Chapter 183: The Socialite's Defense Breaks
The South Island's sea breeze, with its salty, humid heat, couldn't blow away the stiffness on Yu Ling's face.
On the private beach, pure white and soft, Zhao Chen, wearing a floral shirt, beach shorts, flip-flops, and sunglasses, lounged on a beach chair, leisurely throwing a Frisbee to Wangcai.
Wangcai ran wildly with a special frisbee with Shiba Inu's paw prints on it, splashing water everywhere.
The picture is beautiful, but if you ignore...
"Mrs. Zhao, this sunscreen was just released by a Swiss laboratory. It has amazing anti-photoaging effects! Would you like to try it?" Mrs. Wang, who was wearing a Chanel suit, smiled perfectly and handed over a sunscreen with a pure gold tube.
"Mrs. Zhao, I heard that you like art? Sotheby's will have a batch of Monet's sketches next week. I'll ask the housekeeper to leave a catalog for you." Mrs. Zhang, holding a rare Hermès leather, came closer, and the smell of perfume hit her nose.
Yu Ling was wearing a high-end beach dress from a luxury brand that Zhao Chen had prepared for her, with the "Star Guardian" Shiba Inu diamond necklace hanging around her neck. She felt like a plastic model who had strayed into a wholesale market for socialites.
She forced a smile and took the sunscreen. "Thank you, Mrs. Wang. I brought my own." She declined the offer of Monet. "I don't know much about auctions."
"Oh, Mrs. Zhao is so modest!" The two exchanged glances, their smiles widening, a subtle scrutiny and... a hint of contempt beneath the surface of flattery. What art does a "vice president's wife" who relied on her husband for her position know?
Zhao Chen, who was not far away, took off his sunglasses and glanced over. Yu Ling immediately received a vibration from his phone:
"Pancake Man": "If you feel uncomfortable, kick Wangcai's butt. He has a thick skin."
Attached is a silly photo of Wangcai running wildly.
Yu Ling: "..." She lowered her head and fiddled with the hem of her skirt, the Shiba Inu's diamond-like figure dazzling in the sunlight. Adapting? This wasn't just an upgraded form of pampering; it was literally dropping her into a Vanity Fair reality show!
Three days later, Haicheng. Top charity dinner.
The crystal chandelier was dazzling, and people were drinking and chatting.
Yu Ling held Zhao Chen's arm and took a deep breath. She wore the new dress Zhao Chen had given her—a deep sea blue velvet, perfectly tailored, with a clever arrangement of diamonds at the back waist... a faint, abstract silhouette of a Shiba Inu! Around her neck was the same "Star Guardian" ribbon.
"Mr. Zhao! Nice to meet you!" A real estate tycoon shook hands warmly.
"Mrs. Zhao is so radiant!" The female companion next to her complimented with a smile, but her eyes swept over Yu Ling's necklace and dress several times.
Zhao Chen handled the situation with ease, chatting and laughing, but his hands were always firmly supporting Yu Ling's waist, and he whispered a reminder:
"There's your favorite black truffle tart over there. Go get it if you're hungry and ignore all that nonsense."
Yu Ling nodded, trying to memorize the faces and names of the key figures Zhao Chen had just cram-fed. Holding a small bottle of champagne, she tried to find a corner to catch her breath.
"Hey, isn't that Mrs. Zhao?" a coquettish voice rang out. A young woman in a sequined mermaid dress and covered in jewels came over, holding a wine glass. It was Li Weiwei, the daughter of Haicheng's newly minted jewelry tycoon.
She looked Yu Ling up and down, her gaze finally fixed on the Shiba Inu necklace. She covered her mouth with her hands and laughed exaggeratedly, "Mrs. Zhao, this necklace is so unique! Is this design an abstract puppy?"
Several socialites around covered their mouths and chuckled, with teasing looks in their eyes.
Yu Ling's fingertips felt cold. Here it comes.
Before she could say anything, Zhao Chen was standing beside her, his arms naturally around her waist.
Without even looking at Li Weiwei, he took a glass of juice from the waiter's tray and stuffed it into Yu Ling's hand. His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard:
"Yes, Wangcai likes it. It was custom-made." He raised his hand and gently touched the diamond Shiba Inu pendant on Yu Ling's neck with his fingertips, his eyes gentle and focused. "It complements my wife's collarbone. It looks good."
Li Weiwei's smile froze. Wangcai? Dog?! Was Zhao Chen serious?!
The surroundings fell silent. The smiles of several celebrities faded. A priceless diamond necklace... because the dog liked it? And... it looked good?
"Pfft..." Someone next to him couldn't help laughing.
Li Weiwei's face flushed and paled as she forced herself to say, "Boss Zhao is really humorous. This necklace could buy my family's newest sports car, right?"
Zhao Chen then looked up at her, his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses calm and unwavering:
"Really? I don't know much about cars." He turned to Yu Ling and immediately switched his tone to soothing a child: "Lingling, are you hungry? The black truffle tarts seem to be almost gone."
After saying that, he took Yu Ling in his arms and walked straight to the dining table, leaving Li Weiwei with a cold look at the back of his head.
Li Weiwei stood there, gripping the wine glass so tightly in her hand that her nails were almost digging into her flesh! The vague gazes around her pierced her like needles!
"Ding Dong!" Yu Ling's phone vibrated in her exquisite handbag. Lidya Su's message popped up:
"Lingzi! Check out the live stream! Li Weiwei's face is as green as her skirt! Hahahaha! Zhao Chen's 'Wangcai likes it' wave isn't very hurtful but extremely insulting! Awesome!!!"
The auction begins. The lights dim, focusing on the stage.
"Next lot, a 19th-century French court jadeite embossed brooch..." the auctioneer's voice was passionate. Within the glass case, a brooch, emerald green and embossed with an angel pattern, shone brilliantly.
Yu Ling's eyes lit up slightly, and she whispered to Zhao Chen, "This carving... is so detailed." This was purely an occupational hazard of hers as a designer.
Zhao Chen said "hmm" and said nothing.
Bidding begins. Starting price: three million.
"Three and a half million!"
"Four million!"
"Four million two hundred thousand!"
The price was quickly driven up by several avid jewelry collectors, including Li Weiwei, who seemed determined to get the piece.
"Five million!" Li Weiwei raised the sign, raised her chin slightly, and glanced at Yu Ling provocatively.
Auctioneer: "Five million! Any more?"
"Five and a half million!" another lady followed up.
"Six million!" Li Weiwei gritted her teeth.
There was a moment of silence. Six million for a small brooch was a bit much.
"Six million once! Six million twice..."
"Ten million."
A calm male voice sounded, not loud, but it was like thunder exploding in the quiet meeting room!
Swish!
All eyes instantly focused on the back corner!
Zhao Chen held up the number plate, his gold-rimmed glasses reflecting a cold light, his face expressionless.
"Mr. Zhao... Mr. Zhao bids ten million!" The auctioneer's voice trembled!
Li Weiwei turned around abruptly, her face completely pale! She stared at Zhao Chen and Yu Ling, who was sitting quietly beside him.
"Ten million once! Ten million twice! Ten million three times! Deal!" The gavel fell heavily!
The whole audience was shocked! Ten million! For a brooch?!
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