"I have it."
Jiang Yi produced the invitation with a calm and composed demeanor.
The security guard snatched it away and said sternly, "If the invitation is fake, don't blame us for being impolite. According to regulations, we will throw you onto the street."
Having said that, the security guard opened the invitation.
The next second, the security guard was stunned.
The security guard couldn't believe his eyes and continued to examine it carefully.
The security guard's expression confused the other security guards, who hurried over to take a closer look.
All the security guards who had seen the invitation were dumbfounded.
After a long while, these security guards came back to their senses, their expressions of disdain replaced by respectful smiles. They even looked at Jiang Yi with a hint of admiration.
"Sir, we failed to recognize your importance. We hope you won't take it to heart," the security guard quickly apologized to Jiang Yi.
Then, he respectfully returned the invitation to Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi ignored them and entered the villa with Dongfang Mei.
Everyone watched Jiang Yi's retreating back, filled with confusion. Many of them had not received invitations and had come to wait before dawn, hoping to find an opportunity to enter the auction.
Jiang Yi, such an unremarkable person, not only had an invitation but, judging by the security guards' attitudes, seemed to be a significant figure.
"That kid looks like a nobody, without power or influence. How could he possibly have an invitation? The invitation must be fake," people began to argue.
"The invitation is real!"
A security guard spoke up, "Not only is it real, but it's not an ordinary invitation. It bears the signatures of Young Master Sun and the head of the Chen family. There are only ten such invitations at the entire auction house. That gentleman is a VIP among VIPs."
This statement left everyone dumbfounded.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yi had already arrived at the auction venue.
Jiang Yi scanned the crowd and saw Ye Yanran and Ye Xiaofeng among them.
There was also another person!
Liu Tianyu!
At that moment, Liu Tianyu was sitting next to Ye Yanran, talking to her.
Ye Yanran merely nodded, not saying a word.
She found Liu Tianyu very repulsive, but for the sake of the company, she had no choice but to accompany him.
The reason Ye Yanran attended the auction dated back to the previous night.
Last night, Liu Tianyu had gone directly to the Ye family!
He told Ye Yanran that the auction was hosted by the Sun family and prepared by the Chen family. If she could please the Chen family and the Ye family through the auction, the cooperation and investment matters would surely materialize.
For Ye Yanran, this was her only opportunity.
To secure this opportunity, Ye Yanran had put in considerable effort and managed to gather over fifty million to participate in the auction.
The main reason was that Ye Yanran had invested all her money in a newly developed project, so raising fifty million was already quite an achievement.
"How did this beggar Jiang Yi also come!"
Liu Tianyu's tone was filled with disdain, and his eyes held a murderous glint.
Liu Tianyu wished he could kill Jiang Yi right then and there.
He knew clearly that only by eliminating Jiang Yi could he have a chance to become the Ye family's son-in-law.
Upon hearing that Jiang Yi had arrived, Ye Yanran couldn't help but look towards him.
When she saw Dongfang Mei beside Jiang Yi, a trace of bitterness flickered in Ye Yanran's eyes, and her face showed a hint of melancholy.
When Liu Tianyu saw Dongfang Mei, his eyes widened.
Seeing Ye Yanran nearby, Liu Tianyu reluctantly averted his gaze.
Liu Tianyu's actions were subtle, but Ye Yanran still noticed them, which increased her aversion towards him.
"Yanran, you mustn't be fooled."
Ye Xiaofeng said, "Jiang Yi deliberately brought a beautiful woman to the auction. He must be trying to anger you. If you get angry, you'll be playing right into his hands."
"I have nothing to do with him anymore. Why should I be angry?" Ye Yanran said dismissively.
Although she said it like that, Ye Yanran felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
"It seems Sister, you've finally come to your senses. That's great!" Ye Xiaofeng said happily.
Ye Yanran remained silent, trying not to let her sadness show on her face.
She didn't want anyone to see it!
Even less did she want Jiang Yi to see it.
Jiang Yi also saw Ye Yanran. After a brief glance, he averted his gaze.
"What is that woman to you?" Dongfang Mei asked with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"She's my ex-wife. We just got divorced."
Jiang Yi took a deep breath.
The word "ex-wife" was spoken by Jiang Yi for the first time.
Dongfang Mei wore a playful smile, leaned closer to Jiang Yi, and directly linked her arm through his.
"What are you doing?" Jiang Yi frowned.
"Of course, I'm helping you. To make your ex-wife jealous," Dongfang Mei said with a smile.
Jiang Yi prepared to pull Dongfang Mei's hand away.
"You won't do that," Dongfang Mei said, staring into Jiang Yi's eyes.
Jiang Yi's raised hand paused.
Finally, Jiang Yi lowered his hand, letting Dongfang Mei hold his arm.
Jiang Yi felt a wry smile.
He didn't know why he did this.
Perhaps he really wanted to provoke Ye Yanran.
It seemed he still couldn't let go of Ye Yanran, otherwise, he wouldn't have done something so childish.
"I never thought that scoundrel Jiang Yi would get himself a rich woman so quickly. Fortunately, Yanran, you divorced him. This kind of man is not worth entrusting your life to."
Liu Tianyu continued to add fuel to the fire.
"Sister, Young Master Liu is absolutely right. If you're looking for a husband, you should find someone like Young Master Liu," Ye Xiaofeng said. "Young Master Liu is a truly good man. You'll be truly happy if you marry Young Master Liu."
Ye Yanran heard none of it.
Her mind was in a mess.
Liu Tianyu didn't dare to make a move against Jiang Yi at the Sun family's auction, but he wouldn't miss this opportunity to humiliate Jiang Yi.
Liu Tianyu straightened his suit and swaggered towards Jiang Yi.
"Jiang, you worthless man who lives off women, what right do you have to attend the auction hosted by the Sun family?" Liu Tianyu questioned with a mocking smile.
"If I'm worthless, then you are even less than worthless!" Jiang Yi retorted.
Hearing Jiang Yi insult him as being less than worthless, Liu Tianyu's lips twitched with anger.
"What, isn't that the case?"
Jiang Yi said with a cold smile, "If you weren't the young master of the Liu family, you would be nothing. What's there to brag about? Do you dare say that all these designer clothes you're wearing were bought with your own money?"
Liu Tianyu's face turned red with embarrassment.
Liu Tianyu didn't want to lose face in front of so many people!
Especially not in front of Ye Yanran.
"Regardless, I am the young master of the Liu family. In a few years, I will become the chairman of the Liu Group," Liu Tianyu said proudly. "As for you, you're nothing. If the Ye family hadn't taken you in back then, you would have starved to death on the streets. Now that Yanran has divorced you and the Ye family has kicked you out, you can't rely on Yanran for sustenance. You'll have to beg on the streets."
Ye Xiaofeng also walked over.