"Others might be giving Mr. Zheng face, what's so strange about that..."
"That's right, let alone a broken rock, even if Mr. Zheng took out a toothpick, he could sell it..."
People in the hall had all sorts of opinions when Zhuang Rui made his bid, but Zhuang Rui couldn't understand them anyway, so he simply ignored them, keeping his eyes fixed on the auctioneer, waiting for him to bring down the gavel and set the price so he could take his treasure and leave.
"Anyone else making an offer for this jadeite rough? As we all know, even a god can't judge the quality of jade by its appearance. Who knows, there might be some good jade inside this stone. Are there any other people willing to make an offer?"
As an auctioneer, he praised the jadeite rough stone, which he considered worthless, but little did he know that as soon as he said that, at least three people in the room wanted to strangle him.
This was something Mr. Zheng gambled away. When the auctioneer said that, it was like slapping the old man in the ear. Isn't that like pointing at a monk and cursing a bald monk? So the old man was blind and didn't realize there was a treasure inside after keeping it for decades?
It was understandable that Zheng Hua and Mr. Zheng were angry. In addition, Zhuang Rui also wanted to punch this guy. If some fool made another offer, wouldn't he have to spend more money? And what if some hothead came out and raised the price to over two million? Wouldn't he have to watch helplessly as the treasure was taken away by someone else?
Fortunately, Zhuang Rui's fears did not come true. The auctioneer seemed to sense the unfriendly gazes from Zheng Hua and the old man. After shouting those words, he slammed the gavel down heavily within seconds. Zhuang Rui's heart, which had been pounding in his chest, finally settled back into his stomach.
"That's not right. This Zhuang Rui is in the jade business in the mainland. He must know how to cut stones. He couldn't possibly not see that this piece of scrap is worthless. Why would he spend money to buy it?"
Zheng Hua had a vague feeling that something was wrong and was trying to analyze the reasons behind Zhuang Rui's behavior. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind: "Could it be that he wants to take this rough stone back to the mainland to show off? To spread the story of his grandfather's gambling failure all over the place?"
"Possibly. If it weren't for the desire to attract attention, why would they spend 50,000 yuan?"
Zheng Hua thought he had found the reason, but just as he was about to signal his friend to bid, the hammer had already struck and Zhuang Rui had paid the money. This made Zheng Hua very frustrated, and he planned to negotiate with Zhuang Rui later to see if he could buy back the rough stone from him at a higher price.
The emcee, Wang, took out a beautifully crafted bag and put the jadeite rough stone, which weighed about five or six kilograms, into it. After Zhuang Rui signed the check, she handed it to him, while saying insincere words of thanks to Mr. Zhuang for his contribution to charity.
Zhuang Rui was feeling quite pleased with himself and didn't pay any attention to what Wang Mingxing was saying. After nodding to the auctioneer, he picked up the bag and prepared to return to Qin Xuanbing's side. He was currently thinking about whether to take the item back to the mainland to unravel it or unravel it in Hong Kong and hand it over to the Qin family for processing. However, this small problem did not affect his happy mood.
"Young man, please wait a moment..."
Just as Zhuang Rui had left the table and was about to walk into the crowd he was with, a loud voice rang out.
"Commander Huang? You called me?"
It seemed like he was the only person walking around in the hall. Zhuang Rui turned around and saw Commander Huang, who was sitting at Sir He's table, standing up and walking towards him. Zhuang Rui was a little confused, as he didn't recognize him.
Chapter 375 Charity Auction (8)
Zhuang Rui carefully examined Commander Huang, who had walked up to him. This man looked to be around forty-eight or forty-nine years old, several years older than Ouyang Lei, though his rank was lower. However, a major general of this age was considered a rising star in the military. It's worth noting that most people are over fifty when they are promoted to the rank of major general.
Commander Huang walked up to Zhuang Rui and asked, "Your name is Zhuang Rui, right?"
"Yes, Commander Huang knows me?"
Zhuang Rui nodded, then looked at the general in front of him with some confusion. From childhood to adulthood, apart from his maternal grandfather's family whom he had only recently recognized, he had never had any contact with the military.
"Could it be someone from my grandfather's side?"
