Chapter 78: At Odds with Song Ning

"President Qin, Miss Lin and Young Master Bai are at Table Three on the left side of the second floor," the assistant whispered quietly into Qin Yu's ear.

At the head of the room, the man rested one hand on the rosewood armrest, his fingers idly tracing the raised patterns on his teacup. His voice was low, "They're both here?"

"Yes. I just inquired—Miss Lin and Young Master Bai arrived together. They have been seated upstairs since early on and haven't moved," the assistant reported every detail he had learned.

Qin Yu stared straight ahead, his eyes fixed on the auction stage below, silent and unreadable as always. No matter the circumstance, his expression never changed, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

The assistant could only tentatively ask, "Shall I invite Miss Lin to come sit for a while?"

Having worked at Qin Yu's side for seven or eight years, he and his colleagues were well aware of how much attention Qin Yu paid to Miss Lin—perhaps even more than Lin herself realized. At such a moment, it was clear that only Miss Lin should be invited, not Young Master Bai.

Qin Yu lowered his gaze and took an unhurried sip of tea, his expression betraying nothing.

Those who could remain at Qin Yu’s side were all shrewd and perceptive. This was no exaggeration. Most of the time, they received no explicit instructions, forced to interpret, judge, and analyze Qin Yu’s intentions on their own.

Like now.

After a two-second silence, the assistant nodded subtly, exchanged a glance with another aide, and quietly withdrew from the private box.

——

Setting aside Bai Xu’s antics, Lin Xi was actually in a good mood today. She estimated that she needed to wait just twenty more minutes before the painting she wanted would be up for auction.

So far, the bidding in the hall wasn't particularly fierce. It was a charity auction, after all; the proceeds would all be donated.

“The next item is a 104-carat, flawless D-grade diamond necklace, donated by Mr. Qin Yu, President of LX Capital. The starting bid is thirty million.”

“…"

Lin Xi paused, picked up the booklet on the table, and leafed through it carefully. This necklace wasn’t listed—it had been added at the last moment.

Seeing the necklace, Bai Xu raised his eyebrows in surprise, his gaze flicking to observe Lin Xi’s every reaction.

“This necklace looks familiar. I saw it at Third Brother’s house the other day,” he remarked, clearly enjoying the drama. “I thought he’d bought it to woo some girl.”

Lin Xi said nothing.

The final price Qin Yu had paid for it had been nearly forty million, and now, with a casual word, he’d donated it. Truly bold.

A few people downstairs, upon hearing it was donated by Qin Yu, naturally wanted to show respect to the big boss and began bidding enthusiastically. The voices rose and fell, never ceasing.

“Table Three, forty-eight million.”

Lin Xi turned to look at Bai Xu, who had just set down the number paddle. “Why are you getting involved?”

“Didn’t you see Song was bidding too?”

Lin Xi glanced down. Because Song Ning was wearing the same red velvet dress as she was, she stood out sharply among the crowd. Sure enough, Song Ning continued to match their bids.

Bai Xu chuckled. “How does a small-time host have that much money?”

Fifty million already exceeded the necklace’s actual value. The current bidders were split into three groups: people like Song Ning, those currying favor with Qin Yu, and mischief-makers like Bai Xu.

Soon enough, those trying to ingratiate themselves with Qin Yu quietly dropped out, leaving only Song Ning and Bai Xu in a standoff.

The price had almost reached sixty million, and Song Ning seemed determined, refusing to yield.

Seeing Bai Xu about to bid again, Lin Xi pressed his hand down and gently shook her head. “That’s enough. The necklace isn’t worth this much. At this final price, she’ll lose at least half the value.”

“If you keep bidding, she might not continue.”

From her vantage point, Lin Xi could clearly see Song Ning watching the second floor more and more often, clearly feeling the strain.

She knew Bai Xu only wanted to drive the price up, so there was no need to go further.

Bai Xu met her eyes. In his, she saw a wild glint. She pressed down on his hand with force, refusing to let him move.

“Fifty-six million, once. Fifty-six million…”

The auctioneer was about to strike the gavel when, suddenly, a figure emerged from the central box on the second floor and raised a hand.

The auctioneer paused in surprise. “Number One, Mr. Qin, bids sixty million. Sixty million, once.”

Everyone turned to look up at the second floor.

Lin Xi stared, astonished, unable to believe it.

“Sixty million, three times. Congratulations to Mr. Qin.” The gavel fell. The hall fell silent.

No one understood what Qin Yu was doing—donating the necklace, only to buy it back at a higher price.

Only Bai Xu seemed to grasp the situation, grinning lazily as he leaned back in his chair. “Interesting,” he sighed.

From afar, Lin Xi saw Qin Yu’s assistant approaching her. She frowned slightly.

The assistant drew near and lowered their voice, “Miss Lin, Mr. Qin requests your presence.”

The next item was the painting she wanted. Lin Xi didn’t move. “Later. I’ll go after I’ve won the painting.”

The assistant hesitated, then smiled politely. Before leaving, he nodded to Bai Xu as well.

Once he was gone, Bai Xu propped his head on his hand, teasing, “Third Brother didn’t even invite me, but he’s very attentive to you. Who’s closer to him, you or me?”

“You know perfectly well. You’re so irritating—why would he want you there?”

Lin Xi finished her wine, straightened up, and watched as the auctioneer began presenting the painting.

“Lot six today is the 1943 work ‘The Chess Game.’ The starting bid is eighteen million.”

“Mr. Qin, twenty million, once.”

“Twenty-two million.”

The bidding below grew heated, but Lin Xi remained immovable, showing no intention of raising her paddle. Qin Yu, however, bid twice in the middle.

Bai Xu silently watched the drama unfold.

When the hall finally quieted and the auctioneer was about to strike the gavel, Lin Xi calmly raised her bid.

The auctioneer nodded. “Number Three bids twenty-eight million.”

Everyone knew Number Three was Bai Xu, and no one dared to compete.

Just as everyone thought it was over, someone raised a paddle downstairs. “Number Twenty-One, thirty million.”

The auctioneer announced the bid, and Bai Xu suddenly laughed.

Lin Xi, in contrast, remained composed and raised her paddle again. “Thirty-four million.”

“Number Three, thirty-four million, once. Thirty…”

“Number Twenty-One, thirty-six million.”

“Third Brother bid earlier, so she probably thinks he wants it,” Bai Xu commented.

Lin Xi glanced at him. “You made such a scene just now, she’s not blind. It’s not necessarily because of Qin Yu.”

But whatever the reason, tonight it was clear they’d crossed swords.

“Then don’t bid anymore. Didn’t you say it wasn’t worth that much?”

Bai Xu feigned concern.

Lin Xi bid again, and Song Ning followed relentlessly, determined not to lose. She was clearly giving Bai Xu a taste of his own medicine. Lin Xi narrowed her eyes, irritation flickering across her brow.

Reason told her there was no need to get carried away.

But—

“Number Three, forty-five million.”

(End of chapter)