Golden Eye and the Auction Invitation

As soon as the workday ended, Lin Chen practically bolted out of the company on the dot.

He needed to get home immediately and take a good look at the system and his newly inflated wealth in an absolutely safe environment.

Kexiang Technology had closed at 1.28, more than 50% above his purchase price!

The system's prediction had been frighteningly accurate!

I'm rich! I'm really rich! I made nearly forty thousand Hong Kong dollars in one day!

That's faster than robbing a bank! System, I love you!

He returned to his apartment in a state of excitement, locked the door, and summoned the system interface first thing.

On the virtual screen, the [Wealth Panel] clearly displayed his total assets and today's profit. The string of numbers made his heart race.

The [Tasks] section was finally no longer gray, and it now flashed with an enticing light.

"System, have I completed the beginner task? What about the reward?"

He couldn't wait to ask silently.

[Ding—host has completed his first successful investment. Beginner task 'First Display of Talent' completed.]

[Distributing task reward...]

[Congratulations, host has obtained passive skill: Golden Eye (Beginner).]

[Skill description: triggers passively. When the host observes items of considerable value and historical significance, such as artwork, jewelry, and antiques, at close range, there is a low probability of perceiving some of their hidden information.

(Such as age, material, approximate value range, special significance, etc.)

Perception accuracy and information completeness increase with skill proficiency.]

[Current proficiency: 0/100.]

A barely perceptible warm current seemed to flow into his eyes. Lin Chen blinked reflexively, feeling as though his vision had become a little clearer, but there were no exaggerated special effects heralding the activation of a superpower.

Golden Eye? That's it?

Lin Chen was a little dumbfounded. It sounds awesome, but 'low probability,' 'approximate value range'... isn't that description way too vague?

And it triggers passively? I can't even use it on command? What good is this thing? Should I go to Panjiayuan and hunt for bargains?

He had expected something like X-ray vision, or a list of stocks that would hit their daily upper limit tomorrow. This "Golden Eye" sounded a little... less direct.

[System: the host must explore the skill's value for himself.

'Golden Eye' is intended to assist the host with diversified asset allocation and value discovery, and is not limited to financial markets.]

[New task issued: The Auction Trial.]

[Task requirement: successfully assist Yan Qingyue in bidding on and winning an undervalued item at the weekend auction (subject to the system's determination).]

[Task rewards: skill point x1, 100 system points, one mysterious gift pack.]

[Failure penalty: none. (However, it may affect the host's relationship with Yan Qingyue and the triggering of subsequent tasks.)]

At the sight of the new task, Lin Chen slapped his thigh!

The auction! The one Yan Iceberg mentioned this afternoon!

So this trap was waiting for me here! System, you knew all along, didn't you?!

Help her find a bargain? This task... is kind of interesting!

So was this 'Golden Eye' prepared specifically for this task?

He understood the system's intentions in an instant.

Yan Qingyue had suddenly brought him along to an event he knew absolutely nothing about, and the system had immediately provided a corresponding skill and task. That was no coincidence.

Could the system predict Yan Iceberg's actions? Or... could it influence reality?

The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

Lin Chen shook his head and decided not to ponder such profound questions for now.

In any case, as far as he could tell, the system was helping him.

Skill point! Points! Mysterious gift pack!

They sound like good stuff! I have to get them!

But... undervalued? How am I supposed to tell?

Rely on my half-baked 'Golden Eye'? 'Low probability'... can I count on this thing?

What if I don't sense anything when the time comes? Won't I be groping around blind?

Although he had no confidence in his chances, the task rewards made him eager to try.

He immediately turned on his computer and began frantically cramming the basics of antiques, calligraphy, and paintings: the characteristics of different dynasties, schools of famous artists, paper and ink colors, auction-house terminology... Clutching at Buddha's feet at the last minute was better than knowing nothing at all.

The next few days were unusually full for Lin Chen.

By day, he diligently played the role of the president's special assistant, handling all manner of business while carefully avoiding the probing looks Yan Qingyue occasionally cast his way.

He could sense that President Yan seemed to be looking at him more often, and her gaze was growing increasingly deep and difficult to read, making him uneasy.

What does Yan Iceberg want? Is she still suspicious about my stock trading?

Or is she thinking up another way to test me?

He made up his mind to firmly stick to a "three noes policy": no admitting, no explaining, and no bringing up any topics related to stocks or investments himself.

Outside work, he spent all his time cramming knowledge about artwork. He even visited the city's museum and antique market, trying to trigger that damned "Golden Eye," but came away empty-handed.

As far as he could tell, those pots and jars, paintings, calligraphy, and jade pieces were attractive and expensive, but he really couldn't discern anything more.

Meanwhile, he and "Little Moon" chatted more and more frequently.

