The things present were rare pieces of land, antiques, gemstones, pieces of jewelry, just a variety of everything.
Then—
"Everyone, this is Item Number 20: Limited-Edition Art Piece by our famed artist, Ruyi."
The lights dimmed slightly as a spotlight bathed the next item in warm light. It was a striking oil painting, alive with color—blossoms breaking through a bleak gray background, like hope emerging from ruin. Its title read: Hope in Bloom.
A soft stir went through the crowd. Whispers gasps.
"Wait, that's Ruyi's painting!"
"Oh my god, Ruyi! It's been two years since we last saw any of her work!"
"She's so elusive. Her pieces always vanish into private collections!"
"Damn! I get to see one of the masterpieces tonight!"
Yes, most of her paintings are sold in the art gallery, but only a few always manage to get an invite and get to see them or buy them. Not only were the paintings exotic, but they were super expensive to get hold of, and due to their demand, they always fetched a high price.
'Hope in Bloom!' The name alone commanded reverence. Ruyi—the mysterious artist whose works were few but priceless sat there still and unfazed.
The crowd buzzed with excitement, unaware that the woman behind the painting was right there amongst them, calm and composed, her identity guarded like a precious secret.
Sitting quietly, Lu Wan Ruyi glanced at the painting with unreadable eyes; this was one of her evolved masterpieces. She never needed them to know it was her who was the artist. Her art was her voice—raw, personal, honest.
But she hadn't expected people to react like this! Yes, her paintings were marvelous but not that perfectly fine, right?
"Her art has evolved, this is a masterpiece! Look at those strokes and contrasts."
"Just see how harmonious those diverse colors integrate into each other and blend together."
People couldn't stop talking about it.
Beside her, her son leaned in, eyes wide open with admiration and fierce pride. You could see those warm and beautiful eyes looking at his mother like she was the universe.
"Mommy, you can buy anything you want," he whispered intimately, "Don't spare anything! If it's about money, we have more than enough."
She smiled gently and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. "Silly. We don't buy what already belongs to us. I haven't seen anything I can spend money on."
"Oh, momma... I will show you how to spend money!" Lu Zi Zhen jokingly whispered as he gazed at the emcee and then at the screen.
Lu Wan Ruyi softly chuckled, the delicate sound cutting through the soft murmurs of the auction hall like a bell. "Enlighten me then, my little tycoon. What do you suggest we waste our fortune on today?"
Even without the Lu money, she had her own money, from the painting she had auctioned last time. Apart from that, Lu Wan Ruyi always deposited money into her account, even though she hadn't checked the balance, she knew she had enough money.
Her son smirked, leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What do you say, momma?" He aligned her hair that had fallen to the side back to her shoulders.
"Don't drag your momma into your naughtiness!" Lu Zhi Hao glared at him. This boy! He would go against all norms when it came to his mother.
"Geez! Daddy, she is your wife but she still is my mom! Momma, what do you say? Mnnh? Or do you want this auction hall plus the hotel? I don't mind stealing it from Dad and giving it to you."