Chapter 64: Auction

Today, there was still breakfast, sent by Xu Dian. After breakfast, we continued with yesterday’s tasks. Since Meng Ying and Zhao Yue were in great form, we finished early. By the time we returned to the villa, it wasn’t dark yet, so Meng Ying cooked dinner. It had been a while since they last had her cooking, and everyone ate like they were starving.

Because we had burgers for lunch these past few days, it was starting to feel a bit monotonous. After dinner, we took a short break and then went up to the third floor to continue the class. Today’s focus was on Zhu Min’er and Qiao Qi, but Meng Ying still took diligent notes. The class ended around 8 PM, and Meng Ying asked Hu Ye for leave.

“I have something to do tomorrow evening.”

Hu Ye closed his notebook, glanced at her, and said, “I know you have something going on. You’re asking for leave, right?”

“Mm.”

“Alright, it’s approved.”

“Thank you, teacher.”

“Come on, I’ll walk you back.” Hu Ye put away his notebook and stood up. Meng Ying said it wasn’t necessary, but Hu Ye, following Xu Dian’s request, still accompanied her to the entrance of her apartment.

The area downstairs was empty, so Meng Ying hurried upstairs. If she had known it would be this troublesome, she should have rented a place in the same area as Zhu Min’er and the others.

After going upstairs, Meng Ying collapsed on the sofa and sent Xu Dian a WeChat message.

Meng Ying: You don’t need to send anyone to wait downstairs for me tonight. I’m not a child.

Xu Dian didn’t reply.

Meng Ying didn’t send another message. She closed the glass door, drew the curtains, and went back to her room. She video-called Liu Qin. Director Yu had assigned Liu Qin to manage a new artist, and Liu Qin had just finished settling that person in. She looked tired. The two chatted for a while, and then Meng Ying called Meng Yulin to check on things at home. She also asked about Meng Xiao, who had already started school. Chen Jiao chimed in about Meng Xiao studying abroad, but Meng Ying ignored her because she already had her own thoughts on the matter. When Chen Jiao tried to ask about Xu Dian, Meng Ying made an excuse and hung up.

After that, she zoned out for a bit, trying to get sleepy, before finally getting up to use the bathroom. As she came out of the bathroom, she heard a car downstairs. Frowning, she walked to the balcony, opened the glass door, and looked down.

A black car was parked there, and Xu Dian was leaning against the door, playing with his phone. A cigarette was between his fingers, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.

Meng Ying was stunned.

She watched for a few seconds before turning back into the room.

After sitting down, she glanced at her phone.

There was a WeChat message waiting.

Xu Dian: Good night.

He thought she was already asleep.

Meng Ying thought for a moment, then typed:

Meng Ying: Not asleep yet, but almost. You don’t need to stay downstairs.

Xu Dian: Oh? You saw me?  

Xu Dian: I’ll just stay for a bit. I still have work to do. There’s an issue at a port, and it’s hard to handle since I’m not in Li City.  

Meng Ying: Oh, good luck.  

Xu Dian: How about a *mwah*?  

Meng Ying: [Sends a sarcastic sticker saying “Mwah your big head”]  

Xu Dian: ……  

Xu Dian: Fine.  

Better than nothing.  

Soon, Meng Ying started feeling sleepy. Before she dozed off, she faintly heard the sound of an engine, then drifted into sleep. The next day was the conclusion of Meng Ying and Zhao Yue’s emotional arc. This time, both of them were fully aware, and it felt amazing to realize they could control their empathy skills so well.  

Meanwhile, Zhu Min’er was almost going crazy.  

After returning from the ancient Roman street, Meng Ying went straight back to her apartment. Since it was still early, a silver car pulled up and stopped beside her. Yan Xing got out of the car, a cigarette in his mouth, and nodded at Meng Ying. He then opened the trunk, took out a suitcase, and handed it to her. Meng Ying accepted it.  

Yan Xing smiled. “Miss Meng, you’re so beautiful. This dress will definitely suit you. Do you need a makeup artist? I can send one over later.”  

