A Slap in the Face

Huo Beiting's eyes were shadowed with gloom as he spoke in a cold tone, "You're all so smug over a trivial little trinket? I'm here today to bid on a birthday gift for Grandpa."

Su Weiwei withdrew her hand and chimed in, "Our target today is the Songhe Yan Nian painting. The starting bid is ten million. Does your second branch even have that kind of money?"

"Impressive! Truly impressive!"

Sun Weiwen clapped half-heartedly, raising his voice with mock enthusiasm, "Huo Da Shao, such wealth and grandeur! I look forward to seeing the Songhe Yan Nian painting at the Old Master's birthday banquet."

"Sun Weimeng, whose side are you on, exactly?" Huo Beiting's face darkened with menace.

Sun Weiwen stuck out his tongue mischievously.

"Cousin." Huo Xingzhou's tone lifted with a faint tease, "I was also planning to give this painting to Grandpa. Seems we're quite in sync."

"Then let's see who's more capable," Huo Beiting declared, resolute and determined.

"Alright."

Huo Xingzhou casually unbuttoned his shirt collar, exposing a finely sculpted collarbone. He cast his gaze downward and handed the bidding paddle to Qiao Xi. "You'll handle the bidding for me."

"Me? I don't know how!"

Qiao Xi's cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she grew flustered.

"Just add one million to the highest bid each time. Don't stop unless I tell you to." He leaned lazily back in his chair, wearing a light gray shirt that clung gracefully to his frame.

His long, slender finger traced lightly down her back, leaving a tingling sensation that made Qiao Xi's body stiffen.

"Qiao Xi, you're too tense. Relax. This is just a small occasion."

"Okay." She swallowed dryly and asked hesitantly, "Huo Sir, do we even have enough money for this?"

He had mentioned before that her mother-in-law's dowry was tied up in the stock market and that his project had been seized.

He lightly tapped her lower back and reassured her, "Don't worry. Your husband… still has reserves."

Qiao Xi felt a little more at ease.

On Stage

The star auctioneer unveiled the red cloth with a dramatic flourish and announced with excitement, "This is the renowned Songhe Yan Nian painting from the Tang dynasty, exceptionally well-preserved and authenticated by five top-tier cultural relic experts."

"The starting bid is ten million. As always, we adhere to the 'no guarantee of authenticity' principle."

The crowd erupted like thunder.

It was a masterpiece anyone would want to own! But only a few had the means to bid at such a high starting price.

Especially when the opening bid had eight digits.

"Fifteen million!"

"Seventeen million!"

"Twenty million!"

The price climbed rapidly to twenty million, leaving only Huo Beiting and Huo Xingzhou in the running.

Taking a deep breath, Qiao Xi raised the paddle and called, "Twenty-one million."

"Twenty-two million," Huo Beiting scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Twenty-three million," she continued.

"Twenty-five million!" Huo Beiting sneered, pushing up his gold-rimmed glasses. "My devotion to Grandpa is beyond your reach."

Qiao Xi's chest rose and fell as her heart pounded. She nervously turned to Huo Xingzhou and asked, "Huo Sir… should we keep going?"

Huo Xingzhou placed his large hand over hers, their skin touching as he spoke, "You're doing great, Qiao Xi."

He gestured for her to raise the paddle.

"Thirty million," his deep, raspy voice echoed with calm authority.

"Thirty million once! Thirty million twice!"

Qiao Xi's heart raced wildly, the adrenaline surging through her veins. He had just raised the bid by five million in one go.

"Thirty-five million!"

Huo Beiting sneered mockingly, "Huo Xingzhou, if you win and can't pay up, it'll be a disgrace to the entire Huo family."

"Cousin, when it comes to devotion, I must admit I can't match you." Huo Xingzhou tossed the paddle aside carelessly and said, "I'll withdraw."

Huo Beiting was elated!

"No money? Then why act like a big shot!"

