She knew it was a bit impulsive, but at least she was sure of one thing: Chu Xue would definitely raise the bid again.
Meng Jingwei tilted her head, her beautiful eyes smiling as she looked at Chu Xue. Chu Xue leaned forward slightly, also looking at Meng Jingwei, and returned a smile.
Between the two women sat Qing Muye. He sat with his legs crossed, his posture perfectly upright on the chair, his gaze fixed forward. However, he could clearly feel the unspoken competition between the two women.
"I heard Meng Jingwei's family is poor. Daring to bid so wildly, is she relying on the Qing family?"
"She saved Young Master Qing and Madam Qing. Let alone bidding twenty million, even fifty million, the Qing family wouldn't be stingy."
"Heh, a perfect display of nouveau riche. A vulgar woman who's never seen the world, ignorant. Bidding twenty million for a mere diamond necklace."
...
Some were displeased with Meng Jingwei's extravagant bidding, finding her exceptionally arrogant.
Chu Xue slowly raised her bidding paddle, tilting her head to look at Meng Jingwei. "Twenty million… one hundred thousand!"
"Wow, the eldest princess of Chu Group is truly wealthy and influential."
"Although Li Yun'er is more beautiful than Chu Xue, I still prefer the eldest princess of Chu Group; she's more sophisticated."
"I wonder who will marry her in the future."
"Impressive."
...
Amidst a clamor of discussion, Meng Jingwei remained silent.
The auctioneer announced, "The eldest princess of Chu Group bids twenty-one million. Is there anyone else? Twenty-one million for the first time… twenty-one million for the second time…"
Listening to the auctioneer, Meng Jingwei let out a scoff and did not raise her bid.
Shu Yao, sitting beside her, leaned in and whispered, "You're too mischievous, raising the bid so high all at once. Aren't you afraid she won't buy it?"
"She definitely will buy it," Meng Jingwei said with full confidence.
"Is there anyone else bidding?" The auctioneer scanned the room, looking left and right. As no one spoke, he held his hammer high, "Twenty-one million for the third…"
"I bid twenty-five million!"
Suddenly, a clear, resounding voice erupted from the hall.
Everyone turned towards the sound and saw Xiao Cheng, a charming smile on his face. He rested his hands on the armrests of his chair and announced loudly, "Since Xiao Weiwei likes this necklace, I, Xiao, will bid for it and give it to Xiao Weiwei."
He then leaned forward and whispered softly into Meng Jingwei's ear, "Alright?"
Feeling his sudden closeness, Meng Jingwei felt a chill run down her spine. The easy and pleasant feeling she had when they first met was gone, replaced by something that made her feel a shiver of dread. That day in the warehouse, she had aimed her gun at Xiao Cheng and fired, yet he was still willing to spend twenty-five million to buy her a necklace!
Qing Muye, sitting beside her, maintained a poker face, but a flicker of cold light flashed in his sharp eyes.
"This is interesting. Is today perhaps Meng Jingwei's moment of glory?"
"Isn't it? Just now, Li Yun'er wanted to bid for the necklace to give to her, and now Xiao Cheng wants to bid for it to give to her."
"I heard that not long ago, Meng Jingwei and Qing Muye joined forces to injure Xiao Cheng and Xiao Meiyan. Now he's buying a necklace for Meng Jingwei, what kind of move is this?"
"Could the rumors be false?"
"Xiao Cheng never plays by the rules. Who knows."
...
The event was attended by many influential figures and celebrities from Lan City. What was supposed to be a simple charity event had, at this moment, taken on a different flavor.
Meng Jingwei repeatedly shook her head, ignoring the curious glances cast her way. She casually punched Xiao Cheng's chest lightly with her fist, like she would a close friend. "Second Brother, stop joking. Even close relatives keep accounts straight. I can't accept something so precious."
"Second Brother? What's going on?"
"The more I watch, the more confused I become."
"Didn't this Xiao Cheng confess his feelings to Meng Jingwei at Li Yun'er and Young Master Qing's engagement banquet?"
"The gossip today is quite significant."
...
"As you call me 'Second Brother,' anything I give you, you have no reason to refuse," Xiao Cheng said, a wicked smile playing on the corner of his lips.
"Oh, really."
Suddenly, another voice, lazy and languid, chimed in. The crowd's attention was drawn to the sound. When they found the speaker amidst the throng, they couldn't help but gasp. Who else could it be but Qing Muye?
"What? Are there no men in the Qing family anymore, that it's your turn to send gifts to Ah Wei?"
Qing Muye, who had been silent, suddenly opened his sharp, hawk-like eyes. The innate aura of a superior, which could awe the entire hall, emanated from him.
"Wow, Meng Jingwei is really shining today."
"Young Master Qing's words are so cool."
"Are they both competing for Meng Jingwei's affection?"
"Tsk tsk tsk… this is too interesting."
...
Everyone at the venue was enthusiastically indulging in the drama, and even the auctioneer had quieted down, minimizing his presence. The person in charge of Songyu Group had spoken, and they dared not interrupt.
Sitting in the row with Qing Muye, the trio of brothers on the far left exchanged glances, their expressions varied.
"When did Little Chili become the center of everyone's affection?" Tang Si asked incredulously.
Lu Yanming reached out and slapped Tang Si's arm. "Ignorant fool. This isn't affection; can't you smell the gunpowder?"
Han Yu added, "A brain is a good thing; you should remember to bring it next time you go out."
"Really?" Tang Si rubbed his head. "Did I miss out on the gossip?"
While these few watched from the sidelines, the battle of words on the other side had not yet ceased.
Xiao Cheng laughed heartily, his fearless gaze meeting Qing Muye's sharp eyes. "Why do you say that, President Qing? You are Xiao Weiwei's elder brother, and I am her second brother. Your sending her gifts is your kind gesture, and my sending her gifts is my kind gesture as her second brother. There's no conflict."
Although Xiao Cheng's words seemed reasonable, it was clear he was blatantly provoking. Seeing the two clash openly in front of everyone, Meng Jingwei felt her scalp tingle, and her mood became increasingly agitated.
"Then we'll have to see if Young Master Xiao has the ability to win this necklace," Qing Muye said, his calm tone laced with a hint of ferocity.
He then raised his bidding paddle. "Fifty million."
Xiao Cheng raised an eyebrow, a playful smile appearing on his face. "Sixty million."
"Damn, as expected of Young Master Qing, so rich and powerful."
"Young Master Xiao is not backing down either."
"It seems like rivals in love meeting and glaring at each other."
"Who said otherwise."
...
The people in the hall chatted amongst themselves, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
Qing Muye raised his paddle again. "One…"
"Enough!" Meng Jingwei raised her hand, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and let out a frustrated sigh. She suddenly stood up.
She reprimanded them sternly, and the entire hall fell silent. Everyone stared at her. In that moment, she seemed like the most radiant presence, radiating her own aura.
Meng Jingwei knitted her brows, glaring at Qing Muye and then at Xiao Cheng. She declared in a firm voice, "This necklace, I, Meng Jingwei, have set my sights on!"
As she spoke, she raised her bidding paddle. "I unilaterally announce that I, 'Encounter Your Beauty' Wedding Company, will bid for this necklace, adding… 1 yuan!"