The thought popped into Zhuang Rui's mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He had only known his grandfather for a few months, and this was a family matter. Even if the general in front of him had some connection with his grandfather, it was impossible for him to know him.
Not only Zhuang Rui, but everyone in the hall, including Qin Xuanbing, was confused. How could he know the highest-ranking officer of the Hong Kong Garrison? Qin Xuanbing even walked lightly to Zhuang Rui's side and stood with him.
"Hey, it really is you! I thought it looked like you, but I didn't dare to recognize you. I just called Sister Wan and found out you were in Hong Kong, that's when I realized it was you..."
Commander Huang looked excited and patted Zhuang Rui's shoulder heavily. The sound was so loud that everyone in the room heard it, but it only made them more confused. Who is Sister Wan?
"Commander Huang, do you know my mother?"
Zhuang Rui is now certain that this general is indeed related to his maternal grandfather's family, and even knows his mother, who has been away from the Ouyang family for decades.
"Call me Uncle Huang, I deserve it..."
Commander Huang corrected Zhuang Rui's pronunciation, then suddenly remembered that he had messed up the auction. He quickly said, "Auctioneer, I'm sorry, please continue with the auction. Xiao Rui, let's go talk over there."
He didn't care whether Zhuang Rui agreed or not, and pulled him by the arm to find a quiet corner and walked over.
"Hey, Qin, that's not very friendly of you. This young man clearly knows Commander Huang, yet you say he has no connections in the mainland. I don't need the military for my business, so what's wrong with making friends? Why are you hiding things?"
At this moment, Qin Haoran's old friend came to his senses and couldn't help but complain to Qin Haoran that the conversation between Zhuang Rui and Commander Huang just now clearly indicated that they were old friends. He said that if Zhuang Rui didn't have any background and was just an ordinary citizen, how could he be old friends with a general?
"Mr. Liu, I really don't know. Sigh, Xiao Zhuang has never mentioned it before..."
Qin Haoran, who had been staring wide-eyed in surprise, had just closed his mouth when he heard his old friend say this about him. He quickly offered an explanation, not caring whether others believed him or not, as the matter had a sinister undertone.
"Honey, you've been in a lot of contact with Xiao Zhuang, you know that?"
Judging from Qin Haoran's interactions with Zhuang Rui, this young man was humble and did not have the sense of superiority that comes from the bones of a scion of a prominent family. In theory, his judgment should not be wrong, but the scene in front of him made Qin Haoran a little confused. He turned to Fang Yi beside him and asked.
"I don't know either. I'm afraid even Xiaobing doesn't know. You can tell from the look on her face."
Fang Yi was quite observant. Seeing that her daughter also looked confused, she knew that her daughter didn't know much about Zhuang Rui's family background.
However, Fang Yi's words put their old friend at ease. It turned out that they were about to marry off their daughter and didn't even know the family background of the other party. President Liu silently criticized Qin Haoran and his wife in his heart.
"Commander Huang, may I ask how you know my mother? By the way, we've never met before, how did you recognize me?"
Qin Haoran and his wife were still confused, and Zhuang Rui was also a little puzzled.
"Don't call me Commander Huang, I already told you to call me Uncle Huang. Who said we haven't met? You just don't remember..."
Commander Huang glared at Zhuang Rui, treating him like a junior.
“I just saw you a few days ago, otherwise I probably wouldn’t remember. You and Xiaolei were talking at the gate that day, and I was in the yard. I never expected to see you here just a few days later…”
Commander Huang's next words made Zhuang Rui suddenly realize something. So Commander Huang was one of the generals who came to visit his grandfather on the Mid-Autumn Festival?
It's no wonder Zhuang Rui couldn't remember. There were more than a dozen generals with gold stars on their shoulders standing in the courtyard that day. Besides, they were all wearing military uniforms, so how could Zhuang Rui possibly distinguish them one by one? He only stood at the door for a while before going back to his room.
However, because he was with Ouyang Lei, he was remembered by Commander Huang. Later, after asking Ouyang Lei, he learned that Zhuang Rui was Ouyang Wan's son.
"Uncle Huang, how do you know my mother?"
Zhuang Rui had been holding this question in his mind. Could this person who called Wan-jie so affectionately be the one the old man had arranged a marriage for when they were children? If it were true, that would be awkward. But judging from their ages, it didn't seem like it. Ouyang Wan was at least four or five years older than this General Huang.
