Chapter 36: I’m Here to Make You Eat Your Words

"Who is this guy?"
"How can he be so wealthy? He's even richer than Young Master Chen?"
"I've never heard of him before."
...
In the midst of the crowd's murmurs, Chen Lishi's hand gradually lowered. His eyes flashed with cold light, locking onto Ling Xiao. Just moments ago, when Ling Xiao looked at him, he didn't pay any attention, assuming this fellow was merely an ordinary rich heir. But unexpectedly, Ling Xiao dared to oppose him!

"What do you mean by this, sir?"
Ling Xiao's expression was calm, legs crossed, leaning back in his chair.
"Charity, after all, is best when there's more to give. If you're not satisfied, feel free to bid again."
Chen Lishi let out a cold laugh.
"Can't handle the game? Do you even know who you're talking to? You're speaking to the primary heir of the Chen family! You should ask around about my name—Chen Lishi! Among the Eight Elites of Jiangzhou, whom have I ever feared?"

With those words, he turned, waving his hand grandly.
"Twelve million!"
A hush swept through the crowd once more, followed by sharp intakes of breath.
"As expected of Young Master Chen! Truly formidable—he raised the bid by another two million!"
"To spend twelve million on this wood carving, only a powerful family like the Chens could afford it. Ordinary business owners wouldn’t even dare to dream of it!"
"Now, that young man surely won't dare to bid again!"
"Exactly! With that kind of money, he’d need the means to keep playing!"

The crowd's chatter made Chen Lishi grin with satisfaction. Although he'd spent an extra four million, which stung, money wasn't the issue—so long as his reputation remained intact, that mattered more than anything. Besides, with the Chen family's prestige, more money would come in time. With this thought, he cast a disdainful glance at Ling Xiao, his gaze brimming with arrogant pride.

Who do you think you are to provoke me?

But just as he was about to sit, a sudden voice made his body tremble.

"Thirty million!"

The entire hall fell silent as water; Chen Lishi whipped his head around, staring at Ling Xiao as if he'd seen a ghost. Mu Yiren was no better—she gazed at Ling Xiao in utter bewilderment.

"You have money, but do you have to be so reckless?"
Ling Xiao smiled calmly.
"I told you, I’m not short of money."
Chen Lishi glared fiercely at Ling Xiao.
"Fine, you win!"
He slammed himself into his chair, too furious to speak. On stage, Yu Ji could only awkwardly strike the gavel.

Though no one spoke, inside, waves of astonishment roiled. Soon, the next auction item began—a relic from the Tang dynasty, a silk garment.

Seeing the item, Chen Lishi finally eased his anger.
"This relic, our Chen family must have it! This garment is an ancient palace embroidery. If we can restore this craft, it will elevate the brand influence of our Chen Family’s fashion group."

The woman beside Chen Lishi smiled softly, flattering him:
"With your financial power and influence, Young Master Chen, no one would dare compete with you!"

Yet Chen Lishi snorted coldly:
"Enough with the flattery. Didn't that young man just compete with me?"

The woman was momentarily stunned, then offered another sycophantic smile:
"Young Master Chen, that guy was probably trying to impress Mu Yiren. How much family wealth could he have? He can’t compare to you! He just wanted a moment in the spotlight; after that, he surely won’t have the money to compete again!"

Chen Lishi’s lips curled into a smile.
"Now you’re speaking my language!"

...

Meanwhile, Mu Yiren glanced at the embroidery, a hint of longing in her eyes. Her expression did not escape Ling Xiao’s notice.

"You want this embroidery?"
Mu Yiren was startled, then gave a bitter smile.
"This embroidery is an ancient palace craft. If I could obtain it and study it, it would greatly enhance the brand influence of our Yiren Group’s fashion line. But I doubt its price will be low. I need to save my funds for the final bid—for my lover’s family heirloom. So I can only admire it from afar."

Warmth flowed through Ling Xiao’s gaze. Even when faced with something she dearly loved, Mu Yiren chose to let go, devoting herself entirely to him instead. Even an insignificant painting, she cherished as a treasure. Such devotion—how could one ever repay it?

"If you like it, then I'll buy it for you."
"Ah?"

Mu Yiren was stunned, then hurriedly waved her hands.
"No, no, you've helped me enough already. I can't accept your help again."
"Why not?"
She paused, her eyes complicated as she spoke:
"Ling Xiao, I don’t want our relationship to become too entangled. I don’t love you, nor will I accept you. I absolutely don’t wish to become one of those manipulative women! I hope you’ll respect me—and my lover. Please, don’t shower me with excessive kindness."

Ling Xiao’s heart filled with even deeper regret toward Mu Yiren.
To have such a wife in life—what more could a man ask for?
'Yiren, when I rise to the top of Jiangzhou, I will make you the happiest bride in the world!'

With this thought, he smiled serenely once more.
"Miss Yiren, please don’t misunderstand. You said yourself—this embroidery craft could earn a lot of money. If I buy it, I’ll lend it to you for research. If you profit, just share some with me. I simply wish to invest, nothing more."

"Ah?"

Mu Yiren blushed instantly, her face turning bright red. She coughed softly, cheeks burning.
"Sorry, I misunderstood. Please, Mr. Ling, don’t laugh at me."
"Miss Mu, you’re much too modest. You value love above all, faithful and true. I can only respect you, never offend."

At this moment, Yu Ji on the platform began his explanation.
"The second auction item is a piece of Tang dynasty silk, featuring an extinct embroidery technique. If the winning bidder can restore and pass on this craft, it may be a tremendous business opportunity in the future! The starting bid is ten million, with increments of no less than one million. Now, let the bidding begin!"

Scarcely had his words faded when someone in the crowd raised a paddle:
"Eleven million!"
"Twelve million!"
"Fourteen million!"
...

This embroidery, with its practicality, was worlds apart from the earlier wood carving; in the blink of an eye, the price soared to twenty million!

But then, a crisp voice silenced all others:

"Thirty million!"

"Wow—it’s Young Master Chen! He’s made his move!"
"He raised the bid by ten million in one go—my goodness, truly deserving of his reputation! He never bids lightly, but when he does, it’s spectacular!"