Chapter 102 Three Years Later
Three years later.
A scene from a charity auction.
Shi Jin and his fiancée Mai Mai entered the venue in a high-profile manner.
At this time, Shi Jin had taken over the Shi Group and become its new president. He was decisive, ruthless, and more authoritative and capable than the old president.
Furthermore, the Shi family has formed a marriage alliance with the Mai family, creating a powerful duo that can gain influence in both the business and political spheres.
Now the entire city of Kyoto depends on Shi Jin for survival; he is an unshakeable, god-like figure in Kyoto.
Therefore, as soon as the two appeared on the scene, they attracted everyone's attention and admiration.
Businessmen and politicians from all walks of life, those who are well-known, all fawn over him when he comes.
Shi Jin, dressed in a sharp and dashing suit, with a cool and aloof expression and an extraordinary demeanor, leisurely put down his cup, seemingly unconcerned about what the person in front of him was saying in his flattery.
He would occasionally turn his head and ask his fiancée considerately, "Are you bored? Would you like to sit across from me?"
Mai Mai wore a champagne gold halter-neck backless fitted long dress, exuding elegance and with skin as smooth as porcelain. Every smile and gesture was captivating.
Mai Mai pursed her lips and nodded, "I am a little tired. You know, I was busy researching last night until the early hours of the morning..."
A hint of heartache seemed to flash in Shi Jin's eyes. "You're not allowed to stay up so late anymore. I'll assign you an assistant. You can let the assistant do small things like researching information."
"That won't do. I'm just a rookie lawyer. You're going to give me an assistant? Do you want me to get yelled at by my boss?"
Watching the two flirt and whisper to each other as if no one else was around, everyone around them couldn't help but sigh at the depth of their relationship and envy Mai Jia for having such a perfect son-in-law.
Shi Jin put his arm around Mai Mai's waist and sat down on the sofa opposite.
"Shi Jin, you go ahead with the socializing, I can manage on my own," Mai Mai said understandingly, a faint smile always playing on her lips.
In this respect, Mai Mai has always done a good job. She is well-mannered, polite, and knows her place. She is a very qualified fiancée of a wealthy family heir.
Shi Jin raised his hand and touched the top of her head. Just as he was about to get up, he heard another commotion at the door.
Moreover, this commotion was no less than the commotion when Shi Jin and Mai Mai entered the venue.
"Who is it?" Mai Mai looked over curiously.
Shi Jin frowned slightly and looked over.
At this moment, someone nearby had already given the answer.
"Ah! Isn't that Li Zifeng, the president of Lishi Group? And he's Max, the top star who retired from the entertainment industry three years ago! Wow! I finally saw Max in person! You have no idea how crazy I was about him before!"
"Look! Isn't that beautiful fairy standing next to him his legendary wife? They're such a perfect match!"
Shi Jin remained silent, quietly raising his eyes to gaze at the woman's features. The former obsession and doting in his eyes were gone, replaced by calmness and indifference.
He did not choose to run away, after all, three years had passed and many feelings had undergone qualitative changes.
Bai Zhenzhu gracefully linked arms with Li Zifeng, wearing a long pearl-white dress. Her temperament was even more gentle and quiet than three years ago. Every gesture exuded a pure beauty that was untouched by the world and serene in the face of time. Moreover, there was a touch of artist's free spirit and unrestrainedness in her eyes.
She calmly said, "Zifeng, why do I feel like you're a little nervous? This isn't like you at all. Have you forgotten that you used to be a professional actor who could stand in front of a group of staff members and film kissing scenes without any stage fright?"
“Pearl, this is different from filming. That’s work, this is life. The key is that this is the first time I’ve brought you to such an important occasion, and I’m afraid I’ll embarrass you.”
"You're really something else! I'm already grateful I haven't embarrassed you, Mr. Li, how can you be so self-deprecating!"
The two entered the venue chatting and laughing, appearing very affectionate. They were immediately surrounded by a group of people who began exchanging pleasantries.
Bai Zhenzhu's perfectly timed smile and confident answers demonstrated her progress and growth over the past three years.
She is no longer the narrow-minded Bai Zhenzhu from a second-tier university, but a knowledgeable and capable artist who can handle all kinds of social situations.
...
Soon, the charity auction began.
Shi Jin and Mai Mai sat in the main seats on the left, separated by a wide aisle, while Li Zifeng and Bai Zhenzhu sat in the main seats on the right.
They don't bother each other, but they also don't like each other.
All proceeds from the auction of items at tonight's charity gala will be donated to children with leukemia. It is of great significance, and everyone, whether they are knowledgeable or not, has been putting in a lot of money.
Shi Jin and Li Zifeng also bid on a few items that were considered to have some collectible value.
The highlight of the evening is a portrait oil painting titled "Mulberry Girl," signed Miss Pearl.
The host enthusiastically introduced the painting on stage: "The following oil painting is hailed as one of the most creative, mysterious, and pioneering works of the 21st century. It was created by Ms. Bai Zhenzhu, a close disciple of the Italian oil painting master Roque. The starting bid is 1 million US dollars..."
"Now, please welcome Miss Bai Zhenzhu to the stage!"
Bai Zhenzhu first glanced at Li Zifeng beside her, whispered a few words in his ear, and then smiled as she lifted her skirt slightly and went on stage.
"Hello everyone, I am Bai Zhenzhu, the artist of this oil painting. I am very happy to participate in such a meaningful charity auction. I hope that through everyone's concerted efforts tonight, more children with leukemia can receive treatment..."
Confident, poised, elegant, and proud—this is Shi Jin's unique assessment of her.
Although the white pearl in my memory was confident enough, it was more about her appearance. This confidence, which radiated from within, seemed to be something she was born with, completely natural.
Mai Mai, standing beside her, was a little excited. "Shi Jin, so she's Bai Zhenzhu! I really love her work. You have no idea her paintings are fetching astronomical prices overseas! She's truly a very thoughtful and creative genius painter!"
"A genius painter?"
Shi Jin kept repeating these four words in his mind. He suddenly thought of the portrait that Bai Zhenzhu had once painted for him, and it did seem quite good...
However, whether he is a genius remains to be seen.
After Bai Zhenzhu finished her introduction, the host announced the start of the auction.
"1.1 million! 1.5 million! 2 million... 3 million..."
I don't know if everyone genuinely appreciates Bai Zhenzhu's oil painting, or if they just want to get on her good side because Bai Zhenzhu is Li Zifeng's girlfriend.
As a result, the bidding prices kept rising, even to the point of being a bit crazy.
"5 million!"
At this moment, Li Zifeng raised the sign with an air of authority and shouted out the number.
Bai Zhenzhu looked at him with a slightly shy and puzzled expression, "Zifeng?"
"Pearl, only I can photograph your painting."
Five million US dollars is roughly 40 million Chinese yuan. Few people here have that kind of financial power to buy a painting that they don't really understand.
With the president of the Li Group personally raising the sign, no one dared to snatch it.
They all stopped breathing.
The host on stage was about to strike the gavel for the third time, "5 million, the third time..."
0.01 seconds before the hammer fell, a magnetic and steady voice rang out.
"10 million!"
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