Chapter 264: Don't fool yourself

At the same time, beside the main stage of the banquet hall, Mu Youyu was boredly listening to the host's lengthy opening remarks.

Her fingers unconsciously wound around Jiang Liangjin's cuff, fingertips brushing his suit, round and round, creating small wrinkles.

Jiang Liangjin lowered his gaze at her, raised his hand and gently pinched her palm, with a soothing tone, his voice extremely low: "Bored again?"

Mu Youyu lifted her eyes, meeting his smiling gaze: "Yeah, dragging on, I've already finished the little cake, and it still hasn't started."

Just as she was about to continue speaking, her phone screen flashed, a message from Lin Ning: 【It's raining~ Youbao, I and the senior from night school are leaving first, no need to look for me!】

She read only the first three characters and didn't continue, her eyes instantly lighting up, she tugged Jiang Liangjin's arm and whispered: "A Jin, look, it's raining."

She quite likes rainy days; the air is nice.

Jiang Liangjin naturally felt the same: "Yeah, want to go out?"

Mu Youyu shook her head, she had deliberately booked a seat up front beforehand.

The tables to her left and right were filled with her own relatives or the Jiang Family; she didn't want to slip away so quickly.

She moved closer to Jiang Liangjin, shoulders touching, and whispered: "Wait a bit, let's wait until the host finishes reading the script."

After much effort, Song Yusui, who had snatched a seat behind his sister's table, reached out and tapped her back with his fingertip: "Baby~ where are you two whispering about going? Bring big brother along."

Mu Youyu turned her head, blinked, and said: "Nowhere, where's Yuchu-gege?"

Song Yusui lazily waved his hand, picked up the champagne on the table and took a sip: "Who knows? He's now Lu Dong, I dare not meddle in his comings and goings."

Mu Nian, sitting nearby, hearing the word "director", recalled the call his father had made yesterday.

Saying he was getting old, he wanted to hand over the position of Mu Clan chairman to him.

He had begun managing company affairs at eighteen, while Mu Father had merely held the title of chairman for many years.

Mu Nian, this CEO, was finally about to attain the rightful position; his heart had long been impatient.

"He went home first." Mu Xin beside him spoke lightly, having just taken a call from Lu Yuchu: "He said the company still has some matters to handle, so he's leaving a step ahead."

Mu Youyu didn't ask further.

Yan Yuejiu, who usually had little presence, pulled Mu Nian to start making his presence felt: "Youbao, the auction is about to start; in the middle there's a dress designed by a sister, you should remember to check it out."

Mu Nian nodded: "That's right."

Mu Youyu pulled Jiang Liangjin to turn back, nodded firmly: "Okay!"

Jiang Liangjin, not knowing what to say, seeing a few people quiet down, responded: "Alright, Elder Sister Yan, Big Brother."

Mu Nian had long been brainwashed by his own absurd, ever-more-absurd ideas; he merely gave a hollow laugh and ignored that remark.

Yan Yuejiu raised an eyebrow, then simply leaned on his shoulder, whispering in a voice only the two could hear: "How come? Is this you acknowledging him?"

"What acknowledgment? I don't understand."

Yan Yuejiu observed his expression for a few seconds, then instantly understood: "Don't fool yourself."

"……"

"Yu-jie!"

Song Yusui raised an eyebrow, this address was rather peculiar; he followed the sound and saw two little girls quickly walking over.

Jiang Liangjin instinctively turned his head.

Seeing the arrivals, Mu Youyu immediately smiled: "Song Song, how did you come?"

Mo Song hurried over, behind her followed Leng Yueyou in a little formal dress; she pointed at the person beside her, cheerfully saying: "Youyou brought me here."

Leng Yueyou stepped forward, smiled at Mu Youyu: "Little Yu."

Mu Youyu responded, and then the two went elsewhere to find seats.

The opening ceremony of the charity banquet was finally nearing its end.

The auctioneer strode onto the stage full of spirit: "Next up is the most anticipated auction segment of this charity banquet! All proceeds from the items will go to education in impoverished mountainous areas!"

"Without further ado, let's welcome the first item with enthusiastic applause!"

The first item is a jade hairpin.