"We grew up in the same compound, how could I not recognize you? And you really do look like Sister Wan, back in the day..."
As General Huang recounted his story, Zhuang Rui learned that this Uncle Huang's father was one of his maternal grandfather's old subordinates. They had lived in the same compound since childhood. He was five or six years younger than Ouyang Wan. When he was a kid, he would often ask Ouyang Wan for candy when he was playing around the compound naked. Otherwise, why would he call her "Sister Wan" so affectionately?
General Huang is a straightforward person and doesn't shy away from talking about his childhood. Qin Xuanbing, who was standing next to Zhuang Rui, smiled and said that she wasn't surprised at all that Zhuang Rui's mother came from a large family.
During her visit to Zhuang Rui's home, Qin Xuanbing sensed the magnanimity and refined elegance emanating from Zhuang's mother. Such worldly experience couldn't be cultivated in a humble family. Although Ouyang Wan left Beijing at eighteen or nineteen, there's a saying: "You can tell what a person will be like at three." From a young age, Ouyang Wan was surrounded by high-ranking leaders in the military and party. Coupled with her grandfather's doting affection for his youngest daughter and her attending the best schools in Beijing, it would be strange if she didn't possess a refined demeanor.
"Zhuang Rui, why didn't you tell me about your grandfather's affairs?"
Qin Xuanbing whispered in Zhuang Rui's ear, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction.
"Well, I only found out recently. It's a long story, I'll tell you about it later."
Zhuang Rui didn't want to go into details about his mother's privacy in this setting. Fortunately, Qin Xuanbing was a smart girl, and after hearing Zhuang Rui's explanation, she didn't press him further.
"Alright, you two can talk later. I'll take you to meet Director Wang and the others."
General Huang couldn't help but laugh when he saw Zhuang Rui and Zhuang Rui whispering to each other.
The auction was still ongoing. While Zhuang Rui and his friends were chatting, three or four more items were sold. There were many people present today, and quite a few items were donated.
However, the people in the hall were clearly more interested in the relationship between Zhuang Rui and General Huang. Those who were closer to the corner where they were talking were listening intently. However, these people had been in Hong Kong for a long time and did not understand Mandarin very well. They were now dejectedly vowing to go home and hire a Mandarin teacher.
"Director Wang, let me introduce you. This is Zhuang Rui, the son of a family friend of mine. This is Director Wang from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, and this is Mr. Guo. Sir He, and..."
The group walked to Sir He's table, and General Huang introduced the people present to Zhuang Rui. However, apart from Director Wang, the elderly men simply nodded to Zhuang Rui without standing up. After all, they were old enough to be Zhuang Rui's grandfathers, so how could they possibly get up to greet this little kid?
"Xiao Zhuang is my father's former superior, the grandson of General Ouyang. I only met him a few days ago when I visited the old man..."
After introducing Zhuang Rui, General Huang intentionally or unintentionally pointed out Zhuang Rui's background, which made the old men restless.
"General Ouyang?"
Upon hearing this, Old Guo was the first to stand up. He walked shakily to Zhuang Rui, grasped Zhuang Rui's hand with his somewhat withered one, and said, "How is the old general's health? I visited him two years ago. Alas, several years have passed in the blink of an eye. Young man, please give my regards to the old general when you go back..."
When Mr. Guo stood up, it startled those who had been watching them. After hearing what Mr. Guo said, they were all stunned, their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time.
Guo Lao's status is immense. Whether in terms of age, wealth, or seniority, he is one of the most prominent figures in Hong Kong. Even when he goes to the mainland, he is received by leaders. Nowadays, people always talk about the old general, but when he says "old," it carries a completely different meaning.
"Grandpa is in good health, which has made Mr. Guo worry..."
Zhuang Rui responded very politely.
Who is General Ouyang?
Does anyone know?
"Could it be General Ouyang, the one who led his troops to kill the famous Japanese general during the War of Resistance against Japan?"
Various questions arose in the room. At this moment, their curiosity about Zhuang Rui's background had been amplified to an infinite degree. Even the auction could not continue, and everyone was discussing it. However, there were also people who were well-versed in Chinese history who immediately guessed that it was Ouyang Gang.
