Chapter 390: Chapter 352: Making Up for All the Romance I Owe Her
The mere name Mu Shuoqian was enough to thunder in one’s ears, and everyone turned to look for the source of the sound.
Gu Qili felt a weight on her shoulder as Mu Shuoqian wrapped his arm around her left one, and without paying attention to the shocked crowd, led her to a rest area on the side.
The majority of the attendees at today’s auction were socialites and celebrities. Mu Shuoqian normally disliked venues crowded with women, but for the sake of buying the Pink Heart, he humbled himself and straight away took Gu Qili to a less populated area.
No sooner had they left than the people behind them burst into uproar.
No one had expected Mu Shuoqian to show up here, let alone with a woman, and what was most shocking was that he actually called this woman his wife.
Gao Ruobing stamped her foot in anger as she watched the two leave. Qixi Vineyard indeed had its time of glory, and their Feihe Winery had to rely on them. However, after Qixi declared bankruptcy and withdrew from the wine industry of Aus City, Feihe Winery rose as the successor and thrived in subsequent years.
Never did it cross her mind that the daughter of the Gu Family would come back to restart the vineyard,
Gao Ruobing, sensing a threat, ignored the envious women and walked to a rest area to call Gao Hanshan.
"Dad, I have bad news. Qixi Vineyard might be reopening."
Gao Hanshan was socializing with a few friends. Hearing this, his face tensed up: "Who told you this?"
He had always been wary of Gu Dezhong, as he resonated with staying second to him – forever under the glory of another. Just as he felt relieved when Gu Dezhong passed away and his vineyard declared bankruptcy, the news of Qixi Vineyard reopening set his heart into disarray.
That Gao Hanshan was panicking stemmed from his involvement in the bankruptcy of the Gu Family; he had appeared to brotherly bond with Gu Dezhong on the surface, yet in secret betrayed him countless times. It’s just that Gu Dezhong, being a generous and upright person, had never thought to suspect his "brother."
"Bingbing, find out what you can, see what’s really going on," Gao Hanshan said, leaving his seat for the corridor.
"Understood, Dad."
"Where are you now, and how did you run into Gu Dezhong’s daughter?"
"I’m at the auction. Today’s the day the Pink Heart is up for bid. I really like that diamond; I’ve decided to purchase it as my dowry," said Gao Ruobing, looking towards the center of the main venue where the auction item had yet to be presented but was already surrounded by reporters.
Gao Hanshan said, "Our marriage arrangement with the Nan Family is just about to take shape; don’t make too much noise."
"I understand, Dad. I’m aware of the situation," she replied.
After hanging up the phone, Gao Ruobing saw the auction was about to commence and glanced at Mu Shuoqian and Gu Qili, sitting in a corner, talking close together, occasionally smiling – a scene that was truly enviable and irksome to the eyes.
A bankrupt heiress, what gave her the right to climb up to someone like Mu Shuoqian? It was nothing more than her looks, what’s so great about that.
Brooding over this, Gao Ruobing took a seat not far from them. Gu Qili sensed an unfriendly gaze and glanced sideways, whispering to Mu Shuoqian, "This Gao Family heiress has quite the temper."
"Being the prospective daughter-in-law of the Nan Family and with some wealth at home, it’s natural she’s developed a bad temper," Mu Shuoqian commented dismissively.
"Nan Family? Nan Zhan?"
Gu Qili did not believe that Nan Zhan had such poor taste. Although she did not know Gao Ruobing well, she really disliked her arrogance and brashness.
"Hmm." Mu Shuoqian idly played with her hand, enveloping her small hand within his palm, interlocking their fingers, "Many things involve interests. It’s not just about feelings when it comes to getting married, nor is the lack of feelings a reason not to."
"So, I am quite lucky then?"
Meeting her dark, mischievously twinkling eyes, Mu Shuoqian chuckled softly, "You must have saved the Galaxy in your past life."
"Mu Shuoqian, are you too full of yourself?"
"What do you think?" He tightened his grip on her hand, "Haven’t you noticed that since your husband walked in, there have been more than a dozen pairs of eyes on us?"
Gu Qili indeed noticed, and with a silent glare, she warned everyone peeking their way. But what made her even more embarrassed was the word "husband", which he said so effortlessly.
"Not shy at all," she huffed softly but scooted even closer to him, silently declaring her territory to the other women.
Mu Shuoqian had long seen through her little ploys,
Gu Qili suddenly widened her eyes. This man...
Gao Ruobing, seeing the two in the distance clinging together, disregarding everyone, and engaging in public displays of affection, cursed them for their shamelessness and felt a flare-up of nameless anger.
