Lai Jingye stood up and said with a smiling reminder, "Patriarch Ji, this birthday banquet was originally meant to include an auction. In my opinion, why not auction off this piece of calligraphy now? It would make for a fantastic opening act for the rest of the auction! As for the piece itself, it should naturally go to the highest bidder; that is the fairest way, and it won't damage the harmony among everyone present."
Ji Wuli feigned hesitation. "But I don't covet everyone's money. Wouldn't doing this be inappropriate?"
Lai Jingye quickly interjected, "How could it be inappropriate? Your calligraphy is worth a thousand pieces of gold, and everyone here is spending their money of their own free will. It is perfectly appropriate!"
Chapter 20