Chapter 149

Chapter 149

Two hundred million!

Everyone's jaws dropped in utter shock.

Are we already bidding directly in units of hundreds of millions?

This is simply insane!

Bids came flying from all around, and the price of the masterpiece "Peerless Beauty" soared steadily upward. In the end, someone even offered to mortgage an entire company just to secure the painting.

Madness, absolute madness!

The enthusiasm of the entire crowd reached a fever pitch.

Just then, the auctioneer spoke with an apologetic smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am terribly sorry, but this painting is for exhibition purposes only. It is not up for auction."

"What?!"

The news hit like a bolt from the blue, shattering the hearts of every single bidder.

Such a divine masterpiece, and they aren't selling it?

You show it to us, but you won't let us buy it?

This is pure torture!

"Why?!"

"That is hardly fair! This is sheer torture!"

"Showing it without letting us touch it is practically flirting with cruelty!"

Voices of discontent rose from the crowd, and a few people even slammed their bidding paddles down in frustration.

Seeing that the situation was spinning out of control, the auctioneer quickly revealed the truth.

"Everyone, it is not that we do not wish to auction it. We certainly do! With a masterpiece of such astronomical value, our auction house would make a small fortune just from the commission."

At this, the auctioneer let out a helpless sigh.

"However, Master Yunfeng gave strict instructions: this painting will not be auctioned. Instead, it will be presented as a gift to a fair lady present here today."

Upon hearing that the painting would not be auctioned, the crowd lost all hope. Their eyes flickered like a candle in the wind, a light in the rain, growing dim and unsteady.

However, when they heard that the painting was to be given away as a gift, the flames in their eyes reignited instantly.

Given away as a gift?

Could there really be such a stroke of good fortune?

Who on earth would be the lucky one?

People began to murmur and speculate among themselves.

At that moment, the auctioneer's gaze shifted toward where Tang Shihan was seated.

Tang Shihan’s body trembled slightly, her heart hammering against her ribs.

A premonition washed over her—a premonition so audacious she had scarcely dared to dream it.

"Miss Tang, please come up to the stage."

"What?!"

Tang Shihan felt as though her heart might burst.

Could it really be me?

Did Master Yunfeng actually choose me?

Amidst the astonished and envious gazes of the crowd, Tang Shihan slowly walked up the steps toward the stage.

As Tang Shihan stood before the painting, realization dawned on everyone present.

Isn't this the very woman depicted in the artwork?

So this was meant for this stunning beauty all along!

Could this be a love letter of sorts from Master Yunfeng to Tang Shihan?

Is this the unique romance exclusive to a master artist?

The crowd looked at Tang Shihan in sheer disbelief.

Tang Shihan looked back at the auctioneer with equal disbelief.

"Miss Tang, please accept this 'Peerless Beauty'. Master Yunfeng said that a masterpiece belongs with a beauty, a match made in heaven."

In a daze of astonishment, Tang Shihan listened to the auctioneer's words and gently reached out to take the painting.

Silence.

Dead silence filled the entire venue.

It grew so quiet that the heartbeat of every single person could be distinctly heard.

Following that brief, breathless silence, thunderous applause erupted like a tidal wave crashing against the shore.

All eyes turned to Tang Shihan, filled with a mixture of profound envy and deep respect.

The envy was natural, as she had not only acquired a divine masterpiece by Master Yunfeng but had also won the favor and admiration of the reclusive artist.

As for the respect—Master Yunfeng was an idol to everyone in the room, and someone capable of inspiring a personal portrait by the master was undeniably extraordinary.

Thus, by extension, they held Tang Shihan in the highest regard.