Soon, the auction commenced. Two staff members took the stage; one unlocked the case while the other pressed the fingerprint security switch. A glass showcase slowly rose in the center of the venue, and as the showcase reached a certain height, the "Pink Heart" at the center was unveiled.
Its appearance immediately prompted continuous screams from below, with many ladies visibly moved to tears.
The host introduced, "This Pink Heart weighs 14.5 carats and is the largest known cushion-cut Fancy Vivid grade pink diamond to date. This pink diamond not only boasts outstanding saturation but also lacks any common secondary colors like purple, orange, or brown. The starting bid is 45 million, with each increment being at least 5 million."
The auctioneer had barely finished speaking when someone raised their paddle: 55 million.
"60 million."
"65 million."
Everyone was eagerly bidding, and the price quickly soared to 90 million. At this point, Gao Ruobing, who had been silent, raised her paddle: 100 million.
A pink diamond auctioned for 100 million immediately elicited gasps from the crowd.
Gu Qili had seen this kind of ostentatious bidding among the wealthy before. He glanced at the man beside him who remained unfazed, knowing he was about to make his move. How could something he had set his eyes on end up in someone else’s hands? The rest were just here for the fun of it.
"100 million, for the first time."
"100 million, for the second time," the auctioneer lifted the small hammer.
"200 million," a clear and soft voice rang out, not loud, but enough to shock everyone present. All heads turned in unison to see Gu Qili raising her paddle, composed and serene.
million?
A pink diamond for 200 million?
The crowd couldn’t believe it and whispered among themselves.
Gao Ruobing clenched her fists tightly, glaring at Gu Qili. Gu Qili felt her gaze, looked back saltily, and blinked provocatively at her.
Flushed with anger, Gao Ruobing opened her mouth to bid again but ultimately held back.
If she spent 200 million on a diamond, Gao Hanshan would kill her. The Gao Family was rich, but they still fell short when compared to the likes of a tycoon like Mu Shuoqian.
"200 million, for the first time."
"200 million, for the second time."
"200 million, for the third time, sold, congratulations to this lady."
Those who didn’t win the bid were inevitably disappointed, but many had already given up hope when they saw Mu Shuoqian arrive.
"Who is this woman that Mu Shuoqian would spend a fortune on her?"
"You can’t deny her good fortune. Spending so much on just one diamond, what about other things? She doesn’t have to worry for the rest of her life."
"From what I’ve heard, she used to be with the Gu Family. Is the Gu Family making a comeback? I’ve tasted the wine from Qixi Vineyard, and it’s really good, not something Feihe can compare with."
"Exactly, that Gao Ruobing always acts so noble, yet she can’t even appreciate the taste of wine. I think she’s already lost to them in this regard."
Gao Ruobing wasn’t deaf; she heard all of these remarks clearly. Though angry, she couldn’t find any reason to refute.
Having not won the diamond and instead becoming frustrated, Gao Ruobing grabbed her purse and stormed off.
Mu Shuoqian and Gu Qili completed the formalities and then went to a private jewelry setting store in Aus City. The craftsman here was a world-renowned jeweler who usually didn’t take on work lightly. He agreed to this job entirely because this pink diamond was a rare gem in the world.
The jeweler took measurements of Gu Qili’s finger, then listed several of his latest designed ring styles.
Gu Qili picked one and pointed to it, asking the man beside her, "How about this one?"
"Good, as long as you like it."
"Miss Gu has a good eye. This is also my most satisfying design of the year," the Jeweler said with a smile: "Rest assured, I will make this ring one of a kind."
After leaving the setting store, the two got into the car parked outside and drove off. On the way back, they passed by the newly opened jewelry store again. The opening ceremony had ended, leaving a thick layer of firework paper at the entrance.
Gu Qili thought about how she had been focused on that particular ring when they came, but in a blink of an eye, she already possessed something far better, a hundred times over.
She truly hadn’t expected Mu Shuoqian to buy this rare diamond, and for such a high price at that. She never imagined he would give her such a surprise.
Just like that diamond, her heart was also pink—filled with happiness.
With that thought, Gu Qili couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his arm,
Mu Shuoqian was electrified by those dear words, turned his head to glance at the woman who was smiling so broadly that her eyebrows were almost squeezed together, and with his usual aloofness, turned his head away: "You’re welcome."
He wanted to give her the best of everything in the world. He may not have been able to offer her a magnificent wedding in the past, but now, he was going to make up for all the romance he owed her.