Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Charity Gala (3)

"All right, I won't bid," Huangpu Shenqing whispered, his voice meant for her ears alone.

Everyone had heard it. Just moments ago, he had asked her to repeat herself. Shangguan Renran looked toward the stage.

"Next, we will auction the fifth item, a colored glass cup from the previous dynasty, donated by the Gong family. This is from the previous dynasty, after all…"

"Don't bid on the last item," Huangpu Shenqing instructed Gong Yi.

"Have you taken a liking to it?" What is the last item? Does he want to bid on it himself? That can’t be right. Even if he does, he doesn’t need to make an announcement.

Huangpu Shenqing said nothing more.

So Gong Yi turned to the right. "Huangpu says not to bid on the last item."

"Ah, so Second Brother wants it."

Well, he thought the same. "Do you think he'd tell me if he wanted something?"

"Then what’s going on? Besides, if you don’t bid on the glass cup, it’ll be taken by someone else."

The gavel was already striking for the second time on the stage.

Gong Yi hurriedly raised his paddle.

"All right! Fifty million from Gong family’s eldest young master! Any higher bids?"

"No? Then fifty million once, fifty million twice, fifty million three times—sold! Congratulations to the Gong family’s eldest young master!"

Ouyang Mufeng relayed his second brother's wishes, turning to those behind, "Tell everyone at the back, our Huangpu young master has his eye on the last item."

After all, once his second brother liked something, no one dared to challenge him. Yes, that’s how it was.

The people behind were especially delighted—the young master of the Ouyang family had actually spoken to them.

"Did you all hear? Do not bid on the last item."

"We heard, we heard! Huangpu young master wants the last one," someone beside him quickly replied.

Thus, the news spread rapidly, and soon even those on the left side knew.

And so, the entire auction hall was aware.

Eventually, the news reached Huangpu Qingyin and her companions in the first row.

"What a joke! Just because Huangpu Shenqing wants something, no one else is allowed to bid? Who does he think he is?" Huangpu Qingyin sneered, her words dripping with disdain and mockery.

"Sis, what’s the last item? We must snatch it from that bastard," Huangpu Qing'an said, his arrogance flaring for reasons unknown.

"I heard the item might belong to Miss Xia," Shangguan Miaomiao interjected.

"Miss Xia? Could it be that wretched Xia Wanqing?" Bai Xi made no effort to hide her hatred before them.

There are always inexplicable hostilities in this world, and an unaccountable aversion sparked by a single event.

"Indeed, it's her. She’s presenting a painting by the Y-country master, AiCo," she said. After all, she had come with a purpose, and had investigated everything thoroughly. She’d even bribed several staff members here, anticipating a good show.

"How could she have an AiCo painting? That’s something money can’t buy."

"I’m not sure, but in my opinion, only the eldest miss of the Huangpu family is worthy of owning such a painting."

Flattery is always pleasing to the ear.

"At least you know your place. Brother, the painting is mine."

"Fine, I’ll let you have it," he agreed easily, knowing nothing about art. He only liked whatever Huangpu Shenqing liked. Just as when they were children, smashing what he adored brought him joy.

In this world, he only understood wine and beautiful women, like that cold beauty over there—exactly his type.

"Next, our eighth auction item, a piece of jewelry provided by the Shangguan Group," the auctioneer announced, palm extended toward Shangguan Renran, indicating she represented the group.

"Aren’t you the director of Shangguan Group? Why is he pointing to that woman?" So, that woman was from the Shangguan Group.

Shangguan Renran—her grandmother had handed her information about her last time, and she was a prodigy, enough to make anyone green with envy.

"She joined the company straight as a department head. I wouldn’t dare to overstep," Shangguan Miaomiao spat through gritted teeth. In past events like these, the spotlight would have been hers. Now, this too was taken from her.

She was furious.

Suddenly, her eyes caught a glimmer.

On Miss Bai’s neck, she saw a blue gemstone. She remembered Shangguan Renran also wore a blue jewel—how strikingly similar they looked.

"Miss Bai, that jewel?"

"This was a gift from Qingyin—it’s 'Blue Heart' by Master Ye," she replied, her tone inevitably proud. It was something others could only dream of possessing.

"If I may be frank, how is it that it looks exactly like the one our department head wears?"

"What did you say? How could that be? This is…" Bai Xi refused to believe it.

"Did you look carefully—are you sure they’re identical?" Huangpu Qingyin pressed Shangguan Miaomiao, feeling as if she’d stumbled upon a treasure just as she was considering causing trouble for that woman at the evening banquet.

"I’m certain—she’s wearing 'Blue Heart' as well."

On stage, the auctioneer struck the gavel three times. "Congratulations to Miss Shangguan for winning the jewelry!"

"Wait a moment," Huangpu Qingyin stood up, interrupting the auctioneer.

At once, the entire hall fell silent, and all eyes turned toward her.

"I’d like to ask—has Miss Shangguan never attended an upper-class gathering before? How dare she flaunt a fake jewel in public?" Huangpu Qingyin deliberately raised her voice, making sure her words echoed throughout the hall.

The crowd buzzed with excitement. "What does Miss Huangpu mean by that?"

"Is that Miss Shangguan really wearing a fake jewel?"

"Have you heard about the video from before? Maybe Miss Huangpu is seeking revenge."

"I know, I’ve heard about it…"

The auctioneer on stage fell silent—after all, he had to show some consideration for the eldest miss of the Huangpu family.

Shangguan Renran rose gracefully, her posture elegant and alluring. With sculpted shoulders and a slender waist, her skin as pure as jade, she was like a lotus emerging from water. "Miss Huangpu, are you speaking with your eyes closed?"

How adorable—Xia Wanqing couldn’t help but laugh. Her dear Ranran always knew how to retort.

"You…" Was she implying she was lying through her teeth?

"Perhaps Miss Shangguan is unaware, but the jewel I’m wearing is the 'Blue Heart,'" Bai Xi stood as well, speaking up for Huangpu Qingyin.

"What? Miss Bai is wearing 'Blue Heart'? Isn’t that Master Ye’s famous masterpiece?"

"My goodness, that’s truly priceless. Everyone knows Master Ye devoted her life to art."

"If Miss Bai is wearing 'Blue Heart,' then why does Miss Shangguan also have jewelry by Master Ye?"

The crowd erupted with speculation…