Once seated, Gu Jin asked,
"So Long Yifan couldn’t come because he was called for a practice session?"
"Yes." Jasmine nodded; however, internally, she was laughing.
To think her sister-in-law was here to meet her brother while not knowing she was meeting her brother...was truly...exciting.
How would Long Yifan react?
If he dared to act coldly, Jasmine swore to slap Long Yifan’s head, even if it meant exposing her brother’s identity.
The auctioneer, a slender man with a slick smile, stepped onto the stage and raised his hand, signaling the start of the event.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice echoed through the chamber, "welcome to tonight’s exclusive auction. We have prepared treasures that even the heavens would envy!"
Applause filled the room as the first item was brought onto the stage — a jade pill bottle radiating a faint glow.
"The Elixir of Rebirth," the auctioneer announced, his smile widening. "Starting bid — 50 million yuan!"
Jasmine’s eyes widened. "Whoa... that’s crazy expensive!"
Gu Jin, however, remained calm, her gaze drifting away from the stage.
Her mind was elsewhere.
Where are you, Ma Bence...?
Long Yifan, who was sitting in his own chamber and could see Gu Jin, sighed.
A strange kind of joy surged in his heart.
Gu Jin’s eyes were once again trying to find him...
For a moment he wanted nothing more than to rush toward her and tell his true identity.
’So what is stopping you? Go and tell her!’ His heart shouted.
At the same time, his brain shouted,
’Don’t tell her! She won’t take help from you! If you tell her real identity, she won’t even look at you!’
He knew the truth. His mind was telling the truth.
The auction went on, item after item, but Gu Jin didn’t bid. She was waiting.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the auctioneer cleared his throat and said,
"Next, we have something truly special."
A servant carefully brought out a small ring.
"A ring?" Jasmine blinked, leaning forward with curiosity. "Why does it look so plain?"
Gu Jin’s sharp eyes focused on the small ring placed carefully on a velvet cushion. The ring was made of simple black jade, smooth and unadorned. But Gu Jin could feel a strange, almost invisible energy coming from it.
"This," the auctioneer’s voice echoed, "is not just any ordinary ring."
He let the silence hang for a moment, making sure all eyes were on the stage.
"This is the Token of Meeting," he said with a mysterious smile.
"The one who wins this ring... will earn the right to request a private meeting with none other than... Ma Bence."
Gu Jin’s eyes darkened instantly.
Jasmine’s mouth fell open. "Whoa! A chance to meet Brother— I mean, Ma Bence?"
Gu Jin’s gaze didn’t move from the ring.
She had been waiting for this.
Long Yifan, who was sitting in his private booth, nearly choked on his drink.
What?! They’re auctioning that?!
He gritted his teeth.
The Token of Meeting... it was something he had casually crafted a while back, thinking no one would actually put it up for auction. But now...
If Jin wins it... She’ll come looking for me!
"Starting bid—10 million yuan!" the auctioneer declared.
"20 million," Gu Jin said immediately, her voice steady.
Long Yifan’s heart skipped a beat.
"30 million," another bidder called out.
"40 million," Gu Jin’s calm voice echoed again.
Jasmine blinked, leaning toward her. "Jin... are you really going for it?"
Gu Jin’s eyes stayed on the ring, her expression unreadable.
"I need to meet him," she said softly.
"50 million!" a deep voice shouted from the other side of the room.
Gu Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t hesitate.
"60 million," she said, her tone steady.
The bids kept rising.
"100 million!" Gu Jin raised the stakes.
Jasmine blinked, her mouth hanging open. "Jin... you’re serious-serious, huh?"
Gu Jin didn’t reply. Her eyes were locked on the ring, her mind sharp and focused.
"200 million!" another bidder called out.
Gu Jin’s eyes flickered to the side, trying to see who was competing.
But the auction hall was dimly lit, and the private chambers were veiled by enchantments to protect bidders’ identities.
"500 million!" Gu Jin raised the bid without a second thought.
"1 billion!" a soft, confident voice echoed from another private chamber.
Gu Jin’s eyes sharpened.
Jasmine squinted toward the source of the voice. "Who’s that?"