"Thirty-five million, three times!" The gavel fell. "Congratulations to Huo Da Shao for acquiring a true masterpiece!"

Huo Beiting stood and addressed the crowd with false modesty, "Thank you all for letting me have this opportunity. I hope you'll all attend the foundation ceremony. I promise to be an excellent host!"

"As expected of the eldest Huo! Such boldness!"

"How pathetic! The second branch couldn't even muster thirty million. It seems they're truly done for."

Hearing the whispers, Qiao Xi grew anxious and tightened her grip on Huo Xingzhou's hand. "Huo Sir… don't be upset. What matters in a gift is the sentiment."

"I'm fine," he replied with an easy smile, his mood surprisingly good. Soon enough, Huo Beiting would be the one crying.

Glancing down at his phone, he sent a quick message.

"Grandpa clearly favors the first branch! What's there to gloat about? This money probably came from Grandpa anyway," Huo Sixiao fumed, her eyes red with frustration. "I need to use the restroom!"

"I'll go check on her," Qiao Xi said, worried, and followed after her.

In the dim, winding halls of the auction house, it was hard to find the restroom amidst the many exits.

"Xixi."

Behind her, Zhao Yuzhen called out, panting slightly as she hurried over.

"What is it?"

Qiao Xi turned, her expression complex as she looked at Zhao Yuzhen.

"I noticed that Huo Er Shao seems to treat you quite well," Zhao Yuzhen hesitated. "He even lets you wear such a precious bracelet. That puts my mind at ease."

"Just say what you mean," Qiao Xi replied, her gaze frosty and devoid of warmth.

Suppressing her anger, Zhao Yuzhen forced herself to remain composed. "You grew up in the countryside and haven't used fine things before. A bracelet worth five million is wasted on you. Your sister has high standards and deserves the best. She's unhappy today."

"And?"

"Can you swap bracelets with Weiwei? You can wear the one with three floral inclusions. She'll be happy, and it'll be good for you too. Once she marries Huo Beiting, she could look out for you."

Qiao Xi stared in disbelief.

The audacity!

"You actually believe that nonsense?" Her almond-shaped eyes filled with mist. "Do you even have a conscience? Do you care about me at all?"

"I gave birth to you. What's a bracelet in comparison?" Zhao Yuzhen retorted coldly. "Can't you think about me for once? It's not easy being a stepmother."

"Oh, but you seem to enjoy it."

Qiao Xi leaned against the wall, her tone icy.

"Are you giving it or not?" Zhao Yuzhen demanded.

"I'll give you a slap instead, you old hag!"

Huo Sixiao appeared out of nowhere and stood protectively in front of Qiao Xi. "Putting your stepdaughter on a pedestal while tormenting your own daughter? You really think Su Weiwei, that ingrate, will take care of you in old age?"

"Even tofu has brains. Why don't you?"

"You… how dare you!" Zhao Yuzhen sputtered angrily.

"I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about someone with the heart of a wolf and the lungs of a dog!"

"Let's go, Qiao Xi. Don't waste your breath on her."

Huo Sixiao grabbed her hand, dragging her away.

"Sister-in-law, my heart aches for you."

Qiao Xi smiled faintly, a pang of sorrow in her chest. As she walked past Zhao Yuzhen, she said calmly, "I heard you're trying for a son? You'll regret… treating me like this."

Zhao Yuzhen froze in place, her heart suddenly hollow as if she'd lost something precious.

In the dimly lit corner, a refined middle-aged man watched the scene unfold. Turning to his companion, he remarked, "That young lady looks familiar, doesn't she?"

"At certain angles, she resembles the young miss. But upon closer inspection, there's not much likeness—perhaps a vague resemblance."

The middle-aged man shook his head. "No, she looks more like Hui Min in her younger days."

Especially those long almond eyes, fiery with anger, a perfect match.

"In a world so vast, similarities are bound to happen."

"True."