Solving cases with Detective Conan's science? No, I'm a cultivator!

As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, the red cloth used to cover the painting was removed.

"It's actually this painting, 'Sunflowers'?!"

"Wasn't it burned down in the war?"

As "Sunflower" was revealed, the auctioneers and reporters in the audience gasped in surprise.

Compared to the other unsuspecting auctioneers, Jirokichi Suzuki, who had received advance notice, was much calmer.

He was determined to get this painting!

"Distinguished guests, please be quiet! I will now introduce this painting to you in detail."

Van Gogh created seven versions of "Sunflowers" while living in France, and the one being auctioned is the second of them.

This painting had long been believed to have been destroyed in the war in Ashiya, Japan, but a similar one reappeared last year. After examination by numerous experts, it was confirmed to be an authentic work!

After introducing the painting, the auctioneer announced the starting price:

"Distinguished guests, the painting 'Sunflowers' by the great artist Vincent van Gogh will have a starting bid of ten million US dollars!"

The auction officially began, and someone immediately placed a bid.

"Someone just made a phone offer of 20 million... and an online offer of 20.5 million..."

The auctioneer kept announcing new bids, and a series of zeros kept refreshing on the big screen.

"Fifty million!"

One auctioneer raised the bid by 30 million, attracting considerable attention.

"Uncle Jirokichi, when should we make our move?"

Sonoko asked in a low voice to Jirokichi Suzuki who was standing next to her.

Jirokichi Suzuki stood with his hands behind his back, as steady as a mountain: "No rush, let them have their fun first."

Just then, a clear and melodious female voice rang out.

"One hundred million dollars!"

People all looked towards the high platform behind them.

Who is this little girl?

"I've never seen this before!"

A beautiful woman with short, curly brown hair calmly held up her number sign, meeting the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd.

A tall man in black was standing next to him.

"Tch!" Suzuki Jirokichi withdrew his gaze and muttered, "Why is that little girl from the Ooka family here too!"

Sonoko covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Ooka autumn leaves!"

Kitagawa Taki recognized her too, but he didn't know much about Ooka Momiji, only that such a person existed.

It looks quite turbulent.

It's rare to have so much capital at this age.

"You know Sonoko?" Kitagawa Taki asked.

Sonoko whispered, "Ooka Momiji, the eldest daughter of the Ooka family. We've known each other since we were little, but we haven't been in touch much."

Seeing that Sonoko looked a little awkward, Kitagawa Taki asked, "You two don't get along?"

Sonoko explained, "It's not that we don't get along, it's just that people from Kyoto, you know, I don't really like that way of communicating."

Kitagawa Taki understood; he had heard that people from Kyoto spoke in a roundabout and sarcastic manner.

For example, when someone is talking incessantly, people in Kyoto usually say, "Your watch is really nice," which actually means, "Look at the time."

It's normal that someone as outgoing and straightforward as Sonoko wouldn't like this kind of interaction.

"I'll offer two hundred million dollars!"

Jirokichi Suzuki, who had initially said he wasn't in a hurry, couldn't hold back any longer after Momiji Ooka made his offer.

The gardener quickly raised a sign.

The bid increase of a full 100 million caused the entire audience to erupt in cheers once again!

"Guest number 705 has bid two hundred million dollars!!" the auctioneer shouted hoarsely. "And there's a higher bid..."

Before the words were even finished, Ooka Momiji bid again: "Three hundred million!"

"Guest number 12, three hundred million! Three hundred million US dollars!!" The auctioneer slammed the gavel.

Suzuki Jirokichi stood up abruptly, slammed his hand on the table, and declared, "I'll offer five hundred million!"

"Huh??"

Even Sonoko was a little dizzy now.

Kitagawa Taki helped hold up the sign.

All I can say is that Jirokichi Suzuki is incredibly extravagant.

This is not Japanese yen.

"Five, five hundred million!!"

The announcement of 500 million caused an uproar in the audience.

This is already a serious overpricing!

"Five hundred million once, five hundred million twice... five hundred million US dollars sold!"

The auctioneer surveyed the room and brought down the gavel, securing the final price of $500 million.

Jirokichi Suzuki certainly garnered a lot of attention.

……

The auction has ended, and preparations for the press conference are underway.

Kitagawa Taki and the other two waited inside.

Ooka Momiji walked over with her butler and bodyguard, Iori Muga.

Iori Muga stood silently a few steps away from her.

"Uncle Jirokichi, Sonoko, it's been a long time!"

Ooka Momiji greeted the two politely.

Suzuki Jirokichi laughed heartily: "Little girl from the Ooka family, it seems your old man didn't give you enough money this time."

He and the old men of the Ooka family had never gotten along well.

Ooka Momiji smiled slightly and said, "If I had known that Uncle Jirokichi was also here, I wouldn't have bid."

Sonoko's lips twitched; she refused to believe that Ooka Momiji hadn't seen their bid.

Jirokichi Suzuki didn't care at all and waved his hand, saying, "You young people chat, I'll go check on how the press conference preparations are going."

After saying that, he left with several bodyguards.

Ooka Momiji looked at Kitagawa Taki and said, "Sonoko, aren't you going to introduce her?"

Sonoko took Kitagawa Taki's hand and said with a smile, "Kitagawa Taki, my boyfriend!"

Ooka Momiji's eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised. She looked at Sonoko and Kitagawa Taki, then said, "Mr. Kitagawa doesn't look like a student."

Kitagawa Taki raised an eyebrow. He had seen it all. Was Ooka Momiji implying that he was old?

He replied with a smile, "Ms. Ooka doesn't look young either."

Ooka Momiji's face twitched. Although this was something she was quite proud of, this was the first time someone had teased her to her face.

She glanced at Sonoko defiantly and puffed out her chest, saying, "I am indeed a bit older than Sonoko."

Yuanzi looked down.

hateful!

This...this is indeed inferior.

Just then, one of Suzuki Jirokichi's bodyguards returned. He walked to Sonoko's side and whispered, "Ms. Sonoko, the press conference is about to begin. It's time to go on stage!"

Sonoko looked at Kitagawa Taki: "Taki, I'll go ahead first!"

Kitagawa Taki nodded.

Sonoko left with the bodyguard.

Ooka Momiji withdrew her gaze and said, "Mr. Kitagawa, I know you."

Kitagawa Taki frowned slightly; Ooka Momiji had just been pretending not to recognize him.

As if sensing Kitagawa Taki's thoughts, Ooka Momiji smiled and said, "I just want to know how Sonoko will introduce you."

This is what it means to speak frankly!

Chapter 366 Qianying, where is your son?

"Shall we go take a look together?"

Ooka Momiji looked in the direction of the press conference and asked Kitagawa Taki.

Kitagawa Taki didn't refuse; he was going to go see it anyway.

The two walked to the press conference venue and stood on the left.

Iori Muga silently followed behind the two.

Jirokichi Suzuki is speaking on stage.

"I am very honored to have been able to purchase this work for the highest price ever paid in the history of painting. I bought it to hold a sunflower painting exhibition in Japan!"

After he finished speaking, he looked at the garden to the side.

Sonoko stepped forward and introduced, "Our Suzuki Foundation is planning to gather all of Van Gogh's works—Sunflowers in Vases—that are scattered around the world."

We are pleased to announce that the Suzuki Foundation will be holding a sunflower exhibition at its Raycow Museum!