CHAPTER 249: CHAPTER 70: SHATTERED PORCELAIN, RESTORED JADE

(The new book is launched in the scorching summer, where the author calls out with bare arms, asking for collection and votes, hoping everyone can be more diligent lately and support Fu Zi’s "Unlimited Military Road". Those who like new themes, please go and enjoy it.)

"Congratulations to this lady for winning the first exhibit," the auctioneer, oblivious to the insider information, lifted the largest of the five Colorful Eggs high, poised to hand it over to Su Ziceng.

Today’s auction’s opening bid was more of a public performance. According to Chang Chi’s plan, Hang Yishao was supposed to take the lead, and then, in front of everyone, personally return the set of Colorful Eggs to their original owner, seeking good fortune and a smile from the fair lady, with this act coupled with the crazy hype from the media who received red envelopes, by tomorrow, the whole of Mo City, even the entire Z country, would be reporting photos of Hang Yishao and Miss Chang, the golden boy and Jade Girl of the auction, thus legitimizing her, Miss Chang’s status.

All of this was unbeknownst to Su Ziceng beforehand, and even Hang Yishao didn’t know that Chang Chi had set such a scheme, into which he was being lured.

But an unexpected variable disrupted their plans, and Chang Chi, blinded by jealousy and rage, didn’t know how to adapt on the fly.

The Colorful Egg that shouldn’t have been handed to Su Ziceng had already been passed over, and the journalists behind were ready, having found the best angles, vying to capture the moment.

Su Ziceng hadn’t expected such a scenario either, but now that she was in the front row, she had to stand up regardless, and began walking towards the auction stage.

Only a few steps away from the audience area, which was five centimeters higher, Su Ziceng had just stepped forward when she reached for the Colorful Egg. Suddenly, her vision blurred, and she hurriedly stepped back, almost stumbling. Hang Yishao, who was quick-eyed and swift-handed, leapt forward from his seat below and stabilized her by the waist.

Before the two could even catch their breath, Chang Chi violently threw something—not at Su Ziceng but towards the brightly shining Colorful Egg. As the ceramic hit the ground, it shattered, scattering pieces everywhere.

This direct action, akin to a move from a martial arts drama, lacked the thrilling exchanges of masters and instead carried the seething, sour envy typical of women’s confrontations, plunging the entire auction hall into a dead silence for a moment.

Quickly, the warmth from Su Ziceng’s body left Hang Yishao’s arm. Su Ziceng, who had been unsteady just moments ago, now crouched down.

"What is she going to do?" Those in the audience who knew Su Ziceng and Chang Chi watched the stage anxiously.

Media journalists held their breath, fingers poised over the shutter, waiting for any action Su Ziceng might take. "Sisters of the Su Family not getting along, fighting at the auction," some with ulterior motives were already planning tomorrow’s news headlines. Su Ziceng’s fiery temper was fairly well known in Mo City. This was something Hang Yishao was acutely aware of; don’t forget, this lady had once slapped Fei Qing in front of a crowd. She surely wasn’t planning a repeat performance today.

Su Ziceng’s fingers touched the shattered pieces, picking the largest one, avoiding the sharp edges, and slowly stood up. Her long hair fell upon the ceramic shards.

"Yishao," Chang Chi, unable to guess what Su Ziceng would do next, called out Hang Yishao’s name with a hint of apprehension.

At this moment, Hang Yishao also recalled how Su Ziceng dealt with Deng Jiani and the thugs from the Sixth District’s "car wrecking and fatality" incident, positioning himself in front of Chang Chi, watching Su Ziceng with guarded caution.

The sudden shift in Hang Yishao’s behavior and his protective stance towards Chang Chi left Su Ziceng feeling somewhat sour. Nevertheless, she forced a smile, tossed her hair back, turned around gracefully, and announced: "Welcome everyone to today’s auction. The earlier act was a little additional performance for this auction by Miss Chang and me, titled ’Peace Year by Year’, wishing everyone a year of safety. On behalf of Subi Auction House, I will donate the proceeds of 380,000 from the auction of this set of Colorful Eggs to the city’s welfare institution. Thank you!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yan Wuxu promptly started to applaud, and those waiting shutters also clicked away.

While speaking, Su Ziceng left Hang Yishao only the sight of her black hair, as she did not turn back and simply stood awkwardly between them.

Looking at her straightened silhouette, Hang Yishao froze. He wanted to step forward but was gripped by the arm by Chang Chi. On stage, it was not appropriate for him to pull away, so he could only watch as Su Ziceng, holding the broken porcelain piece, walked down from the stage.