Although things were being auctioned and anyone could bid, she still felt a sense of being targeted.
Later, she didn't speak again.
There were still people bidding…
"1.03 million."
"1.05 million."
"I bid 1.2 million."
…
The price soared, eventually reaching a high of 7.5 million, far exceeding the original price of this necklace.
Although the necklace was exquisitely crafted, the sapphire itself was of ordinary quality.
The price of 7.5 million was bid by Chu Xue.
After she bid, no one else added.
The auctioneer announced, "Miss Chu has bid up to 7.5 million. Are there any further bids? Alright, 7.5 million once… 7.5 million twice…"
The auctioneer prolonged the tail end of his voice as he called out.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Meng Jingwei felt inexplicably drawn to the necklace by an invisible force.
After hesitating for a moment, Meng Jingwei, who hadn't bid for a while, raised her bidding paddle, "Seven…"
"Ten million!"
Before she could finish, the man beside her, Qing Muye, had already raised the bid to ten million.
Meng Jingwei furrowed her brows, her fair and delicate face etched with displeasure. "What do you want the necklace for?"
The man casually glanced sideways, a phrase "For you" on his lips, but he swallowed it back.
Perhaps it was because Meng Jingwei had constantly pushed him towards other women at that time, which displeased Qing Muye. He immediately changed his words, "I like it."
Meng Jingwei: …
"Alright, our Songyu Group's Master Qing has bid ten million. Are there any other bidders?" the auctioneer exclaimed with great enthusiasm, and the atmosphere in the auction hall gradually livened up.
Qing Muye had not spoken for the previous auction items.
But as soon as he spoke, he would obtain whatever he wanted, no matter the cost.
Meng Jingwei was angered by Qing Muye, so she leaned closer to him. "Don't compete for this necklace."
"This is an auction!"
The man slightly raised his eyelids, a faint smile gracing his handsome face.
"Oh, I know. But I don't have much money. If you bid higher, I won't be able to afford it." Meng Jingwei hid her face with her bidding paddle and whispered to Qing Muye.
"You can consider begging me. Perhaps I'll agree."
With that single sentence, a mix of wickedness and dominance, it was as if he had instantly reverted to the aloof and distinguished man she first met.
"Beg… How do I beg?"
Meng Jingwei was a little bewildered, then looked at him earnestly, her tone flat, "Then I'll beg you, don't bid anymore?" Her questioning tone was inexplicably a little cute.
"That's it?"
"Then what else do you want?"
As Meng Jingwei spoke, the auctioneer on stage was calling out again, "Ten million twice, any further bids?"
She immediately raised her paddle, "Another hundred!"
"Pfft… Hahahaha…"
"Another hundred? Is this a provocation to Master Qing?"
"This woman, relying on Old Madam Qing's affection, is truly fearless."
"Adding a hundred is also fine. This auction item doesn't specify a minimum bid increment."
…
"Eleven million."
After Meng Jingwei called out, Qing Muye directly added a million.
Hearing him shout, the little woman angrily kicked Qing Muye and leaned in. "Are you trying to die? I'm very poor!"
The man, in pain, feigned nonchalance. "It's fine. I'll have the finance department transfer the one hundred million you saved me as soon as possible. That's enough."
"That's still money."
"It's for charity, the more the better," the man said with a half-smile, making Meng Jingwei's face turn ashen with anger.
While the two were whispering, Xiao Cheng, Li Yun'er, who were seated in the back row, and Chu Xue, next to Qing Muye, were filled with envy, their eyes practically spitting fire.
"Thirteen million!"
Chu Xue suddenly called out a price.
Meng Jingwei suddenly sat up straighter, looked at Chu Xue, and pouted. She felt that acquiring this necklace was becoming as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Even Shu Yao, beside her, tugged at Meng Jingwei's wrist and whispered, "Don't bid anymore. This isn't a top-grade sapphire of rare quality, nor is it comparable to a fine blue diamond. It's just an ordinary sapphire, and this price is really not worth it."
"I know."
Meng Jingwei nodded. Despite what she said, she felt an inexplicable, intense desire for that gemstone.
"Fourteen million."
Li Yun'er, who hadn't bid for a while, also added a bid.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually reached its climax, with discussions buzzing all around.
"It's just an ordinary sapphire, and nearly a million would be good enough. Yet it's reached over ten million."
"Women, they just like these trinkets."
"If my woman bid like this wastefully, I'd beat her to death."
"Isn't that Li Yun'er's sister? It seems they don't get along."
"It's evident they're not on good terms, otherwise, why would Meng Jingwei agree to be Old Madam Qing's god-granddaughter but refuse to return to the Li family?"
"The Li family is a well-known charitable enterprise in Lancheng. Looking at it this way, Li Fu'an isn't a good person either."
…
Every time Li Yun'er and Meng Jingwei appeared, they became the most talked-about topics of the event.
This was because they both 'shared' the same key element… Qing Muye.
Meng Jingwei raised her bidding paddle, "Add one hundred!"
"Hahaha, this is blatant provocation."
"Coming from the countryside, she truly has no manners."
"It's legal and compliant, so why no manners? I think she's quite interesting."
"Are her sisters competing?"
…
The crowd whispered, but then Li Yun'er said, "Jingwei, please don't bid anymore. I originally intended to bid for this necklace to give to you."
Her voice was not loud, but many people could hear it clearly.
The wedding banquet incident had caused Li Yun'er significant negative repercussions, and she was now desperately trying to salvage her image.
Meng Jingwei listened to Li Yun'er's hypocritical and pretentious words. Even if she eventually gave the necklace to her, Meng Jingwei didn't want it.
"Miss Li, I appreciate your kindness, but when it comes to charity, one should naturally do their best."
Her outward words were very well-spoken, but they undeniably embarrassed Li Yun'er.
Li Yun'er was displeased with Meng Jingwei's audacity but still smiled gently, "Jingwei is right. In that case, I'll bid for another item."
Meng Jingwei smiled without speaking, inwardly cursing the 'green tea bitch'!
Li Yun'er's seemingly well-crafted words earned her more admiration from the crowd.
"Miss Li is indeed gentle and graceful, worthy of being called a lady from a prominent family."
"Apart from matters of love, she can manage to be uncompetitive and unprovocative in everything else, which is quite impressive."
"It's just pretense."
"A schemer. Haven't you noticed that Meng Jingwei doesn't like her?"
…
"Fourteen point five million."
Chu Xue was still bidding.
As the eldest princess of the Chu Corporation, Chu Xue possessed both capability and beauty. She had joined the company early to work alongside her father and never lacked money.
Whatever she desired, she could obtain.
Of course…
Except for Qing Muye.
Meng Jingwei knew Chu Xue was competing with her, but she picked up her paddle and shouted, "Twenty million!"
With the sudden increase in bid, the entire venue snapped to attention, all eyes turning towards her.