Shi Xinxin frowned, "I don't like it."
The necklace was beautiful under the lights, but in reality, if the gem lost its dazzling brilliance, it would only be considered tacky and mocked.
As expected, she was his woman, even her taste was different from the common people. Sheng Chenjin smiled with satisfaction.
At this moment, a waiter handed over a list, stating it was exclusively for VIPs, listing all the items for auction.
Sheng Chenjin took it and looked at Shi Xinxin first, "Take a look? Perhaps there's something you'll like."
Shi Xinxin only cast a glance, then quickly turned away, "No, you know my purpose for coming here is not to auction these jewels."
Indeed. Sheng Chenjin took the list back and flipped through it absentmindedly.
Compared to those under CL, the jewels listed here were indeed not even close.
Finally, a middle-aged woman bought the necklace for one hundred thousand yuan, and the audience erupted in thunderous applause.
Shi Xinxin yawned lazily.
Then came the auction of several more pieces of jewelry, each costing no less than three hundred thousand yuan. But Shi Xinxin could also see that some people were intentionally bidding up the prices to drive them higher.
Whose doing this was, was self-evident.
The auction reached its climax, the lights dimmed again, and when they lit up, a glass cabinet stood in the center of the stage. Inside was a necklace, with four-sided lights inlaid around it like diamonds.
"This necklace is the protagonist of our auction, named 'Iris,' representing love and hope!"
As the lights flickered, Shi Xinxin blinked slightly, and her eyes focused on the necklace in the glass cabinet.
Her breath suddenly hitched.
How could this necklace be here!
Memories suddenly flooded her mind, and she abruptly stood up, gripping the armrest so tightly that her fingertips turned white.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Sheng Chenjin leaned over worriedly, his brows furrowed tightly.
The three little ones beside her also noticed their mother's distress, their small faces knitted as they hurried to ask about her condition.
Xiao Qian frantically opened his laptop, intending to call for medical personnel.
Memories surged uncontrollably like a tide, Shi Xinxin's body trembled, her face devoid of color, as if she were deeply lost in memories and unable to extricate herself.
"Xinxin, Xinxin!" Sheng Chenjin's face was anxious, and he quickly took out his phone to dial.
"That, that necklace, it belonged to my mother..." Shi Xinxin managed to suppress the intense, uncontrollable emotions, and a tear slid down her cheek unbidden.
Sheng Chenjin reached out to support her, trying to give her strength, "It's okay, I'll help you get this necklace back."
Shi Xinxin took a breath and nodded, seemingly recovering from the verge of losing control.
She leaned back slightly, tears not yet completely dried on her face.
This necklace was designed by her mother with her own hands, and it was one of the pieces intended as her dowry. The gem was covered with fine diamonds; she wouldn't mistake it.
Seeing that his beloved was somewhat comforted, Sheng Chenjin finally breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, his heart felt as if it were being tightly grasped by a hand.
He adjusted his demeanor, his expression turning somber.
Her mother's necklace appearing here must have something to do with Su Li.
"Mommy, don't worry. Daddy will definitely get Grandma's necklace back!" Xiao Jie said obediently.
Shi Xinxin forced a smile at the three little ones.
"The starting bid for this necklace is three hundred thousand yuan. We now invite our esteemed guests to begin the auction!"
Before the host could finish speaking, a somber voice rang out from the crowd, "One million."
A ripple of murmurs went through the venue.
Considering that the previous pieces of jewelry had sold for tens of thousands or only a few thousand, most of the attendees were high-level executives from small companies, and the most they could afford was around two hundred thousand.
To hear this gentleman open with a bid of seven hundred thousand yuan more than the starting price, the audience was astonished and eager to see who this VIP was.
Shi Xinxin was also a little surprised. She whispered, "After we get back, I'll transfer the money to you."
Sheng Chenjin smiled at her, trying to put her at ease, "It's alright, this amount is just a mere trifle. You can repay me when you marry me later."
This man's words were never serious; Shi Xinxin's memories indeed vanished, replaced by annoyance at Sheng Chenjin's frivolous demeanor.
Sheng Chenjin felt as if he had a persecution complex, but her cold glance only made him laugh even more.
"One, one million?" The host, clearly taken aback by such generosity, repeated the bid, as if fearing a misstatement.
"Yes, one million. Is that enough?" Sheng Chenjin said indifferently.
The host quickly smiled ingratiatingly and looked at the others in the audience, "Are there any further bids?"
The bidder, who had been sent to drive up the price, raised his paddle, "One million one hundred thousand!"
Shi Xinxin's eyes darkened slightly.
This person who always bids up prices at auctions must be acting with impunity, daring to bid so boldly.
The person behind him, who instructed him, was undoubtedly Su Li.
If the bidding strategy worked, it would incite the buyers' competitive spirit, but if it failed, the bidder wouldn't have to pay, and the jewelry would return to Su Li's hands.
Sheng Chenjin clearly understood this as well.
He curled his lips into a smile and lazily raised his paddle, "Two million."
Shi Xinxin raised her eyebrows slightly.
How much would she have to repay him? It might not be enough even in three lifetimes.
The venue fell silent.
Backstage, Su Li saw the message on her phone, stood up, and glanced towards the front of the house, "What's going on? Why are the bids so high?"
A staff member replied, "It's Mr. Sheng bidding for the Iris necklace. The starting bid was one million."
Hearing it was Sheng Chenjin, Su Li was no longer surprised. Her gaze shifted slightly to the side, and when she saw the person sitting there, her eyes instantly turned cold.
Shi Xinxin, she was always haunting her. What exactly did she want!
Su Li's gaze returned to the large screen, and she looked at the exquisitely crafted necklace on the screen, deep in thought.
If she remembered correctly, this necklace was found in Shi Xinxin's room.
Su Li suddenly curved her lips into a strange smile.
At the auction, the host said nervously, "Two million, are there any further bids? Two million once, two million..."
"Two million five hundred thousand." The familiar voice of the price-raiser rang out again.
Shi Xinxin frowned slightly. What was this person trying to do?
No, rather, what was Su Li trying to do?
Sheng Chenjin still appeared indifferent, raising his paddle, "Four million."
Hooray, he really was a generous benefactor with nowhere to spend his money. The venue once again fell into silence.