The highlight of the dinner party finally began.

In reality, not everyone gets a chance to participate in the auction. After all, there are fifty guests and nearly a hundred couples, and the auction would be over by dawn. The Insider actually selected only a small portion of the participants.

"The first person to come up for auction is Ms. Zhao Jiening," announced CCTV's top anchor, Ping Lan.

Zhao Jiening lifted her skirt, greeted the people at her table, and then gracefully walked to the center of the stage.

According to the organizer's rules, the auctioneer first introduces the item and emphasizes its value, then other guests bid, and the highest bidder wins.

Zhao Jiening bowed, took the microphone from the host, and then took a thumb ring off her thumb. A gasp of surprise erupted from the audience. In the past, the auction items weren't necessarily expensive; the sentiment was enough. But Ms. Zhao's opening move set a high bar, so the rest couldn't be too shabby.

Zhao Jiening held it up under the light. "As you can see, this is a Hetian jade thumb ring. It has a delicate texture and feels warm to the touch. When you tap it, you will hear a crisp sound. What's remarkable is that the grain size is extremely large."

The larger the grain size of Hetian jade, the higher the price. Those in the know will understand this.

"My starting bid is five thousand. Each bid increment is one thousand."

This price is quite reasonable. That's something the little princess of a financial family carries around casually; how could it be cheap?

"Six thousand."

"Seven thousand."

"Ten thousand." This price was quoted by Zhao Jiequn, as a friendly gesture of support for his sister.

After chewing on a black truffle, Xue Qiandai laughed and said, "Why go through all this trouble, little sister, to auction it off and then brother to win it back?"

Zhao Jiequn leaned back in his chair, speaking in a grand and dignified manner, "Of course, for charity."

Oh, half of the proceeds from the auction go to the auctioneer, and the other half is donated to charity.

"Twelve thousand." That was Huo Yunchao's offer. He turned to Zhao Jiequn and said, "I also support charity."

Xue Qiandai's eyes lit up; she thought her beauty Huo looked incredibly cool when she held up the sign.

Zhao Jiequn inexplicably smelled a sour scent.

However, this price was quickly overshadowed, and it was eventually won by a rich second-generation heir for 39,000.

Next, several more socialites were photographed, and then it was Hua Se's turn. She removed her earrings before going on stage. The silk scarf she had prepared seemed too cheap compared to the previous items and was not presentable.

"This is a pair of Van Cleef & Arpels 'Spring Celebration' earrings. The Maison has refined its extraordinary creativity into dazzling jewelry, with flowers blooming and trembling as if gently swaying in a breeze, paying homage to the ever-renewing nature. The starting bid is 12,000."

This price is close to one-third of the original price, which is also exactly the price Huo Yunchao bid for. Hua Se smiled at Xue Qiandai from afar.

"Thirteen thousand," quoted a rich second-generation.

Strangely, after this round of bidding, no one else made a bid. Fasse was sweating, quite embarrassed.

Hammers rise and fall.

"13,000 per time."

"13,000 twice."

"make a deal."

Hua Se couldn't understand. This was Van Cleef & Arpels, a top French jewelry brand always favored by celebrities and socialites. Why was this happening?

She stood there in a daze until the host gently reminded her that it was time to leave the stage, at which point she came to her senses. But she didn't move. Instead, she put the microphone to her lips and continued, "On my way here today, I kept thinking, what is charity? My answer is helping those who truly need help, and there is one such person among us, who is also a good friend of mine."

"Who?" Whispers rippled through the guest seats; some had already guessed the rest of the question. Xu Na squinted. So this was the kind of relationship the legendary best friends had? Backstabbing each other?

Huo Yunchao found Xue Qiandai's hand under the table and held it tightly. The girl's hand was a little damp, probably from nervousness or embarrassment; she must still mind, right?

Xue Qiandai looked at him, her eyes shining, and she smiled silently.

Jin Heng cracked his knuckles, making a crisp sound. His attention returned to Xue Qiandai.

The Zhao siblings silently observed Xue Qiandai's reaction.

“I think everyone saw the trending topics this morning, and I’m proud of my friend’s courage. Therefore, I’m taking the liberty of asking the organizers to reserve the next three auction opportunities for my good friend Xue Qiandai, and all the proceeds will go to her. This is true charity.”

Below the stage, there was a dreamlike silence. Someone's spoon knocked over a bone china bowl, and he looked around in alarm, only to relax when he found no one paying attention to him.

The founder of The Insider walked onto the stage and said, "I agree with Ms. Hua's suggestion. Next, please welcome Ms. Xue."

Xue Qiandai whispered a few words in Huo Yunchao's ear, picked up her perfume and lipstick, smiled confidently, and walked onto the stage.

People watched with mixed feelings as this former top socialite of the capital city quietly observed.

Huo Yunchao's heart suddenly tightened; it was heartache.

"Hello everyone, I'm the good friend and sister Miss Hua Se mentioned." She smiled naturally, without a trace of affectation. "I think I have at least one more experience than any of you here: the experience of bankruptcy. Interestingly, you can use this experience to see things and people more clearly, gaining experience and wisdom. I'm doing well; I've never felt so peaceful, and my goals in life are clearer. I feel a great sense of accomplishment even when I diligently complete a small task. This is something I've never experienced before; I'm grateful for life's gifts."

She bowed.

Hua Se was right beside her, but she didn't even glance at her.

The audience remained solemn. She had already won by having the courage to step forward.

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