"Xin Xin," Sheng Mengyi interrupted her, speaking sternly, "You must believe in Brother Chen Jin! He loves you so much, and you love him too. There shouldn't be any misunderstandings between you!"
Shi Xin Xin gave a bitter smile, "But..."
Sheng Mengyi sighed, "Forget it. Your mind is too cluttered right now. Go eat something first."
"Okay," Shi Xin Xin lowered her head and silently walked to the dining table.
Sheng Mengyi followed and picked up a piece of cake, handing it to Shi Xin Xin. "At an occasion like this, you must be very hungry. Have a few pieces to fill your stomach."
"Thank you, Sister Mengyi," Shi Xin Xin took the cake and nibbled at it little by little, but she had no appetite.
"Xin Xin, do you think..." Sheng Mengyi asked tentatively, "Brother Chen Jin will marry me?"
Shi Xin Xin's body stiffened abruptly, her chewing slowing by half a beat.
"I mean, a normal wedding process, like engagement, marriage, and so on," Sheng Mengyi added. "If he requests a normal ceremony, I don't mind."
Shi Xin Xin lowered her head, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly said, "I don't know..."
"You don't have to tell me the answer," Sheng Mengyi smiled gently and said, "You just need to know that I want you to be happy, not forced to marry a man you don't love, like me."
"Sister Mengyi..." Shi Xin Xin raised her head, looking at Sheng Mengyi with determination. "I don't want to lie to you, but... I don't know either."
"I understand how you feel," Sheng Mengyi gently stroked Shi Xin Xin's head and said, "After all, we have a fifteen-year age difference, and many things cannot be changed. But I am willing to be your best friend and accompany you. When you finally figure things out and want to find someone to date, I will help you choose the right person."
Shi Xin Xin lowered her head. "Thank you, Sister Mengyi."
Just then, a melodious piece of music sounded. The lights in the banquet hall suddenly dimmed, and all the reporters craned their necks, anticipating the grand finale of the press conference.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome Sheng Shijie, CEO of Shengshi Group," the host announced loudly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Sheng Shijie walked onto the stage from the right side and went straight to the podium.
"Distinguished members of the press, welcome to this season's 'Shengshi' Charity Auction Gala. The theme for tonight is the auction of a product from Shengshi Group – 'Shengshi Xinghe'."
'Shengshi Xinghe' is a new type of intelligent robot.
The intelligent robot utilizes the latest global technology, with a comprehensive intelligent system and extraordinary artificial intelligence. It possesses self-repair capabilities and can even create any human form based on its own preferences.
Furthermore, in addition to having its own consciousness, the intelligent robot also possesses rudimentary language functions, though it cannot speak.
The price of 'Shengshi Xinghe' is twenty billion RMB.
Despite the exorbitant price, its uniqueness attracted many wealthy individuals to compete for its purchase. After all, the wealthy have abundant funds, and spending two to three billion is insignificant to them.
Shengshi Group also demonstrated great decisiveness; once a buyer is confirmed, they will contact them immediately.
After Sheng Shijie finished speaking, he gestured to the attendants to bring 'Shengshi Xinghe' to the auction stage.
Sheng Mengyi sat elegantly in her seat. Hearing the host announce the price: "Eighteen billion six hundred million," she curled her lips and raised her paddle, "Twenty-nine billion!"
The entire hall fell silent, and everyone turned their envious gazes towards Sheng Mengyi.
"Twenty-nine billion! Are there any other bids?" the host looked at the audience. "Is anyone else competing? Twenty-nine billion for the first time!"
The hall remained silent.
At this moment, Sheng Shijie spoke again, "Twenty-nine billion two hundred million!"
The entire hall erupted.
"Good heavens, twenty-nine billion! That's outrageous!"
"That's more than twenty-nine billion. This is a bidding project for Shengshi Group. If this product is successfully auctioned, Shengshi will make a fortune."
"Who wouldn't want to make a fortune? The key is, wasn't this product supposed to be mass-produced next year? Could it be... Shengshi's technical department developed it much earlier?"
Sheng Shijie smiled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the product 'Shengshi Xinghe' has completed its design and testing phase under my father, Sheng Yuanda. My father said that this product is expected to be mass-produced by the beginning of next year."
The hall burst into thunderous applause, and everyone's face was filled with excitement.
Once this intelligent robot hit the market, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation throughout the entire empire!
And this would be a groundbreaking breakthrough for Shengshi Group.
"Twenty-nine billion four hundred million!"
"Twenty-nine billion five hundred million!"
...
The bidding continued. Shi Xin Xin's lips were tightly pressed together as she watched the auction price on stage, her heart aching as if gripped by a pair of hands.
Sheng Mengyi noticed Shi Xin Xin's discomfort and held her hand with concern. "What's wrong?"
Shi Xin Xin forced a smile. "Nothing, I just suddenly feel a bit tired."
"Would you like me to escort you to the restroom?"
"No, thank you." Shi Xin Xin shook her head. "I'll go to the restroom and be right back."
"Okay."
"Xin Xin," Sheng Mengyi suddenly called out to her.
Shi Xin Xin turned back, looking at Sheng Mengyi with confusion.
Sheng Mengyi hesitated for a few seconds before saying, "Xin Xin, you and Chen are siblings. Chen cannot marry you. If..."
"Sister Mengyi," Shi Xin Xin quickly interrupted Sheng Mengyi. "Chen said he would never marry me!"
"But..." Sheng Mengyi frowned. "But I can tell that Chen treats you very specially. He seems to... like you a little."
Shi Xin Xin paused for a few seconds, then shook her head. "Sister Mengyi, don't talk nonsense."
"I'm not talking nonsense," Sheng Mengyi looked at Shi Xin Xin and said, "If Chen really had no feelings for you, why would he bring you here? And why would he arrange for me to keep you company?"
"I... I don't know..." Shi Xin Xin bit her lip. "I don't know what he means, and I don't dare to ask him."
"Then when do you plan to ask?" Sheng Mengyi asked.
Shi Xin Xin's eyes reddened. "I... I don't know either..."
"Sigh..." Sheng Mengyi sighed and patted Shi Xin Xin's back, comforting her. "Xin Xin, don't be so deluded anymore. Chen's mother is dead, and he's an orphan. He can't start a family with another girl in this lifetime. He won't get married, nor will he have children. His concern for you is merely that of an elder brother for his sister."
"Sister Mengyi..."
"Xin Xin, I know you like Chen in your heart," Sheng Mengyi looked at her deeply. "I know you love Chen very much, but unfortunately, Chen's heart doesn't belong to you."
Shi Xin Xin's entire body trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes without warning.
She lowered her head, covered her mouth, and desperately tried not to cry out loud.
Did she like her brother?
Of course, she did. She had liked him since she was little.
But reality was always cruel.