“No need, I can do it myself.”  

“Alright.” He glanced at the suitcase. “Should I help you take it upstairs?”  

“No need.”  

“OK.”  

Yan Xing took the cigarette out of his mouth, watched Meng Ying go upstairs, then ruffled his hair and got back into the car. The silver car sped off.  

He had left a whole conference room of people behind to deliver a dress for Xu Dian. He really was too loyal. Kudos to him.  

After going upstairs, Meng Ying opened the suitcase. Inside was a single-shoulder, waist-cinching black dress. It was her first time wearing this style. It came with a black scarf. Meng Ying started with her makeup first. For a dress like this, bold red lips would suit it better. Then, she curled her hair to one side.  

Once she was done, she changed into the dress. As she zipped it up, her waist was instantly accentuated. She draped the scarf over her shoulders and was about to leave when she noticed a box inside the suitcase. She picked it up and opened it—it was a necklace, covered in tiny diamonds.  

It seemed to be part of the set. Meng Ying put on the necklace but realized there were no earrings to match. She hadn’t brought much with her this time, only her red pair.

If she wore them, it wouldn’t match well, so she decided not to. She chose a small bag to hold her phone, some cash, and her keys. Just then, her phone rang.

She answered.

It was Xu Dian.

His voice was low, “Are you ready?”

“Ready.”

“Mm.”

As Meng Ying spoke, she opened the door. Outside, Xu Dian was wearing a black shirt and trousers, tying his tie. His slender fingers pinched both ends of the tie, and when he looked up and saw her in that outfit, his movements paused. Behind his glasses, his eyes flickered, as if he was momentarily stunned.

Meng Ying walked out, closing the door behind her, and said, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

The door clicked shut. She turned back and saw him still standing there. “Huh?”

“Oh, I just came straight up…” Xu Dian snapped out of it, lazily tying his tie again. But after a couple of tries, it slipped loose. He cursed under his breath, then finally reached out and lifted her chin, looking at her intently. “You’re stunning.”

Meng Ying was momentarily stunned. She used her small bag to gently push his hand away, her gaze falling on his collar. His skin had always been fair.

“Let’s go,” she said, shifting her gaze and holding up her dress.

Xu Dian decided to leave his tie undone for now. He followed behind her, helping to hold her dress as they descended the narrow, steep staircase. Her waist was so slender. Xu Dian licked his teeth, feeling a burning sensation in his throat.

They switched to a different car.

A black Maybach.

Xu Dian opened the door, and Meng Ying got in. He bent down to adjust the hem of her dress that had fallen to one side, then leaned against the car window and asked, “Are you hungry? Do you want to grab something to eat first?”

“No, I already ate at the teacher’s place,” Meng Ying shook her head.

“Alright.”

Xu Dian walked around to the other side and got in. Once seated, he finally tied his tie properly and instructed the driver to start the car. The driver set off. It wasn’t far, and they arrived quickly.

Xu Dian grabbed his coat, put it on, and got out of the car. He was about to open the door for Meng Ying, but she had already stepped out. In front of them was a grand, golden Roman palace.

Since it was dark, the place was lit up with dazzling lights everywhere. Xu Dian buttoned his coat, and the lights reflected in his eyes, giving him a distant, faintly mocking smile.

Meng Ying glanced at him.

This smile of his wasn’t unfamiliar to her.

He turned to her and extended his hand, but the smile in his eyes was deep and warm. Meng Ying smiled back and looped her arm through his. The driver, wearing gloves, carried a small suitcase and followed behind them. They walked up a long flight of stairs and passed through a small square. Xu Dian occasionally glanced at Meng Ying’s ears.

She wasn’t wearing anything, and her ear piercings were quite noticeable. Xu Dian clenched his fist and looked away. They continued inside.