Gu Jin’s lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t know who it was, but she could sense the arrogance in that voice.
"2 billion," Gu Jin said, her voice firm.
"3 billion," the voice responded smoothly.
Gu Jin’s grip tightened on the edge of her seat.
The hall grew silent as the bids skyrocketed.
The auctioneer wasn’t surprised. After all, there were many woman wanted to throw themselves at Ma Bence.
"Who... is that?" Jasmine whispered, her voice filled with curiosity and worry.
Gu Jin didn’t answer. Her focus was locked on the bid.
"15 billion," Gu Jin said softly, her tone steady but her eyes burning with determination.
"20 billion," the same woman countered, her voice cool and arrogant.
Gu Jin’s jaw clenched.
Whoever she is... she’s not giving up.
"25 billion," Gu Jin said through gritted teeth.
"30 billion," the woman declared, her tone full of confidence.
A tense silence filled the auction hall.
Gu Jin’s fists clenched tightly.
30 billion yuan... for one meeting with Ma Bence...
Jasmine bit her lip. "Jin... maybe—"
"I’m not giving up," Gu Jin said firmly, her eyes flashing with determination.
She couldn’t give up. Not now.
Not when she was this close.
"Who is so eager to meet Ma Bence?" a sweet but mocking voice echoed.
The woman in the pink dress.
A servant approached the stage, carefully guiding the woman forward. She was dressed elegantly, her silk pink dress flowing like water.
Her face was covered by a delicate mask, but her aura screamed arrogance.
"I don’t know who you are," the woman said, her voice echoing throughout the hall, "but don’t you think it’s a waste to spend so much just for a meeting?"
Her tone was dripping with confidence, almost as if she were talking down to Gu Jin.
In her private booth, Gu Jin’s eyes darkened.
"Isn’t it better to give up now?" the woman continued, her smile hidden behind the mask. "You can’t possibly think you’ll win."
Gu Jin’s jaw clenched.
Jasmine’s eyes narrowed. "Who does she think she is?"
But Gu Jin... stayed calm.
Her lips curled into a cold, confident smile.
"I don’t need to know who you are," Gu Jin’s voice echoed through the hall, her tone sharp and unwavering.
"Because this... is something I won’t lose."
Jasmine smirked. "Oh, now you’re in trouble, Miss Pink."
The hall grew silent as Gu Jin’s gaze locked onto the stage.
"35 billion," Gu Jin said, her voice calm but filled with unshakable resolve.
The woman in pink stiffened slightly.
"40 billion," she said, but her tone wasn’t as confident as before.
Gu Jin’s eyes gleamed.
Even Long Yifan, who had been anxiously watching, nearly fell out of his chair.
’50 billion?! For a meeting with me?! Wifey, as long as you call me, I can meet you right away! You don’t need to pay a single penny! I am ready to give you 50 billion in return.’
The woman in pink’s fingers twitched.
Silence stretched across the hall.
"Going once..." the auctioneer’s voice echoed, barely able to contain his excitement.
The woman in pink’s lips tightened.
But no response came.
"Sold! To Miss Gu for 50 billion yuan!" the auctioneer declared, his voice full of awe.
Jasmine punched the air. "Yes!"
Gu Jin’s expression remained calm, but her heart was pounding.
She was going to meet Ma Bence.
"I’ll go pay," she murmured to Jasmine, who grinned and gave her a thumbs-up.
Gu Jin left the private chamber and walked gracefully toward the payment area. The staff was already waiting, their eyes filled with admiration and a little bit of fear.
Gu Jin handed over her payment.
"Here is the ring, Miss Gu," the servant carefully placed the black jade ring into a small, luxurious box lined with gold silk.
Gu Jin took it gently, her fingers brushing against the cool surface of the ring.
She was about to turn and leave when—
A cold, arrogant voice echoed from behind her.
Gu Jin’s eyes narrowed as she slowly turned around.
Standing in front of her was the woman in the pink dress.
Up close, the woman looked even more stunning.
Her silky pink dress clung perfectly to her figure, and her face was hidden behind a delicate, lace-covered mask.
But her aura... it was filled with arrogance and hostility.