Chapter 28: Attending the Auction

Wei Xifeng was at a loss, yet he couldn't find a way to refute Jiang Liwu. If he were to follow her logic, perhaps he did harbor some feelings for Qiao Yiran?

So, this was what it meant to like someone?

Wei Xifeng nodded obediently. "Yes."

Seeing that Wei Xifeng had taken her words to heart, Jiang Liwu softened her expression. "Learning how to like someone takes time, too. Don't worry, we'll take it slow."

Wei Xifeng’s brows twitched, curious. "Teacher, how do you know what it's like to like someone? Do you have someone you like?"

Jiang Liwu froze. The handsome, enchanting face of a man flashed through her mind, and she coughed awkwardly. "We’re talking about your problem; why are you bringing me into this?" The tips of her ears turned a suspicious shade of red.

"Alright, it's getting late. You should get some rest." Jiang Liwu patted Wei Xifeng on the shoulder.

"You should get some rest too, and don't stay up too late binge-watching dramas," Wei Xifeng said, looking at the tired, dark shadows under Jiang Liwu's eyes with concern and sympathy.

Ever since he had told Jiang Liwu that Yan Wenyu was an international movie star, she had acted as if she had discovered a new world on the internet, constantly searching for information and binge-watching every movie and drama he had ever starred in.

"Okay, I'm going to sleep right now." After returning to her room, Jiang Liwu did indeed get into bed.

However, not long after, she opened her eyes again. Tossing and turning, unable to find a comfortable position and feeling restless, she eventually picked up her tablet to continue watching her show.

Afraid the sound would carry, she pulled the quilt over her head, tucking herself completely underneath until she formed a lumpy, rounded shape.

The next morning, Jiang Liwu was yawning incessantly while eating breakfast. Wei Xifeng handed her a piece of sandwich toast and asked with concern, "Teacher, did you go to bed very late last night?"

Jiang Liwu took the food and bit into it, her cheeks rounded and her speech slightly muffled. "No, I went to bed early."

"But you have these..." They seemed even darker. Wei Xifeng didn't finish his sentence, merely pointing cautiously at his own under-eye area.

A servant quickly brought over a mirror. Jiang Liwu turned to look, let out an "Oh," and raised her arm. She touched her dark circles and said to Wei Xifeng, "This is the smoky eye makeup I did first thing this morning. Is it a bit too heavy? I'll go wash it off."

With that, Jiang Liwu returned to her room. She pulled out a cushion compact and patted it onto her face, feeling thankful she had bought cosmetics while out and about.

Soon, Jiang Liwu sat back down at the dining table, smiled at Wei Xifeng, and continued her breakfast.

Wei Xifeng hesitated. "Teacher, you should take a nap later. I’m taking you to an auction later today."

"Oh, right. So it's today." Jiang Liwu’s mind was still a bit foggy. When she realized Wei Xifeng had tricked her into confirming it, she looked at him in surprise and handed him a piece of toast. "Eat up, little Wei."

Wei Xifeng’s lips curled. He folded the toast and bit off half in one go, successfully sealing his own mouth.

...

In the afternoon, Jiang Liwu and Wei Xifeng set off by car.

Qiao Yiran stood by the upstairs window, watching the black sedan pull away from the woodland villa.

She knew Wei Xifeng was taking Jiang Liwu to an auction, but what she hadn't expected was that he would ignore her entirely.

In the past, Wei Xifeng had always taken her to auctions, galas, and banquets.

Although she didn't want to see anyone or leave the house right now, the difference between being asked and not being asked was immense.

She could clearly feel that she was about to be replaced by Jiang Liwu.

At this thought, a profound panic spread through her, leaving Qiao Yiran anxious to the point of desperation.

She crouched down and bit her fingernails hard, biting so deeply that blood began to seep from her cuticles, yet Qiao Yiran felt no pain at all.

Remembering something, she quickly found her phone and opened a chat window with Song Jinwei.

[Weiwei, is Fu Siyue going to the auction at the Underground City today?]

Song Jinwei received the message quickly, mostly because she was bored stiff while being kept under lock and key; playing with her phone was her only escape. Oh right, she had smashed everything else; the only silver lining was that Fu Siyue wasn't so deranged as to have someone take her phone away.

However, even with a phone, she couldn't reach Fu Qinian, which was why she had to resort to such extreme measures whenever she wanted to see him.

As for Fu Siyue’s situation and itinerary, Song Jinwei naturally had no idea, because she rejected and loathed him—why would she care about his movements?

But since Qiao Yiran asked, Song Jinwei immediately inquired with Butler Fu. After receiving a definitive answer, she began typing, [He is indeed invited to the auction.]

Why would Fu Siyue go to an auction in person for no reason? Wouldn't it be better to just entrust an agent? He was probably planning to buy something himself to coax her.

Song Jinwei curled her lip in disdain. She didn't care for it at all; whatever Fu Siyue bought for her, she would smash to pieces right in front of him.

Qiao Yiran: [I heard Jiang Liwu went to the auction because she wanted to see Fu Siyue, so I was curious to ask you—do Jiang Liwu and Fu Siyue know each other?]

Song Jinwei already knew that Jiang Liwu was the woman who had spilled milk tea on her.

She frowned fiercely. [How could a money-grubbing little substitute know Fu Siyue? Don't I know exactly what women are around him?] She was the only woman by Fu Siyue’s side. It was well-known that he was indifferent to women and kept everyone at a distance; he wouldn't let any woman get close to him besides her.

Seeing that Song Jinwei still referred to Jiang Liwu as a substitute, Qiao Yiran didn't correct her, even though she had long known that Jiang Liwu was not a substitute at all, let alone hers.

Song Jinwei: [This fickle substitute must have set her sights on Fu Siyue. It’s not enough for her to cling to Wei Xifeng; she has to covet Fu Siyue too. She’s truly shameless. Eating from the bowl while looking at the pot—she has quite the appetite; isn't she afraid of choking herself to death?]

Although she hated Fu Siyue, the idea of someone trying to seduce him still made Song Jinwei furious and extremely annoyed. [Yiran, don't worry, she won't be able to see Fu Siyue.]

[By the way, Yiran, didn't you go to the auction?]

Qiao Yiran’s expression darkened. [No, I’m not feeling well, so I didn't go.]

Song Jinwei ignored Qiao Yiran’s remark. [Wei Xifeng actually took that substitute to an auction of that caliber? He’s really overestimating her. And the fact that he didn't take you... what kind of love potion did this substitute feed Wei Xifeng?]

Qiao Yiran bit her lower lip and gripped her phone tightly. Yes, what kind of love potion had Jiang Liwu fed Wei Xifeng? From the very first day Jiang Liwu appeared, Wei Xifeng had changed.

...

The Underground City was a gathering place for the elite.