Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Qiao Qing Yan Donated 100,000

By now, the stage had reached the last few lots.

Si Jin Nan said, “The Ji family items will be placed after the Su family items.”

Then he added, almost casually, “But yours will probably be the final highlight.”

After all, what Qiao Qing Yan had donated was too valuable. The auction likely hadn’t been prepared for it at all.

Si Jin Nan’s gaze moved toward the front rows. “Looks like the Su family is really going all out this time.”

Onstage, the host lifted her eyes to the audience and spoke slowly and clearly. “The next item is a blue-and-white plum vase donated by the Su family of Cloud City. The starting bid is three million.”

Although one handle was missing, collectors still considered it highly valuable.

Si Jin Nan leaned in, lowering his voice, as if afraid she wouldn’t understand the significance. “A few years ago, at the Su Yuan auction house, a Yuan dynasty blue-and-white plum vase sold for a sky-high price of 750 million. This one isn’t worth that much, but it isn’t low either. Old Master Su is willing to take one out this time, so he’s really going all out.”

Qiao Qing Yan didn’t look at the vase. Instead, she watched the front row where the Ji family couple sat.

“Are you close with Madam Ji?” she asked.

Si Jin Nan’s gaze flicked in that direction—and Qiao Qing Yan caught it. He lingered just a little longer on Madam Ji than on Ji Chang An. Earlier, when he’d spoken about Ji Qiang Wei, the same subtle light had flickered in his eyes.

Madam Ji’s name was Su Zi Chan.

She was Old Master Si’s youngest daughter. He’d had her late in life, so he cherished her deeply. To show his affection for the Old Madam, he had deliberately let his youngest daughter take her mother’s surname. From birth, she’d also inherited 10% of the Si Group’s shares.

It was unique within the Si family.

And the age gap between Si Jin Nan and Su Zi Chan was less than ten years. She had grown up almost alongside the Si family juniors.

Si Jin Nan’s position in the Si family hadn’t formed overnight. The year he was sent abroad, Su Zi Chan likely hadn’t even married yet.

“A woman who can stir up storms in the entertainment industry,” Si Jin Nan said, “do you think she’d be some obedient, sweet, clueless girl?”

His tone carried a dry edge. “The Si family has never had sweet, clueless girls.”

His gaze returned to the stage. “If Old Master Su dared to part with this, she probably agreed to some condition.”

Buying it back at a high price. Granting the Su family some benefit. Otherwise, that old fox would never let it go.

Qiao Qing Yan watched the Ji family couple thoughtfully as the bidding climbed.

Thirty million.

Forty.

Fifty.

Beside the Ji family couple sat a girl in a Lolita dress. She smiled smugly at Madam Ji, her voice sugary.

“Grandfather is so good to Aunt,” she said. “I knew Grandfather cares about Aunt the most.”

Madam Ji smiled but didn’t answer.

In the end, the plum vase sold for 65 million, bought by an old, established Cloud City family known for collecting.

Su Luo Yu lifted her chin, drinking in the attention from the entire room like it was oxygen.

A voice nearby said, “Huh, why haven’t we seen Senior Qiao’s donation item? Could it be that Senior Qiao—”

Another voice cut in, deliberately sweet. “Luo Yu, you misunderstood Miss Qiao. Miss Qiao donated 100,000. Look, it’s written on the donation list on the stage.”

“100,000?” someone echoed, laughing under their breath. “That’s really a lot.”

Two female entertainers beside Su Luo Yu giggled, harmonizing with each other like a practiced chorus.

Su Luo Yu covered her mouth in exaggerated shock. “Senior Qiao—how could she…? Even one random handbag of hers costs more than 100,000, right?”

Another entertainer chimed in smoothly. “Luo Yu, Miss Qiao hasn’t gotten any work for a long time. She must be tight on money…”

All the while, Su Luo Yu watched the Ji family couple’s expressions, pretending astonishment while quietly stoking the fire.

And she didn’t forget to toss a provoking glance toward Qiao Qing Yan.