Chapter 41: She Was Determined to Win

Jiang Li was utterly bewildered. Was this man really missing his son that much?
So much so that he was pouring water for her in front of so many people?

Whenever someone shows unrequested courtesy, they are either up to no good or have a hidden agenda. Jiang Li sneered at Qin Mu's sudden display of concern.
After all, regarding her daughter's tormentor, she would sooner or later uncover the truth and seek vengeance.

At that moment, the host's voice rang out from the stage, "The starting bid for this painting is 2 million. May the art lovers begin the bidding."

As soon as the host finished speaking, Jiang Xue directly raised the bid to 3 million.

Jiang Li smiled faintly. She was caught in a dilemma: whether to bid or not to bid.
If she bid, her mother would surely be heartbroken seeing it again, considering it was a joint work created by that couple.
If she didn't bid, letting the artwork of her biological father float around outside seemed improper as well.

Right now, Jiang Li felt somewhat torn, though she could finally understand why her grandfather hadn't directly made her identity public after finding her.
Because it truly was a bit unfair to Mr. Jiang Jinxiu.
On the verge of death, his lifelong spotless reputation would be ruined.
Suddenly having an illegitimate daughter pop up after his death was indeed bizarre and hard for people to believe.

"4 million!" a middle-aged man shouted, immediately adding, "The person I admire most in my life is Mr. Jiang Jinxiu. Not only was he a renowned entrepreneur, but he was also a philanthropist.
The two of them loved each other deeply throughout their lives and never had a single blemish on their record. I am willing to buy the painting they created together and keep it in my home.
Furthermore, my company was able to rise from the dead entirely thanks to those two. Therefore, this is the painting of my benefactor, and I hope everyone will let me have it!"

After the middle-aged man finished speaking, the crowd nodded and gave him thumbs-up, preparing to drop out of the bidding.

Yet Jiang Xue insisted on raising her paddle, and Qin Mu hurriedly pressed her hand down.

However, Jiang Xue said willfully, "I don't care whether he knows the creator or not. I just like this painting, and I'm going to buy it and give it to Grandpa Jiang! No matter who competes with me, I won't back down!"

"5 million!" Just as the middle-aged man was bowing to thank everyone for letting him have his way, Jiang Xue's sudden bid of 5 million caused a wave of discussion among the crowd.
They cast contemptuous sideways glances at her.

"The man was going to enshrine it at home, treating it like a benefactor. Is this woman crazy, insisting on snatching it away?"
"I bet she just has too much money to burn and is shouting random bids just to grab attention. Didn't she win that jade bracelet just a moment ago?"

Jiang Xue felt humiliated and somewhat angry out of shame. She shook Qin Mu vigorously, trying to make him back her up.
Qin Mu merely gave her a few cold words: "Solve it yourself!"

With no other choice, Jiang Xue stood up with tears in her eyes, "Please don't scold me, everyone. I just saw how much Grandpa misses his eldest brother, and I wanted to buy the painting so that the old man would have something to remember him by.
I truly didn't mean anything else. You all must know me; I am Jiang Xue, and my dad is Jiang Jintao. We haven't recovered from the news of Uncle Jiang's plane crash yet, and I hope you can understand my feelings."

This time, the crowd's easily swayed sympathy was triggered. Those who were just cursing her now cast sympathetic glances instead.

"So it's for Chairman Jiang. The old man is so lonely now, it's truly pitiful. Only Jiang Xue's family still cares about him. She is so filial, truly wonderful!"
"Indeed, Miss Jiang Xue is so dutiful. With someone so young and filial, she will surely lead the Jiang Corporation to even greater heights."

This sudden reversal of public opinion made Jiang Li chuckle. She truly did not want to be entangled with Jiang Xue in the slightest.

