It's called a smoking room.
But in reality, it is a private VIP lounge.
Following the server's directions, Sheng Congzhi made her way to the second floor.
She looked left and right to make sure no one was around, then quickly stepped towards the door. Just as she raised her hand, the door was pushed open from the inside.
Then she was pulled in by a hand.
The world spun around her.
The next second, she found herself pressed against the door panel.
Fu Yan, with a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth, smiled a bit wickedly, "Sneaking around like a thief, are you that nervous?"
Sheng Congzhi glared at him irritably, "What are you up to now?"
"Tssk," Fu Yan squinted, "Tell me, how many days has it been since we last saw each other?"
While speaking, his fingers were kneading her waist.
Sheng Congzhi was slender, but not skin and bones. She had a delicate frame with flesh where it should be, especially her waist, unbelievably soft and supple, easily folded by his whims...
The dark shades in the man's eyes deepened, and even his voice became huskier, "Did you miss me?"
Sheng Congzhi: "..."
She couldn't understand how this man could be sweet-talking Xia Zhixi one second and rubbing up against her the next.
Fu Yan continued, "I missed Zhizhi."
Yet Sheng Congzhi calmly pushed him away, "If there's nothing else, I'll be heading back."
Just as she turned to leave, she was glued to him from behind again.
Sheng Congzhi closed her eyes, "Do you want everyone to know about us?"
"What's wrong?" Fu Yan lowered his head and grazed her ear with his thin sharp lips, "You don't really think I'm afraid of being exposed, do you?"
"Otherwise?"
"It's for your sake."
Sheng Congzhi chuckled dryly.
"Don't believe me?" Fu Yan breathed in her ear, "How about later on stage, I personally put those earrings on for you?"
Sheng Congzhi blurted out, "Aren't they meant for Miss Xia?"
Fu Yan slightly raised an eyebrow, "Why would I give them to her?"
Sheng Congzhi remained silent.
"So Zhizhi misunderstood, and is jealous." Fu Yan let out a chuckle, and pinched her cheek, "No wonder you're pouting…"
"Smack!"
Sheng Congzhi, unable to tolerate it anymore, swatted his hand away, "Stop pawing at me."
"We're a legal couple, don't worry, I had the surveillance on this floor turned off..."
"I don't have time for your games." Sheng Congzhi's tone was stern, "The auction is about to start, and I have important things to do."
"What else caught your eye?" Fu Yan spoke in an indulgent tone, "Your husband will buy it all for you later."
Sheng Congzhi looked at him.
Through the thin lenses, his phoenix eyes twinkled with mirth.
Her gaze drifted down across his nose, lips, chin, and finally landed on his neck.
He had unbuttoned his collar two buttons deep, revealing a cold white neck. She seemed to notice for the first time that there was a small dark mole on Fu Yan's neck, subtly placed beside his Adam's apple, inexplicably sexy...
She suddenly looked up.
Fu Yan just felt a sting in his throat, "Hiss—"
Sheng Congzhi quickly left, pulling open the door and stepping out.
The man frowned and glanced at a nearby mirror.
On his neck, next to his Adam's apple, there was a small rose-colored lipstick mark.
...
Sheng Congzhi had just reached the downstairs when she encountered Ye Jiaorui.
"Sheng Congzhi, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" Her face was furious, "Just because no one was buying anything for you, you had to compete with me. How could you be so cruel, you're just jealous of me!"
Sheng Congzhi smiled, "If you're not convinced, keep it up later."
"You..."
"Dawdle any more, and you want to trend on social media with me?" Sheng Congzhi passed her and entered the venue.
The second half of the auction was about to begin.
As the host took the stage, Fu Yan also returned.
Lu Jiangnian looked up and spouted an expletive from Peking opera.
"What's up?" Fu Yan raised an eyebrow, the picture of innocence.
Lu Jiangnian gave various looks and then pointed to his neck.
Xia Zhixi had just returned to the country and was planning to hold a concert soon, so Lu Jiangnian had brought some investors from the industry for her to meet just earlier.
Therefore, he was certain that the love bite on Fu Yan's neck was left by another woman!
It must not be seen by Xia Zhixi...
Yet someone had to ask, "What's wrong with my neck?"
Lu Jiangnian: You're freaking...
Xia Zhixi indeed looked over.
Her eyes changed instantly at that moment, her complexion also went pale.
She quickly regained her composure and offered him a tissue, "There's something on your neck, wipe it off."
"Oh." Fu Yan acted as if he had just realized, took the tissue, wiped his neck, and chuckling lowly, "What a feisty kitten."
Xia Zhixi: "..."
Lu Jiangnian also: "..."
**
Two pieces of porcelain later, the host made a solemn announcement, "Now, let us present the last item of tonight's charity dinner."
A server displayed the item on the stage.
"This painting of 'The Ode to the Nymph of the Luo River' is vibrant in color, the lines are precise and fluid, full of dynamic beauty. As the scroll unfolds, one can see the enchanting beauty of the Luo nymph, her hesitation between staying and departing, her sparkling eyes full of spirit..."
