A man behind him responded with an "understood" and quickly bowed before retreating.
Not long after, he leaned in again, whispering into his ear.
Ye Yi spread his palm and let out a low hum from his nose. The man immediately understood, handing over a silver-gray mask.
He lazily put on the mask, stood up, and strode to the third row. From this angle, he could see both Ji Zhi Xiu and Luo Fei.
Three minutes later, a host took the stage.
"Welcome, all business elites, corporate culturalists, and more, to our charity auction. Good evening, everyone. I am your host, Ning Ning. First, allow me to introduce that all proceeds from this auction will be used for charitable education. On behalf of these children, I thank you all for your presence. There are fifty items up for auction today..."
Jiang Mian whispered, "What number is your painting?"
Ji Zhi Xiu casually took her hand and played with it, seemingly with great affection.
Jiang Mian knew this was a habitual gesture of Ji Zhi Xiu when he was relaxed.
Hearing her question, the man tilted his head slightly, his voice clear and tinged with warmth, "It should be the finale."
The items at the front were less valuable; the good stuff came later.
Jiang Mian teased him, "Aren't you afraid no one will bid?"
Ji Zhi Xiu chuckled, "How many people here truly understand art? Most are merely pretentious followers of fashion."
"It's not the painting that's valuable, but that it comes from my hand," he explained, crossing his long legs.
Jiang Mian understood. She stroked Ji Zhi Xiu's palm with her fingertip and said eagerly, "I want it."
"Be good, we're outside."
Jiang Mian: ???
Fortunately, she was wearing a mask and didn't have to show her face. She really wanted everyone to see how much of a scoundrel this man was behind his proper gentleman's facade!
"I said I want that painting."
Ji Zhi Xiu dotingly replied, "Bid, and buy whatever you fancy later."
The two of them whispered intimately.
This was an eyesore to others, and Shen Ting Yu's eyes reddened.
"Isn't it normal for a man to have a woman by his side? Is that all the magnanimity you have?" Luo Fei said.
"What do you know?" she glared at Luo Fei.
Ji Zhi Xiu had never had a woman around him for so many years, except for... Jiang Mian. Her eyes darkened, and a multitude of emotions stirred within her.
Luo Fei raised an eyebrow. Truth be told, every time he saw Shen Ting Yu's face, he was reminded of Jiang Mian. The thought always made him restless, a craving for the unobtainable flowing through his limbs, growing with each passing day.
Jiang Mian was unattainable for now, but Shen Ting Yu... was not impossible.
He smiled, "Tell me what you fancy later, and I'll bid on it for you."
Shen Ting Yu ignored his overtures, her gaze fixed on the stage. She scoffed, "Can Mr. Luo afford what I like?"
Everyone knew that Luo Corporation's most profitable business was Luo Entertainment. Luo Fei was the president of Luo Entertainment, but that was still the Luo family's property. How much would be left when it came into his own hands?
Luo Corporation, Luo family, he wouldn't let either of them go. What was his, he would reclaim. What wasn't, he would snatch.
However, he had never been one to get angry with women. Luo Fei sighed softly, "I am willing to spend a fortune for a beauty."
Shen Ting Yu's eyes flickered, "Fine, then you wait."
The chair behind her was suddenly kicked. Shen Ting Yu turned her head, "What?"
Ye Yi drawled, "Your head is too big and blocking my view."
? Her head was too big? Shen Ting Yu seriously suspected this person was looking for a fight. She glanced at the name tag in front of Ye Yi: Orlando?
She'd never heard of him. Where did this representative from some small company come from? And wearing a mask? Was he so ugly he couldn't bear to show his face?
She snorted, "Then if you have the guts, sit in the front."
Ye Yi shook his head, "I don't want to sit with you."
Shen Ting Yu detected a tone of disdain. She was about to retort when she remembered the occasion and calmed down.
Orlando, was it? She'd noted that down.
Ye Yi pouted, somewhat bored. He took out his phone and focused on playing a matching game. The exhibits on stage held no appeal for him.
"The next heartwarming treasure is a pair of antique porcelain earrings donated by the eldest daughter of the Shen Corporation, Miss Shen. Experts have authenticated them as being a hundred years old. Those who like them, don't miss out. Please start bidding—"
"Starting bid, one hundred thousand. One hundred thousand and one, please—"
Luo Fei looked at Shen Ting Yu, "Are these yours?"
"That's right."
He raised his paddle, "Five hundred thousand."
"Six hundred thousand."
"Seven hundred thousand."
Luo Fei raised his paddle again, "Eight hundred thousand."
Someone hesitated. At eight hundred thousand, they didn't seem as valuable. Just a pair of earrings.
The host: "Eight hundred thousand. Anyone else? Eight hundred thousand, counting down, 3, 2, 1—"
"Congratulations to our Mr. Luo for acquiring this treasure."
Shen Ting Yu's lips curled, feigning displeasure, "Why did you bid on it? It's not worth that much."
Luo Fei saw through her pretense. He was always good at coaxing women. He chuckled softly, "What belongs to you, I must get back for you."
"You bought this for me. What I really like hasn't appeared yet."
"It will appear later, and I'll bid then," he said dismissively.
Jiang Mian quietly remarked, "I haven't seen anything truly valuable yet."
Even she, an amateur, could see that.
Ji Zhi Xiu smiled, "Most of them are seeking fame. Who would bring their prized family collection to auction? Wealthy people prefer to keep their treasures private."
Jiang Mian glanced at him, "Aren't you one of them?"
"Me? I'm just going through the motions."
He said this so righteously that Jiang Mian couldn't help but laugh, "Then you still told me to bid on what I fancy."