Amidst the discussions of the crowd, Jiang Xue bowed and successfully won the painting.
As Qin Mu's card was swiped, his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Li the entire time.
His eyes rippled with self-reproach and guilt, though eventually, it was overridden by the fact that Youyou was not his daughter.
*Right, I don't owe her anything,* Qin Mu thought, feeling a twinge of guilt toward Jiang Xue instead.

"You were only allowed to bid on three items today, and you've already used two. I hope the next one you bid on is something you actually like and need, rather than stubbornly fighting over things you have no use for."

Hearing Qin Mu's words, Jiang Xue acted spoiled, "Big Brother Qin Mu, I know. You're so good to me.
Also, Big Brother Qin Mu, my dad said that the sixth day of the first lunar month next week is an auspicious date, and we will get engaged then.
Ten days later, on the sixteenth, is the grand day, and we'll get married right away. Don't you think that's a good idea?"

With a sense of disgust, Qin Mu pulled his hand back, "We still don't know where my son is. Let's wait until he comes back before considering these things!"

Rejected, Jiang Xue shot a vicious glare at Jiang Li.

Just then, Jiang Li raised her paddle and bid 10 million.

Hearing this, Jiang Xue immediately snapped to attention like a fighting cock and looked at the big screen.

It was a damaged masterpiece by a renowned artist, with a starting bid of 6.5 million. Jiang Li liked it very much, and more importantly, her grandfather liked it too.
Jiang Li had heard from Lin Fan that her grandfather was an exceptional restoration master, so buying this flawed piece back would also give him something to pass the time.
Crucially, there were no counterfeits here. If a painting turned out to be fake, double the compensation would be paid.

"10 million going twice. Are there any other collectors wishing to bid a higher price?"

The host's inquiry made Jiang Xue panic, and she moved to raise her paddle again.

Qin Mu reminded her, "If you use up your three chances, I might not swipe my card for the fourth time. So, Jiang Xue, you'd better keep your composure. After all, out of the 36 items in this auction, this is only the third one."

Hearing Qin Mu's warning, Jiang Xue lowered the paddle she was about to raise, and Jiang Li successfully secured the painting.

During the subsequent auction lots, Jiang Xue clearly lost her composure. Even though Jiang Li wasn't bidding, Jiang Xue waited, gritting her teeth in anticipation.
She wanted to crush Jiang Li at the most critical moment.

"The next item we are going to auction is the design notes of Maria, the business tycoon and designer that everyone has been eager to get their hands on. As you all know, Master Maria is a senior designer integrating fashion, jewelry, and real estate. Her personal design style, blending elements from various countries, is deeply loved by everyone.
Therefore, many people want to get their hands on her notes. We will now auction Maria's notes, with a starting bid of 9 million."

This auction item immediately sparked enthusiastic discussions among the crowd. Lin Fan leaned over and whispered, "Eldest Miss, this is truly a great item. It's the dream notebook of every designer, filled with countless inspirations. I heard that the chairman of the Azalea Fragrance-Free Group obtained just a single page of notes, which caused his inspiration to explode, and he single-handedly brought his enterprise back from the brink of death with just one design drawing."

"Is it really that powerful? Does that mean I have to win this?"
Jiang Li felt a flutter of excitement, though her heart ached inwardly at the 9 million price tag.

"Bid for it, we must win it!" Lin Fan gave her his full support, bolstering Jiang Li's confidence, "Alright, I'll give it my all."

"12 million!" Jiang Li called out a high price in a clear, resonant voice.

To her surprise, Jiang Xue chimed in, "20 million!"

The entire venue erupted.

Jiang Xue looked immensely smug, her arrogant expression dripping with condescension.

Lin Fan turned back, "This won't do, Eldest Miss. We have to raise our bid. I've already cleared it with the Chairman—as long as it doesn't exceed 50 million, we can take these notes home."

"50 million?" Jiang Li was shocked, her voice a bit too loud, causing a commotion throughout the room.

Lin Fan covered his face with his hand, "Eldest Miss, that's the absolute ceiling. You didn't have to blurt it out all at once, did you?"