Chapter 23
Chapter 23 The Jubilant Lin Qian
"But well, he's from the countryside. And now, he's a live-in son-in-law. No wonder he has an inferiority complex and is afraid to show his face in public."
Wang Yu had already heard about Ye Fan from his wife. That fellow came from the countryside and his family consisted of just his mother and himelf. Both of them lived in poverty.
"But that can't go on for long. When you get back home, go ask him if he's interested in a security guard position at my company. If he's wants, I can pay him three thousand per month. The job comes with board and lodging." Wang Yu said lightly.
Lin Qian joined in the conversation and tried to persuade Qiu Mu-Cheng as well. "That's right, Mu-Cheng. If you want the job, then don't miss this opportunity. Many old folks are queuing up for this position, you know?" Both husband and wife tag-teamed Qiu Mu-Cheng with their talk that oozed with charitable concern, as if the job offer was an unimaginably great gift they were bestowing on Ye Fan.
Qiu Mu-Cheng's complexion took a turn for the worse. Still, she maintained decorum and promised to talk to her husband about the job offer. But who knew just how much her heart was aching, even as she kept a smile on her face? No one could have comprehended Qiu Mu-Cheng's state of mind at that moment. During her college years, she had been dazzling and without equal. During her reign as the beauty queen of Jiangdong University, her academic results had also been excellent. Back then, Lin Qian had been nothing but a foil for Qiu Mu-Cheng's brilliance.
But who could have known, with the passing of time, Qiu Mu-Cheng would become a target of charity? To a proud and aloof person like Qiu Mu-Cheng, such a thing was difficult to stomach.
All of a sudden, her nose felt sore and tears started to swim around in her eyes. Qiu Mu-Cheng suddenly regretted coming to the auction. Perhaps, she did not belong in upper-crust society.
She was just an ordinary girl now, not the school beauty who had held everyone's attention.
Suddenly, the proud lady surreptitiously bowed her head. When the dim lights rained upon her, they cast a huge shadow on the floor.
Ye Fan, who had been sitting behind the party of three, was finding it difficult to watch the humiliation of his wife.
"So when Mu-Cheng called me earlier, she was planning to invite me to this auction. This woman. She's usually indifferent toward me but, when it matters, she remembers me." Ye Fan was a little touched when he thought about the call he had received earlier.
"But this is difficult for her. She's suffering again because of me."
Ye Fan sighed and clenched his hands tightly.
"Mu-Cheng, don't worry. Tonight, I will make you the brightest star at Shanshui Memorial Garden."
Ye Fan stared silently at the captivating lady illuminated by the dim lights, and his eyes flickered with an inexplicable determination.
"Mu-Cheng, don't you think that's funny?"
"That idiot was dressed like a country bumpkin, and then he tried to withdraw all the money in the bank with a card that had insufficient balance. What a moron."
"That was so funny."
"Nowadays, some poor people are like that. They think about money all the time and then they get obsessed with it. So even when they have no money, they go around pretending to be rich. In the end, they are only making fools of themselves. I think that guy should be in police custody right now?"
The party of three in front of Ye Fan tried to make conversation as time continued to pass by. But, Lin Qian was the one doing most of the talking. For example, she talked about her recent trip to Australia, the cruise holiday she had taken in the Maldives last month and the latest Apple iPhone she had just bought. She also complimented Qiu Mu-Cheng's dress. It was a luxury brand, so she wanted to know how many months' worth of salary did Qiu Mu-Cheng spend on the dress? And finally, the conversation returned to the topic of the "poor man" at the bank.
Behind them, Ye Fan's eyes twitched furiously as he listened in on their talk.
"Damn. No wonder I find them so familiar. So they were the couple I met at Hongqi Bank earlier?"
"Well, they do say enemies often cross each other's path-"All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
Ye Fan still remembered what had happened at the bank during the day. It was this Wang Yu who had mocked him. After the turn of events, he had wanted to settle score with them. But they had already left the bank by then. So this was where they were.
"Great. We will settle both old and new grievances slowly." Ye Fan smiled coldly.
Wah-
Suddenly, a dazzling beam from a spotlight lit up the stage at the front. Immediately after, a sexy lady in a business dress appeared under the light.
It looked like the auction was about to start, and the noise in the hall settled down.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. I am very honored to be the MC for tonight's auction. This event is organized by Yunhai Auction House. All proceeds from this auction will go to children living in the moutainous areas. At that time, the amounts of your 'donations' will be made public and open for your scrutiny!"
The auctioneer's clear voice resounded through the hall and, after a few simple opening lines, the first auction item was brought in front of the attendees.
It was a custom-made hydrofoil. The starting bid was ten thousand.
"Fifteen thousand!"
"Twenty thousand-"
Soon, the hall was filled with the voices of the wealthy elites as they bidded against each other.
"The fifth auction item is a white jade hairpin that was once owned by European royalty. The starting bid is thirty thousand-"
And then a piece of flawless jade hairpin was brought up to the stage. All at once, the excited shrieks of numerous female attendees rang out within the hall. As Lin Qian stared at the piece of jewellery with wide-open eyes, she tugged at Wang Yu's arm and tried to wheedle him into buying her the hairpin.
"Darling, this white jade hairpin is so pretty-"
"Alright, I will get it for you!" Wang Yu declared imperiously and raised his auction placard.
"Forty thousand!"
"Forty-five thousand!" But very soon, another wealthy bidder with a female companion offered a higher bid.
Jewellery pieces like the jade hairpin were popular with the ladies after all.
"Fifty thousand!"
Wang Yu did not shy away from his mission and, soon, he raised his bid to sixty thousand.
The competing voices of the bidders faded away abruptly.
"Qian-Qian, see? If it's me, then no one can compete against me. Don't worry. Anything you like, I will get it for you." Wang Yu smiled smugly and deliberately looked sideways at Qiu Mu-Cheng. As if he was hoping to see her envious and worshipful gaze. After all, the third daughter of the Qiu family was a great beauty. Even though she had a husband, that man was just a useless piece of trash. If his generosity today could persuade Qiu Mu-Cheng to throw herself at him, then he would not mind supporting her as his mistress. He was even wiling to divorce Lin Qian, if that meant that he could have Qiu Mu-Cheng.
But in the end, he was left disappointed.
Qiu Mu-Cheng's eyes remained unclouded, and she continued to watch the auction quietly.
"Wah, darling, you are the best!"
"I love you so much-"
On the other hand, Lin Qian looked at him in adoration and happily kissed Wang Yu on the forehead. Then she turned to look at Qiu Mu-Cheng and said mockingly, "Mu-Cheng, why are you just looking? Aren't you going to bid on anything? This is a charity auction. You are not just buying something. You are also doing a good deed. That's way more meaningful than spending a few months' income on some stupid dress."
As she ridiculed Qiu Mu-Cheng, Lin Qian stared jealously at the refined beauty in front of her.
Admittedly, Qiu Mu-Cheng's title as the beauty queen of Jiangdong University had been well-deserved. Many years had passed since their graduation and she still looked as beautiful as ever. The passage of time had been kind to her and, under its settling influence, she had gained a certain mature charm.