Shi Xinxin paused, her heart pounding like a drum, when she noticed the person beside her was also looking at her.
Sheng Chenjin smiled faintly, "What's wrong?"
All the jumbled thoughts in Shi Xinxin's mind vanished instantly.
How could he even ask that? Why did he suddenly grab her hand for no reason, trying to take advantage of her?
Even with just a look, Sheng Chenjin seemed to see through Shi Xinxin's thoughts.
He loosened his grip slightly and casually turned his head, "Don't overthink it. My hands and feet just acted on their own."
Such an excuse wouldn't be believed even in a mental hospital. Shi Xinxin chuckled.
However, they were in a public place, with many reporters at the main entrance. Shi Xinxin suppressed her annoyance and, feigning nonchalance, looked back at the stage.
Su Li had already gone up. She was wearing a well-tailored ladies' suit, her hair meticulously styled, and her face strikingly beautiful.
If one didn't know her true nature, they might mistake her for a professional career woman.
But only Shi Xinxin knew that beneath the facade she worked so hard to maintain, lay a completely rotten and malicious face.
Thinking of this, Shi Xinxin slightly curved her lips, but her eyes held no trace of a smile, only a chilling coldness that went bone-deep.
Sheng Chenjin sensed the shift in her emotions, his gaze gradually deepening.
Su Li was currently on stage, speaking with a smile, her every movement exuding a deliberate elegance.
This auction was something she had managed to organize through considerable effort, connections, and money, and it couldn't afford any mistakes.
Su Li offered words of thanks to the notable figures present, including Sheng Chenjin, of course.
When she learned Sheng Chenjin would attend this auction, Su Li couldn't have been happier, feeling her chance had arrived again.
Among the businessmen present, they were all small-time operators. With the presence of Sheng Chenjin, a titan of the business world, the auction was immediately elevated to a much higher caliber.
Thus, Su Li, smiling enchantingly, looked towards the VIP seating, "Forgive my intrusion, but I'd like to invite Mr. Sheng to the stage to speak..."
Before she could finish, Su Li's eyes widened in shock.
She saw the person sitting next to Sheng Chenjin. Shi Xinxin, how could she possibly be at this auction!
Su Li's grip on the microphone tightened, and a surging hatred welled up within her.
"I'm sorry, I decline your request." Just as the confused crowd wondered why Su Li had suddenly stopped speaking, Sheng Chenjin spoke in a cold voice.
This was undeniably like pouring a bucket of hot water on Su Li, who was already seething.
She gritted her teeth tightly, her hands trembling!
She had thought Sheng Chenjin came to the auction out of consideration for her, but seeing this, it was clear he was only here to please that bitch!
Su Li's facial expression became uncontrollable.
What was Shi Xinxin doing here! Was she here specifically to mock her, or did she have another agenda!
"Ms. Su, are you feeling unwell? You look like you're trembling," Shi Xinxin suddenly said with a smile.
Although her words sounded concerned, her tone was filled with a playful amusement at the unfolding drama.
How could Su Li not understand this!
But now, under the eyes of everyone present, she still had to maintain a dignified and proper demeanor to avoid becoming tomorrow's headline.
Su Li forced a stiff smile, "I have indeed suddenly felt a bit unwell, so I won't continue. The auction is about to begin."
Putting down the microphone, Su Li glared fiercely at Shi Xinxin from the shadows. Her gaze seemed to merge with the profound darkness, like a demon filled with hatred.
Shi Xinxin, without any pretense, raised her eyebrows at her, her eyes full of mockery.
Su Li turned and left, the fabric of her dress clutched in her hand already a crumpled mess.
"So, you came to the auction just to enrage her." A slow, leisurely voice suddenly came from beside her.
Shi Xinxin looked over, "What? You don't mean to tell me you thought I came to the auction for you?"
As she spoke, she curved her lips upwards, her mood quite cheerful.
Sheng Chenjin also looked at her, nodding like someone left out, and sighed slightly, "It seems I was being overly sentimental."
Knowing his demeanor was an act, Shi Xinxin couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing flashes of light and hearing the clicks of camera shutters from the entrance, Shi Xinxin quickly withdrew her smile, returning to her usual composed look.
Sheng Chenjin, however, paid no mind to the outside gazes. He continued to look at Shi Xinxin, the meaning in his eyes clear.
It was as if he were mocking Shi Xinxin for so clumsily adjusting her posture.
Shi Xinxin shot him an exasperated glance.
In this unspoken exchange, they sparred with each other, neither giving way. They failed to notice that the three little ones sitting beside them were already beaming with smiles.
The trio sat upright, pretending to listen intently to the host's speech, stealing glances at each other from the corner of their eyes.
Then, with satisfied looks, they turned away. Their plan had succeeded another step!
The host quickly got down to business. A picture appeared on the large screen behind him: a dazzling gemstone necklace.
"This necklace is called 'Brilliant Starlight,' created by the renowned designer Lisa during her studies abroad. The starting bid is thirty thousand!"
As the host introduced it with great passion, staff soon carried a glass display case onto the stage, containing the necklace from the screen.
The necklace was predominantly pink, shimmering faintly under the lights. Complementing the gemstones, it presented a dreamy hue that captivated many of the women present.
Soon, someone raised a paddle to bid.
Shi Xinxin was completely uninterested in these jewels. She merely glanced at them before listlessly shifting her gaze away.
Lost in thought, she recalled the stack of documents Yang Yue had given her last night.
Yang Yue had learned that this auction hosted by Su Li was primarily for charity.
Su Li's public pronouncements were pleasant, claiming all proceeds from the auction would be invested in orphanages, and her clothing company would make clothes for all the orphaned children.
However, through meticulous methods, Yang Yue discovered that Su Li had privately contacted several investors. This contact happened to be shortly before the auction, with no prior dealings with investors in the preceding period.
This sudden collaboration aroused Shi Xinxin's suspicion. Upon further investigation, she discovered that Su Li had numerous transactions with these investors.
Coincidentally, these transactions occurred precisely during the days of the auction.
Why would she conduct transactions now if she hadn't before?
Shi Xinxin had also specifically checked, and Su Li had no companies with actual controlling power under her name, so there was no need for such a superfluous collaboration.
Therefore, this auction was definitely connected to those few investors. Shi Xinxin's thoughts snapped back to reality as she slowly raised her eyes to look at the large screen.
Many people at the scene were eagerly bidding, as if determined to acquire this necklace.
Sheng Chenjin, noticing her, asked from the side, "Do you like this necklace?"