Jing Yi gritted her teeth and smiled, "20 million!" If you want to keep bidding, so be it.
[You can have the item, but you're definitely going to be the biggest sucker here!]
Jing Beicheng frowned slightly, not because he cared about the money, but because he was concerned about the confrontation between Jing Yi and Shen Huaichu.
He had originally planned to tell Shen Huaichu to let Jing Yi win this auction item, but since Jing Yi had her own plans, he decided not to interfere.
The people behind them were also pondering the relationship between these two, but they dared not compete with Shen Huaichu in the auction. Though young, they knew how ruthless he could be.
As expected, Shen Huaichu bid again, "25 million." He had increased his bid by over 20 million now. What a fool and his money!
Lin Ruiqing looked at Jing Yi, "Aren't you going to bid again? It's for charity, after all, and money isn't an issue." Lin Ruiqing could see that Jing Yi quite liked that bonsai and didn't want her to give up because of the price.
Jing Yi linked arms with Lin Ruiqing and said softly, "I won't bid anymore. I've done my part, haven't I?"
[After all, I'm the one who drove up the price by over 20 million.]
Lin Ruiqing gently patted her head, thinking she'd buy Jing Yi something she liked later.
Seeing that Jing Yi had no intention of bidding further, the auctioneer brought down the hammer three times, "This enamel and pink tourmaline peach tree bonsai goes to Mr. Shen of Huarui Group!"
Jing Yi applauded with the crowd to congratulate him, while inwardly pummeling Shen Huaichu.
As the auction ended and the Jing Beicheng couple were saying goodbye to acquaintances, Jing Yi noticed Shen Huaichu approaching from behind.
Jing Yi turned to face Shen Huaichu with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Congratulations, Mr. Shen. Had I known you were so fond of this bonsai, I wouldn't have competed with you. But the price certainly suits you!"
What an absolute fool!
Shen Huaichu seemed unfazed, his lips curving slightly, "Well, I must thank Miss Jing for her generosity." Jing Yi replied with a fake smile, "I'm glad you like it, Mr. Shen."
You big sucker!
"However, this bonsai was actually meant for Miss Jing all along, as a thank you for your assistance," he paused, "and as an apology. I misunderstood you before, and I'm sorry for that."
Jing Yi glared at him, carefully glancing towards Lin Ruiqing and her husband, then said sarcastically, "Mr. Shen, your method of apologizing is truly unique!"
"You're too kind."
[Who's being kind to you?!]
Just as Jing Yi was about to retort angrily, Jing Beicheng turned and asked, "What does Mr. Shen mean by 'assistance'?" Jing Yi quickly shot Shen Huaichu a warning look.
[He'd better not mention those irrelevant matters in front of my parents!]
Seemingly sensing Jing Yi's reluctance to discuss the matter, Shen Huaichu didn't elaborate, "It's nothing. Miss Jing happened to help me out earlier, so I wanted to give her a token of appreciation."
Jing Yi frowned slightly and immediately refused, "No need, Mr. Shen. A 25-million-yuan gift is far too extravagant for me. You should keep it yourself."
Who knew what this man was really up to? His mind was full of twists and turns. Besides, who thanks someone like that?
Not wanting to spend any more time with him, Jing Yi pulled Lin Ruiqing and her husband away.
Shen Huaichu watched Jing Yi's retreating figure, his expression complex.
He had said what needed to be said and thanked her as he should. Shen Huaichu attributed his recent strange feelings to his debt to Jing Yi. Now, they should be even, right?
Once Jing Yi and her family were seated in their car heading home, Lin Ruiqing asked again, "Yiyi, what did Shen Huaichu mean by 'assistance'?" Jing Beicheng looked over as well.
Realizing she couldn't hide it anymore, Jing Yi had no choice but to honestly recount her first encounter with Shen Huaichu. She lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers and occasionally stealing glances at Lin Ruiqing and her husband.
Lin Ruiqing's eyes were filled with worry, "That's so dangerous. Maybe we should assign you a bodyguard when you go out from now on?"
Jing Yi quickly moved closer, "Mom, there's no need for a bodyguard. I know self-defense, and that was just a one-time incident."
Lin Ruiqing frowned without speaking, so Jing Yi could only turn to Jing Beicheng with a pitiful look, "Dad?" Having heard her plea, how could Jing Beicheng resist? He cleared his throat a few times, preparing to join in persuading Lin Ruiqing.
Lin Ruiqing glared at him. This man had caved with just one "Dad"!
Jing Beicheng rubbed his nose, feeling a bit guilty. But what else could he do? He had been worried about Jing Yi calling him "Dad," and now that it was happening smoothly, how could he not support her?
Lin Ruiqing turned away in exasperation. She knew Jing Yi was used to her independence and didn't like having someone following her around. "Fine, but you still need to be more careful in the future."
"Of course!" Jing Yi immediately agreed with a smile.
Thinking about Shen Huaichu being cornered, Lin Ruiqing mused, "I never imagined he'd change so much after all these years."
Jing Yi was surprised, "Mom, you've met Shen Huaichu before?"
Lin Ruiqing became lost in memories. It really had been a long time. When she first met Shen Huaichu, he was just a few years old, following his parents around, a very lively little boy.
Shen Huaichu was about the same age as Jing Zeqian, and they didn't get along from the moment they met, even coming to blows.
Both of them were crying loudly, trying to outdo each other.
Lin Ruiqing knelt down to apologize to him, but little Shen Huaichu wiped his tears and put on a tough act, saying, "Auntie, I'm not crying! It's just so hot that my eyes are sweating!"
Jing Yi leaned against Lin Ruiqing, laughing heartily.
"Later, I saw him again at a banquet. Shen Huaichu was a teenager then, very thin but with a straight back. He was as quiet as he is now, following behind his cousin, almost like a servant, I suppose."
Lin Ruiqing had thought of many words, but none fit as well as "servant." Despite the Shen family's pretenses, the young boy's face revealed Shen Huaichu's position in the family.
After that, the next news was of Shen Huaichu becoming the new CEO of Huarui Group.
Jing Yi recalled Jing Zeyou's evaluation of Shen Huaichu, "Big brother said he's a very capable business partner." Jing Beicheng nodded slightly, "Indeed, he is quite impressive."
Seeing Jing Beicheng's agreement, Jing Yi asked curiously, "Dad, you think he's impressive too?"
"We say he's impressive not just because he became the CEO of Huarui Group, but because he's a ruthless person," Jing Beicheng explained. Ruthless to others and to himself.
Jing Beicheng looked at Jing Yi, his gaze meaningful, "Ruthless enough that when interests conflict, his abilities and cold rationality become his best weapons." What he wanted to say more was that such a coldly rational person might not be easy to get along with, in any sense of the phrase.
Jing Yi nodded, not fully comprehending.
A hint of a smile flashed in Jing Beicheng's eyes. Well, no matter what, with the Jing Family's support, Jing Yi wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
