Chapter 20: A Sense of Security
As Gu Fengchuan placed another bid, the previously hesitant crowd seemed to be reminded of something and quickly resumed bidding.
“450 million.”
“500 million.”
The price was gradually approaching Gu Fengchuan’s limit.
But the bidding continued.
Xu Youyou was so happy she was about to faint—she wished these people would fight even harder.
Lu Jingyao raised his paddle again, “600 million.”
The entire room fell silent.
His sudden increase of 100 million made everyone else give up any thoughts of competing.
Lu Jingyao was known as the “Cash King” of Hucheng. Unlike other tycoons who might face cash flow issues, the Lu family never lacked money.
“600 million once, 600 million twice, 600 million three times—congratulations to bidder No. 1!” the auctioneer announced loudly.
Xu Youyou could barely contain her excitement, already calculating the money she’d receive. After deducting commissions and taxes, she would still pocket over 500 million yuan.
When the auction ended, the crowd began to disperse, while the winning bidders followed the staff to make their payments and collect their items.
“Mr. Lu must really like this doucai cup?” Xu Youyou asked with a smile.
Lu Jingyao had a gut feeling—there seemed to be some mysterious connection between this doucai cup and Xu Youyou.
“You surprised me, Miss Xu. I originally thought you’d be my toughest competitor for this doucai cup,” Lu Jingyao said.
Xu Youyou shook her head gently. “My appreciation for art is limited—I honestly don’t understand why you’d spend so much on a cup.”
Lu Jingyao replied, “Antiques carry the marks of time—the radiance that history bestows is something modern objects cannot replicate.”
Xu Youyou had spent plenty of time handling the doucai cup herself. She could tell it was more vibrant and dynamic than replicas, but she couldn’t see the deeper value.
At that moment, she simply thought that these rich people treated money like printed paper—throwing out 600 million yuan as easily as flipping a page.
Gu Fengchuan quickened his pace to catch up with them. Turning to Lu Jingyao, he said, “Had I known Mr. Lu was so determined to get the doucai cup, I wouldn’t have bid against you.”
His words were merely polite. The fierce competition during the auction told a different story—he was only trying to curry favor with Lu Jingyao now.
Lu Jingyao merely said, “In an auction, everyone relies on their own abilities,” and sped up, clearly uninterested in further conversation.
Seeing how coldly he was being treated, Gu Fengchuan turned to Xu Youyou and accused, “Did you speak ill of me to Mr. Lu?”
Xu Youyou rolled her eyes and sized him up before replying, “Why would I need to? You’re already annoying enough on your own.”
Gu Fengchuan was so angry he nearly lost his composure.
Seizing the opportunity, Xu Youyou subtly stuck out her foot. Caught off guard, Gu Fengchuan stumbled forward—he would have fallen if not for someone catching him in time.
“Xu Youyou!” he shouted in frustration.
Far from feeling childish, Xu Youyou turned and stuck her tongue out playfully.
“You’d better not be so smug—if you can’t pay for that jade pendant, don’t expect me to help!” Gu Fengchuan snapped.
He simply didn’t believe Xu Youyou could afford the 12 million yuan for the yellow jade pendant. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was that she assumed he would pay for her.
Yet, when it came time to pay, Xu Youyou casually handed over a bank card. Within seconds, the transaction was approved.
Gu Fengchuan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“An orphan like you—where did you get that kind of money? You must have done something disgraceful—”
SMACK!
Xu Youyou slapped him hard across the face. “Watch your mouth. Just because you’re dirty-minded doesn’t mean everyone else is!”
Stunned, Gu Fengchuan stared at her, speechless. Previously, he could brush off her outburst in the rental apartment as an overreaction—but now it was clear she had deliberately hit him.
“You actually dared to hit me? You rude little orphan!”
Without hesitation, Xu Youyou slapped him again.
“That’s right—I’m just a poor orphan whose parents and brother are all dead!” she shouted.
The room filled with murmurs, but Xu Youyou didn’t care. She watched as Gu Fengchuan’s face turned red, then white, then green—like a human color palette.
“If you’ve got the guts, say it louder. Why exactly am I ‘rude’?” she challenged.
For once, Gu Fengchuan was lost for words.
Having landed two solid slaps, Xu Youyou wasn’t worried about him calling the police—after all, if this incident got out, it would only embarrass the Gu family further.
After paying, a humiliated Gu Fengchuan stormed out, shooting her one last vicious glare.
“Goodbye, Miss Xu,” Lu Jingyao said politely, acknowledging her with a nod before leaving with the doucai cup. He made no comment on her clash with Gu Fengchuan.
Just as the dust settled, a young man in a pink suit sauntered over.
“Brilliant! I’ve never seen Gu Fengchuan take such a hit before. He’s always acting like the world owes him something—I can’t stand him,” the man laughed.
Xu Youyou recognized him immediately—Ai Hui. In her past life, he was notorious in their social circle—not because of his wealth or talents, but because he loved to stir up trouble.
He’d get involved in things just for the fun of making a mess.
Taking a cautious step back, Xu Youyou replied, “Thanks for the compliment.”
“Little miss, I don’t recall seeing you before. Which family do you belong to?” Ai Hui asked with a smile.
Not wanting any further involvement with him, Xu Youyou replied coolly, “I’m not some rich heiress—I’m just a kept woman.”
She expected that would put him off, but to her surprise, Ai Hui became even more intrigued. “How much does your sugar daddy pay you a month? I’ll offer double—and you won’t even have to sleep with me. Just stick around and mess with these pretentious rich folks—I love watching them squirm.”
Raising her eyebrows, Xu Youyou realized he was crazier than she thought.
Shaking her head, she replied, “I’m loyal to my sugar daddy—until death do us part.”
Ai Hui sighed regretfully. “Girl, mixing love with money is a recipe for heartbreak. You’re too young to understand.”
Thankfully, her words seemed to discourage him from pursuing her further.
Once the auction hall was empty, Xu Youyou finally went to collect her payment.
Soon after, her phone buzzed with a transaction notification:
[Account ending 4759—June 10, 11:46 AM—Mobile Banking Deposit: ¥552,000,000. Current Balance: ¥686,888,117.]
Staring at those numbers, Xu Youyou realized—nothing in the world felt more secure.
