The auction was still ongoing, and the pink diamond bracelet that Lin Xu had seen in the auction booklet was also up for bidding.
The bidding was even more intense than for the necklace earlier and had quickly escalated to ten million.
âDo you want it?â Ji Zeqiu noticed that Lin Xu occasionally looked up at the stage, seeming interested in the bracelet.
Thinking that since they were already there, buying two items was just as good as buying oneâif she wanted it, he might as well buy it for her.
It certainly wasnât for any other reason.
Seeing that Ji Zeqiu was considering placing a higher bid, Lin Xu shook her head vigorously at him, âNo, no, donât buy it.â
This bracelet was much more expensive than the necklace, and she feared he would go bankrupt.
âReally?â Ji Zeqiu was skeptical.
âYes, yes, I donât like this bracelet at all!â Lin Xu said earnestly.
âAlright then,â Ji Zeqiu had no choice but to abandon the idea of continuing to bid.
During their conversation, the bracelet was sold for twenty million.
Lin Xu patted her chest, relieved that she hadnât let Ji Zeqiu buy it.
After the auction ended, Ji Zeqiu and Lin Xu went backstage at the auction hall, paid the money, and then collected the jewelry necklace.
Lin Xu gazed at the necklace, feeling somewhat emotional: âThinking about it, this seems to be the first gift youâve given me. I will cherish it, even holding it while I sleep!â
The latter statement was clearly an exaggeration.
Ji Zeqiuâs cheeks flashed with embarrassment as he snapped, âThis isnât a gift, itâs a return gift, a return gift! Donât you understand?â
He certainly wasnât the type to give gifts to this woman!
Plus, her accepting it meant they were even, understand?
âA gift and a return gift are both gifts, theyâre the same, donât overreact.â Lin Xu soothed him.
âHow are they the same!â Ji Zeqiu glared at her.
Giving a gift was willingly, while a return gift was merely a social nicety, a kind of morally obligatory act.
He wouldnât admit that he would give gifts to Lin Xu.
The two bickered as they walked out of the auction hallâs backstage.
Ji Zeqiu realized he couldnât outtalk this woman at all, and was fuming all the way; just as he was brooding, he noticed Lin Xu halted her steps abruptly.
Before he could ask, he heard her shout toward a not-too-distant place, âJi Tingyang!â
Following her gaze, Ji Zeqiu saw Ji Tingyangâs upright figure standing at the entrance of the auction hall, talking to someone.
Hearing her voice, Ji Tingyang paused in his conversation, then turned his head.
The moment he saw Lin Xu, Ji Zeqiu noticed his eyes suddenly sparkled with energy. He left the person he was with and quickly walked toward Lin Xu.
The expression on Ji Tingyangâs face overflowed with unspoken joy, but upon seeing Ji Zeqiu next to her, that joy faded slightly, and he clicked his tongue in disapproval.
âWhatâs with that tongue-clicking! Do you think I wanted to see you!â Ji Zeqiu snapped.
Ji Tingyang paid him no heed and turned to Lin Xu, âAre you here to see me?â
âDonât flatter yourself, who knew you were here? She came here to shop with me,â Ji Zeqiu interjected. âIf we had known you were here, we wouldnât have come today.â
Ji Tingyang ignored Ji Zeqiu and continued chatting with Lin Xu, âI just bought you a gift, guess what it is?â
Ji Zeqiu: âWhat good gift could it possibly be?â
Ji Tingyang to Lin Xu: âItâs something youâll like.â
Ji Zeqiu: âWhatever she likes, Iâve already bought, what else could you possibly buy?â
Ji Tingyang: âThe moment I saw it, I felt it was perfect for you. I thought I had to buy it and give it to you.â
Ji Zeqiu, âSuitability isnât important, liking it is what matters most.â
âCan you just shut up!â Ji Tingyang couldnât bear it anymore.
Their mother hadnât even spoken yet, and he kept on complaining!
Who wanted to hear him talk!
Seeing the two brothers about to start arguing again, Lin Xu quickly interjected, changing the subject, âWhatâs the gift? Let me see it quick!â
Hearing her words, Ji Tingyang didnât bother with Ji Zeqiu anymore and took a small box out of the bag he was holding, opening it.
Inside lay a pink diamond-studded bracelet.
It was the very bracelet that had sold at the auction for twenty million.
A flash of surprise and joy crossed Lin Xuâs eyes. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Ji Zeqiuâs scoff.
âThis is the gift you said sheâd definitely like? Hahaha, she doesnât like this bracelet at all.â
Thatâs what Lin Xu had told him when he wanted to buy it just a moment ago.
Ji Tingyangâs smile at the corner of his lips froze, and his eyes filled with a touch of disappointment as he sought confirmation from Lin Xu, âIs that true?â
âTell him you donât like it at all,â Ji Zeqiu urgedâ he was eager to see Ji Tingyang made a fool of.
Lin Xu, ââ¦â
With both their gazes fixed intently on her, she suddenly felt tremendously pressured.
Whichever answer she gave, she felt like she couldnât treat them both equally.
âI, Iâ¦â Lin Xuâs mind raced, and she bent over clutching her stomach, moaning in pain, âOuch, my stomach hurts so much, I must have eaten something wrong. Iâm going to the restroom first!â
With that, she slipped away swiftly and dashed towards the restroom without looking back.
Ji Tingyang and Ji Zeqiu were left standing there, looking at each other.
Ji Zeqiu glanced at the bracelet and, recalling the twenty million bid, sarcastically remarked, âTwenty million for a bracelet, President Ji really is generous.â
âAs long as she likes it, even fifty million wouldnât matter,â Ji Tingyang said calmly.
âDo you really like Lin Xu that much?â Ji Zeqiu recalled how Ji Tingyang had gotten rid of Wen Li for Lin Xu, clenching his fists, âMore than you liked Wen Li?â
âWhat are you talking about?â Ji Tingyang frowned, not understanding.
He liked his mother, what did that have to do with Wen Li.
âWhatâs so good about Lin Xu compared to Wen Li, her cooking isnât as good, nor is she as gentle and simple as Wen Li, who doesnât love to buy so many pieces of jewelry and bagsâ¦â Ji Zeqiu listed a multitude of Lin Xuâs shortcomings.
He couldnât understand, âYouâre not thinking of marrying her into the family in the future, are you? Well, I wonât agree to that!â
Ji Tingyangâs mind became clear all of a sudden.
Ji Tingyang had always thought that Lin Xu had gone to do a paternity test with Ji Zeqiu long ago, telling him about her identity, and that Ji Zeqiu also knew Lin Xu was their mother.
Thatâs why he felt so reassured letting Ji Zeqiu protect Lin Xu at the banquet.
It was also because Ji Zeqiu couldnât stand seeing him get along well with his mother, always trying to separate him from her, urging her to move in with him.
But what Ji Tingyang hadnât expected was thatâ¦
Could it be that Ji Zeqiu didnât know?
So thatâs why he showed a bit of hostility towards their mother from time to time?
Ji Tingyangâs lips quietly curled up.
Not knowing was better.
He certainly wouldnât go out of his way to tell Ji Zeqiu. That way, his mother would forever be just his own.
Thinking this, his mood gradually lightened, and even Ji Zeqiu appeared somewhat more agreeable to him.
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!