A moment of stunned silence was broken by the eruption of the crowd.
What was happening? Had the legendary Xiao Yi himself entered the fray?
No wonder Xia Wei Liang had the nerve to challenge Xia Yi Ran earlier, bidding millions with such confidence. It turned out the film emperor was backing her!
But then, why? Why would the film emperor do this?
Xia Wei Liang had no time to ponder. Gritting her teeth, she desperately tried to pull her hand away. "Xiao Yi, are you seriously that loaded? Who bids that much, that fast? Do you just toss money around because you don't have to spend it yourself?"
In the end, she would have to repay every cent. The money she'd paid for Director Huang's program earlier was just interest.
This was five million!
How much had she earned from her last variety show? She was genuinely, unequivocally poor right now!
But Xiao Yi held her hand with a grip that left no room for her to cowardly retreat.
The host was ecstatic. "Legendary Xiao Yi! It's the legendary Xiao Yi bidding! Five million! Five million! Five million is currently the highest bid! Are there any other bids? Anyone else? Anyone?!"
Xia Wei Liang forced a smile. "Um... can we retract bids in this segment?"
Laughter erupted from the audience again. The host, even more delighted, exclaimed, "Miss Xia Wei Liang is truly the most humorous actress in variety shows! Hilarious! So hilarious!"
"No, I didn't mean..."
Before she could say more, Xiao Yi glanced at her coolly. "Can you stop embarrassing yourself?"
"..."
Embarrassing?
Xia Wei Liang endured it.
If this were the old Xiao Yi, she would have definitely shown him a thing or two. He'd learn the price of speaking out of turn!
At this moment, the camera shifted to Xia Yi Ran's face. Her expression was complex, bordering on awkward.
What was Xiao Yi doing?
Why was he stepping in for that woman?
Had they already struck some sort of deal in private? Men only spent money on women if there was a certain kind of relationship involved. She never expected that the legendary, scandal-free Xiao Yi would also fall prey to Xia Wei Liang, that vixen!
Xia Yi Ran took a deep breath, maintaining a dignified smile. With a graceful gesture, she signaled her withdrawal.
Of course, this was the sensible move in the eyes of most.
Her previous insistence on clashing with Xia Wei Liang was a personal vendetta, adding drama to the banquet.
But if the legendary Xiao Yi intervened, it was a different story. He was both an elder and a film emperor. Since he had clearly expressed his strong desire for the Phoenix hairpin, as long as Xia Yi Ran wanted to continue her career in this industry, she had to be wise.
And so, the deal was sealed.
Xia Wei Liang's expression at that moment was far from pleasant.
She still hadn't figured out why she had suddenly incurred a debt of five million.
When the host invited the two onto the stage to speak, Xiao Yi simply raised his hand, signaling that he wouldn't be going up. He wanted Xia Wei Liang to speak.
The surrounding celebrities wore knowing smiles.
The film emperor and Xia Wei Liang?
Was this a case of sheer force making miracles happen?
So, were they all bearing witness to a miracle?
Xia Wei Liang felt as if she were floating as she walked onto the stage.
Her mind was filled with one thought: her competitive spirit had cost her five million.
When the host on stage asked why the legendary Xiao Yi had helped her bid, Xia Wei Liang blurted out without thinking, "Because I'm broke."
Laughter rippled through the audience.
Clearly, no one took her seriously. Anyone recognizable in the entertainment industry certainly had more than that amount of money.
Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.
When the host delicately inquired about their relationship, Xia Wei Liang's wit finally kicked in. "The legendary Xiao Yi is like an elder, a benevolent father figure."
Be-benevolent father...
Another wave of laughter swept through the hall. This brave woman was truly audacious!
The camera cut to Xiao Yi. He still wore a faint smile, but it held a hint of gritted teeth.
"Moreover, the legendary Xiao Yi is very generous. He just lent me five million."
Xia Wei Liang pursed her lips, forcing a smile for everyone.
She was actually calculating: if she hadn't given him five million, wouldn't bidding up to four million have been enough? Perhaps, after driving the price up, she could have just backed out when Xia Yi Ran bid five million!
Wouldn't that have been quite satisfying?
Why did it have to be like this?
Regardless of the laughter below, Xia Wei Liang walked off with the box, her eyes dim.
Should she try to foster a good relationship with Xiao Yi in this lifetime?
No, no, no.
Until the hotel incident was resolved, it was better to keep her distance from him.
Returning to her seat, Xiao Yi took the box and retrieved the Phoenix hairpin. "Come here."
Knowing what he intended, Xia Wei Liang immediately shook her head. "This isn't appropriate!"
Borrowing money was one thing; she was vain, she loved to show off!
But having him put the hairpin in her hair, what was that supposed to mean? Were the audience members behind them blind?
Xiao Yi wouldn't allow her to refuse. "Don't you want to try on what five million looks like on your head?"
"Uh..."
Thinking about it that way, it didn't seem unreasonable.
The money had already been spent, so why not hear the jingle of it?
"Then I'll do it, I'll do it. No need to trouble the legendary Xiao Yi," Xia Wei Liang said deferentially, holding out her hands to receive the hairpin.
He glanced at her. "Do you know how?"
Xia Wei Liang really wanted to retort, "My hands aren't broken! My brain isn't broken either!"
But then she saw him fiddling with it, revealing a small mechanism that allowed the hairpin to be securely fixed in place without falling out!
The wisdom of the ancients was truly remarkable.
"So, you don't?"
Faced with his obviously contemptuous gaze, Xia Wei Liang fell silent, then obediently shook her head.
She genuinely didn't know how.
"Then come over."
This time, she didn't object, meekly bringing her head closer.
Xiao Yi carefully placed the hairpin in her hair. "After all... I'm like a benevolent father."
Xia Wei Liang: "...Legendary Xiao Yi! That was a metaphor, a perfectly fitting metaphor!"
She turned and thought about it. It wasn't surprising that Xiao Yi was upset. What man would like being called old? Especially when he wasn't even thirty, in the prime of his life.
"I was wrong, I was wrong. Not a benevolent father, but a benevolent elder brother! A benevolent elder brother!"
Xiao Yi let out a cold laugh. "I don't have a sister that stupid."
"..."
Xia Wei Liang took deep breaths, reminding herself that before they were together, Xiao Yi had indeed been this way, able to retort so sharply that he could choke someone!
So, she smiled. "That's true~ Hehe, hehe..."
As they fiddled with the hairpin and bantered, the people in the rows behind them had their eyes lit up.
Especially Sister Hua and Brother Cheng, who looked as if they were about to put on their hearing aids.
"Quick, what are they saying? Can you hear?"
"Brother, don't rush me, I'm listening! It's just too quiet, I can barely hear!"
"Oh dear, can't you ask them to speak up a bit!"