It should be noted that Ouyang Gang's reputation was not just for show; it was earned through numerous famous battles. Even the eighteen brave warriors who crossed the Dadu River were all his troops.
Chapter 376 Invitation
Although the hall was not small, news spread much faster between people. In just a few minutes, almost everyone in the hall knew that Zhuang Rui's maternal grandfather was General Ouyang. At this point, the way people looked at him became much more complicated.
Since Hong Kong's return to China in 1997, exchanges between the two places have increased many times over compared to before 1997. Almost all Hong Kong families have extended their business reach to various provinces in mainland China. Due to the large population and vast territory of mainland China, they have reaped substantial returns from these exchanges and have also gained a deeper understanding of the social structure of mainland China.
Unlike Hong Kong, the mainland places great emphasis on personal relationships in everything you do. Sometimes, even offering monetary incentives isn't as effective as a simple phone call from someone else. Of course, the person making the call must be influential, such as a government official.
Having money is not as good as having power. This is the most important lesson that Hong Kong people have learned from doing business in mainland China. With this premise, everyone naturally wants to associate with some powerful figures in mainland China. However, they are large and powerful, and their vision is also high. They only set their sights on a few people, and the Ouyang family is naturally among them.
Putting aside everything else, if Ouyang Jun were to come to Hong Kong, half of the younger generation would definitely come to greet him. For example, Young Master Zheng and Ouyang Jun have a good relationship, which is also why Young Master Zheng deliberately tries to befriend him.
However, Zheng Hua was already regretting it. He had already struck up a conversation with Zhuang Rui, so why did he ignore the others? He had let such a good opportunity slip by. You know, a few years ago, Young Master Zheng had put in a lot of effort to get in touch with Ouyang Jun.
Young Master Zheng is now wondering if he should invite Zhuang Rui on a sea trip tomorrow to make up for his rudeness earlier. Actually, he wasn't really rude; it's just that he had that feeling after learning Zhuang Rui's identity.
As for Young Master Niu beside Zheng Hua, he had a different thought. His family's business had little connection with the mainland, and even though he had just suffered a loss for Zhuang Rui, Young Master Niu didn't take it to heart. It was just a matter of three to five million.
“Honey, it’s been a long time since we’ve been to the mainland, hasn’t it? How about we go to Beijing with Xiao Zhuang in a few days? We can also meet your mother and see the house Xiao Zhuang mentioned.”
Fang Yi's words made Qin Haoran both amused and exasperated. Her pragmatism was a bit too much. They had just attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a branch in Xi'an last month, but in his wife's words, it sounded like they hadn't been there in ages. Nevertheless, Qin Haoran nodded and said, "Okay, let's discuss it with our daughter first, and then see what Xiao Zhuang thinks..."
As the current head of Qin's Jewelry, Qin Haoran understood that, regardless of Zhuang Rui's background, his position as a director of the Jade Association could also help his family's jewelry company. Nowadays, not only has the price of jadeite skyrocketed, but the market price of nephrite is also rising steadily, and raw materials are in short supply.
"Uncle Zhou, Mr. Guo, Sir He, please continue your conversation. I'll go over there and say hello to my friends..."
Zhuang Rui was the youngest in terms of seniority at the table. Although others were giving face to his maternal grandfather, he still felt a bit uneasy. Seeing Bai Meng'an waving at him from afar, he quickly apologized to the elders and left the table with Qin Xuanbing.
The auction continued, and after Zhuang Rui's identity was revealed, people were somewhat shocked, but they quickly came to terms with it. Not to mention those old guys, most of the middle-aged people, including Qin Haoran, had been received by the current top leader, so they weren't that thin-skinned.
As Zhuang Rui and Qin Xuanbing walked towards Bai Meng'an, passersby raised their glasses to Zhuang Rui. This was a completely different feeling from when they first entered and were ignored. Zhuang Rui couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The status a person is born into, while not determining their ultimate achievements, will definitely bring them many advantages.
If you have money but don't have a background like your grandfather, you'll probably only be seen as a country bumpkin from the mainland. To gain their respect, there are only two ways: either you have more money than them, or you have the same social status as them.