousand threads, each only 0.01–0.02 millimeters thick, are meticulously woven, layered, and embroidered to replicate classical artwork. The surface appears as smooth as satin, capturing every subtle nuance of the design."
"The materials, craftsmanship, and artistry of this fan make it an unparalleled treasure. When first gifted to royalty, it captivated them completely."
"This particular piece," Jin added, "was handcrafted by a modern master continuing this centuries-old technique. Its value easily exceeds a hundred thousand dollars."
Her enthusiasm was obvious—like a true collector spotting a rare gem.
Jason simply nodded with a faint smile, and Olivia, his assistant, understood immediately.
As the auction began, Olivia placed bid after bid for him. When the price exceeded $200,000, Jin and Elsa began to sweat nervously. Strictly speaking, it wasn't their concern, but acting as Jason's guides, they felt invested in the outcome.
Yet Jason remained calm, his expression serene, as if the figures displayed on the auction board were meaningless. Olivia continued bidding with ease, eventually securing the fan for $280,000. Jason's demeanor suggested he hadn't spent more than pocket change, while Jin and Elsa practically jumped in delight.
The next lot was a luxurious double-sided embroidered screen. At first glance, it seemed a standard piece of art; closer inspection revealed it was Exquisite Dual Embroidery, a nearly lost technique from Europe.
The front depicted a woman in flowing sheer garments, and the back revealed another perspective of the same figure, each stitch so precise it created a three-dimensional effect that appeared almost alive.
Elsa could hardly contain her excitement, shaking Jin's arm. Jin, breathless with anticipation, whispered to Jason, "This embroidery uses a technique where two artisans simultaneously work on opposite sides of ultra-thin fabric, each creating completely different patterns. The threads are split to near invisibility, and the precision required is extraordinary."
"Normally," Jin continued, "a fan-sized piece costs over $300,000. This full screen, double-sided, three-dimensional, could easily reach close to a million. Only one or two artisans in the world can execute it."
Jason only nodded slightly, signaling Olivia, who understood perfectly. With effortless precision, she outbid everyone else, securing it for $2.48 million. Jin and Elsa's palms nearly sweated through their gloves, their excitement nearly uncontrollable.
From there, the auction continued with even more breathtaking items.
Ancient inkstones, valued more than gold for their rare mineral composition. Stamps made from them wouldn't smudge or fade for centuries.
porcelain figurines, delicate as lace yet solid as marble, with hair strands, folds of clothing, and textures so realistic they seemed alive.
perforated vases, filled with holes yet able to hold water flawlessly, a testament to lost craftsmanship.
Olivia bid on each piece with ease for Jason, and out of ten items, nine became his effortlessly.
Jin and Elsa were completely stunned. These were treasures most collectors would only dream of owning. To see them acquired so casually by Jason made it seem as if he were shopping at a boutique instead of a top-tier auction.
Jin couldn't help imagining the sheer joy of living surrounded by such beauty:A home adorned with exquisite porcelain, gilded fans, embroidered screens; sipping tea from perfect vases, dressed in luxurious fabrics, every corner a masterpiece.
All this was impossible on her own—but with the man beside her, it seemed instantly attainable. And he wasn't an old, stuffy collector—he was young, handsome, and effortlessly tasteful.
Jin's heart raced uncontrollably. Favorability +10.
She scolded herself internally: Wait, Jin, focus. You barely know him. Stop daydreaming. How ridiculous. But… does he have a girlfriend?
"Jin, stop staring! Get your head back in the game," Elsa teased, leaning close to whisper.
Caught peeking at Jason, Jin's face immediately flushed crimson. She felt both embarrassed and oddly exhilarated, her blush highlighting her porcelain-like skin and delicate features—making her even more captivating to anyone who might look her way.
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