水蜜桃实验室

The host on the stage continued, “This necklace was bought by a lovesick man who went to great lengths for the woman he liked, spending a whopping ten million Yan Country Currency on it alone. But when he heard that his beloved wanted him to donate it for charity, he didn’t hesitate to bring it forward.”

The script was obviously written by Qin Haowen, aiming to paint himself as a man deeply in love. Although those present couldn’t understand, Xu Yixue could.

The audience in the hall was taken aback by the host’s words and began muttering to one another in low voices.

“Which wealthy young master is this, to buy a necklace worth ten million for his beloved? My heart is melting.”

“Such devotion! If someone bought me a necklace like this, I’d give them everything I have.”

“His beloved was actually willing to donate this necklace. Is there a woman in the world who can resist the temptation of the ‘Heart of the Ocean’?”

“I’m set on this necklace—I doubt there will be another fool like this.”

Everyone in the hall had their eyes fixed on the shiny sapphire necklace on stage.

“Now, we will start the auction with a reserve price of 13,145,200 Yuan,” the host announced excitedly, revealing a price filled with love.

“Thirteen million, one hundred and forty-five thousand, two hundred Yuan—what a romantic price.”

“Isn’t that too expensive? Spending over ten million on a necklace, are they crazy?”

“Honey, I didn’t bring enough money with me. It seems I don’t have enough to buy this necklace.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd as the starting bid was announced. While the necklace was undoubtedly exquisite, the thought of paying over ten million for an impractical piece of jewelry seemed excessive to many.

Inside the hall, many chose to give up upon hearing the price. It wasn’t that they couldn’t afford ten million, but the value of the necklace was too great. If it was just to please a woman by their side, they had many other ways without necessarily having to purchase such a costly necklace.

Seventy to eighty percent of those present were businessmen—the shrewdest and most frugal. Thus, after the host announced the price, a noticeable lull occurred in the room.

No one called a bid.

It was then, Qin Haowen, who was sitting in the front row, stood up and declared, “Thirteen million, one hundred and forty-four thousand, five hundred and twenty Yuan—I’ll take it.”

“Wow, as expected of Young Master Qin. When he makes a move, it’s always in the millions.”

“Young Master Qin is so domineering. I wonder which lucky lady will have the fortune of Young Master Qin spending millions on a necklace for her.”

“I wonder if Young Master Qin is free tonight. I’d really like to stay up with him and discuss the meaning of life.”

“Discuss what life? You’re just looking to hook up.”

Qin Haowen’s words fell like a heavy stone, stirring up waves of reaction.

Among the crowd, a couple of people who were eager to make a bid, upon hearing Young Master Qin’s offer, quietly put down their bidding paddles.

“Honey, why aren’t we bidding? I really want that necklace…”

“My God, if Qin Shaoye is bidding, how can I dare to compete with him? Wouldn’t that be slapping Qin Shaoye’s face? If Qin Shaoye gets angry, my ass wouldn’t stand a chance against the behemoth that is Qin Corporation. I’d end up bankrupt, and you can forget about sitting in a Ferrari. We might as well be driving a tractor instead.”

“Is Qin Shaoye really that formidable? Why are you so scared of him?”

“Qin Shaoye has a short temper. There was this Zhonghai business owner with a company valued at over a hundred million; just because he didn’t toast to Qin Shaoye during drinks, can you guess what happened? Qin Corporation directly crushed his business, and now he’s selling grilled gluten on the streets of Jiangtan Road.”

“Wow, the Qin family is too overbearing.”

“That’s why I’m saying, a person like Qin Shaoye, you really can’t afford to provoke him, or tomorrow we’ll be the ones selling barbeque next door.”

“Alright, husband, just remember you owe me a necklace, and I’ll need ten LV bags to make up for it.”

“My God!”

The host on the stage cleared his throat and spoke to the crowd below, “Qin Shaoye has bid 13,145,200 yuan, is there anyone else who will raise the price?”

“Xue, what’s Qin Haowen up to? Isn’t he the one who provided the sapphire necklace for auction? Why is he bidding on it himself?” Ye Xiaoning frowned slightly and asked Xu Yixue with some confusion.

“I have no idea what he’s trying to pull, but no matter what games he’s playing, we’ll remain unchanging in response to the myriad changes,” Xu Yixue said calmly, patting Ye Xiaoning’s hand.

The host continued, “13,145,200 yuan for the second time, is there anyone else who will raise the price?”

At this moment, the host’s hand slowly grabbed the small wooden gavel on the table. Once the third call finished and the gavel fell, the outcome would be set in stone.

Nobody else in the audience raised the bid.

If the price alone deterred eighty percent of the people, then Qin Shaoye’s identity dissuaded the remaining twenty percent. In Zhonghai City, of those who could afford a necklace worth over ten million, not one was unaware of who Qin Haowen was or ignorant of the Qin family’s influence.

Since Young Master Qin had placed a bid, it signified that he had taken a liking to this necklace. Even if someone else were to bid, with Qin Haowen’s style and confidence, he would certainly engage in a bidding war with this person until the end. When it came to a battle of wallets, no one present could compete with Qin Haowen.

So, they wisely abandoned the thought of raising their bids. Even if they did bid, they wouldn’t be able to get the necklace and would only offend Qin Haowen. Why bother? Better to let him buy the necklace, and then buy a couple of designer bags for the women by their sides, pampering them as much as they desired.

The host banged the gavel, announcing decisively, “13,145,200 yuan for the third time, congratulations to Young Master Qin for acquiring the ‘Heart of the Ocean’ necklace. Let’s give him a warm round of applause and welcome him to the stage to give a speech.”

A hint of joy appeared on Qin Haowen’s face as he confidently walked to the front, taking the box containing the ‘Heart of the Ocean’ necklace into his hand.

“Thank you to everyone present for attending this charity auction. Today, here, I want to share some heartfelt words with all of you,” Qin Haowen started in a deep voice, addressing the crowd below, “I, Qin Haowen, have been wasting my life, squandering time. Previously, I lived a carefree life, wild and unbridled, which led to many misunderstandings about me.”

“But then, I met the goddess of my life. She illuminated my joy for living, my introspection on life, my longing for love. So I told myself in my heart, you, Qin Haowen, need to become a different man, a man all women admire,” he said, holding the mic, his eyes dreamy, emanating a unique charisma.

“However, the goddess in my heart, due to various reasons from the past, has been indifferent to me. Even the ‘Heart of the Ocean’ necklace, which I bought for ten million, was outright rejected by her. So, I wanted to change, to show her that I’m no longer the Qin Haowen of the past. Please give me one chance to let you see the new Qin Haowen,” he continued.

Qin Haowen raised the ‘Heart of the Ocean’ in his hand, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Xu Yixue in the back row, “I was determined to buy the ‘Heart of the Ocean’ for ten million and donate it to the charity auction, all because the goddess wanted to give the children in the mountains more opportunities to learn. But the moment I saw this necklace, I instantly regretted it – only she is worthy of this piece.”

“It was me who brought this necklace to the auction, because I want to leave the past behind. And it was me who bought it back, because I want to present a brand-new self to you. Now, as I stand here, with the number 1314520, I boldly confess to you, hoping you will accept this new me and this new necklace. Xu Yixue, I hope you will receive it!” Qin Haowen announced his feelings as he walked toward Xu Yixue with deep affection.