Chapter Thirty-One: Knowing When to Stop

“Now, we have finally reached the most anticipated highlight of the evening, a piece generously donated by Miss Xia,” the host paused dramatically, “the painting ‘Refreshing Bamboo’ by Master AiCo.”

“Is it really a piece by Master AiCo?”
“I’ve heard her works are nearly impossible to acquire.”
“She’s among the top masters internationally.”

...

“We’ll begin the bidding now. The starting price is fifty million, with each increment at two million.”
The crowd fell silent, making no move. No wonder the young master of the Huangpu family took an interest—if they were him, they would be eager too.

The host chuckled to lighten the mood, “Perhaps everyone’s just a little nervous. The opening bid is fifty million—any takers?”

The truth was, they weren’t nervous—they simply didn’t dare to bid.

Just then, from the second row on the right, someone slowly raised a paddle. “Fifty-two million.”

Xia Wanqing’s heart raced. Why was no one bidding? She’d only told a few people not to compete.

Shangguan Renran noticed her panic and smiled slightly. Turning around, she saw Huangpu Shenqing gazing at her intently, and her expression quickly turned cold and unreadable.

So Huangpu Shenqing was helping that Xia woman? She had no intention of letting things go his way. “Fifty-four million,” she called out, raising her paddle.

Huangpu Qingyin joined in. Earlier, they’d made her lose face in front of everyone—now, no matter what, she would get back at them.

“Fifty-six million,” Xia Wanqing countered, undeterred.

“Fifty-eight million.” The competition had narrowed; the others dared not bid—it was just the two of them vying against each other.

“Sixty million.”
“Seventy million.” Huangpu Qingyin raised the stakes dramatically.
“Eighty million.” Why were they fighting so hard? This painting should have been hers from the start.
“One hundred million.”

...

“Miss Ouyang, do you think this will cause trouble?” Zhen Mi watched Xia Wanqing and Huangpu Qingyin drive up the price, worry clear in her voice.

“Don’t worry, she has her own plans,” Ouyang Muya assured her.

But they weren’t the only ones whispering. Seated close behind, Shangguan Renran and Xia Wanqing were also talking.

“Renran, what should I do?” Xia Wanqing fretted. If this continued, she’d just be wasting money. Ever since she’d entered the entertainment industry, her family had cut off her allowance.

Her father had said, “Since you’ve chosen this path, you can fend for yourself. I trust you won’t need my support anymore.”
In other words, her pocket money was gone.

“Know when to stop. Don’t worry about the painting—I’ll find you an even better one,” Renran said gently.

If Renran wasn’t worried, then neither was she; she’d always trusted her.

Knowing when to stop likely meant she should let the other party overpay.

So Xia Wanqing called out, “Three hundred million.”

“My goodness, three hundred million! Is this a record?”
“Who is this Miss Xia, exactly?”
“I heard she’s a newcomer to the entertainment scene—where did she get that kind of money?”
“Who knows? Earlier, the young master of the Huangpu family told everyone not to bid, but now Miss Xia and her sister are competing with each other…”
“Sister? I heard when the young master was little…”

...

“Miss Huangpu, are you unable to keep up?” Xia Wanqing teased.

“What a joke! You think I, a true lady, would lose to a commoner like you? Three hundred and twenty million,” Huangpu Qingyin retorted, raising her paddle.

“Sis, are you out of your mind? Where are you going to find that much money?” Huangpu Qing’an whispered below. Their combined living expenses for months barely amounted to that.

Xia Wanqing had stopped caring, since Renran promised to find her a better painting. “Four hundred and twenty million.”

A hiss of disbelief swept through the room.

Damn it, she had to get this painting. “Five hundred million,” Huangpu Qingyin declared, standing and raising her paddle high.

“Five hundred and fifty million. Miss Huangpu, if you don’t have the money, don’t force yourself—your intentions are enough,” Xia Wanqing replied, standing as well.

“Hmph. Six hundred million,” Huangpu Qingyin bit out, her teeth clenched.

“Sis?”
“Qingyin?”

Bai Xi knew for certain she couldn’t come up with that kind of money.

“Well, how generous of you, Miss Huangpu. I’ll let you have it,” Xia Wanqing said joyfully, sinking into her seat. Swindling six hundred million from her felt truly satisfying.

“What did you say? You—you were tricking me?” Furious, Huangpu Qingyin sputtered.

“Congratulations to Miss Huangpu for being tonight’s top bidder and acquiring this masterpiece. We’ll be sure to pass on Miss Huangpu’s generosity. Let’s give her a round of applause,” the host announced.

Applause rippled through the audience—they’d certainly witnessed quite a performance tonight.

Huangpu Qingyin forced a stiff smile and slowly sat down. Six hundred million—where on earth would she find that kind of money? If her grandmother found out, she’d be in serious trouble.

“Sis, what are you going to do now? Where will you find the money?” Huangpu Qing’an asked.

“I… I’ll figure something out. Bai Xi, you’re in charge from here,” she replied.

“What else is there to do? You’ve already been played for a fool. Why bother?” Huangpu Qing’an scoffed.

“Little brother, didn’t you have your eye on that woman? I’ll make arrangements for you,” she said, noticing how Huangpu Qing’an had been watching Shangguan Renran all night.

“Really?” It was the first time he’d encountered someone so pure and untouchable. If he could win her over, it would be perfect.

“Of course. You’re a young master of the Huangpu family—who wouldn’t want you?” She knew all too well his habits of drinking and chasing women.

Bai Xi and Shangguan Miaomiao still had their plans—telling Huangpu Qing’an was no problem. With him on their side, perhaps they could ruin Shangguan Renran.

The evening then moved on to the banquet, held in a hall on the second floor. Of course, those who didn’t wish to attend were free to skip it.