Volume One, Chapter 16: He Turns Out to Be Song Jinhe’s Ex-Husband?

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Lin Zhiwan woke up early the next morning. As she was leaving, the building’s property manager informed her of the outcome regarding last night’s incident.

“Miss Lin, yesterday’s matter was a misunderstanding. The gentleman was the ex-husband of the resident in unit 1703 upstairs. He was drunk late at night and mistakenly entered the wrong apartment, disturbing your rest.”

“Miss Song’s ex-husband?” Lin Zhiwan was a bit surprised.

Last night, hadn’t she seen those two embracing downstairs? How could he have mistaken the floor?

The property manager explained, “After confirming with you by phone last night, we were about to take him to the police station. But he called Miss Song, who quickly came down and took him back to her place. She said they had a quarrel, and her ex-husband got drunk and entered the wrong floor by mistake. Miss Lin, rest assured, nothing like this will happen again.”

Lin Zhiwan felt that something was off but was in a hurry to leave and didn’t dwell on it.

Today was the official start of Mr. Qiao’s auction. She had to arrive early to prepare.

At the venue, the staff had already arrived. After confirming the authenticity of the exhibits, Lin Zhiwan quickly began the preliminary work.

This auction mostly featured porcelain, her area of expertise.

Among them was a pastel-colored hollow-carved “Abundance of Joy and Prosperity” bottle, which she personally liked very much.

Soon, the collectors participating in the auction began arriving one after another. Many had attended the preview and already had their targets in mind.

As Song Jinhe arrived, she was immediately recognized as “Mrs. Fu.”

People flocked to her.

Though their statuses were impressive, they still paled in comparison to the Fu family.

Although Song Jinhe was only addressed as “Miss Song,” the flattery she received was abundant, and she carried herself with the air of “Mrs. Fu.”

Behind the scenes, Lin Zhiwan could hear the commotion and glanced at the surveillance screen. Seeing Song Jinhe surrounded like a star being adored, she grew even more puzzled about her identity.

In the top circles of the capital city, second marriages and ex-wives with children were not uncommon, but few held such status.

Fu Yanzhou was one of them!

Realizing she had thought of Fu Yanzhou, Lin Zhiwan laughed at herself for going mad, entertaining such a melodramatic notion herself.

A man like Fu Yanzhou, if he truly loved someone, surely wouldn’t let go so easily.

“Miss Lin, it’s time to take the stage.”

The staff’s reminder snapped Lin Zhiwan back to the moment.

“All right.”

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Lin Zhiwan stood up and smoothed her blue and white floral qipao, then stepped elegantly onto the stage in her high heels.

“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening! Welcome to Mr. Qiao Hongyu’s charity auction. I am your chief auctioneer, Lin Zhiwan.

“Tonight, when you raise your paddle, you are not just bidding, but lighting up the eyes of children in rural areas!

“Special rules:

“1. All proceeds will be donated in full;

“2. You may purchase charity seats anonymously;

“3. Bidding increments are at your discretion.

“Now, let us focus on the center stage. Lot number one: a Tang and Xing kiln white-glazed bowl with petal-shaped rim.”

Lin Zhiwan performed with her usual steady grace. Every item sold far beyond Mr. Qiao’s expected price.

These were his lifelong treasures, so naturally, he hoped Lin Zhiwan would bring out their utmost value.

He was very pleased with her performance this evening.

Soon, the auction reached its final lot—the “Abundance of Joy and Prosperity” hollow-carved bottle.

Lin Zhiwan gave a detailed description once again, deepening the collectors’ appreciation of its value.

“We have three collectors waiting to bid by phone, and on-site paddles please raise above your heads—the starting bid is 120 million dollars. Bidding now open!”

As the highlight of the auction, this porcelain attracted great enthusiasm, with the price climbing to 530 million.

Yet Song Jinhe in the VIP section never raised her paddle.

She hadn’t bid on any items tonight, which surprised Lin Zhiwan.

She had assumed Song Jinhe would be the biggest client this evening, but evidently not.

Just then, bidding stalled briefly. Lin Zhiwan smiled and spoke.

“This piece deserves an additional ten seconds,” she said, raising her auction hammer, eyes fixed on the VIP section, starting the countdown.

“Ten, nine... three...”

“Six hundred million!”

Song Jinhe finally raised her paddle.

Everyone turned to look at her, thinking: no wonder she’s “Mrs. Fu”—so generous!

Her intention was clearly to win.

Knowing her identity, the others naturally refrained from further bidding, perhaps wanting to do the Fu family a favor.

Lin Zhiwan brought down the hammer.

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“Congratulations, Miss Song!”

After the auction ended, Lin Zhiwan went backstage to rest.

At that moment, Song Jinhe followed her.

“Miss Lin, I’m truly sorry about last night!”

Though Lin Zhiwan found Song Jinhe and her ex-husband’s matters distasteful, it was none of her concern.

“It’s nothing. The property manager said it was a misunderstanding. Congratulations on winning your desired piece.”

Song Jinhe sat beside Lin Zhiwan with a familiar ease, a hint of coyness in her smile.

“Actually, it was my ex-husband’s idea. Since I returned to the country, he’s been paving the way for me to establish myself here.

“He said buying this porcelain would help my research since my doctoral studies relate to it.

“But it’s not necessary—I can study the materials just as well.”

Lin Zhiwan was surprised. “You’re pursuing a doctorate? In cultural relics?”

Since she was also preparing for a doctoral exam in a related field, she naturally asked more.

“Yes! I’m applying for Professor Xu Wenjun’s doctoral program. You know so much about porcelain; you must have heard of Professor Xu.”

Lin Zhiwan hadn’t expected such a coincidence—this Miss Song was also aiming for Professor Xu’s doctorate.

Song Jinhe continued.

“You probably can tell my ex-husband’s status isn’t ordinary. I married him for love. I said I left for my dreams, but it was really because our statuses differed so much that his family couldn’t accept me.

“Marriage is about two families. He saw how much I suffered and couldn’t bear it.

“He said once I earn my doctorate and succeed, his family won’t be able to look down on my background, and we can be together again.

“He has done a lot for me…”

Lin Zhiwan finally couldn’t listen any longer and interrupted.

“Miss Song, I just remembered, I have other things to attend to, so I won’t keep you.”

Song Jinhe said, “Then I’ll leave for now. When you have time, I’ll treat you to dinner—consider it an apology for yesterday.”

Lin Zhiwan stood up, her tone growing more distant.

“No need to be so polite, Miss Song. It was just a misunderstanding. Besides, I might not have much time lately.”

“Miss Lin, do you have some grudge against me? I genuinely want to be friends. I just returned to the country and have no friends here except my ex-husband. But I feel we have a special connection.”