Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Auction (1)

The host stepped onto the stage in a professional suit, features delicate and poised. Her voice carried the polished cadence of a broadcaster, wrapped in a Yan Jing accent that immediately set her apart.

“Welcome, everyone, to the Ji Xin Charity Auction,” she said warmly. “All proceeds from tonight’s auction will be transferred into the Ji Xin Foundation to aid children across the country who suffer from special illnesses…”

Si Jin Nan leaned slightly toward Qiao Qing Yan. “Her name is Ji Qiang Wei. She’s the Ji family’s adopted daughter.”

Qiao Qing Yan’s gaze stayed on the stage.

“Many years ago,” Si Jin Nan continued, “people in Yan Jing spread rumors that she was the Ji family’s child bride for Ji Chang An.”

He let out a soft, amused breath. “Then Ji Chang An married the current Madam, and the entire Capital was shocked. Everyone waited to see Ji Qiang Wei become a joke.”

His eyes narrowed a fraction. “Who would’ve thought she’d use her ability to slap everyone’s face instead.”

He nodded toward the host. “The Ji family has always been devoted to charity. Ji Qiang Wei is now the highest administrator of all the charity foundations under the Ji Group.”

He added, almost casually, “She’s even above Ji Chang An.”

Qiao Qing Yan finally looked at him. “You like her?”

Si Jin Nan shot her a glance that practically screamed: Are you an idiot?

Qiao Qing Yan shrugged, unfazed. “You’re watching her so closely. It’s easy for people to think you like her.”

“The Ji family has a new project about to start,” Si Jin Nan said, ignoring the jab. “The goal is to push into the Capital. That’s why so many people came to this charity gala.”

His mouth curved in something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Of course, many of them only know one part, not the other.”

He tapped the armrest lightly. “The Ji family wants partners. Ji Qiang Wei is in charge of the project.”

Qiao Qing Yan hummed. “Looks like Young Master Si isn’t as useless as the rumors say—only knowing how to eat and wait for death.”

Being able to dig up the Ji family’s true purpose before others did meant his network wasn’t simple at all.

Si Jin Nan let out a snort. “Miss Qiao, before you came to seek cooperation with me, you should’ve investigated me already.”

There was no need to sound surprised.

Qiao Qing Yan didn’t deny it. If she chose a partner, she wouldn’t do it blindly.

Si Jin Nan was the legitimate eldest grandson of the Cloud City Si family—yet his status as the eldest grandson wasn’t even as secure as an illegitimate child’s.

Old Master Si valued ability. The capable rose.

And since childhood, Si Jin Nan had never measured up to Second Young Master Si. Later, Second Young Master Si entered the Si Group, while the Si family’s Eldest Young Master spent his days causing trouble and living in scandal.

When Si Jin Nan was twenty-two, he offended a young master from a powerful family in the Capital. The Si family sent him abroad. He returned only a few years later.

It just so happened that, the year he returned, Xu Zhong Qin arrived in Cloud City.

Xu Zhong Qin needed the cover of a prominent family. He also needed someone to take the blade for him.

Anyone with half a brain in Cloud City wouldn’t use their true heir as a shield.

So Si Jin Nan became the sacrifice in a game of interests.

The Si family didn’t care what Xu Zhong Qin wanted to do. They didn’t care what Si Jin Nan would suffer or how far he’d be pushed.

They cared about what Xu Zhong Qin brought them.

Now, although the person in control of Ju Hui was Xu Zhong Qin, the true boss behind it was Si Jin Nan—only his say wasn’t strong enough.

But what if Xu Zhong Qin was kicked out of the game?

Si Jin Nan glanced at Qiao Qing Yan again. “We’re already more than halfway through, and you still haven’t found anything you like.”

He’d noticed it from the beginning. No matter how beautiful the lots were, no matter how high the bids climbed, nothing seemed to matter to her.

She watched it all as if she were watching something ordinary, common, almost dull.

It didn’t match the Qiao Qing Yan he’d heard about at all.