The Priceless Auction had yet to begin and Yang Jianchuan kept rolling his sleeve to check the time every now and then.
Seeing An Yuxin laying on the table, it triggered a memory in Li Mo.
In his past life he didn’t interact with An Yuxin often. She looked like a teacher’s pet, studying hard and always behaving. She wasn’t overconfident because of her looks either. Of the Three Great Beauties, she was the friendliest.
An Yuxin was always coming at school, until she suddenly changed to another.
That was how An Yuxin vanished from Century Middle School and only after four long years did Li Mo get to see her again, as a single mother.
She was still as elegant and simple as before, thought burdened by worries.
He also recalled how that child seemed to be around three years old.
Yang Jianchuan was getting impatient as he asked the bald man.
“Ma Changhe, didn’t you say it starts at eight? What’s the hold up?”
“Director Yang, any minute now.” The bald man bowed.
‘Ma Changhe?’ Li Mo squinted.
Century Middle School’s vice-chairman was called Ma Changdong. His brother was Ma Changhe and his nephew Ma Yu.
The past Li Mo never met Ma Changhe, but hear he was a philanthropist. It was his money who extended Century Middle School’s faculties.
Ma Changhe sometimes whispered to An Yuxin. But how could he know everything entered Li Mo’s ear.
“Don’t cry. Don’t you want to save your father?
“Remember, wait for Director Yang to buy the Jade Pagoda then you are to leave with him, understood?
“Lift your head, An Yuxin. I thought we agreed. I didn’t force you, you volunteered for this yourself.
“Did you hear me? An Yuxin, are you regretting it? Don’t you want to save your dad?”
Under his persuasion, An Yuxin lifted her head. Ma Changhe reached for her glasses but she smacked his hand away.
She may comply but that didn’t mean she wanted to reveal herself before Li Mo and Huang Lixing.
An Yuxin whispered in Ma Changhe’s ear, “I will keep my promise, but I won’t reveal myself. I’ll go wait for him outside.”
“Where are you going?”
An Yuxin just stood up and Yang Jianchuan grabbed her hand.
Ma Chonghe smiled, “Director Yang, she needs to go out for a bit.”
“No you won’t. I’ll soon buy what I want and we’ll leave together.”
“Ow~” Yang Jianchuan clenched his hand and An Yuxin cried in pain.
Yang Jianchuan snickered and spoke in her ear, “I will make you squeal tonight.”
He then dragged her down to her seat.
An Yuxin’s eyes turned wooden.
The lights suddenly turned off and the stage lights focused on the center.
Yang Jianchuan wanted to pull An Yuxin in his embrace but she opposed it with all her might. When her strengths left her, Li Mo was the one who stood up and flung Yang Jianchuan’s filthy hand away then pulled An Yuxin next to him.
Everyone at the table was speechless.
“Ma Changhe, who’s he?”
“D-don’t know.” Ma Changhe was still in a daze.
Yang Jianchuan coldly said, “What do you think you’re doing? She is mine!”
Li Mo sneered, “Now she’s mine. Yours truly finds her quite charming, perfect to warm my bed. What’s wrong, can’t take it?”
“You’re a true man.” Huang Lixing gave him a thumbs up. He had no clue what was going on, nor recognized An Yuxin, but saw Yang Jianchuan messing with her and was displeased by it.
Though first and foremost, he believed in Li Mo’s character. This was why he totally accepted his behavior, thinking Li Mo came to her rescue.
Ma Changhe slapped the table, “Little Xin, get over here! Does your word mean nothing?”
An Yuxin shuddered and was about to move but her hand was firmly in Li Mo’s grasp.
By contrast, Li Mo’s grip promised safety, while Yang Jianchuan’s assured debasing.
Yes, safety!
For some reason, An Yuxin chose to sit.
“My bed warmer wants to stay. So cut the chat!”
Ma Changhe was pissed and Yang Jianchuan blanched.
Taking her away by force would invite public humiliation.
Ma Changhe whispered, “Director Yang, let her stay there. In the end…”
“Humph, don’t think you’ll get paid if I’m not satisfied tonight.”
“No worries, you will be taken care of.”
Ma Changhe wiped his brow and walked before Li Mo staring him down.
“Twerp, who are you? What’s your name?”
“Li Xuanqing, orphan.” An Yuxin shivered when he spoke his name.
“Ha-ha, orphan? Do you know who I am?”
“Don’t know, don’t care.”
“He-he.” Ma Changhe snickered and went to do a background check on Li Mo.
Today’s guests were some with renown and others with power, if not both. Ma Changhe wasn’t a fool and knew how to pick his targets.
He was soon back, sporting an even deeper derision on his face.
“Director Yang, I asked around and this kid is a nobody. He has no clan and likes to dab in antiques. His invitation was earned through someone else.
“Wait a bit and I will give you a perfect resolution.”
“That’s your problem. Don’t drag me into it.”
“No worries, I certainly won’t.”
With the three anchors on the stage having dispensed the pleasantries, the Priceless Auction officially started.
The first item of business was a golden bowl engraved with old characters. Starting price, one million.
“One million!”
“1.05!”
“Is there no one else?”
“Sold!”
The golden bowl had only two interested in it, with barely any increase in price.
“The Su clan sure got rich from selling antiques. That bowl is worth less than a hundred thousand. What a show-off.”
“Tone it down, don’t let the Su clan hear you.”
“The Su clan is pulling out all the stops in this.”
There were gossips everywhere regarding this sale.
The TV anchor Jian Xiaoyan handed the golden bowl to the buyer and asked for the second item of the day.
This item also came from the Su clan, an unremarkable, palm-sized jade seal.
“This jade seal is no antique. It is a seal made by the famous great philosopher Zhou Mengxian in Macau in our days. Possessing this item, no dust will touch you, no dirt will stick to you. Let me demonstrate it’s miraculous ability.”
Jian Xiaoyan held the jade seal and four men surrounded her as they smoked.
The smoke stopped three inches from her, as if something blocked it…
The audience cried out.
This piece was far more valuable than a golden bowl!
Jian Xiaoyan was pleased with the reaction and lifted the jade seal, “Grandmaster Zhou’s personally refined cleansing seal, starting price, 5 million!”
“10 million!”
Yang Jianchuan bidded then threw a mocking smile Li Mo’s way.