At the entrance, they handed over their invitation card. Inside was a large auction hall, already filled with many people. Xu Dian didn’t head to the front but instead led Meng Ying to a seat in the third-to-last row, which had an excellent view. He gently placed his hand on her waist as they walked in and took their seats.

The driver took a seat further back.

“Your hands are a bit cold,” Xu Dian remarked softly as he touched Meng Ying’s hand.

Meng Ying replied, “They’re always like this.”

Her voice was quiet.

“Are you cold?” As he spoke, Xu Dian took off his coat and draped it over her hands. Meng Ying looked down at the coat, which carried a faint scent of his cologne. She was silent for a moment, then raised her head to look at the auction stage.

They had arrived quite late. After sitting for a while, someone handed Xu Dian a bidding paddle. Shortly after, the auctioneer stepped onto the stage.

Following an opening speech, the auction items were presented one by one, each introduced before the bidding began.

This was Meng Ying’s first time attending such an event, so she paid close attention. The bids were all very high, starting at no less than five million. As for the items being auctioned, Meng Ying hadn’t heard of most of them. Each time an item was presented, people quickly started bidding. However, Xu Dian remained silent the entire time. His long fingers tapped lightly on the armrest—once, twice—then he suddenly reached over and took Meng Ying’s hand. Startled, she glanced at him. Behind his glasses, his peach-blossom eyes smiled as he said, “Just checking if your hands are warmer now.”

Meng Ying frowned and pulled her hand back.

Then she asked, “Aren’t you going to bid?”

“Not in a hurry.”

A while later, the final auction item was finally revealed. It was a pair of diamond earrings with a stunning design. Unlike ordinary earrings, they resembled a leaf or perhaps a flower. The women in the audience craned their necks to get a better look, and some whispered excitedly.

In English, someone murmured, “This is it!”

The auctioneer began calling out the starting bid.

“Sixty million.”

Meng Ying: “…”

This was the most expensive item so far!

The starting price was so high!

Meng Ying couldn’t help but think of the comments she’d seen online: “The world of the rich is beyond my understanding.”

“Seventy million,” the man beside her raised his paddle, his deep, magnetic voice cutting through the auction hall, instantly drawing the attention of many in the room.

Meng Ying turned to look at him, shocked.

Xu Dian crossed his long legs, looking completely at ease.

His bid caused a stir.

No one else spoke up.

The auctioneer repeated the bid twice. Then, a slightly hoarse male voice sounded from not too far away.

“Seventy-one million.”

Xu Dian: “Eighty million.”

Whispers broke out among the crowd. Meng Ying couldn’t believe it. She stared at him, almost wanting to say, “Are you crazy?” Bidding like this was enough to make anyone’s heart give out.

A few seconds later.

From the other side.

“Eighty-one million.”

It was clear that the other bidder was being cautious, but unfortunately, they had run into Xu Dian, who seemed to have no limits.

“Ninety million.”

Meng Ying: “…”

There was no further response from the other side.

“Ninety million, going once. Ninety million, going twice. Ninety million, sold!” The auctioneer’s gavel came down, and it felt like the hearts of everyone in the room shattered along with it.

This was the final auction item. Xu Dian put down the paddle and stood up, pulling Meng Ying with him. Meng Ying gripped the back of the seat in front of her for support, feeling her knees go weak.

Xu Dian glanced down at her. “Hmm?”

“Legs numb?”

“No.” Thankfully, the lighting was dim, so Meng Ying quickly composed herself. Xu Dian tightened his arm around her, his expression still relaxed despite the astronomical amount of money he had just spent. After a few steps, Meng Ying finally regained her composure. As they walked down the aisle, Xu Dian suddenly pulled Meng Ying behind him, shielding her.

Meng Ying was startled, her back pressing against a chair. She looked up.

What she saw next terrified her.

A tall man with a cigar clenched between his teeth was pointing a gun at Xu Dian’s forehead. Xu Dian, in turn, had his own gun pressed against the man’s forehead.

Meng Ying’s eyes darted around.

Standing beside the man was Yang Rou, holding a small purse.

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