The light in the banquet hall was dim. Di Mingjue's appearance was as if he carried his own spotlight, his aura so powerful it sent shivers down everyone's spines.
He walked to the seat nearest the front and stopped, tilting his head slightly to look at Di Dongsheng, who was holding the microphone on stage.
His speech being interrupted halfway, Di Dongsheng was very displeased. However, with so many eyes on him, he could only suppress his anger.
"The funds obtained from the auction, like before, will all be invested in the Hope Primary School," Di Dongsheng finished, then gestured to the large screen behind him.
The person controlling the large screen operated the computer, and the screen immediately displayed photos of the Hope Primary School.
"The above are the on-site conditions. All subsequent expenses from this event will be fully invested in this school," Di Dongsheng announced. He then stepped aside, and the host waiting below walked up.
After a series of polite and official remarks, the auction officially began.
The auction had been held for so many years, yet this was Di Mingjue's first time attending. He looked at the items being sold and listened to the continuously increasing prices.
"Mingjue."
His shoulder was suddenly patted, and a familiar call reached his ears.
Di Mingjue turned his head to see Jiang Wenbin grinning at him, his hand still resting on his shoulder.
"Take it off!" Di Mingjue commanded.
His sharp command startled Jiang Wenbin, who hadn't expected it.
Seeing him frozen there, his hands still not moved, Shen Lin stepped forward and removed Jiang Wenbin's hand.
A low chuckle sounded from the side, and the people around them watched the spectacle.
Jiang Wenbin's face flushed with embarrassment. He turned back and shot a fierce glare at the onlookers. However, their statuses were no less than his, and they ignored him, continuing to mock him with their companions.
His pride had been trampled upon, but Jiang Wenbin no longer cared. As long as he could get the help of Di Jue Group, what did a little laughter matter?
He bent down from the aisle, circled around, and walked to stand beside Di Mingjue. To avoid obstructing the people behind them, he crouched down subserviently. "Mingjue, how have you and Ziyu been lately?"
Hearing Jiang Ziyu's name from his lips, Di Mingjue turned his head to look at him.
As their eyes met, Jiang Wenbin immediately continued, "I haven't seen her in a long time. She doesn't talk to me or want to come back to see me. If you have time, please ask President Di to communicate with her properly. After all, I am her father."
Trying to threaten him with family?
Di Mingjue reprimanded him coldly, "When you hurt her before, did you ever think she was your daughter?"
Jiang Wenbin clearly hadn't expected him to know so much about their family's affairs. However, unwilling to give up, he hesitantly inquired, "Hurt? President Di, have you misunderstood something? Did Ziyu say anything to you?"
"She didn't say anything, but you did. No matter how well something is hidden in this world, if someone wants to know, they will know everything," Di Mingjue stared at him.
His heart sank, and Jiang Wenbin's knees buckled, causing him to collapse onto the ground.
On the other side, Di Dongsheng noticed Jiang Wenbin and glanced over at him.
Jiang Wenbin didn't know how he got back to his seat. All he remembered was Di Mingjue's final, cold, and ruthless gaze. Filled with apprehension, he left immediately after the auction ended.
...
The next day.
The finance department summarized the funds from the auction and sent the data to the public relations department.
The early newspapers in the capital were filled with reports of Di Jue Group's benevolent actions. Without exception, Di Dongsheng was the one receiving attention and praise online.
In addition to the annual charity auction, netizens also unearthed other acts of kindness by him. For a time, public opinion became polarized. Some believed he was more suited to lead Di Jue Company than Di Mingjue, while others felt he was merely putting on a show, suggesting that the minor news appeared too coincidental.