190 Meeting an Old Friend at the Auction Banquet
At the auction center.
In the hall that could accommodate more than a hundred people, there were several round tables. On each round table were the names of the invited people. The more famous corporate representatives in Lin City were all arranged at the front.
The chandelier lit up the hall, and soft light shone on every corner.
Lin Jiao held Lin Hongyuan’s arm and walked on the red carpet, instantly attracting the attention of many people.
She was wearing a black velvet gown. The close-fitting design showed off her slender waist and exquisite curves.
The diamond belt around her waist was emitting a dazzling light, but it still could not suppress that beautiful face.
“President Lin.” A middle-aged man greeted Lin Hongyuan. “This is your daughter, right? She’s really good-looking.”
Lin Hongyuan, who received many gazes, smiled proudly and patted her hand to introduce her to them.
His voice was not soft. At least, everyone at the auction table could hear him clearly.
Those who had a collaboration with Hongyun Group or were prepared to collaborate went forward to chat with Lin Jiao.
Lin Jiao smiled so much that her face stiffened.
Seeing that Lin Hongyuan was getting more and more excited and smug, she whispered, “Dad, I’m still wearing high heels.”
“Tired? Then let’s go over and sit.” Lin Hongyuan’s heart ached for his daughter and he could not be bothered to show off anymore.
He pulled her to the table where two young men were sitting. “Jiaojiao, do you want juice or wine?”
“Anything is fine.” Lin Jiao brushed the corner of her dress and looked up to see a familiar face.
She was stunned. She really did not expect to meet someone she had not thought of for a long time here.
The moment their eyes met, Gu Quan’s expression softened. Even the fatigue from working overtime seemed to have disappeared.
Before he could speak, Song Zhen beat him to it. “Sister Jiao, I haven’t seen you in a long time.”
His tone was as familiar as before. Lin Jiao smiled brightly without revealing her emotions. “Indeed, it’s been a long time.”
“Is this your father?” Song Zhen was shocked and in disbelief.
Before this, no one could associate the boss of Hongyuan Real Estate with Lin Jiao.
She was really too low-key, so low that people thought she was from a poor family.
“Yes.” Lin Jiao introduced them to Lin Hongyuan, who was curious. “They’re my university classmates, Gu Quan and Song Zhen.”
“Gu Quan? That name sounds familiar.”
“You should know his father?” Afraid that Lin Hongyuan would flare up, she did not mention their past.
Gu Quan and Song Zhen were representing the Gu and Song families at the auction tonight. Their name tags were all written with their father’s name.
When Lin Hongyuan saw the name tag with the words “Gu Chengyi” written on it, he understood.
“Uncle Lin, let me toast you.” Gu Quan stood up with a glass of wine. Not only was he humble, but he was also respectful.
He smiled warmly from the bottom of his heart, looking more sincere than those with ulterior motives.
Lin Hongyuan chatted with him. “I heard from your father that you’re taking over the Gu Corporation now?”
“Not really.” Gu Quan took two sips of wine and glanced at Lin Jiao unintentionally.
He rubbed the wine glass. “He’s the one handling most of the matters. I’m still in the learning stage.”
“Young people learn quickly.” Lin Hongyuan pushed the fruit plate to Lin Jiao. “It won’t be long before you can take charge.”
“I’m afraid it’s still too early. A few social engagements are already giving me a headache.”
“That’s how it goes for everyone.”
As they chatted, Lin Jiao sat at the side and listened quietly.
The conversation in the hall stopped when the lights were half out, including the table she was sitting at.
The host went on stage and went through the procedures. Then, he gave the podium to the auctioneer and let him introduce all the items tonight.
The first and second items were all ink paintings, but they came from different eras and backgrounds. The starting price also jumped from three million to five million.
The third item was a blue diamond necklace with a total of 207 diamonds. It weighed 87 carats.
The auctioneer introduced in detail and raised his voice. “The starting price is 20 million!”
“23.” Lin Hongyuan raised his bidding sign without hesitation, scaring Lin Jiao.
When she heard someone else raise the price, she quickly stopped him and reminded him, “Dad, it’s 25 million now.”
“I heard you.”
“Why are you bidding for this?”
“For you.�� Lin Hongyuan looked into her eyes. “Do you think it doesn’t look good?”
“It’s not about whether it looks good or not. This is really too expensive. I can’t accept it.”
“Why can’t you accept it? Jiaojiao, don’t keep thinking about saving money for me. I earn money for you to spend.”
Lin Jiao said, “Twenty-five million is enough to buy five houses in the city! If you use this money to buy a necklace that I usually can’t wear, you might as well give the cash to me.”
Lin Hongyuan was speechless. He watched as someone else bid for the necklace and said, “Then I’ll get you something else.”
Lin Jiao knew that with his status, it was not good to go back empty-handed, so she did not refuse.
She only said, “I don’t want anything worth over ten millions.”
“Alright.” Lin Hongyuan knew his daughter’s temper very well and did not ask her to choose the expensive one.
The conversation between the father and daughter entered Gu Quan’s ears, causing his thoughts to wander.
He had brought Lin Jiao to an auction once. At that time, he wanted to bid a three million bracelet for her, but she rejected him.
He remembered her saying, “Although this bracelet looks good, it’s too slippery. It’s not worth it if it drops. You might as well keep the money for socializing.”
At that time, she really thought for him and said that it was not easy for him to enter the Gu Corporation. If his family found out about him squandering money, it would cause conflict. She did not even touch a single cent in the bank card he gave her.
His friends all said that she was petty, which made him feel embarrassed at one point. However, now that he thought about it, all her good points became clear. She was really thinking for him.
“Brother Quan, what do you think of this vase?” Song Zhen elbowed him and did not notice the change in his mood.
Gu Quan calmed himself down and looked at the stage.
“Not bad.” He raised the bidding sign and bought the vase for 3.7 million.
Lin Hongyuan originally wanted to bid for it too, but his family did not lack this one vase, so he did not raise the price. “Quan, do you like vases too?”
“My father likes it.”
He praised casually, “Your father will wake up laughing in his sleep with a filial son like you.”
Gu Quan smiled faintly. “Jiaojiao is also very filial.” When he called Lin Jiao by her nickname, there was an indescribable gentleness.