After the introduction, the host declared, "This painting was donated by Elder Qian. The starting bid is 1 million, with increments of no less than 500,000..."
Qin Zhenzhen curiously asked, "Do you know this Elder Qian?"
Sheng Congzhi whispered back, "Former head of the Organization Department."
Qin Zhenzhen suddenly realized, "No wonder."
Bidding began throughout the room:
"1.5 million."
"2 million."
"3 million."
"3.8 million."
…
The price soared and quickly reached 10 million.
Clearly, it was all in consideration of Elder Qian's face.
As the number of people calling out bids slowly dwindled, Fu Dongting raised his sign, "15 million."
Qin Zhenzhen, getting the hint, immediately followed suit, "16 million."
Fu Dongting glanced back.
Sheng Congzhi's expression was unchanged.
He continued bidding, "18 million."
Qin Zhenzhen: "20 million."
The room gradually became restless.
Lu Jiangnian, who didn't understand painting, asked, "Zhixi, is this painting really worth 20 million?"
Xia Zhixi looked at the "The Ode to the Nymph of the Luo River" on stage, "If I remember correctly, this painting was damaged before. This should be a restoration, and a pretty good one at that."
"Even so, it can't be worth that much, can it?"
As his words fell, Fu Dongting's voice rang out again: "50 million."
"Holy shit!" Lu Jiangnian sat up straight, "I'm really learning something new today—first, a pair of earrings for 10 million, now a painting for 50 million..."
Fu Yan slowly caressed his wine glass, "50 million?"
"Do you also think it's not worth it?" Lu Jiangnian found a confidant, "Our nephew is a fool with too much money, aren't you going to advise him? Don't let him get fooled..."
Fu Yan: "It's more than that."
Lu Jiangnian: "???"
Qin Zhenzhen also asked, "Sis, should we keep bidding?"
Sheng Congzhi: "Keep going."
"What if he stops raising the bid?" Qin Zhenzhen was getting cold feet, "A couple of million, I could handle, but now it's 50 million, all this money, my dad will break my damn legs..."
"Keep bidding with peace of mind," Sheng Congzhi patted her hand, "Your damn legs, I've got them covered."
Qin Zhenzhen took a deep breath.
Alright then.
The two had known each other since high school, and Sheng Congzhi always had her own plans for handling things. After all these years, she trusted her.
The emcee, holding the microphone, called out, "Any more bids? 50 million for the first time..."
Qin Zhenzhen raised her sign: "60 million!"
Lu Jiangnian turned his head abruptly, "Holy shit, is Qin Zhenzhen really that rich?"
The Qin family was considered a second-tier family in Yun City, with a business in industry, but spending tens of millions on an ancient painting...
Xia Zhixi pondered, "Miss Qin's brother seems to be involved in trading paintings and calligraphy."
"That Qin Shaoshang?" Lu Jiangnian scoffed, "He calls himself a well-known artist in Yun City, but he's just a middleman making a margin!"
In the midst of talking, Fu Dongting had already increased his bid to 80 million.
Holding the microphone, the emcee's eyes widened in amazement, and before he could speak...
Qin Zhenzhen: "90 million!"
Fu Dongting gritted his teeth: "95 million."
Qin Zhenzhen stood up straight away: "100 million!"
With today's highest bid called out on the spot, the atmosphere in the room instantly peaked, and the emcee was so excited he nearly cracked his voice, "Miss Qin bids 100 million, is there anyone else who would like to bid?"
Sheng Congzhi watched Fu Dongting.
Clearly, the price had far exceeded his expectations...
But she wasn't worried at all.
Sure enough.
Fu Dongting lifted his sign, "150 million."
"150 million!" the emcee's voice cracked for real this time, "My goodness, this is the highest bid in the history of our foundation's auctions..."
"200 million!"
"Wow—"
The room completely exploded at that moment.
Everyone turned to look at Qin Zhenzhen, with all kinds of expressions and discussions buzzing around.
She seemed quite proud of herself, smiling and waving at everyone, quite the show-off.
Until Sheng Congzhi spoke up, "Enough."
Qin Zhenzhen quickly sat down.
"Any more bids? 200 million for the first time, 200 million for the second time, 200 million for the third..."
Fu Dongting's sign went up again, his voice heavy, "300 million."
After announcing this number, everyone wasn't looking at him but at Qin Zhenzhen behind him.
The emcee, holding the auction hammer, also stared unblinkingly at her.
Finally, confirming that she would not bid again, he brought the hammer down: "300 million for the third time! Sold!"
The entire venue burst into enthusiastic applause.
Congratulatory words flowed nonstop.
Fu Dongting's face, however, was stiff and somber.
Ye Jiaorui was smiling quite happily though.
Even though she hadn't received a gift tonight, at this moment, she felt she had regained all her face!