Chapter 64

The next day.

After dressing up, Rong Ci and Chu Zilan went to the auction.

Neither Rong Ci nor Chu Zilan dressed elaborately.

Yet their appearances were exceptional, and when they entered the auction hall, they drew many glances.

Chu Zilan had attended several auctions before and was fairly active in the circle; many knew her.

But Rong Ci was someone they had never seen before.

Seeing her appear alongside Chu Zilan, many speculated which wealthy family she belonged to.

Their seats were in the middle to back rows.

They arrived not early.

A few minutes after they sat down, the auction was about to begin.

At that moment, a commotion suddenly erupted in the front row.

Rong Ci and Chu Zilan turned their heads at the sound.

Upon learning what had happened, Rong Ci froze mid-movement.

Chu Zilan: “It’s Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu… they came too.”

She asked Rong Ci: “Did you know they’d be here?”

Rong Ci shook her head: “I didn’t.”

She hadn’t expected him to attend.

Feng Tingshen hadn’t told her he’d be coming.

After the previous banquet and tech exhibition, Lin Wu had gained recognition in high society.

When she and Feng Tingshen appeared, many turned their attention to her.

“Last time Feng Zong brought her to the banquet, her outfit cost over thirty million. This time, her attire is no less impressive.”

“Never mind the diamond jewelry—just her dress is a custom piece by the world’s top designer, Eims, who has been in semi-retirement for the past decade, crafting only three gowns a year, each worth over ten million—”

“Last time it was over thirty million, this time it’s still tens of millions. Just these two appearances, Feng Zong has spent tens of millions on her—he’s truly generous with her.”

“Isn’t that the truth.”

Lin Wu wore a blue silk gown shimmering with flowing light, her jewelry dazzling, and with her outstanding looks, she was unquestionably the most conspicuous woman at tonight’s auction.

Everyone knew the front row symbolized status and rank.

Amid all the discussions and envy, Lin Wu and Feng Tingshen sat together in the center seat of the front row.

Seeing this, many around them grew even more envious.

“Center of the front row… so prestigious. I wonder what it feels like to sit there. They can sit up front—not just because of their status, but because they’re clearly spending a fortune tonight—my god—”

“Don’t even talk about it. The more you say, the more jealous you get. Comparing people really kills you.”

Chu Zilan, hearing this, leaned close to Rong Ci’s ear and whispered bitterly: “He and Lin Wu sit in the front row, yet gave us tickets in the back…”

Feng Tingshen’s blatant favoritism toward Lin Wu over her wasn’t new.

Rong Ci was long used to it.

She no longer cared.

Besides, her purpose in attending the auction was to buy a birthday gift for her grandmother.

As for seating, she paid it no mind.

Chu Zilan added: “Does Feng Tingshen not even know where we’re seated? Why doesn’t he look over here once?”

The tickets were probably arranged for her by Feng Tingshen.

He likely didn’t care where she sat.

As for Chu Zilan’s remark that Feng Tingshen hadn’t glanced their way—first, he might not even know their seat numbers; even if he did, he wouldn’t deliberately pay attention to her.

After all, when Yu Moxun brought her to the banquet and the last tech exhibition, he had ignored her entirely from start to finish.

Just as she thought this, the auction was about to begin. The host stepped onto the stage, and the crowd fell silent.

Rong Ci had already carefully reviewed tonight’s auction catalog.

She was interested in a set of emerald jewelry and a master embroidery painting.

Which one to bid on would depend on the circumstances.

The auction began quickly.

With clear intent, Rong Ci didn’t raise her paddle for anything she didn’t truly want.

Feng Tingshen and Lin Wu had also not raised their paddles yet.

After a while, Rong Ci and Chu Zilan noticed Lin Wu began bidding.

Lin Wu was bidding on a diamond bracelet.

It was an overseas designer piece; the style clearly suited a young woman.

Undoubtedly, this bracelet was meant for Lin Wu, purchased by Feng Tingshen.

The starting price was one point five million.

Lin Wu raised her paddle, raising the bid to three million.

Others then pushed it to four million.

At that moment, Rong Ci noticed Lin Wu and Feng Tingshen conferred briefly, then Lin Wu raised her paddle again, her voice clear throughout the hall: “Eight million.”

Her voice triggered a stir in the exhibition hall.

The bracelet’s design was nice, but its intrinsic value certainly didn’t justify eight million.

Four million was already too much.

Yet Lin Wu clearly loved the bracelet.

And Feng Tingshen, flush with wealth, seemed unwilling to let anyone else compete with her—he simply bid eight million.

Everyone was stunned by Feng Tingshen’s disregard for money and his indulgence toward Lin Wu, and murmurs spread.

As expected.

Once the eight-million bid was made, no one else bid.

Lin Wu successfully won the bracelet.

Chu Zilan, green with envy, gritted her teeth: “My teeth ache.”

Before Rong Ci could speak, the next round of bidding began.

After a while, an antique vase was displayed.

Lin Wu raised her paddle again.

The vase’s starting price was five million.

Others bid in increments of fifty or one hundred thousand; Lin Wu opened with ten million.

The number of bidders dropped instantly.

Yet there were still many wealthy people present.

After a moment, a male voice interjected: “Fifteen million.”

Rong Ci turned to look.

It was a very young man, with exceptionally striking looks.

“That’s Ren Jifeng.”

Chu Zilan told Rong Ci.

Rong Ci nodded.

Lin Wu seemed hesitant, glancing at Feng Tingshen.

From this, Rong Ci and Chu Zilan could tell this antique vase was something Lin Wu truly wanted herself.

At that moment, Rong Ci suddenly remembered: her grandmother, Lady Lin, had always been passionate about collecting antiques.

Without thinking, she realized Lin Wu was bidding on this vase for Lady Lin.

Feng Tingshen nodded. Lin Wu raised her paddle again: “Twenty-five million.”

Ren Jifeng smiled: “Thirty million.”

Lin Wu hesitated further, leaning close to Feng Tingshen as if telling him she’d give up.

But Feng Tingshen shook his head.

Lin Wu raised her paddle again: “Forty million.”

Ren Jifeng’s voice rang out once more: “Fifty million.”

As he spoke, he smiled and glanced toward Feng Tingshen.

Lin Wu frowned and whispered to Feng Tingshen: “Maybe… let it go?”

Fifty million was simply too much.