The banquet hall was decorated in fine red linens, and tall white flower arrangements. Many of the invited guests dressed themselves up in the richest of materials and were ready to show off their wealth.
Xia Biming wasn't sure how she got inside the banquet. After walking away from the reporters, her thoughts kept flying around and she couldn't focus. Xue Changmin had led her the entire way.
"Let's go join your brother, Miss Xia." Xue Changmin led her over to a where Xia Huanting was standing with Fang An Xi and Wang Xuan.
"Xia Huanting! How dare you leave me out there like that?!" Xia Biming huffed in anger.
"I didn't leave you alone! You came in with Xue Changmin. You guys even match, you looked great coming in together." He gave her an evil chuckle and continued to sip his drink.
She was sure that they had planned this together. "An Xi, did you know of this?"
Fang An Xi felt like she was caught in the crossfire, "I swear I didn't know Ming!"
Biming sighed angrily and grabbed Fang An Xi to go get a drink from the bar. It seemed like her luck was going down the drain as she ran into three unsightly faces.
Yu Tianhao had attended the gala with Zhao Liling attached to his side. Following them was Zhao Lingyu. Xia Biming wondered how they could hide all their shameful acts so well. It disgusted her.
"Xia Biming! It's nice to see you here. Your dress is lovely!" Zhao Liling spoke loudly with a sweet face and the fakest smile Biming had ever seen.
"Sis Ling is right! You are radiating tonight sis Ming." Zhao Lingyu couldn't keep her trap shut either and tried to butter Xia Biming up. She was aware of Xia Biming's temper and didn't want her dirty secrets exposed so fast.
"Thank you for the compliment. However, I don't think we are related. Are we close enough to be called sisters Zhao Lingyu?" Xia Biming couldn't stand these white lotuses.
Seeing that the Zhao sisters couldn't put up a fight against his ex-girlfriend, Yu Tianhao couldn't lose face this way. He needed to prove that he wasn't the one suffering a loss.
"Xia Biming, Lingyu was just trying to be nice. You shouldn't take it in a negative way. Don't ruin the event tonight."
"Me ruin the event? What about when two slippery snakes made their way to your nest? You don't seem to think that would ruin anything? Don't try and teach me what's right and what's wrong when you yourself don't even know." Xia Biming scoffed. She turned away with Fang An Xi in tow and continued to get their drinks.
Not feeling the best, she ordered a scotch and downed it in one gulp before ordering another one on the rocks. Wine was not going to cut it for her tonight.
Fang An Xi watched her sister down the drink and mentally prepared herself for the night coming. She ordered herself a glass of chardonnay. The girls then made their way to the round table to sit with the boys for the dinner.
Everyone was served an elegant salad made of alfalfa sprouts, radicchios, baby spinach and toasted walnuts. The dressing was a sweet and savory one consisting of hints of maple and garlic. As the first dish of the night, it was light and left the crowd wanting for more.
The second dish was a plate of seared foie gras garnished with grapefruit slices and watercress. The foie gras was set on top of a buttery and garlicky toasted brioche round. It was divine in every way and melted perfectly into one's mouth.
The third course found its way to the tables of all the esteemed guests. It was grilled premium grade steak seasoned with aromatic rosemary and sage. The thinly sliced steak rested on a fluffy cloud of creamy mashed potatoes. The potatoes were mashed with full fat cream, lots of butter, and raclette cheese to give it a cheesy stretch.
After the three courses were served, all the guests were filled to the brim with glee from the decadent and filling meal. Dessert was not served at the table and was instead displayed beautifully on a display. There were many desserts including tiramisu, macaroons, lemony parfaits, and strawberry shortcakes.
Xia Biming grabbed herself a serving of tiramisu and strawberry shortcake to enjoy at the table. Xue Changmin watched her eat with much delight. He truly adored her cute appetite. He enjoyed his own slice of tiramisu.
At the dessert table, the Zhao sisters were also helping themselves. "Ooh, this all looks so tasty. I think I'll get the lemon parfait. The baby is craving a little sour and tartness. Maybe it'll be a boy!"
Zhao Liling's appetite grew by the day and the lemon parfait was calling to her. When Zhao Lingyu heard her sister's comments, her heart's beat grew faster. Her lust to be in the spotlight grew tenfold in the span of a second.
Without waiting for her sister to respond Zhao Liling continued, "Hey, you heard what Xia Biming said earlier right? What do you think she meant by saying 'Two snakes getting into Yu Tianhao's nest'? I don't understand at all."
But of course, she understood. She noticed Xia Biming's gaze draw to her little sister when she spoke those dagger of words. She had then connected that Zhao Lingyu had been spending a substantial amount of time with her and Yu Tianhao.
Was something happening behind the scenes without her knowing? She wanted to test Zhao Lingyu and see how she would react.
Zhao Lingyu spoke up, "I don't know what Xia Biming is talking about. She must be jealous that you are with Brother Yu Tianhao now." She tried to draw the situation away from herself, but she accidently knocked over a parfait at the same time.
'Hmmm. Alright little sister. You seem to know something.' Zhao Liling's suspicions grew by the seed of doubt that had been planted.
Back at the table, she decided to question Yu Tianhao. "Tian Tian, what did Biming mean earlier when she was talking about two snakes? I can't understand her at all."
This question made the palms of Yu Tianhao turn cold and clammy. He nervously looked at Zhao Liling who was digging into her parfait before glancing at Zhao Lingyu who was also staring back at him with the same amount of uneasiness.
"She probably meant nothing Ling, eat your dessert. The bidding will start soon, let me know if you like something and I'll get it for you." He calmed himself down after gulping down his drink.
The auction started shortly after and everyone's attention was brought to the stage. They first piece of jewelry being auctioned was a pair of beautiful blue sapphire earrings.
Xia Biming had no interest in it, she was looking for something more eye-catching for herself and her mother. The auction advanced without a hitch. By this time, it was the 16th item of the night.
The item being auctioned was a dazzling set of jade bangles. The jade used was the highest quality and these bangles dated back nearly 700 years. They were simple yet alluring. Xia Biming was instantly attracted and started bidding, "4 million!"
And older lady in the back countered her, "4.1 million!"
Zhao Liling didn't want to see Xia Biming win so she also bid, "4.5 million!"
Xia Biming shot her hawk eyes over at Zhao Liling with repulse and laughed, "5.5 million!"
Another man added, "6 million!"
Finally, Xue Changmin spoke up, "15 million!"
No one else dared to go up against the business tycoon and no longer bid against him. Even Xia Biming was a little too shocked to bid.
"If you told me that you liked them, I wouldn't have bid…" Xia Biming spoke to Xue Changmin.
"I only bid on them for you. How could I let my woman lose in a bid?" He gave her a devilish grin and winked at her.