Chapter 166: A Girl Playing the Jade Flute
In the subsequent auction, Xia Yu finally got involved.
He bought two items: one was an exquisite Maitreya Buddha pendant carved from top-quality sheep fat jade, a masterpiece by Ming dynasty jade sculptor Lu Zigang, which cost him 520,000 HKD.
The other item was a painting titled *Phoenix and Flute*, created by Zhang Daqian in 1955. Although Zhang Daqian was still alive and residing in Taiwan, the painting was sold for a high price of 1 million HKD.
Xia Yu felt it was worth it because in later years, this *Phoenix and Flute* painting would rank among the top ten in Zhang Daqian's auctioned works, and once Zhang Daqian passed away, his works' prices would skyrocket. This painting would eventually be worth at least 50-60 million HKD.
The low price at which he got it was due to the early stage of the economic rise in Hong Kong and the fact that Zhang Daqian was still alive. It was well known that the value of an artist's work only skyrockets after their death. With Zhang Daqian still alive and being a prolific painter and master forger, no one dared to inflate the price of his works too high before his death.
Thus, Xia Yu managed to buy the painting for 1 million HKD.
Although 1 million HKD could buy a house in Hong Kong and sell it for 10-20 million later, it was not comparable to the appreciation potential of this painting. Xia Yu felt he made a great bargain.
In the end, the charity auction raised nearly 30 million HKD, making Chen Deliang, the chairman of the Hong Kong Charity Association, unable to hide his joy, repeatedly thanking everyone present.
Next, Xia Yu and the siblings He Youguang and He Chaoping went to collect their respective auction items, paid with credit cards, and signed for them.
Besides He Chaoping purchasing *Phoenix and Lotus Flower*, He Youguang also acquired an ancient famous painting for 1.2 million HKD, which would not lose face for his father, the gambling king.
With their items in hand, Xia Yu, He Youguang, and the two siblings walked out together.
As they arrived at the parking lot, He Youguang glanced at his watch and noted that it was still early.
The moon was high, and it was not very late. He thought for a moment and then called out to Xia Yu, "Xia Sheng, it's still early. May I have the honor to invite you for a coffee? I would like to seek your advice on something."
Upon hearing He Youguang's words, He Chaoping, who had been somewhat distracted, brightened up and looked at Xia Yu with anticipation.
Noticing the expressions on He Youguang and He Chaoping's faces, Xia Yu smiled and said, "It's my honor!"
Seeing Xia Yu agree, both He Youguang and He Chaoping smiled.
"He Sheng, I remember there's a very upscale coffee shop nearby with an elegant environment. Let's go there."
He Youguang suggested.
"Oh? Then I look forward to experiencing it. Please lead the way!"
Xia Yu expressed interest and made a gesture of invitation.
Soon, He Youguang, He Chaoping, and Xia Yu got into their respective cars.
Leading the way was He Youguang's car, followed by Yan Shining. The two cars drove out of the Sotheby's auction house parking lot, one after the other.
Before long, the cars stopped outside a coffee shop with an impressive exterior. After getting out, Xia Yu followed He Youguang and He Chaoping into the café.
As soon as they entered, Xia Yu noticed the exquisite decorations and the soothing piano music playing in the café, which provided a visual and auditory delight, instantly making him feel relaxed.
They found a private room, and the three of them sat down. They each ordered a cup of coffee, which was soon served by the waiter.
Taking a sip of his coffee, Xia Yu praised, "The taste is quite good, and the environment is excellent. He Sheng, you really know how to find a good place!"
Hearing Xia Yu's praise, He Youguang, although knowing there was some flattery involved, couldn't help but feel genuinely pleased.
"Haha, Xia Sheng, I discovered this place by chance. To be honest, this is only my third visit. Fortunately, I didn't disappoint you; otherwise, it would have been awkward."
He Youguang joked, trying to close the distance.
Seeing his brother and Xia Yu chatting, He Chaoping couldn't help but speak up, "Brother, you and Xia Yu keep calling each other 'Mr.' It feels quite awkward."
At He Chaoping's comment, Xia Yu and He Youguang exchanged surprised glances and then both laughed.
"Chaoping is right. We should consider ourselves friends now. Just call me Youguang."