After several rounds of bidding, the jade hairpin was taken by a middle-aged man.

Immediately after, the second, third, and fourth items appeared in succession.

For nice items, Mu Youyu's several older brothers would also bid and win them.

The atmosphere on site gradually heated up.

Mu Youyu hadn't seen many items she liked.

Finally, the auctioneer's voice rang out again, tinged with excitement: "This next item has quite a background! It is crafted by the nationally top-tier intangible cultural heritage Su embroidery inheritor and renowned haute couture designer Ms. Yan Yuejiu—a haute couture gown named 'Misty Isle'!"

As his words fell, the spotlight hit the center of the stage.

The usher carefully unfolded the gown; the mist-gray skirt layered upon itself, like an island veiled in morning mist, the silver threads on the hem shimmering under the lights.

The tiny diamonds adorning the neckline further lent the gown a dreamy yet luxurious air.

It somewhat resembles the one Mu Youyu wore at the Lin Lin banquet hall in June, but this is more like an improved version, more refined.

Instantly, a gasp rippled through the audience; many young ladies' eyes lit up.

Who doesn't know? Yan Yuejiu's haute couture gowns are worth a fortune and hard to come by!

The auctioneer announced the starting bid: "Starting price one million! Each raise must be no less than one hundred thousand! Bidding begins now!"

"One million one hundred thousand!" someone immediately raised a paddle.

"One million five hundred thousand!"

"Two million!"

Bids rose and fell, the price climbing steadily.

Mu Youyu stared, unblinking, pulling Jiang Liangjin's arm: "Sister Yan's dress is too beautiful, so exquisite."

Jiang Liangjin agreed: "Beautiful."

Yan Yuejiu turned her head, voice indulgent: "Like it? Later I'll make you an even prettier one."

Drawing design sketches for the pretty sister, or rather the sister I really like, just thinking about her makes me feel motivated!

Mu Youyu was about to speak when she heard a familiar voice from behind: '5,200,000.'

Everyone followed the sound and saw Mu Nian slowly raise the placard in his hand, a faint smile on his face.

Yan Yuejiu froze for a moment, then turned and glared at him, whispering, 'What are you doing? Want me to wear it for you to see?'

Mu Nian, however, smiled, put his arm around her shoulders, leaned in, and said, 'I haven't even seen you wear this yet.'

Jiang Liangjin wasn't surprised he won the bid; he had already noticed earlier that this big brother's gaze was off.

The auctioneer also froze for a moment, then loudly announced, 'President Mu bids 5,200,000! Any higher?'

The audience fell silent instantly, no one daring to raise their placards again.

After all, everyone knows the relationship between Mu Nian and Yan Yuejiu; this face, we still have to give.

Even if they raised the bid, they wouldn't gain any benefit.

Those socialites who had originally wanted to keep bidding also sensibly withdrew their hands, the regret in their eyes flashing away.

Mu Ye Ye and Jiang Ye Ye were merely representatives of the organizers, came to watch the excitement, and did not intervene.

The auctioneer sealed the deal with three hammer strikes.

Mu Youyu turned around, gave Mu Nian a thumbs-up, and said, 'Big brother, awesome!'

'Our Youbao has such a sweet mouth; later I'll transfer some pocket money to you.' Mu Nian laughed, shook his head, his gaze falling again on Yan Yuejiu's face, his eyes full of tenderness.

Mu Youyu smiled sweetly, 'Okay!'

Jiang Liangjin also calculated transferring some pocket money to her card.

Yan Yuejiu, however, pinched him hard, rebutting his earlier remark with a slightly coquettish tone: 'Nice try, this size isn't mine; it was altered according to yours, I wouldn't wear it—President Mu, remember to wear it for me to see tonight.'

Mu Nian didn't believe it, 'Really?'

He thought it looked quite suitable.

Yan Yuejiu's little disciple instinctively chimed in, 'No, no! This size is the teacher's; there's an elastic cord in the back, so even if the teacher doesn't fit, a little alteration and it can be worn!'

Yan Yuejiu: 'Good disciple.'

The little disciple felt a chill down his back.

Immediately, it was Mu Youyu's turn for that mountain‑water painting, and the atmosphere in the venue was driven to a climax once again.