"60 million!"

"70 million!" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"80 million!"

Fu Yanci’s offer of 50 million seemed to send a signal to everyone present.

The price climbed sharply and relentlessly.

The normally reserved big shots in the front row, who hadn’t been very active all evening, now seemed to have gone mad, feverishly raising their paddles to bid. Jiang Chengcheng felt like the whole world had gone insane along with them.

"90 million once..."

"...90 million twice!"

"...90 million three times!"

Bang!

"Congratulations to Participant No. 18, President Nan!"

Thunderous applause erupted as the screen displayed a list of all auctioned items along with their respective studios.

At the very top was Ye Li’s Studio.

Thanks to the For Love and Green Silk jewelry pieces, the charity gala collected 42 million in donations.

After deducting taxes, Ye Li’s Studio netted over 80 million.

Even Dane, who had five items up for auction, couldn’t beat them.

Jiang Chengcheng still felt as though she’d been played as she walked out of the banquet hall.

She should never have come to humiliate herself!

This was no legitimate jewelry showcase.

Ultimately, it was just a high-society auction, meant to entertain the elite.

But Jiang Chengcheng hadn’t anticipated that one day she’d become the joke itself.

Thinking about Zhou Hecchen’s actions filled Jiang Chengcheng with rage and grievance.

If he’d just arrived a bit earlier, if he’d shown even a shred of responsibility as her boyfriend, her piece wouldn’t have sold for just 8 million.

Though, compared to the pieces rejected during the afternoon jewelry exhibition, and compared to her classmates who still hadn’t participated in any significant jewelry showcases, she was miles ahead.

Even so, in the grand auction, her piece fetched the lowest price of all.

On one hand, she felt this accomplishment was already good enough—not comparing herself to Ye Li, but simply to her own previous achievements.

On the other hand, the sense of humiliation was impossible to ignore.

She made her way to the underground parking lot, finding Zhou Hecchen’s car. Jiang Chengcheng’s expression was dark beyond measure.

Behind the scenes at the auction, Zhou Hecchen’s face was equally clouded.

Only heaven knew the elation he’d felt the moment Fu Yanci withdrew.

But reality proved that the set of jewelry he’d spent 50 million on belonged to another designer from Ye Li’s Studio.

It wasn’t Ye Li’s work at all.

So what was the point of all his madness earlier?

"Fu Yanci, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?"

Turning to look at Fu Yanci, who was now holding Ye Li close as she signed and registered, Zhou Hecchen’s face burned with indignation.

Fu Yanci’s gaze skimmed over Zhou Hecchen, his voice steady and deep, "If you’re regretting it, as your uncle, I don’t mind cleaning up this mess for you. But Zhou Hecchen, if you’re going to admit defeat, have the proper demeanor to do it."

Zhou Hecchen’s face turned bright red.

Turning back, he saw Ye Li, charming and radiant, never sparing him even a single glance.

His fists clenched and released, clenched again and loosened, before he finally smiled bitterly and met Fu Yanci’s gaze. "Uncle, I’ll leave it to you, then!"

He glanced at the display case housing the gleaming jewelry set.

Then, at Ye Li standing opposite Jyang Wanruo.

Zhou Hecchen smirked, "After all, you coveting my things, snatching my things... this isn’t the first time. Since you value my taste so much, I accept my loss."

Fu Yanci’s expression darkened slightly.

Zhou Hecchen turned and walked away.

As he stepped out of the banquet hall, the smile at the corner of his eyes morphed into malice.

Seeing Jiang Chengcheng again, a cold gleam flickered in Zhou Hecchen’s gaze. "Get in the car!"

The Bugatti roared like a storm and, in barely ten minutes, darted into the underground parking lot of the Yunjing Hotel.

Bang!

Inside the suite, Jiang Chengcheng had just opened her mouth to vent her grievances in a coquettish tone when Zhou Hecchen turned around and slapped her hard, leaving her stunned.

"Jiang Chengcheng, I’ve had enough of you, haven’t I?"

Gripping her neck tightly, pressing her against the wall, Zhou Hecchen’s eyes were bloodshot. "What now? Did you think holding Ye Li over my head would make me vulnerable? And you think you’re worthy?"

His eyes seemed ready to burst out of their sockets.

Half her face burned, swelling red.

Looking at the nearly unhinged Zhou Hecchen before her, Jiang Chengcheng finally understood where the devilish voice in her mind had originated.

The connection she thought had grown over time was, in his eyes, just a pathetic imitation.

A stand-in!

Even though he was the loser abandoned by Ye Li.

Even though Ye Li had already cast him aside.

In his heart, Ye Li remained his one and only first love.

And as for her, she had deluded herself into believing that, over time, he would forget Ye Li and see only her, love only her.

Jiang Chengcheng, you are a fucking idiot!

The taste of blood spread in her mouth as Jiang Chengcheng stared Zhou Hecchen down, feeling the flame within her bit by bit extinguish.

Finally, Zhou Hecchen released her.

The scent of alcohol diffused into the air.

She heard him making calls to invite his usual crowd over, as though the vicious rage from moments ago had been nothing but her imagination. Lying collapsed on the floor, Jiang Chengcheng let her tears stream freely.

She staggered out of the suite, out of the elevator. The night wind hit her face as Jiang Chengcheng wiped her tears away and dialed a number.

"Mr. Lin..."

Her mind flashed back to the banquet hall and the man dressed in a jet-black suit, radiating an aura of profound composure.

Above her, a full moon hung low in the sky, as if within reach.

Jiang Chengcheng’s voice softened, "I’ve made up my mind. I accept your proposal!... Alright, see you tomorrow!"

...

The Maybach glided steadily toward Lishan Mansion. In the passenger seat, Ye Li huffed indignantly, "I told you not to come, not to come! Now everyone knows I’m borrowing Uncle Fu’s clout. Fu Yanci, you are the biggest obstacle to my success!"

Fu Yanci chuckled helplessly, "Ah Li, this isn’t exactly your first Charity Night, is it? When all’s said and done, it’s just an event initiated by the charity organization. It shows support for Imperial City’s jewelry designers, lets people looking for something connect, and raises funds to help those in need. A win-win-win!"

"Rest assured..."

Fu Yanci rubbed Ye Li’s head affectionately, "It won’t damage your reputation as the queen of design."

Ye Li hesitated uneasily, "But still, the price was way too high!"

"High?"

Fu Yanci laughed lightly, "Ah Li, the man forked out 90 million—it won’t be long until he earns several multiples of that back from me. Now, do you still think it’s high?"

Remembering how President Nan had beamed with joy after securing the bid, as if he’d received an invitation straight from the God of Wealth.

Ye Li instantly understood.

As the car pulled up to the mansion, Ye Li stepped out, taking the opportunity to tug on Fu Yanci’s tie, "Fu Yanci, what if... I weren’t Mrs. Fu? If we didn’t know each other, if I were just some unknown designer in Imperial City, would you still bid on my work?"

"What if?"

Holding her bright and eager gaze, Fu Yanci smiled, "Ah Li, if you weren’t Mrs. Fu, if we didn’t know each other, I wouldn’t even have attended tonight’s Charity Night."

Ye Li froze momentarily.

Fu Yanci leaned down and captured her lips, "Ah Li, there’s no ’what if.’ It’s because of you that I am who I am today, understand?"

The moon hung high.

The night shimmered like liquid silver.

Gazing at Fu Yanci’s intensely affectionate expression, Ye Li felt her heart flutter once more!