This was rather awkward.
Since her return, Xia Weiliang had to manage not only her psychological transformation but also her change in identity. She had to start from scratch, moving cautiously at every step.
The primary issue was that she had no money.
And she was extremely poor.
Even her assistant's salary was paid by Sister Huan!
It was only after she accepted a variety show that the company, seeing she wasn't entirely a lost cause, paid her rent and supported various event expenses.
However, that didn't mean the company would fund her to grandstand at an auction! Su Dan Fiction Network.
But who was Xia Weiliang? After all, she was a remarkable woman who had seen through the superficiality of the world and traversed several lifetimes!
Could she possibly care about mere appearances?
Thus, she quietly kicked off her shoes, tucked her feet under the sofa, covered them with her skirt, then grabbed a nearby cushion. She leaned over, ready to catch some sleep.
The presenter was kept busy with the exhibits and donations on stage.
The celebrity guests in the audience were equally generous; one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand were trivial sums, as if the digit zero was merely an inconsequential suffix!
Xia Weiliang half-closed her eyes. The numbers sounded like lullabies, making her drowsy.
Just then, she heard a name, "Xia Yiran."
She sat bolt upright, her eyes wide as saucers.
The man beside her glanced at her indifferently before returning his gaze to the stage.
"Miss Xia Yiran bids one million. One million! Is there anyone else who fancies this Nine-Tailed Golden Hairpin? The phoenix spreads its wings and swings its tail, bringing wealth and auspiciousness! It bears the inscription 'Made by the Imperial Household' in small characters. This is truly an imperial artifact of the Qing Dynasty!"
Little did Xia Weiliang know, this hairpin was the highlight of the evening, and all the actresses were vying for it.
Apart from gaining prestige, the hairpin was a phoenix hairpin, worn by the Empress, holding extraordinary significance and bringing good fortune!
So, the bidding continued, "One point five million."
"Two million."
Xia Yiran had been fixated on Xia Weiliang since her appearance. Seeing her posing and preening before the cameras, yet still eliciting laughter from everyone, made her furious!
Furthermore, seeing her sitting next to Xiao Yi only intensified her anger!
This woman should have rotted in a gutter; how could she possibly rise again?
But this was the annual charity gala. Not to mention making subtle moves, even a single failed expression could be captured by the media, always eager for gossip, and presented with accompanying text and images. No one would believe any explanations!
Therefore, Xia Yiran pretended to be engrossed in conversation with the younger stars beside her, appearing to be getting along famously, with no time to notice Xia Weiliang.
When the formal auction began, she looked at the brochure in her hand and had already set her sights on this phoenix hairpin.
She intended to be silent until she struck, then amaze everyone!
Seeing that someone had already bid two million, she smiled and raised her numbered paddle, "Two point five million."
The surroundings erupted in a buzz.
Despite her lack of seniority, and being considered merely a newcomer.
But relying on the buzz from the true and false heiress narratives, her popularity even surpassed that of top-tier stars. Especially with Xia Weiliang's comeback through variety shows recently, Xia Yiran was inevitably compared to her.
Whether she personally wished it or not, the traffic came to her, and that was a fact.
Coupled with the support of the Xia family, she was undeniably a wealthy heiress among the celebrities. Seeing her determined to win, a mere few million was certainly not a concern for her.
Some people stopped competing with her, content with their current bids, to avoid the ultimate humiliation.
"Miss Xia Yiran bids two point five million! Are there any more bids? Are there any more bids?"
The host on stage was animated, while Xia Weiliang wore a gloomy expression.
She hated Xia Yiran. She had hated her since her previous life. Furthermore, if it weren't for Xia Yiran's experimental base after her rebirth, which caused her to inexplicably transmigrate back, how could she have been separated from Xiao Yi of that lifetime?!
Xia Weiliang could forgive anyone, but not this Xia Yiran!
But…
But to slap someone in the face also required capital!
Currently, the other person easily raised her hand by increments of fifty thousand, while she herself…
She'd be lucky not to be cycling a shared bike on the way back!
Biting her lip, she quietly turned her gaze to the side, cleared her throat, and whispered, "Excuse me… Divine Yi, could you lend me some money?"
She knew how rich Xiao Yi was.
But times had changed. Before, she could "use" it; now, it was "borrowing."
Alas, it was quite pathetic.
Xiao Yi turned his head to look at her, raising an eyebrow, "What will you use to repay it?"
Xia Weiliang froze, then her expression turned serious. This was indeed a problem.
The current Xiao Yi had no special relationship with her, nor were they dating. Why would he lend her money just like that?
And several million?
So, she deflated again.
Watching Xia Yiran exude confidence, as if no one else around was her match, her smug and proud expression… it was infuriating!
Xiao Yi glanced at her and slowly said, "I recently met a very insightful documentary director. He's making a program but is short on funds and has been unable to secure guests. If you're willing to participate, consider it interest."
Xia Weiliang's eyes widened, "May I ask if this director's surname is Huang?"
Her heart was bursting with joy. Is it Huang Yan Yan? Is it him? Is it him?
Xiao Yi nodded suspiciously and looked at her, "You know him?"
Xia Weiliang was so excited she almost shed tears. Apart from the timeline not matching, all the characters and events lined up perfectly!
She nodded frantically, "I'll participate, I'll participate! I don't even mind if there's no appearance fee!"
Xiao Yi looked at her intently, then shifted his gaze back to the stage. From her perspective, she could just see his smooth jawline.
*Sob~ He's still so handsome~*
"If you don't bid soon, the hammer will fall," he suddenly said, reminding her.
Xia Weiliang immediately reacted, raising her hand, "Two point five one million!"
The hall fell silent, followed by low laughter and murmurs.
Were these two true and false heiresses going to clash head-on?
And wasn't this bid rather "provocative"?
Even Xiao Yi frowned and looked back at her, as if to say, "Look at your meager efforts."
But Xia Weiliang didn't care. She wasn't interested in the hairpin; she just wanted to see Xia Yiran flustered, and that would be satisfying!
As expected, Xia Yiran's expression was unsightly. She shot a cold glare in Xia Weiliang's direction, then raised her paddle again, "Three million."
Gasps echoed from below. They were truly going at it!
Xia Weiliang, "Three point zero one million."
In any case, she was enjoying herself immensely.
Xia Yiran gritted her teeth, "Three point five million!"
This was not a small sum. Although she had been recognized by the Xia family, she had been hesitant to spend lavishly to maintain her image. Suddenly adding this expense, she wasn't sure how she would explain it!
However… she glared at Xia Weiliang, determined to fight to the end.
Xia Weiliang was about to raise her paddle again, the "three point five one million" about to spill from her lips.
Her wrist was suddenly grasped, and then, Xiao Yi held her hand and raised the paddle, his voice resonating, "Five million."