Yan Qingyue seemed quite happy to talk to him under that identity. Every now and then, she would "complain" about the pressures of work or "ask his advice" on business matters, listening to his insights, which often went straight to the heart of the matter yet had a touch of wild imagination.

Lin Chen also enjoyed their conversations. He could show off his "talent" and feel her reliance and admiration, which greatly satisfied his vanity.

He had even indirectly asked "Little Moon" whether she knew anything about antique auctions. Her reply was "I know a thing or two, but I'm not very well versed," which relieved him a little—at least he wouldn't embarrass himself in front of an expert.

Before long, Friday arrived.

Before the workday ended, Yan Qingyue called Lin Chen into her office and handed him a fine garment bag.

"At ten tomorrow morning, the driver will pick you up. Wear this."

Her tone brooked no argument.

Lin Chen opened the bag and found a dark gray casual suit that looked expensive, in exactly his size.

Whoa! Armani? President Yan sure is generous! Now I'm fully equipped!

Clothes make the man, just as a saddle makes the horse. I can't make President Yan lose face tomorrow, can I!

"Thank you, President Yan! I guarantee I'll complete the task!"

He immediately declared his commitment.

Yan Qingyue watched his eyes light up instantly and saw his excitement, like a country bumpkin visiting the city. A trace of amusement flickered in her eyes, but her face remained cold:

"All right, you can go."

I hope your 'intuition' can really come in handy tomorrow.

She silently added in her heart.

On Saturday morning, Lin Chen changed into the well-tailored suit and looked at his almost respectable reflection in the mirror, feeling rather pleased with himself.

Handsome! Even Buddha needs gold to look the part!

Today I'm President Yan's little treasure-appraisal prince!

The driver picked him up on time and took him to a secluded private club on the outskirts of the city.

The club's surroundings were peaceful and security was tight. Clearly, it was not a place ordinary people could visit.

Yan Qingyue had already arrived. Today she wore a champagne-colored, one-shoulder gown that outlined the perfect curves of her figure. Her long chestnut hair fell in gentle waves, giving her less of her usual sharpness and a little more nobility and elegance.

She was exchanging pleasantries with several middle-aged people whose bearing was exceptional at a glance.

When she saw Lin Chen come in, she nodded slightly, signaling him to come over.

Lin Chen took a deep breath and walked over to Yan Qingyue, trying to look calm and composed.

"And this is?"

A refined-looking middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses gave Lin Chen a curious once-over.

Yan Qingyue smiled calmly and introduced him:

"President Liu, this is my special assistant, Lin Chen. He has some unique insights into artwork, so I brought him along to learn today."

Lin Chen hurriedly put on an appropriate smile. "Hello, President Liu. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Unique insights? President Yan, you really know how to gild my face... I'm freaking out right now, okay?!

After a few pleasantries, the auction was about to begin, and everyone took their seats.

Yan Qingyue and Lin Chen's seats were near the front, in the middle.

After sitting down, Yan Qingyue turned her head slightly and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Our main target today is lot number three, a Ming-dynasty landscape painting by an anonymous artist.

"Elder Zhang urgently needs funds, and Grandpa hopes I can help him secure it, but we need to judge its authenticity and value for ourselves.

"See how things go and give me your opinion."

Her tone was calm, but Lin Chen could hear a hint of gravity that allowed no room for mistakes.

The pressure's as heavy as a mountain! A Ming-dynasty painting right off the bat?

The waters here are way too deep! Big Brother Golden Eye, come through for me!

Lin Chen prayed frantically inside, but on the surface he could only nod solemnly:

"Understood, President Yan."

The auctioneer took the stage, and the auction officially began.

The first two lots were Qing-dynasty porcelain and jade, and bidding was fierce.

Lin Chen stared with his eyes wide open, trying to activate Golden Eye. His eyes grew sore, but not a scrap of extra information appeared in his mind.

Trash skill! Is this a scam?! There's no reaction at all!

Just as he was about to give up, the staff carefully hung up lot number three for display—the landscape painting Yan Qingyue had mentioned.

The painting was old, its paper yellowed, and the landscape evoked a distant, lingering mood, but there seemed to be nothing particularly outstanding about it.

Lin Chen instinctively focused his gaze on it.

At that instant, he felt a slight warmth in his eyes!

The painting in his vision seemed to be covered in an extremely faint, indescribable glimmer. At the same time, a fragment of vague information abruptly flooded into his mind—

[Perception: paper and ink are well matched, ink tones are deep but not heavy, brushwork flows coherently... however, the texturing of the rocks appears somewhat deliberate; suspected later additions... overall character... approximately late Ming to early Qing?

Value... not very high?]

The information was fragmented and full of uncertainty, but Lin Chen's heart gave a violent leap!

It had triggered!

Golden Eye had actually triggered!

But this information... didn't seem very promising!