159 On the Scene

Xia Yuwei and Jun Yihan arrived rather late. Therefore, just a few minutes after they entered the venue, the soft background music gradually faded away.

The lights dimmed, and the murmurs of the crowd died down. When the atmosphere reached a crescendo of anticipation, flashing spotlights suddenly pierced the stage. Stirring music swelled, and the master of ceremonies stepped forward to announce the beginning of the charity gala.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual City C charity gathering!"

"Everyone sitting here today has the ability to contribute to City C's philanthropic causes, and even more so, the willingness to offer love and compassion to our compatriots facing hardship. On behalf of all my colleagues at the City C Charity Foundation, I express my most sincere gratitude to you all for your presence!"

"I believe everyone here is well-prepared, so what are we waiting for? Let us move on to the first segment of tonight—the charity auction."

"I am sure you are all familiar with this segment. The items offered in this session have been donated by benevolent enterprises and kind-hearted individuals. There is a bidding paddle in front of each of you. Feel free to bid voluntarily, and the highest bidder wins!"

The auctioneer took the stage, and attendants brought out the first lot.

"The first lot is a Ming Yongle blue-and-white porcelain vase with a loquat and ribbon-tailed bird motif..."

The interaction between the stage and the audience grew increasingly lively. Xia Yuwei watched as item after item was hammered down for millions, or even tens of millions. She glanced at Jun Yihan beside her; he had yet to raise his paddle once. What on earth was he here for?

As if reading her mind, Jun Yihan murmured in her ear, "This is just for show..."

Xia Yuwei nodded, only half-understanding. In short, his implication seemed to be that there would be other activities later, or perhaps direct donations were preferable anyway. She also preferred people who did good deeds with a low profile.

Xia Yuwei watched the auction with great interest. The rising bids and the auctioneer's masterly flair in working the crowd made the atmosphere exceptionally lively.

"...The eighth lot—a seamless, two-carat flower-shaped diamond ring." Following the auctioneer's announcement, a model displayed the ring on her hand for the audience to see.

This diamond ring instantly captured the interest of all the women present. The previous items had been nothing more than ancient collectibles that women generally cared little about, merely watching for the novelty. But this was something women were naturally drawn to.

The dazzling brilliance of the diamond suddenly blurred Xia Yuwei's vision and pierced her heart.

The auctioneer introduced the features of the lot: "This diamond ring was custom-crafted by the jewelry division under the Bailey Group. To this day, there is only one such ring in the entire world. Its unique design and breathtaking craftsmanship are truly astonishing... The floral motif is a wild rose, which in the language of flowers represents love and longing—the most fitting gift for the one you love the most..."

Indeed, this very ring was once a gift Lu Yichen had given to Xia Yuwei. She had worn it on her finger for only a few minutes before taking it off, tossing it into her bag, and returning it to him a few days later...

Never had she expected to lay eyes on it here again.

This was merely something she had discarded. Its ownership belonged to him; how he chose to dispose of it was his right, wasn't it?

Yet why did her heart feel so congested and suffocated, accompanied by a dull ache, the moment she saw it worn by another woman?

Xia Yuwei instinctively placed a hand over her chest, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

Jun Yihan asked her with concern, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Xia Yuwei replied. Yes, it was nothing. Things that once belonged to her had long since been lost.

Not far away, the moment Lu Yichen saw the ring worn by the model on stage, his expression immediately darkened. "Bai Yixuan, can you explain to me what is going on here?"

Seeing his gloomy face and hearing his low voice, Bai Yixuan cowered and said, "Brother Chen, didn't you say that as long as it's for charity, I could bring anything to be auctioned?" She had specifically chosen this ring to be auctioned because she could not stand that wild rose. Could it be because it represented Xia Yuwei?

"...The starting bid for this item is three hundred thousand! Each paddle raise automatically adds one hundred thousand!"

"Alright, four hundred thousand! Five hundred thousand!—Bidder number thirty-five, six hundred thousand! It seems this diamond ring is exceptionally popular!"

Bidder number thirty-five was a rising star in the city. The celebrity by his side was his new flame, and to win her favor, he placed bids repeatedly.

The flurry of raised paddles reached its final stage.

"One million two hundred thousand! Bidder number thirty-five bids one million two hundred thousand! Are there any higher bids? One million two hundred thousand! One million two hundred thousand for the first time—"

"Two million!" At this moment, Jun Yihan, who had not raised his paddle once, directly called out a bid, instantly elevating the price to a new height.

" Wow! Table number eight bids two million! Two million..." The auctioneer excitedly stoked the auction atmosphere.

Xia Yuwei turned her head to look at him. Everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward the sudden bidder at table number eight.

Bai Yixuan instantly spotted Xia Yuwei sitting beside Jun Yihan. Her eyes widened. "Ah! It's her! Xia Yuwei!"

Lu Yichen's gaze, which had been directed straight ahead, shifted instantly at the sound of the name "Xia Yuwei."

To his left, three tables away, Xia Yuwei wore a floor-length black evening gown and gold stiletto heels. For the first time, her long hair was swept up in an elegant updo. Around her graceful neck hung the classic "Frozen Emerald Night" diamond necklace. She looked as ethereally beautiful as an angel, yet alluringly seductive enough to drag one irrevocably down to hell. She tilted her head slightly, looking up with a puzzled expression at the tall, handsome, and coldly refined man beside her. The man by her side held her hand, lowering his head as if murmuring words of comfort.

"I feel that this ring was naturally meant to belong to you," Jun Yihan lowered his head and said to Xia Yuwei.

"Is that so?" Xia Yuwei forced a smile. "Mr. Jun, let's not bid on it. Such a precious thing doesn't belong to me."

"Three million!" At that moment, a familiar voice rang out from her right.