A black sedan pulled up in front of the exhibition hall.
Jing Beicheng stepped out first, extending his hand to help Lin Ruiqing out of the car. He let her take his arm as they walked, their long, straight legs entering everyone's view first.
Jing Yi leaned out and descended from the car, her black, slightly curled hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a simple white shirt paired with a black and white patterned short skirt. The skirt's hem revealed the white edge of her shirt, barely covering her thighs. Whether it was the girl's sweet and beautiful face or her tall, slender figure, it was impossible not to stare.
Flashing back to the morning, Lin Ruiqing had just told Jing Yi about attending the auction together that evening.
Jing Yi was a bit surprised, "An auction? But I don't have anything I want to buy." Lin Ruiqing explained that it was a charity auction. The company hosting the event would donate all the proceeds from the auction to the foundation established by the group.
Jing Yi thought it sounded quite meaningful, so she decided to tag along to broaden her horizons, as she had nothing else to do at home anyway.
Jing Yi followed Lin Ruiqing into the exhibition hall. In the center of the hall was a modest-sized stage with several rows of chairs. The scale wasn't large.
But the fact that Jing Beicheng personally came meant that the people attending the auction were likely not ordinary wealthy individuals.
Jing Yi curiously glanced around. Some people had already noticed Jing Beicheng's arrival and approached with smiles, "Mr. Jing!"
"President Chen"
The newcomer wore a suit and appeared to be slightly older than Jing Beicheng. He stood in front of Jing Beicheng, also smiling and greeting Lin Ruiqing.
Then, noticing Jing Yi, he smiled and said to Jing Beicheng, "Is this your daughter, Mr. Jing?"
Jing Beicheng nodded slightly and introduced, "Our youngest daughter. Yi, this is your Uncle Chen."
Jing Yi wore a sweet smile, "Hello, Uncle Chen!" The man's smile grew even more benevolent, "Hello, hello. She's indeed very beautiful. Mr. Jing, you're truly blessed to have such beautiful daughters!"
Jing Yi stood obediently to the side, watching the adults exchange pleasantries, silently mocking the identical compliments in her heart.
After Jing Beicheng and President Chen chatted briefly, he led Lin Ruiqing and Jing Yi to their seats.
"What are you doing here?!" Jing Yi's voice rang out.
Jing Beicheng and Lin Ruiqing looked over to see Shen Huaichu from Huarui Group sitting next to Jing Yi's seat.
Jing Yi felt extremely unlucky, never expecting to run into him at an auction!
Shen Huaichu raised an eyebrow slightly, about to greet her, "Miss Jing..." Jing Yi quickly interrupted him, turning to Jing Beicheng and saying, "Dad, can I switch seats with you? I want to sit next to Mom."
Jing Beicheng was a bit surprised, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly, "Come here then." Lin Ruiqing glanced at her husband, thinking that despite his straight face, he was probably overjoyed inside.
Shen Huaichu watched Jing Yi's retreating figure, his deep eyes inscrutable. By now, Jing Beicheng had stepped forward, and Shen Huaichu extended his hand, "Mr. Jing, it's been a while."
"Indeed, it has been."
It really had been quite some time, at least over ten years. Back then, Shen Huaichu was still a skinny young boy.
Jing Yi turned slightly to watch them greet each other.
Lin Ruiqing noticed her gaze and asked curiously, "Yi, do you know President Shen from Huarui Group?" Jing Yi opened her mouth, then remembered that Shen Huaichu was still collaborating with Hengjing, "I've met him at my brother's company."
Just met? Lin Ruiqing was a bit skeptical but didn't press further.
Soon, the auction officially began. "Welcome, everyone, to the Puli Charity Auction. This auction is hosted by..."
Jing Yi only then learned that the group's foundation was dedicated to caring for orphans. She leaned close to Lin Ruiqing's ear, "Mom, will all the auction proceeds be donated to orphans?"
Lin Ruiqing nodded, explaining in detail: "Puli holds such a charitable auction every year, using the proceeds from the auction..."
Most well-known groups in North river have established one or two foundations, with different ways of raising funds. Puli uses auctions as a means to raise funds for their foundation.
Jing Yi listened, understanding some but not all, and nodded.
Ten minutes later, Jing Yi's desire to buy something gradually faded. A single cup selling for 18 million? Looking at it this way, her resources were truly limited...
Lin Ruiqing noticed Jing Yi's expression and leaned close to her, "Yi, if you like anything, just bid on it. Mom will buy it for you."
Jing Yi nodded with a sweet smile, amused by the lavish tone.
Jing Beicheng, sitting nearby, noticed the interaction between Lin Ruiqing and Jing Yi from the corner of his eye. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but held back.
Hadn't they agreed that he would be the one buying? When would it be his turn?
Halfway through the auction, Jing Yi still hadn't found anything she liked, but Shen Huaichu had bid on an oil painting. How strange that such a cold person would like oil paintings?
It was quite surprising, and that painting was really expensive too, Jing Yi silently commented.
"Our next item up for auction is a cloisonné tourmaline peach tree bonsai..." The auctioneer was introducing the next item, a beautiful gemstone bonsai. The pink peaches were made of pink tourmaline, and the azure leaves were also crafted with exquisite workmanship.
Seeing Jing Yi's interest, Lin Ruiqing smiled and said, "If you like it, bid on it." Jing Yi nodded, eagerly waiting for the auctioneer to announce the starting price. "The starting price for this cloisonné tourmaline peach tree bonsai is 2 million!"
Although it was a bit over her expectations, Jing Yi was still shocked when she heard the price. As expected of a gemstone bonsai, it really was expensive!
Jing Yi thought about her savings, gritted her teeth, and raised her hand to signal.
The auctioneer quickly caught sight of Jing Yi and politely announced, "Miss Jing bids 2 million!"
The three members of the Jing family were seated in the front row of the auction hall. The people behind them, knowing Jing Yi's identity and seeing that she was interested in this item, all wanted to do the Jing family a favor and only participated moderately in the bidding without raising the price further.
The auctioneer looked at Jing Yi again, "Now we have Miss Jing's bid of 3 million. 3 million, going once." Jing Yi felt a pang in her heart – after just a few bids, she was already paying an extra million!
Just as Jing Yi thought she could secure the beautiful bonsai, Shen Huaichu made a bid. He slightly raised his hand, "6 million." Jing Yi took a deep breath; this man truly seemed born to antagonize her!
"Mr. Shen bids 6 million!"
Jing Yi was immediately angered by Shen Huaichu's bid increase. She raised her hand again, "Miss Jing bids 6.2 million!" Shen Huaichu raised his hand once more, "8 million."
Jing Yi glared at him. Was he just showing off his wealth?!
She raised her hand again, "Miss Jing bids 8.2 million!" Shen Huaichu maintained his cold demeanor, "10 million."
The auctioneer's expression became excited, "Mr. Shen bids 10 million. 10 million, going once!" He then turned to look at Jing Yi, his eyes questioning whether she would continue bidding.
