Regarding Meng Jingwei's actions, Xiao Cheng was quite surprised.
Where did she get the money?
While Qing Muye was surprised, he felt more of a lament that Meng Jingwei was too rational in her dealings, always wanting to keep things too clear-cut, making it difficult for him to approach her.
But upon reflection, he realized he was also appreciating her unmaterialistic and ungreedy nature.
Silence fell over the venue. Everyone seemed petrified, looking at Meng Jingwei.
After a long pause, no one spoke. The audience turned their attention to the auctioneer.
Countless eyes turned towards him. The auctioneer felt the pressure, his grip on the gavel tightening nervously.
"Ms. Meng from 'Encounter Your Beauty' Wedding Company bids sixty million and one."
After announcing the bid, he looked around the room. The audience erupted in discussion once more, but no one dared to bid again!
Meng Jingwei's statement had clearly cut off any opportunity for Qing Muye and Xiao Cheng to bid again.
Furthermore, no one present was foolish enough to bid without a second thought, as it would mean going against Qing Muye and Xiao Cheng.
This included Chu Xue, who was consumed by jealousy of Li Yun'er!
"Sixty million and one for the first time, sixty million and one for the second time... sixty million and one for the third time... Bang! Sold!"
The auctioneer brought down his gavel with finality and announced, "Congratulations to Ms. Meng from 'Encounter Your Beauty' Wedding Company for winning the 'Tears of an Angel' necklace. We also sincerely thank 'Encounter Your Beauty' Wedding Company for their strong support of this charity event..."
As the announcer spoke, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.
Meng Jingwei's small face was clouded with gloom. She glared angrily at Qing Muye, her head throbbing with frustration.
Although this was a charity event, and auctioning this necklace could serve as advertising for her company, her current funds were limited. Spending sixty million on a necklace would undoubtedly cause her heartache for days.
She felt extremely displeased with the actions of Xiao Cheng and Qing Muye.
Her decision to bid on the necklace was out of necessity.
If she didn't bid and either Xiao Cheng or Qing Muye won it, whether she accepted it privately or not, she would be perceived by the outside world as having 'accepted' the auction item from someone else.
Even if she publicly refused, it would still lead to gossip and endless trouble.
With this in mind, Meng Jingwei had to splurge and bid a large sum for the necklace, resolving the issue while also advertising her wedding company.
It wasn't entirely... a loss.
After all, she was contributing to a good cause.
The subsequent auction proceeded smoothly. An hour later, everyone moved to the ballroom downstairs for a reception.
Shu Yao linked arms with Meng Jingwei as they descended. Approaching the dessert table downstairs, she exclaimed, "You were so cool just now. Sixty million! Isn't it better to keep a younger lover? Sigh, it's too extravagant."
Meng Jingwei, who was holding a plate and eating dessert, suddenly called out, "Shu Yao!"
"Huh?"
Shu Yao, lost in thought, turned her head to look at Meng Jingwei and opened her mouth with an "Ah?"
The next moment, Meng Jingwei picked up a dessert and stuffed it into her mouth. "Shut up! Do you think I don't know keeping a younger lover with tens of millions is appealing? Do you need to remind me repeatedly, bringing up what's painful? Such bad luck!"
Shu Yao chuckled, chewing the dessert in her mouth, and couldn't help but praise, "Wow, this dessert tastes amazing, it's so delicious."
"So, don't disturb me while I eat and drink. If you can't help it, just tape your mouth shut!"
Meng Jingwei shot her a warning glance.
"Oh my... are you trying to eat back the eighty million?" Shu Yao teased, blinking her large, expressive eyes.
As Shu Yao finished speaking, Meng Jingwei shot her another look. The next moment, she saw Meng Jingwei throw an arm around Shu Yao's neck, grab a crystal cake from the table and stuff it into her mouth, "Eat this! I beg you, just stop talking!"
Her heart ached.
After speaking, Meng Jingwei directly shoved a plate of desserts from the table into Shu Yao's hands, pointed to a stool beside them, and waved her small fist. "You'd better sit here obediently and not move!"
This was a warning from Meng Jingwei, who was on the verge of exploding.
Shu Yao rarely saw Meng Jingwei like this. She immediately nodded vigorously and then obediently sat in her spot, eating dessert.
Melodious music began to play in the ballroom. People gradually entered the hall with their dance partners, standing in the dance circle and dancing.
Meng Jingwei found a quiet corner to admire the ballroom dance. Listening to the elegant music, eating desserts, and sipping champagne, her heart was bleeding.
Just as Meng Jingwei was feeling dejected, she heard an announcer walk onto the stage and say, "Good evening, distinguished guests. I am Shani, your temporary host for tonight. I would like to announce some good news. We have just received notification from the organizers that a small surprise has been prepared for everyone tonight. Later, the lighting technician will randomly cast a spotlight, selecting two lucky pairs from the audience to dance a dance, and they will receive a set of Fige Jewelry's latest limited edition jewelry. This prize is exclusively sponsored by Fige Jewelry Company..."
While the host was chattering on stage, Meng Jingwei found it all tedious and felt extremely depressed.
What can relieve sorrow?
Only gluttony!
She looked at the champagne and desserts on the table and continued to bury her head in eating.
"Little girl, why are you here alone?"
A person walked in front of Meng Jingwei, blocking her view.
"Uncle Sev..." Before she could finish the word "en," Meng Jingwei realized the person standing in front of her was Qing Sihui. "Uncle Sev, you're here too."
"Yes, I've been here for a while, but I was sitting in the corner, and you didn't notice." Dressed in a black velvet suit adorned with sparkling sequins, his clothes shimmered with brilliance.
With one hand in his trouser pocket and the other holding a glass of champagne, his bearded, handsome face was filled with a captivating smile, exuding sexiness and elegance everywhere.
He was the legendary charmingly roguish man, exuding a bit of mischief, both handsome and alluring.
Meng Jingwei tilted her head and glanced behind him, "Uncle Sev, you didn't bring a female companion today?"
As she spoke, a beam of light, as if by fate, shone directly towards them.
"Congratulations to our second lucky pair of the night, Miss Meng and the gentleman in front of her. Let us welcome the two to the center of the dance floor with warm applause."
As the announcer finished, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd, and all eyes fixed on her.
Meng Jingwei's lips twitched uncontrollably. Damn it, did she go out without checking the almanac today, or was someone sabotaging her from behind?
Qing Sihui also seemed slightly surprised, then smiled helplessly and extended a hand in a gentlemanly invitation, "May I have the honor of inviting you, little girl, to share a dance with me?"
Everyone in the venue turned their gaze back to Meng Jingwei.
Their eyes held a mix of admiration, envy, mockery, disdain, and ridicule, a collective gaze waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
Chen Qian, appearing from nowhere and arm in arm with a male dance partner, stood in front of Meng Jingwei and sneered openly, "Miss Meng is from the countryside; asking you to dance must be quite difficult for you."
Chen Qian, having been slapped by Meng Jingwei at the Qing family's old residence previously, held a grudge. Seizing this opportunity, she relentlessly kicked her while she was down.