Sure enough, I finally saw it. In the corner, at a table, a tall, slender figure sat alone, one delicate arm propped on the table, and the other fair hand seemed to be idly playing with its hair.
On that pretty and charming face, there was a gentle and serene smile... Her smile was so innocent, but I immediately saw something strange in her eyes!
Yes, that's her smile! A captivating smile, yet her eyes always carry a hint of cunning and shrewdness.
Yang Wei!
It's Yang Wei!!
It really is Yang Wei!!!
Zhou Jing also saw Yang Wei, and his expression changed strangely. He seemed surprised and hesitant, but then a resolute look flashed in his eyes!
"Four million one hundred thousand."
I noticed that Zhou Jing's breathing seemed less composed. Although his expression remained calm, only those sitting next to him could detect this subtle change!
Yang Wei continued to play with her hair, smiled brightly at Zhou Jing, revealing her white teeth, and then said calmly, "Five million."
A collective gasp of shock rippled through the room!
I saw that the auctioneer on stage was already sweating, and the two hosts were completely speechless. Especially the beautiful woman who wasn't wearing underwear, her eyes were radiating an unusual light.
Zhou Jing took a deep breath, his smile already somewhat forced: "Five million one hundred thousand."
At that moment, I saw Yang Wei purse her lips, then laugh, wink, and raise her glass to Zhou Jing in a toasting gesture.
With a forced smile, Zhou Jing picked up his cup and gestured to Yang Wei from afar.
Yang Wei then put down her wine glass, stood up, made a strange gesture to Zhou Jing, ignored the gazes of everyone present, and turned to walk towards the door.
"Sold for five million one hundred thousand!" The auctioneer slammed the gavel down almost impatiently.
Zhou Jing's expression was indifferent, and his eyes were somewhat cold! I noticed that he was gripping the cup very tightly, and even his knuckles were turning white!
I suddenly realized: Something's not right!
If Zhou Jing's initial purpose in bidding for this ring was for Fang Nan... then now, the situation is clearly different!
Spending over five million on a woman he just met?
Zhou Jing isn't that stupid! Even if he's romantic and willing to spend money on women, he's not that generous!
So the reason is Yang Wei!
Judging from Zhou Jing's expression, there seemed to be a hint of helplessness, as if he had no choice but to continue bidding... He seemed to have no other option...
What did Yang Wei's last gesture mean?
Fortunately, someone has already raised the question for me.
It was Fang Nan who spoke, seemingly curious: "Mr. Zhou, do you know that lady? Was her last gesture a congratulatory gesture for your successful bid?"
Zhou Jing felt a cold sweat on his forehead and slowly shook his head.
Cang Yu suddenly spoke up, her eyes looking strange, and said in a low voice, "Her gesture seemed to mean: We're even."
Part One: In the Martial World, Forced to Fate, Chapter Fifty: Where in Life Do We Not Meet...
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jing's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and Cang Yu immediately realized that she had misspoke and shut her mouth.
The auction had resumed, but Zhou Jing seemed to be severely affected by the situation. He had no interest in paying attention to the upcoming items on stage, his gaze began to wander, and he didn't even feel like talking to Fang Nan anymore.
Finally, after sitting for another ten minutes, he suddenly stood up, said in a light tone that he had something to attend to and needed to leave first, apologized to Fang Nan, and then quickly left. Cang Yu immediately picked up her handbag and carefully followed him.
The auction atmosphere grew increasingly heated, with a rare Easter egg from the Fabergé family even fetching a price of nine million on the spot! This was the highest price achieved so far tonight.
However, Fang Nan seemed uninterested; it appeared her only goal for the evening was the diamond brooch. She probably didn't know that Zhou Jing had bid on the brooch to give to her. Unfortunately, Yang Wei's sudden appearance likely disrupted his plans, causing him to leave prematurely.
Around 10 p.m., halfway through the auction, the host announced a one-hour break. This was necessary for non-professional auction events, as they needed to accommodate the distinguished guests, including many ladies.
"Let's go." Fang Nan suddenly nudged me gently. "I don't think it's very interesting."
Since the boss had given the order, I naturally complied. Fang Nan said goodbye to a few familiar friends and then we left the banquet hall.
As soon as I stepped out, a man in a gray suit came to greet me at the door, carrying two boxes in his hands.
“Miss Fang Nan, please wait a moment.” The man was very respectful: “I am Mr. Zhou Jing’s driver. He asked me to stay and give you these two items.”
Fang Nan frowned instinctively. It seemed she didn't have a very good impression of Zhou Jing... Thinking of this, I suddenly felt a sense of pleasure for no reason.
"What is this?" Fang Nan did not reach out to take it.
"I don't know," said the man who identified himself as the driver. "Mr. Zhou just asked me to give it to you."
Actually, I could tell from instinct that this person was definitely not just a simple driver!
His eyes were bright and alert. He wasn't very tall, but he had a very lean and capable appearance. His hands had somewhat large knuckles, and his fingers were short and thick. He looked like he was a bodyguard and driver!
Fang Nan considered for a few seconds, glanced at me, and said, "You hold it for me."
The driver handed me the item and quickly drove away. Fang Nan's expression was somewhat cold, and she seemed to be in low spirits. I deliberately smiled and said, "Miss Fang, guess what's in here?"
Fang Nan sneered, "What else could it be? If it's not flowers, it must be jewelry. What other tricks can these men come up with?"
She gave me a deep look, her eyes filled with displeasure. Then she quickly stepped into the elevator.
I stood beside her like a true follower, carrying two boxes. Fang Nan didn't say a word, her expression somewhat cold... as if she was targeting me?
But I don't remember offending her at all.
The hotel valet drove the Audi A8 to the entrance. Fang Nan got into the car without saying a word. After I drove the car out of the hotel, I asked in a low voice, "Ms. Fang, am I taking you home?"
