CHAPTER 210: CHAPTER 67: MISCHIEVOUS FLIRTATION 2

Why is she here too? Hang Yishao immediately furrowed his brows, subconsciously assuming Chang Chi had invited her. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Su Ziceng; to be precise, he really wanted to see her. Since returning from Paris, he had picked up his phone several times with the intention to contact her, but each time he remembered she was now with that man named Pello, anger uncontrollably flared within him. He, Hang Yishao, would never suffer a loss at the hands of a woman.

However, Hang Yishao forgot that everyone is bound to experience loss at some point, especially if one has never encountered it in their dealings with women. It is particularly crucial to be cautious, because one is liable to suffer a significant loss all at once.

Su Ziceng’s face quickly turned away as she started discussing the exhibits with Yan Wuxu. It was as if Hang Yishao and Chang Chi were merely a pair among countless buyers. Coincidentally, Fei Qing’s ticket was also in the first row of VIP seats, deliberately placed next to Hang Yishao. Defined by the ticket, two people were admitted per seat, with just an empty seat separating Hang Yishao and Su Ziceng.

Chang Chi hadn’t anticipated that Su Ziceng would come uninvited. She was rather reluctant, but still, at the indication of the auction house staff, she walked onto the stage and then occasionally observed Su Ziceng and Hang Yishao nearby with wary eyes.

Fortunately, both were flipping through the auction catalog and didn’t particularly pay attention to each other’s actions. Chang Chi felt somewhat reassured, cleared her throat, and delivered the opening speech she had prepared for a long time.

The venue was already packed, and besides buyers, Chang Chi had spent a fair amount of money to invite some media to the event in order to catch the public’s attention and promote Su Bi Auction House.

Su Ziceng also took note of these details as the first auction item was brought up. Everyone’s eyes fell on the set of Russian Colorful Eggs, which were carefully presented.

This set of Russian Colorful Eggs was slightly different from the Christmas Colorful Eggs commonly found in the market. This batch was the first to be crafted by artisans over a hundred years ago after falling from the Russian Royal Family to the common folk. Apart from their auspicious meaning, the craftsmanship and the glaze were exquisite; under the lights, the five eggs of varying sizes seemed to glow.

Su Ziceng tilted her head discreetly, trying not to let those around her discern her intention. Hang Yishao’s auction paddle was already eager in his hand, surely, for this first auction item, Chang Chi was planning to make a splash.

Actually, an item worth fifty thousand wouldn’t attract much attention, and being the first auction item, it was usually the least remarkable of the lot. Many buyers would wait with a novelty-seeking mindset for rarer items, so the price was not expected to be sky-high.

But knowing Chang Chi’s personality, she would certainly want to make a strong start, so this set of Colorful Eggs...

"Two hundred thousand!" No sooner had the bidding started than an anonymous buyer in the back row called out a price, not Hang Yishao.

Su Ziceng twirled her auction paddle in her hand but didn’t immediately raise it.

Yan Wuxu was somewhat puzzled. She had clearly heard Su Ziceng express strong interest in the set of Colorful Eggs earlier; she thought Su Ziceng was determined to purchase them.

"Two hundred and twenty thousand!" Another unknown buyer raised their paddle.

A succession of bids came in, and the set of Colorful Eggs was unexpectedly popular.

"Who would have thought these things would be so sought after," Yan Wuxu became somewhat moved as she saw the price climb to three hundred thousand, staring blankly at the five Colorful Eggs. If this had been a year ago, when she was still a poor student, the price of these eggs would have been unimaginably out of reach for her.

"It seems Chang Chi has put quite some thought into this," Su Ziceng coldly watched Chang Chi onstage, who remained composed. She wasn’t as naïve as Yan Wuxu. These competitors eagerly raising their bids must be shills invited by Chang Chi, meant to stir up the auction atmosphere.

"Three hundred and fifty thousand," Hang Yishao finally raised his paddle, and after he called out his bid, there was a brief silence in the venue. Calculatedly, the five ceramic stone eggs were now comparable to golden eggs; no sane buyer would spend such a high price on mere stones.

But Su Ziceng never considered herself to be a sane person, so it was time for her to place her bid.

Thus, after casting a glance at Hang Yishao, she raised her paddle and slowly let out a price: "Three eight."

Everyone knew that "three eight" meant three hundred and eighty thousand, but still, some couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

The laughter, like a contagion, quickly spread through the venue, except for Chang Chi and the auctioneer.

Hang Yishao was also stunned; he did not immediately raise his paddle, because as Su Ziceng raised hers, her unoccupied left hand reached across an empty seat and grasped the right hand he was about to raise.

Warm hands, carrying the distinct scent of rose perfume unique to Su Ziceng, settled on his.

Hang Yishao could feel Chang Chi’s angry stare from the auction stage, but he didn’t look up, nor did he struggle. Instead, he gazed at the hand resting on his own and subconsciously, he grabbed that hand...

The auction paddle Su Ziceng was holding trembled slightly, for she felt her left hand being grasped firmly.

Hang Yishao did not raise his paddle again. He just pulled Su Ziceng’s hand into his, their fingers touching and clinging tightly to each other’s palms, showing no intention of letting go.

No one noticed the dramatic scene unfolding in the front row, except for a few people including Chang Chi on stage and some in the audience.

Yan Wuxu had also seen this moment, covering her mouth and gently coughing.

Su Ziceng realized that no one else in the room was bidding against her, and quickly lowered her auction paddle.

"Three hundred and eighty thousand? Three hundred and eighty thousand? Sold for three hundred and eighty thousand!" The auctioneer’s gavel fell, concluding the bid. Su Ziceng also withdrew the hand that Hang Yishao had clasped until it felt warm. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your recommendation ticket and monthly ticket at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)