24. Snow in a silver bowl

◎Work for me as the chairman's assistant for a month.

When facing Yu Jiayue, Shang Xinuan could never refuse him as ruthlessly as she did with Li Xiran.

So when Shang Xinuan couldn't refuse his straightforward confession, she could only remain silent.

So much so that on the way to the Lian Hotel, there was not a single decibel of sound in the carriage except for the sound of the air conditioning running.

About an hour later, the black Audi arrived outside the Lean Hotel.

The doorman immediately opened the car door for them and then parked the car for them.

"It's Chen Rong." As soon as the car drove away, Qiao Xi saw Chen Rong standing next to the revolving door. "Could it be that my uncle arranged for him to be here, waiting for us?"

Chen Rong is the general manager of Li'an Hotel, and he is usually only responsible for receiving VIP guests.

It's not unusual for someone to personally come out to greet you on a day like today.

"I've never been to the central VIP box before," Qiao Xi said with a hint of anticipation.

The young lady immediately became rebellious. Seeing Chen Rong looking around, she pulled Qiao Xi to queue up in the first-floor casual area. "It's a small room where you can't even stretch your legs out. It's so stuffy."

Qiao Xi gave her a look that said, "You're so naive, don't try to fool me," and said, "You're practically the biggest hater of the Li family now, turning against them and abandoning them."

"Are you going to sit in the main hall or not!" Shang Xinuan raised an eyebrow in displeasure. When she wasn't smiling, she had a cold and arrogant face, and her straight lips were full of innate oppressiveness.

"Your expression is exactly like Li Xiran's," Qiao Xi muttered.

Cold and unapproachable, arrogant and contemptuous of everyone.

“Nuan Nuan doesn’t like to mention him, so it’s best if we don’t mention his name.” Yu Jiayue, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up.

Qiao Xi suppressed a laugh and teased, "Young Master Yu, is it that you don't like to hear it?"

Yu Jiayue nodded, focusing only on the young lady, "I have no interest in him."

At this moment, they noticed Chen Rong taking a step, seemingly walking straight towards them.

Did Chen Rong come to pick us up on his own initiative?

"I told you, I'm not going to the private room on the second floor."

But just as the young lady finished speaking, Chen Rong was greeted by a man wearing a cotton and linen long gown.

The man used a cane; he appeared frail, yet his physique was undeniably robust.

He is a person whose appearance, temperament, and physique are incongruous.

"So they weren't waiting for us on purpose after all," Qiao Xi said softly.

Even the young lady felt embarrassed, her beautiful amber eyes unfocused and scattered. "Who cares?"

They weren't the only ones who saw Chen Rong personally greeting the frail man; whispers immediately broke out around them.

"Mr. Su from Suzhou actually came too."

"I'd always heard that he was discharged from the military because he was shot in the leg, and it turns out it's true."

"It's true. He also suffers from severe PTSD, suffers from insomnia every night, and relies entirely on medication to fall asleep."

"In his early years, he didn't listen to Grandpa Su. He refused to inherit the family business and insisted on joining the special forces. Now he's not only half dead, but his leg is also completely injured."

Hearing the sounds of astonishment and regret, Shang Xinuan vaguely remembered hearing about this person.

The Su family of Suzhou started in the textile industry and was once a competitor of the Shang family.

Later, the Shang family focused on export trade and high-end clothing, while the Su family transformed and devoted themselves to the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.

"Now that Grandpa Su is gone, he still has to obediently inherit the family business."

Su Chunjian.

Shang Xinuan recalled that the man's name was Su Chunjian.

Watching Su Chunjian being welcomed into the hotel by Chen Rong, the young lady still felt a moment of indescribable disappointment.

As noon approaches, it's easy to break into a sweat while queuing in the crowd.

She fanned herself with the receipts, and as she lowered her aching arm, Chen Rong appeared before her.

"I'm so sorry, ladies. I was busy and didn't get to see you." Chen Rong held up a black parasol with the Li Group logo to shade Shang Xi and Qiao Xi from the sun. "The central private room on the second floor is reserved for you, so you don't need to wait in line."

It's obvious that this arrangement could only be a special instruction issued by Li Xiran.

Otherwise, Duan would not have allowed Su Chunjian to sit in the farewell room.

"Miss Xi Xi?" Seeing Shang Xinuan's indifferent expression, Chen Rong looked to Qiao Xi for help.

"We're just here to keep Nuannuan company, so where we sit is up to Nuannuan."

Chen Rong carried the special arrangements given by her boss, her voice filled with humility as she said, "Miss Nuan Nuan, your tea has already been prepared."

As the saying goes, you can't hit someone who's smiling.

Shang Xin smiled and looked at Chen Rong, "No need, Mr. Chen. My grandfather isn't here, so according to the rules, I should indeed sit in the first-floor casual seating area."

The area was surrounded by people, all of whom witnessed Chen Rong's humble invitation to Shang Xinuan.

Seeing Shang Xinuan's resolute attitude, he couldn't continue to plead with the young lady under the scrutinizing gazes of everyone.

