It was now the middle of the day, precisely 12:00 PM.
Cao Baming was not one to be casual about lunch choices. Even though he was alone today, he intended to eat well and find a restaurant he fancied nearby.
When it came to dining experiences, perhaps price wasn't the most important factor. The quality or taste of the food always took precedence.
In his current situation, a fresh experience he hadn't tried before might be the best choice, and he quickly narrowed down his options to a Chinese restaurant that fit this criterion.
On his way there, Cao Baming's mind was still on the afternoon's auction. The starting time was 2:30 PM, and while being late for such events usually didn't matter as no one cared, arriving too late might mean someone would snatch up the most important items.
The most significant item at this auction was undoubtedly the vintage sports car pictured on the cover. It was something Cao Baming deeply desired, and he certainly didn't want anyone to buy it before him. If he had to buy it from someone else later, the price would not just be a little higher, but exponentially so.
Given this, he could only eat quickly and not venture too far, as the afternoon's auction was nearby, only a few kilometers from the car dealership—a five or six-minute drive for the sports car.
After he finished eating, Cao Baming indeed received a reminder text message on his phone.
He had merely asked the owner to register for him earlier, and now messages were coming in one after another, indicating that the organizers were taking him quite seriously.
Perhaps the owner had spoken a word for him behind the scenes, or perhaps for other reasons, but none of that mattered now.
He glanced at the watch on his wrist. The time was already 2:00 PM. Cao Baming sat in his car, hands on the steering wheel, ready to depart at any moment towards his destination.
The speed of this new car might not compare to the previous Lamborghini sports car, as this vehicle wasn't designed for speed in the first place. Its most important feature was comfort, and this was precisely the sensation Cao Baming was experiencing at the moment.
Although the car was brand new and hadn't undergone any special treatments or decorations, just sitting inside felt incredibly comfortable, a stark contrast to his previous experience.
Whether it was the overall cabin design, the choice of materials for the seats, the lighting arrangement, or other factors, everything seemed to have reached an optimal level. The combined effect led to a singular outcome: though he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, he felt perfectly at ease.
This was also the time right after lunch when people tend to feel drowsy, naturally wanting to sleep after eating.
With the added comfort of the car's interior, he decided to lie down for half an hour.
While Cao Baming slept, the auction quietly began. It started punctually at 2:30 PM, with many people already gathered. Most of them were ordinary individuals with average incomes, but there were also wealthy families and genuine business magnates among them.
Some made a grand show of their wealth and status, displaying it on their attire or faces, while others were remarkably discreet, opting for a seat in the back row and dressing plainly, making it difficult for anyone to ascertain their true financial standing.
Under the guidance of the host, the auction commenced, and everyone responded by raising their hands and applauding in unison.
There were a total of ten items to be auctioned that day. The highest bidder would gain ownership of the item, and their bid would be set as the final price.
These rules were no different from any other auction throughout history, offering no surprises. Everyone understood.
Most of the attendees were not participating in such an event for the first time. They had attended before, but those who had actually acquired an item through their own bids at an auction were remarkably few.
After a brief opening speech and a concise explanation of the rules, the host wasted no further time and proceeded to present the first item of the auction.
As anticipated, the first item was not the vintage sports car featured on the cover, but a painting.
Many were not interested in this particular item, as at least half of the people present were there for the vintage sports car, having come well-prepared financially. For them, other items were merely for show or to create a lively atmosphere.
However, it was undeniable that another half of the attendees were there for the other nine items. They approached with the mindset of winning, and although these items might not be as valuable as the final vintage sports car, anything they truly desired was priceless, holding more worth than anything else in the world.
At the host's command, bidding began. The starting price was ten thousand yuan, but those knowledgeable about auctions knew that the starting bid was merely a formality, and the final price could diverge significantly from the initial figure.
Indeed, the very first bid doubled the starting price to twenty thousand yuan.
The bidder, dressed plainly and not appearing wealthy, commanded admiration with his prompt action, confident demeanor, and direct bid, suggesting he was one of those discreetly wealthy individuals hidden among the crowd.
His expression conveyed impatience, as if he wanted to secure the painting in one go and thus doubled the price.
Confidence radiated from his face, but merely two seconds later, another woman beside him raised the bid further.
"Twenty-one thousand yuan!"
Then, others followed suit.
To everyone's surprise, the auction had already reached a minor climax with the very first item. Bids exchanged rapidly, with no significant pauses, driving the price up to thirty-two thousand yuan.