Madame is Pretending to be an Academic Slacker Again!

Chapter 497: Chapter 497: Master Xin Mischievous, Ruthlessly Abuses the White Lotus Heiress [2]

”Wow, the auction house really knows how to do business. They’re putting this cover up for auction when the novel is at its hottest?”

”You should say the publishing house knows how to do business, right? The cover rights belong to the publisher.”

”Are you kidding? Even if it’s not now, any peripheral product from Xinghe’s books will fetch a fortune at auction anytime, okay? You can’t even buy a signed book by Xinghe for millions.”

”Exactly, exactly. And according to rumors, the cover of Xinghe’s book has words written by Master Mu Yun. Master Mu Yun, the descendant of ancient script writing, his calligraphy is super valuable too!”

”So, regardless of whether the words are written by Xinghe or Master Mu Yun, they’re valuable, right?”

”You’re absolutely right!”

The discussions in the audience were incessant.

Sitting in the seventh row, Jun Ruyi heard every word.

Today, she came on behalf of her father to select a birthday gift for Mrs. Nalan.

She pondered secretly, having heard that Mrs. Nalan particularly liked sci-fi novels, and according to reliable information, especially liked works by the author Xinghe.

Last time, Qin Xin somehow managed to get Secretary Lu seven signed books by Xinghe in one go, and she couldn’t even buy a regular edition, losing miserably to Qin Xin.

This time, she absolutely cannot fall behind!

What are signed books worth?

She was determined to buy the cover art by Xinghe.

Hanging it in Mrs. Nalan’s study, how prestigious would that be?

Thinking of this, Jun Ruyi immediately raised her paddle first: ”I’ll take it!”

The bidding for this piece started at 50,000, which wasn’t expensive.

Of course, this was primarily because it wasn’t signed. Though everyone speculated it was written by either Master Mu Yun or Xinghe personally, without a signature there’s no conclusion, so 50,000 could be considered a very fair price, and Jun Ruyi had no hesitation.

The auctioneer happily banged the gavel: ”50,000, once.”

According to the rules of the auction house, if called three times without a bid, the sale would be final.

At this moment.

Qin Xin looked at the piece displayed at the scene, frowned, and sent a message: ”Why wasn’t I informed you were auctioning my cover? And more importantly, what’s the meaning of auctioning a fake?”

While looking through the auction catalog earlier, she had already noticed that the piece was a fake.

Could she not recognize the calligraphy given to her by Master Mu Yun?

Seeing the auction piece exhibited before her, she could confirm this even more.

This was not the original work by Master Mu Yun.

Just a clumsy imitation.

Not even daring to be signed.

So, she unceremoniously sent a message to the publisher’s president.

The publisher’s president replied quickly: ”Ms. Xinghe, I’ve been wronged. How would I dare auction your works without your consent?”

”Your cover has long been beautifully mounted and treasured in our archives. The one auctioned today is definitely a fake! It’s fake!”

”I am right at the auction site, just about to argue with their manager! Hold on for a moment; I’m about to scold them to death—they dare use some third-rate item to pretend to be your cover calligraphy to gain attention...”

The publisher’s president, who can be said to have a strong survival instinct.

Unexpectedly.

Qin Xin, after hearing his explanation, suddenly stopped him: ”Wait a moment.”

She noticed the woman in the seventh row on the first floor who first raised her paddle to bid on that piece.

Jun Ruyi.

Jun Ruyi actually wants to bid on Xinghe’s words?

Qin Xin obviously wouldn’t believe that Jun Ruyi is a fan of Xinghe.

That Jun Ruyi was in such a hurry to bid on this piece, she must be planning to gift it to someone, right?

Thinking of Secretary Lu’s liking for Xinghe’s signed books before... Qin Xin squinted her eyes, then sent a new message to the publisher’s president—