"Alright then, feel free to call me anytime if you need anything along the way."

Shang Xin's warm smile vanished the moment Chen Rong turned around; the young lady couldn't maintain her gentle demeanor for even half a second.

Fortunately, it was finally their turn. After their tickets were checked and they entered, the cool air in the auction building instantly soothed all their previous anxiety.

Take your seat according to the ticket number. Ten minutes later, someone suddenly pats Shang Xinuan on the shoulder.

When she turned around, she saw Feng Ruochu.

"You also like calligraphy and painting?" Shang Xinuan had only seen her at jewelry auctions before, and often saw this girl smugly pleased with herself after being ripped off. She never expected her to expand her business and wander into the more sophisticated calligraphy and painting section.

“I don’t understand these things,” Feng Ruochu said frankly, “but as a rich second-generation with nothing to do, I can only live a life of luxury, can’t I?”

Shang Xinuan's eyes twitched slightly. "That makes so much sense."

"And you? When did you start to become interested in calligraphy and paintings by famous people?"

Shang Xin held the auction notice booklet in her hand and pointed it out to Feng Ruochu, "My grandfather likes Qi Baishi, and his birthday is next week. I'm here to buy him a gift."

Feng Ruochu simply gave a faint "oh" and didn't say anything more, but Shang Xinuan could still tell that she was unhappy.

Over the years, the only reason Feng Ruochu disliked her was that she refused to acknowledge Feng Jiting as her father.

“Then the only suitable gift for elders in this event is the ‘Longevity Peach Painting’,” Feng Ruochu said, picking up the picture album on her seat and flipping through it.

"I came specifically for the 'Longevity Peach Picture'." The longevity peach picture, symbolizing good fortune, longevity, and prosperity, is simply the perfect choice for a birthday gift.

"Then you'd better keep up the good work. When I was queuing just now, there were quite a few people who came specifically for the longevity peach picture."

As soon as the two finished their conversation, the auctioneer walked onto the stage and announced the official start of the Qi Baishi calligraphy and painting auction.

The moment Shang Xinuan turned her head, she couldn't help but glance at the second floor out of the corner of her eye.

Apart from the east wing, which was lit, the sky lanterns hanging outside the other two wings were completely dark.

She thought that Li Xiran probably wouldn't show up today.

While she was relieved that no one was going against her, she inexplicably felt a little less confident.

-

Li Xiran arrived late, after the halfway point of the game.

He was in a meeting, reviewing the feasibility of a business plan one second, when Chen Ti knocked on the door the next.

"Chen Rong always says that Mr. Su from Suzhou came here because of the longevity peach painting."

Li Xiran frowned slightly. "How much capital do you need to verify?"

“It’s five times the amount for Miss.” Even though Chen Ti lowered his voice, you could still hear the urgency in his tone. “And even if Mr. Su isn’t there, there will be other people present. This time it will far exceed Miss’s budget.”

No one could guess Shang Xinuan's thoughts better than Li Xiran, especially when it came to valuation; he was the one who taught her some key knowledge.

So Li Xiran left the meeting midway for the first time, leaving a group of employees looking at each other in bewilderment.

"President Chen, is Chairman Li dissatisfied with our proposal?" The project manager's back was soaked with cold sweat the moment he saw Li Xiran get up and leave.

"Don't worry, Chairman Li just has more important matters to attend to right now. We can adjourn the meeting for now."

Chen Rong respectfully pushed open the wooden door to the private room on the second floor. "After seeing Miss, I even prepared tea in advance, but Miss just wouldn't come."

Li Xiran stood with his hands behind his back in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze falling upon the stubborn and arrogant young lady.

Today, Shang Xinuan wore a very brightly colored dress, making her stand out in the huge auction hall.

He used to be so busy explaining things, it was rare for him to be able to quietly observe the young lady like this.

Only then did I realize that the once innocent and naive girl had somehow developed a sexy and charming side.

Her long, chestnut-brown curly hair was loose and tousled, swaying with her various small movements.

Li Xiran suddenly thought of that early spring night when she was drunk and sitting on his lap.

That was the first time he held her waist; it was so slender, less than an inch long, that it seemed he could break it with just a little force.

Alone in the private room, Li Xiran couldn't help but feel his throat dry and his palms inexplicably burning.

But at the same time, he also noticed the people around the young lady.

He actually knew about Yu Jiayue's existence a long time ago. At that time, he only heard Qiao Xi mention that they were classmates who grew up together.

Before realizing the young lady's feelings for him, he was the first to see the boy's love for Shang Xinuan.

That undisguised love was the only thing he envied and felt a flutter in his heart at that time.

But now, he doesn't take this still-naive boy seriously.

-

"OK! The next painting to be auctioned is Qi Baishi's 'Longevity Peach'." The auctioneer didn't even need to introduce it further; a frenzy had already swept through the audience. "Starting price: three million."

Almost instantly, the bid was raised to five million.