"No!" Fang Nan's tone still carried a hint of displeasure: "Drive onto the ring road! Drive however you want, go for a while!"
As she spoke, she opened the car window. The cold night wind immediately blew into the car, causing Fang Nan's hair to flutter wildly.
I glanced at her in the rearview mirror. She had a cold expression on her face, her eyes turned towards the car window, watching the buildings flash by on the roadside.
The city lights flickered in the night. It was already late autumn, and the temperature was still quite low. I suddenly noticed Fang Nan shiver slightly, and my heart softened. I whispered, "Miss Fang, you should close the window... You're not feeling well today, so it's best not to be exposed to the cold wind, or you'll get sick."
Fang Nan blushed almost imperceptibly, but then a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes: "Mind your own business!"
Damn, what did I do to offend this woman?
However, looking at Fang Nan's thin evening dress, the sleeveless and low-cut style, although it seemed to better highlight a woman's charm, such attire, in the low temperature of the night, would easily make her sick from the cold wind! And today just happened to be her "inconvenient" day.
I sighed, and was about to speak to her again: "Miss Fang..."
"Miss Fang, Miss Fang!! Can't you just call me 'Miss Fang'?" Fang Nan suddenly got annoyed and yelled at me, "Is that all you can call me? You and Cang Yu were chatting so happily, calling her 'Cang Yu' so affectionately. Do you think I'm the kind of person who's hard to get along with?"
I was speechless. Although I felt that this woman's sudden outburst of anger was quite unreasonable, I could also detect the bitterness in her voice.
I thought for a moment, and was about to speak when Fang Nan suddenly took a deep breath. Her eyes were fixed on me in the rearview mirror, and she said in a low voice, "Chen Yang, I'm asking you... are you very familiar with Cang Yu?"
I smiled and said sincerely, "I had only seen her twice before tonight."
"I have a question for you... Before the auction started at the hotel tonight... During the half hour that Cang Yu went to the restroom, did you secretly go to meet her?" Fang Nan suddenly blurted out this question.
I was stunned.
Did she know?
Seeing that I didn't speak, Fang Nan gritted her teeth and said, "Hmph, do you think I'm stupid? After she left, you glanced at your phone and went out, and then you two came back one after the other... and your expressions were a little unnatural... Hmph!"
I was getting impatient. Fang Nan's accusatory tone annoyed me, and I couldn't help but retort, "Ms. Fang, I'm just your assistant. Whether Cang Yu and I are friends or not doesn't seem to have anything to do with my work, does it?"
"You!" Fang Nan trembled and turned around.
I waited a while, and seeing that she didn't say anything, I was a little puzzled. But then I saw in the rearview mirror that Fang Nan had her arms crossed, and her shoulders were trembling slightly every now and then. From the side, I could see a tear stain at the corner of her eye...
She actually cried?!
I sighed, pressed the button to close the window, and then took a pack of tissues from the dashboard and handed it over.
Fang Nan snorted and didn't take it at all. Instead, she grabbed the two boxes and tore them open forcefully as if venting her anger. When she saw what was inside, her expression froze! Then her face instantly darkened.
"Chen Yang, what happened? Did you do this?!"
She held the diamond brooch in her hand, her eyes fixed on me.
I feigned ignorance: "What?"
"Hmph! I was quite surprised when that guy surnamed Zhou bought this diamond brooch. At first, I thought he was buying it for some woman... but now he's had it delivered to me! Hmph! Besides you, who else would know I wanted to buy this?" Fang Nan's eyes were practically spitting fire: "What do you mean by doing this!"
I glanced at her cautiously, then tried my best to speak calmly: "I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Don't understand?" Fang Nan's face turned pale with anger. "That guy surnamed Zhou was clearly after me! And you actually helped him... Before the auction, you left together. Did you tell him that I originally wanted to buy this? You dare say you didn't!"
How should I answer?
Damn! Of course I'll deny it outright! I'd rather die than admit it!
If I admitted to something like that, I'd be an idiot!
"It wasn't me!" I shook my head, my voice full of grievance. "Miss Fang! How would I know what you were going to buy tonight?"
"Hmph! Still pretending! You've seen the auction catalog! I circled something in it with a pen, something no one else knows! Only you do!"
I adjusted my breathing and tried to look aggrieved: "Maybe it was Cang Yu who said it?"
Sure enough, Fang Nan paused for a moment, thought about it seriously, her eyes softened slightly, and her tone became less sharp: "Cang Yu... she wouldn't do such a thing, would she..."
I sighed inwardly.
I would never have done this if it weren't for this ring. In fact, I'm starting to regret it now.
Regardless of the circumstances, Fang Nan clearly has a strong liking for me. Whatever my supervisor's motives, objectively speaking, I was at least helping another man pursue her!
Such an act is undoubtedly an insult to any woman!
Seeing that I didn't speak, Fang Nan seemed to hesitate again: "Really not you?"
"No," I quickly whispered, "that guy surnamed Zhou, I don't really like him either... Besides, why would I help another man pursue you?" Seeing the hint of resentment in Fang Nan's eyes, and the strange glint in those captivating eyes, my heart skipped a beat. Almost instinctively, as if possessed, I mumbled, "How could I bear to..."
As soon as I blurted out those words, I secretly regretted them.
Thanks to Cang Yu's reminder tonight, I understand now. Regardless of Fang Nan's true feelings for me... I'd better not get involved!
Not to mention the vast difference in status, position, and even age between me and Fang Nan... Cang Yu's warning was clearly not without reason!
To be honest, Fang Nan is indeed very charming...
No, I should say she's absolutely stunning! In any other situation, if I encountered such a charming woman, I would definitely rush towards her without hesitation.