The organizers of a charity gala invited a group of five chaebols to attend as a formality, but they unexpectedly caused a sensation on social media.
#Zhu Dali's New Compound Fertilizer# topped the trending list, and discussions about the five individuals continued to ignite major social media platforms. The live stream of the banquet quickly surpassed ten million views.
Such terrifying popularity and traffic completely drowned out the ripples stirred up by the rivals.
Jiang Hexi arrived at the charity auction, lifting the hem of her skirt.
After she sat down, she tugged at the hem of her white velvet skirt and draped it over Yu Xiangwan's thighs.
"Wanwan, is it long enough? If not, I'll stretch it out a bit more for you."
Yu Xiangwan glanced at her sideways, her voice carrying a hint of threat:
"Take it away."
"No way."
Jiang Hexi was unusually assertive for once, "The air conditioning in the venue is so cold, and you're only wearing a few pieces of clothing. If I don't protect you, who will?"
Yu Xiangwan looked down at the evening gown she was wearing. The transparent mesh fabric was sewn with pieces of fabric of various sizes, making it sexy and alluring, not at all as awful as she had described.
Before she could utter a rebuttal, the blast of cold air pouring down from above made her shiver and forced her to shut her mouth.
The charity gala will auction thirteen pieces of classical calligraphy and paintings. The proceeds will be used to improve the learning environment for children in mountainous areas, such as renovating classrooms, expanding playgrounds, and building new libraries.
Jiang Hexi nudged Yan Jie's arm, "Your Highness, which painting or calligraphy have you taken a fancy to?"
Yan Jie: "What?"
Jiang Hexi held up her number plate and declared, "I don't understand calligraphy and painting, but the work you've chosen must be the most valuable. I want to compete with you fairly."
"fair?"
Yan Jie saw through her trick at a glance. "You're trying to find out my bottom line beforehand. How can that be fair and just?"
Jiang Hexi leaned closer to him and whispered, "King Yan, my limit is two million. What about yours?"
Yan Jie: "Same."
Jiang Hexi patted his arm and said, "We're all on the same side, so let's set the bidding cap at two million. Whoever reaches that price first, the others will have to give up their bidding rights for this work to avoid hurting our feelings. How about that?"
"What if someone else's bid exceeds two million?"
"All abstain."
The two have reached a preliminary agreement on this matter.
The landscape painting that Yan Jie had his eye on was by the famous artist Dai Quan. Unfortunately, it was just a practice piece by the old man, and its market value would not exceed one million. However, when it was placed at such a charity auction gala, the value of the painting naturally soared.
The starting price was 600,000, and after rounds of bidding, the price quickly exceeded one million.
"One million once, one million twice, one million—"
"One million two hundred thousand."
Jiang Hexi raised her bidding paddle, and amidst the auctioneer's excited shouts, she glanced warily at Yan Jie beside her.
Yan Jie did not raise his paddle, but someone in the back row bid, "One million four hundred thousand."
Jiang Hexi glanced back and was about to raise her paddle to increase the price when her right hand was firmly pressed into her white velvet tutu, making it impossible for her to pull it out.
She looked at Yan Jie in disbelief, only to see him holding up the number plate with an air of refinement, and coldly saying:
Two million.
The auctioneer on stage shouted at the top of his lungs, "Two million once, two million twice, two million—"
Jiang Hexi picked up the number plate with her left hand. At this crucial moment, Yan Jie whispered in her ear:
"Here, take this."
She was deeply moved, but in those brief few seconds of distraction, the auctioneer brought down the gavel:
"Two million three times, congratulations to male guest number 36 for winning a classical landscape painting by our teacher Dai Quan."
By the time Jiang Hexi realized it was a trap, it was already too late.
Following the charity auction was a welcome dinner.
Jiang Hexi didn't get any photos taken and was completely fooled by Yan Jie on the spot.
She sat in the lounge, sulking. When Yan Jie pushed the door open and walked in, she couldn't help but lash out at him:
"King Yan, are we on the same side?"
"yes."
"Then why did you still try to cheat me? We agreed on fair competition. Whoever bids two million, the other person has to withdraw from the auction. Why are you holding my hand?"
"Didn't I already say that?"
Yan Jie stepped aside, and a staff member carrying an ancient landscape painting walked in and stood in front of Jiang Hexi.
He said bluntly, "It's for you."
The people who were sitting or standing in the lounge all came forward to watch.
Jiang Hexi's raging anger was completely extinguished by his cold water.
She had never received a gift from any man other than her father and brother, and she was momentarily flustered and uneasy.
"Are you really going to give it to me?"
"Absolutely true."
Why are you giving it to me?
"For the sake of being one of us, and considering all the little tricks you pulled before the auction," Yan Jie tried to make amends, "since you really like it, I'll give it to you."
Jiang Hexi wouldn't accept things from people without a reason, especially such valuable calligraphy and paintings.
I appreciate your kindness.
“But what I’ve never wanted is this painting; what I’ve wanted is the confidence that money can buy.”
Seeing her sitting there in deep sorrow, Yan Jie couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"
“Many celebrities from Shenzhen and Hong Kong came here, and most of them ridiculed me.”
Jiang Hexi twisted her fingers until they turned white and said, "I did have some selfish motives for attending this banquet. Whether it was walking the red carpet or bidding at the auction, I wanted to make them look at me in a new light."
Knowing the inside story, Yu Xiangwan held her hand with great heartache and supported her wholeheartedly.
"I'm sorry." Yan Jie, having made a fool of himself, looked at her with deep regret.
"It's okay."
Looking at the ancient landscape painting in front of him, Jiang Hexi said, "Prince Yan, take it back. This thing is too valuable; I can't afford it."
"The painting can be taken back, but I must help you get justice."
Yan Jie pressed on, saying, "Why are they laughing at you? Is it because you lost a small amount of money?"
Jiang Hexi smiled to cover it up, trying to gloss over the matter.
How could Yu Xiangwan possibly agree to this?
"Because Xi Mei was popular since she was a child, all the second-generation boys she was close to liked her. The girls banded together for warmth and secretly ostracized Xi Mei, which forced her to study abroad as soon as she graduated from high school."
"By the time Xi Mei returned from university, she had lost her status in the industry. And because of her investment failures, those people seized on this as leverage to attack her recklessly."
Jiang Hexi looked at Yu Xiangwan in disbelief.
Yu Xiangwan pulled her into her arms. "Auntie and Sister Song both told me. I won't let them bully you again."
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