As a work of calligraphy and painting by famous people, the longevity peach painting is suitable for almost all kinds of social occasions for gift-giving.

Especially in Shanghai, a social circle that places great emphasis on seniority, most of those in high positions are elderly people of similar age.

"Five million five hundred thousand." At this moment, the green light in the east wing on the second floor turned on.

The young lady didn't even dare to look back, but simply raised her paddle to bid.

"Six million."

"Six million six hundred thousand."

"Six million seven hundred thousand."

"Seven million."

"Eight million."

"Eight million eight hundred thousand."

Shangxinuan is a regular at auctions, but this is the first time she has seen someone bid so high.

It was as if they were deliberately toying with her, easily provoking the young lady's fiery temper.

"Nuan Nuan, we've reached our total budget," Qiao Xi reminded her as she was about to raise her paddle again.

She came to the auction to choose a gift for Shang Zun, and to keep it a secret for the time being, she did not touch the money in Shang's Capital Fund.

The young lady was a well-known spendthrift, and she used almost every connection she had to scrape together ten million.

"That guy on the second floor is clearly determined to win, I can't lose!" The young lady held her breath and raised her sign.

Nine million.

"Nine million nine hundred thousand."

In the past, she was often the one who was aggressive at auctions.

This is the first time I've truly felt suppressed.

"Ten million. Miss Shang in the audience has bid ten million. Is there anyone bidding higher?"

"Eleven million. Mr. Su from the second floor has made the bid, eleven million."

Shang Xin's face was ashen. Was she destined to be forever separated from the longevity peach painting?

That was a gift she had her eye on for a long time, and even the master framing artist had already made an appointment.

"Sister, I have five million in cash flow here. You can use it to offset the cost first," Feng Ruochu leaned forward and whispered.

Moved, Shang Xin raised her sign again.

"Sixteen million."

"Nuan Nuan, are you blinded by rage? Aren't you going to pull us apart anymore?" Qiao Xi said.

"My heart is pounding so hard it's about to jump out of my chest, I can't hold it back at all." Ever since the young lady first encountered auctions at the age of eighteen, she had always thought of them as incredibly fun occasions. This was almost the first time in her life she had experienced something different.

"Young Master Yu, Fairy Ruan, Boss Jiang, and I can scrape together ten million," Qiao Xi nodded firmly. "Whether it works out or not depends on..."

"The bid for the east wing on the second floor is 20 million."

"Miss Shang from the first floor has offered 30 million."

At that moment, Qiao Xi clutched her heart, "Miss, your offer is even more aggressive than my uncle's business negotiation."

"The bid for the east wing on the second floor is forty million."

This time, the young lady remained silent.

She really didn't have a single penny left.

"Accept your fate." This was the first time the young lady had said to herself.

Just as the auctioneer was about to strike the gavel for the second time, the auction lights came on in the central room on the second floor.

"The central room on the second floor has been offered for 50 million."

At that moment, the entire venue erupted in uproar.

Qiao Xi grabbed Shang Xinuan's hand and said, "This must be my uncle."

Their bidding style is exactly the same as Shangxinuan's.

The young lady couldn't help herself any longer and turned around to take a look.

The one-way glass was pitch black; she couldn't see anything.

For some inexplicable reason, she felt as if she were looking directly into the eyes of the man sitting in the main seat, looking completely carefree, through the glass.

"Fifty million. Fair warning." The auctioneer issued a final warning, then struck the gavel to announce the sale of the calligraphy and painting.

Sighs and gasps of amazement filled the entire auction hall.

At the same time, the special auction of Qi Baishi's calligraphy and paintings by Oriental Lide came to an end.

The young lady arrived full of enthusiasm, only to leave disappointed.

He grabbed his backpack and rushed out of the hall.

Qiao Xi and Yu Jiayue were just a beat slow to react. By the time they caught up, they saw the young lady being stopped by Li Xiran at the hotel entrance.

"Are you a stalker?" The young lady was already in a bad mood because she failed to win the bid for the calligraphy and painting. Now that she saw the owner of the calligraphy and painting, she was unlikely to give him a pleasant look.

"Nuan Nuan, I've come to deliver a painting to you." Li Xiran was holding a scroll in his arms.

The fact that he received the auction item in such a short time proves that the painting and calligraphy already belonged to him the moment he appeared at the auction.

"If it's a gift, then forget it." The young lady still had that much backbone.

"No, this time it's a cash exchange. I bid 60 million, so I'll exchange it to you at 2% above the market price. How about it?" The dignified man maintained a negotiating demeanor even standing in the noisy, windy outdoors.

"good!"

"But it must be now. In cash, in exchange."

Before the young lady could even get excited, his words shut her up.

“Li Xiran, if I had 60 million right now, I wouldn’t need to make an exchange with you.”

Li Xiran, standing tall, first tucked the young lady's wind-blown hair behind her ear, then slowly said, "I have another easy way out, which is to be my chairman's assistant for a month."

A note from the author:

The Many Layers of Lao Li's Pursuit of His Wife: The Domineering CEO and His Charming Secretary

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