Ji Zhi Xiu pondered, "This charity auction is rather boring. I'll take you abroad at the end of the year. How about Las Vegas? It's not just the casinos that are interesting there, but also the underground auctions. There are many rare treasures."
Jiang Mian nodded, "Okay, I'd like to go."
With each promise he made, she began to look forward to tomorrow.
The two spoke in low voices.
The host, seeing that everyone's interest was waning, clapped his hands, "The next heartwarming treasure is a painting by Mr. Ji, titled 'Kitten Playing with a Ball.' The kitten in the painting is charming and endearing, melting hearts. The black and white palette is enough to capture one's attention at first glance."
A staff member came forward to display the painting.
Jiang Mian's spirits lifted, "Here it comes, here it comes."
"Starting bid, one hundred thousand. Bidding begins now—"
"Five hundred thousand."
"Eight hundred thousand."
"I bid one million!"
Jiang Mian let out a soft sound, "Mr. Ji's paintings are indeed valuable."
Ji Zhi Xiu scoffed, "Only a million."
Implying that this price had not yet reached his desired figure.
Bids continued to pour in.
"Two million!"
"This is Mr. Ji's painting, a priceless treasure! I bid five million!"
Many people wanted to leverage this painting to get closer to Ji Zhi Xiu.
Luo Fei noticed Shen Ting Yu's eagerness, "Want to bid?"
Shen Ting Yu: "Didn't you say I could bid on whatever I fancy and you'd buy it for me? I want this painting."
This was Ji Zhi Xiu's painting. Although he had painted the cat, she recognized it immediately, but she still wanted it.
Luo Fei: "Wait a bit longer."
"It's currently eight million. Anyone else? Eight million, first call." The host's voice rang out.
A languid voice followed, "Ten million."
Wow, ten million, so generous.
Jiang Mian turned to look. The bidder was wearing a mask, just like her.
She raised her paddle, "Fifteen million."
"Twenty million," he quickly followed, seemingly determined to acquire the painting.
Jiang Mian's brow furrowed slightly. This person was set on bidding against her.
Seeing this, Shen Ting Yu urged, "Hurry up and bid more, or I'll come."
"No need, I'll do it," Luo Fei slowly raised his paddle, "Twenty-five million."
"Thirty million," the person spoke again.
Luo Fei: "Thirty-five million."
"Forty million."
Jiang Mian stopped bidding, a hint of amusement in her eyes. Ji Zhi Xiu whispered, "Why aren't you bidding anymore? Saving money for your husband?"
Jiang Mian curved her lips into a smile, "Don't you think it's more interesting to let others pay?"
Especially since it was Luo Fei. If he wanted it, what harm was there in letting him have it?
A hint of pampering flickered in Ji Zhi Xiu's eyes, his gaze fixed on her, "As long as you're happy."
Forty million was already an extremely high price. Luo Fei hesitated somewhat.
Shen Ting Yu urged, "Keep going, don't tell me you're out of money already?"
Forty million was not an amount he couldn't afford, but whether the money was worth spending.
Ye Yi, enjoying the spectacle, curved his lips into a smile, his face hidden behind the mask arrogant and defiant, "If Mr. Luo is no longer bidding, then concede it to me."
Luo Fei slowly spoke, "Forty-five million."
If forty-five million could buy Ji Zhi Xiu's support, it would be well worth it.
Compared to his hesitation and dawdling, Ye Yi was much more decisive, "Fifty million."
The bids of five million after five million stimulated the eardrums.
Luo Fei's eyes narrowed, "I recall your company is just a small one. Do you have this much liquid capital for bidding?"
Ye Yi remained calm and collected, "Donations are settled on the spot, no delays. Of course I dare to say it, of course I have it. You don't need to worry about it, Mr. Luo. By the way, I am bidding on behalf of Orlando."
"Wow, since when did Orlando hire such a person? So rich?"
"And wearing a mask, afraid of being recognized?"
"So low-key..."
The low murmur of discussion reached Luo Fei's ears. Luo Fei's eyes shifted. Time seemed to stand still.
Seeing this, Jiang Mian whispered a couple of words into Ji Zhi Xiu's ear, prompting the man to curse, "Little fox."
Jiang Mian said smugly, "What can I do? I just don't like him."
"It is the honor of this painting to be liked by Mr. Luo. If you are finding it difficult, you can wait for another opportunity," Ji Zhi Xiu said into the silence.
Upon hearing this, Luo Fei seemed to gain hope. Getting noticed by Ji Zhi Xiu was his goal.
He said gravely, "I know Mr. Ji rarely paints. Taking out this painting for auction shows Mr. Ji's sincerity, and I truly like it."
"No matter the price, I will willingly pay. Moreover, these funds are for education. Spending the money wisely is my greatest satisfaction. I bid sixty million—"
"Mr. Luo is generous," Ji Zhi Xiu praised sincerely.
"Mr. Luo is generous!"
"With Mr. Luo, a few more children can go to school. Truly a good person," someone chimed in.
Luo Fei looked at Ye Yi, "Are you still bidding?"
Ye Yi grinned, "I don't like it as much as Mr. Luo does. Thank you for your kind offer, I won't bid anymore."
With a final hammer blow, Luo Fei successfully acquired the painting.
As he sat down, a trace of heartache lingered. Sixty million! A full sixty million! If it weren't for Ji Zhi Xiu, he wouldn't have cared for it even if it were given to him for free.
Shen Ting Yu's unconcealed joy was evident on her face. She didn't care how much the painting sold for; she only cared that she was about to receive it.
"Mr. Luo truly keeps his word. Thank you in advance, I like it very much."