"And Youguang, you can call me Xia Yu."
Xia Yu also smiled.
"Alright, Xia Yu!"
Seeing this, He Chaoping's face lit up with a happy smile.
"Xia Yu..."
Next, He Youguang began to chat with Xia Yu, seeking his advice on various matters.
The questions from He Youguang were not very private, and Xia Yu answered them all, occasionally providing clarifications, making He Youguang nod in agreement.
Meanwhile, He Chaoping quietly drank her coffee, her gaze frequently shifting between Xia Yu and He Youguang.
Since He Youguang was asking questions most of the time, Xia Yu did most of the talking. Therefore, He Chaoping's attention mostly stayed on Xia Yu.
Watching the confident and handsome Xia Yu speak with ease and seemingly know everything, He Chaoping's gaze unknowingly changed.
Unconsciously, their coffee cups were empty. As Xia Yu picked up his cup to take a sip, he realized it was already empty.
He Chaoping quickly noticed this and immediately called the waiter to bring Xia Yu another cup of coffee.
"Thank you!"
Xia Yu smiled at He Chaoping.
"You're welcome." He Chaoping responded with a sweet smile.
At this moment, He Chaoping picked up the painting on the nearby chair and handed it to Xia Yu, saying with some anticipation, "Xia Yu, take a look at my painting."
"Alright!" Xia Yu accepted it with a smile.
Unfortunately, he wasn't wearing gloves, so handling the painting directly might cause some damage.
However, Xia Yu knew it was not appropriate to mention this. He Chaoping, being a young girl, might not understand, and there was no need to spoil the mood, so he decided to go along with it.
Xia Yu carefully unrolled the painting.
He Youguang and He Chaoping also looked over and began to appreciate it.
During the appreciation, Xia Yu frequently expressed his admiration. Many connoisseurs liked to collect antiques and paintings, so Xia Yu had a good level of appreciation.
Listening to Xia Yu's explanations, He Chaoping and He Youguang nodded from time to time, showing expressions of understanding.
"Alright, keep it safe and hang it in a dry, ventilated place at home."
Xia Yu carefully rolled up the painting and handed it back to He Chaoping, smiling as he advised.
"Mm-hmm!"
He Chaoping nodded and opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something but then hesitated.
"What's wrong, Chaoping? Do you want to say something?"
He Youguang asked.
"I... I just wanted to see the things Xia Yu bought."
He Chaoping hesitated and then quickly said.
"Sure, let's all take a look together."
Xia Yu smiled and then took out the *Phoenix and Flute* painting by Zhang Daqian.
"This painting is so beautiful. Who is the woman in the painting?"
He Chaoping asked, pointing at the woman in the colorful painting, while He Youguang also looked curious.
Xia Yu smiled gently and explained, "This painting depicts an ancient folk legend as interpreted by Master Zhang Daqian."
"Legend has it that Qin Mugong's daughter, whose nickname was Nongyu, was not only as beautiful as a flower but also skilled at playing the sheng (a traditional Chinese instrument), her sound as enchanting as a phoenix's cry. One night, Nongyu was playing the sheng in the 'Phoenix Tower', and from afar, there seemed to be a harmonious sound accompanying her, with beautiful echoes like drifting silk. Afterward, Nongyu lost her appetite. Qin Mugong, upon hearing this, sent for a young man named Xiao Shi. Nongyu's illness was cured without treatment. From then on, Nongyu and Xiao Shi played the sheng and flute together every day, harmonizing as a couple. One night, under the bright moonlight, they were playing together when suddenly a dragon and a phoenix flew in response. Xiao Shi rode the red dragon, and Nongyu rode the purple phoenix, and they flew away together into the clouds."
"So the woman in the painting is Nongyu, the daughter of Qin Mugong."
"Wow, I didn't expect there to be such a story behind a painting. How magical. Where did Nongyu and Xiao Shi fly to? They must have been very happy, right?"
He Chaoping looked amazed, her eyes full of longing, as if captivated by the legendary love story of Nongyu and Xiao Shi.
Seeing the stars in He Chaoping's eyes, Xia Yu and He Youguang exchanged a silent smile. Indeed, young girls are always so earnest.
After admiring the painting once more, Xia Yu finally rolled up the *Phoenix and Flute*.