Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 399 - 396: Auction

Getting a new phone number was pretty straightforward; Lin Wanwan quickly completed the task. Then she switched SIM cards and powered on her phone. The world was finally peaceful—spam calls instantly deleted.

Walking out of the mobile company, she returned to her car and opened WeChat, registered with QQ, to rebind her phone number.

Subsequently, Lin Wanwan posted an updated phone number announcement in the company group chat.

The finance accountant Zhou immediately sent a ’sad mushroom’ emoji—doubling as the admin and finance lady, with the company leader and legal representative changing her phone number, she’d have to run to various departments to update their records, of course she was upset.

Lin Wanwan didn’t expect this—I’d forgotten I’m still a company’s legal representative.

She laughed and sent a small red envelope worth 299 yuan in the group chat, which was snatched instantly.

This bunch of people, even during office hours they’re glued to their phones. Spotting a red envelope, they pounced like hungry wolves, their reaction speed was too fast! Previously she had announced her number change, but only Zhou the accountant, who was directly affected, had responded.

Laughing, she exited the group chat dialogue box and picked a few people she regularly kept in touch with to send her new number.

It was at this moment that Lin Wanwan suddenly realized how small her social circle was in modern times.

Changing the number, there weren’t many people she wanted to notify!

She had already fallen out with Chen Jinyu, no need to send it; university classmates were all out of touch, no need to send it; former colleagues, not even worth mentioning, completely indifferent.

Previously, some neighbors from Yu City had now become mere passersby, the only one somewhat enthusiastic was Gong Mingyu, who since becoming her cousin, she also didn’t feel like contacting anymore; she even returned Yu City’s house later.

Really, such a big world, yet no one she wanted to have heart-to-heart talks with!

If she were to switch WeChat, Lin Wanwan’s social circle would almost vanish instantly.

Whilst feeling sentimental, Lu Shouyue called.

"Wanwan, why did you suddenly change your number?"

"Mm, trending again, too many spam calls, it was annoying."

"Oh, I see. By the way, your jewelry has all been cut and the certificates are ready. When do you have time to come pick them up?"

"I’ll come over right now, Lu Teacher, where are you? Is it at Buzhou Studio?"

"No, I’m at an auction today, you can come over if you have time and take a look around. I’ll send you the location."

"Okay."

Right after hanging up, Lin Wanwan received the location information sent by Lu Shouyue.

Setting her phone to navigation mode, Lin Wanwan released the handbrake, stepped on the gas, and the car instantly merged into traffic.

Today’s auction is primarily for art items, with mostly contemporary paintings and calligraphy.

Generally, entering an auction requires a deposit, but Lin Wanwan was invited by Lu Shouyue, so naturally she could make an exception.

Sitting in her seat, Lin Wanwan looked at the auction item descriptions; there wasn’t anything she particularly liked, and her interest dwindled.

She initially thought Lu Shouyue had put her jewelry in the auction building, excitedly ran over, only to find out he had locked them in his home safe.

Oh well, would have to wait for the auction to finish and then go with Lu Shouyue to his home to pick them up.

With nothing else to do, Lin Wanwan simply stayed to watch the buzz, maybe if she spotted something she liked, she could bid on it.

Right, her house renovations just finished, needing paintings for decoration.

Of course, deep down Lin Wanwan didn’t think she would make a purchase; why not go to Great Tang for paintings?

Then, after closely examining the materials, she suddenly recognized a portrait that looked very familiar, took a closer look, it was surprisingly of Xiao Chong.

Lin Wanwan lightly nudged Lu Shouyue’s arm, leaning over to whisper, "Who painted this portrait?"

Lu Shouyue lowered his head for a glance, instead of answering, he asked, "Wanwan knows the person in the painting?"

Lin Wanwan hesitated before murmuring, "That video of him playing High Mountain and Flowing Water on the Ancient Zither, isn’t that him!"

Lu Shouyue smiled slightly, "I don’t know him, not all the pieces in this batch are collected by me."

"Oh," Lin Wanwan replied, her thoughts wandering.

Previously, Chen Jinyu had abruptly live-streamed, which indeed led to Xiao Chong playing the zither being in the spotlight.

But that was a painting within a painting, how come there’s such a boring artist painting others?

Not asking permission to paint someone, why does it feel so intrusive!

Typically, artists seeking popularity would choose to paint celebrities.

Previously, a male artist painted a semi-nude image of a popular female star, entering it in an exhibition, instantly causing a buzz.

That person was an unknown artist who gained recognition from this controversy.

You want to catch the spotlight, yet Xiao Chong at most was trending last year for a few days, the heat died down quickly. It certainly shouldn’t be him being painted, truly baffled about what the artist was thinking.

The auction proceeded swiftly, Lin Wanwan had already decided that if the competition for Xiao Chong’s portrait wasn’t fierce, she would bid for it.

Finally, forty minutes later, it was auction time for the portrait. The starting price was low, only thirty thousand, somewhat out of place with previous works.

The auction hall filled with sounds of people drinking water and moving around, many taking the opportunity to visit the bathroom.

After Lin Wanwan’s first bid, a socialite followed, Lin Wanwan didn’t hesitate to bid again.

The price reached thirty-four thousand, and this time no one followed, Lin Wanwan thought she might have it. But just as it was about to hammer down, Lu Shouyue unexpectedly raised his bid.

Lin Wanwan looked at Lu Shouyue with surprise, "Lu Teacher, you like this painting too?"

Lu Shouyue glanced and smiled, "Yes."

Lin Wanwan: "..."

Something feels off!

"Well, I won’t be courteous to you, I want it too!" Lin Wanwan chuckled, continuing to bid.

"If I like it, I won’t yield. Are you sure you want to compete with me?" Lu Shouyue bid again, his calm voice hinting at an unwavering determination, his jade-like face under the conference lighting seeming somewhat inexplicable.

Lin Wanwan frowned, pondered for a moment, then eventually chose to give up.

After the auction, Lin Wanwan expressed a desire to meet the artist. With Lu Shouyue just having outbid her for the painting, it seemed he felt a little apologetic and promptly arranged it.

Every artist with work in the auction today was present, so Lin Wanwan’s wish was easily fulfilled.

Soon, Lin Wanwan met a young man with braids and a heavy artistic presence approaching.

"Thank you for liking my painting."

Lin Wanwan shook hands with him, curiosly asking, "It’s well-painted, I really like it. May I ask, do you know the person in the painting?"

The braided young artist shook his head with a smile, "I don’t know him, just saw his video online playing the Ancient Zither, stunningly brilliant. Felt like he was an artwork himself that deserved preservation in a painting, so I painted him."

"Haha, I see," Lin Wanwan chuckled, exchanged pleasantries, then took her leave.

This braided young artist’s painting was actually added last-minute to the auction today, hence its description was standalone.

Initially, after finishing the painting, he posted it on his Weibo, not expecting it to enter the auction. Surprisingly, someone from the auction house later directly messaged him.

What was there to hesitate about, of course, he agreed.