My heart is in a mess.

Lu Han raised the bid by five million yuan, causing an uproar in the auction hall.

Everyone had seen extravagant bidders before, but never one so reckless. It was truly eye-opening.

The portly middle-aged man also gave up immediately.

"Damn, he's crazy!" he muttered angrily, though he still tried to comfort the woman in his arms. "Don't worry, baby. I'll make sure you leave with something today."

What could she say? She was just a kept woman, nodding sullenly in agreement.

In this distorted society, people often mocked poverty rather than immorality. She might be ridiculed for her lack of shame, but she had made enough money during her prime years. Even if she were discarded later, she could likely find someone reliable to marry her.

So why did honest men always end up being the ones who suffered?

With the auctioneer's hammer falling, the entire set of imperial green jade jewelry ultimately went to Lu Han.

"Done," Lu Han said, tossing his bidding paddle aside.

Su Qingli now had her wedding gift, and Lu Han had made quite an impression. Tomorrow, news would spread that the young master of the Lu family had spent millions on a gift for Su Qingli at the auction. For the currently precarious Su Group, this was undoubtedly good publicity.

However, when he turned to look at Su Qingli, he saw her gazing at him with a complex expression.

"Why are you looking at me?" Lu Han asked, echoing Su Qingli's earlier words.

"It's nothing," she replied, turning away. She knew it was all fake, yet she felt a small pang of emotion. But then again, even if he was showing off, it was still wasteful.

Su Qingli sighed softly. Lu Zhenxin must have been pitiful; Lu Han had already spent nearly 30 million yuan in just half a month since returning.

"I'm going out for a smoke," Lu Han said, getting up as his nicotine craving hit.

Almost simultaneously, Shen Luoyan also stood up.

Lu Han glanced at her but said nothing. Su Qingli watched the two leave one after the other and found herself feeling uneasy. Hadn't she decided not to care about Lu Han's flirtations with other women? Why was she suddenly feeling insecure?

Outside, there was a designated smoking area. Lu Han took out a cigarette and put it between his lips, but before he could light it, Shen Luoyan snatched the lighter from his hand.

"Let me do it," she said, pressing the lighter and holding the flame to his mouth. "When did you start smoking?"

Shen Luoyan asked softly, wanting to remind him of the health risks but deciding against it.

"A few years ago," Lu Han replied indifferently.

"How time flies. Five years have passed in a blink."

Her voice trembled. "Lu Han, do you know I've been searching for you for five years?"

"I've already said I don't want to hear this," Lu Han said coldly. "And aren't you married? Meeting another man behind your husband's back—don't you have any shame?"

"I'm not married!" Shen Luoyan quickly explained. "I told you before, it wasn't what you saw. I was forced to get engaged, but I never let him touch me. And shortly after, I broke it off—"

She wanted to continue explaining, but seeing Su Qingli approaching, she swallowed her words.

"The room inside is stuffy. I came out for some fresh air," Su Qingli said, walking up to Lu Han and naturally linking her arm through his, her eyes darting between the two of them. "What were you talking about?"

"Just catching up," Lu Han said, finding it amusing that Su Qingli had followed them. Could she be jealous? The thought flashed through his mind but was quickly dismissed. Impossible, she probably just didn't trust him around Shen Luoyan.

They had signed the prenuptial agreement, but they weren't married yet, and the Su Group hadn't secured the 3 billion yuan financing.

"Lu Han, you haven't told me anything about your past. Can I listen in?" Su Qingli asked sweetly, unusually clinging to him.

"Just old stories, nothing worth hearing," Lu Han said, stubbing out his cigarette. "Let's go back."

He found it boring, but Su Qingli interpreted his words differently, thinking he sounded defensive.

Was Lu Han feeling guilty?

"Lu Han, can we exchange contact information? I'd like to invite you to dinner sometime," Shen Luoyan said, pulling out her phone and looking at him expectantly.

Lu Han hesitated briefly before saying, "What's your number? I'll call you."

They exchanged numbers, and Shen Luoyan then turned to Su Qingli. "Sorry, I just found out your family is in real estate. I heard the Su Group has a nice property."

"Our Qinghan Entertainment is preparing a TV drama. If possible, could we use one of your properties as a filming location?"

As she spoke, she waved her phone, clearly indicating she wanted Su Qingli's contact information too.

"Sure, you're Lu Han's friend, so you're my friend. I'll give you a fifty percent discount on the rental fee," Su Qingli said, her eyes lighting up. Qinghan Entertainment's dramas were usually hits, and using their property for filming would be great publicity.

She emphasized the word "friend," reminding Shen Luoyan to keep her distance from Lu Han.

Shen Luoyan understood the hint and smiled nonchalantly.

Back in the auction hall, only a few items remained. Though the later items were more significant, especially the grand finale, none of the three placed any bids.

After the auction ended, a service staff member guided Lu Han and Su Qingli to a private room to complete the payment.

Once Lu Han finished swiping his card, the staff member began filling out delivery information. Reputable auction houses offered home delivery for valuable items like jewelry for security reasons.

Since the items were for Su Qingli anyway, Lu Han let her handle the details. At that moment, another staff member knocked and entered.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Lu Han?" she asked politely, confirming his identity before smiling. "Ms. Shen Luoyan has paid for her items and requested they be delivered to your address. Could you provide the necessary information?"

Su Qingli, who was verifying the filled-out information, looked up. She had guessed correctly—Shen Luoyan had bought the items for Lu Han.

"Where is she?" Lu Han asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She left after paying," the staff member replied.

"Haha, she's really generous. Well, free is free," Lu Han said, not making things difficult for the staff member.

With Shen Luoyan covering the costs, Lu Han had effectively turned a profit instead of losing money.

Lu Han dropped Su Qingli off at home and asked before she got out, "When should we take the photos? Tomorrow or the day after?"

Su Qingli thought for a moment. "How about the morning of the day after tomorrow?"

Lu Han nodded. "Okay, 10 AM. I'll pick you up."

"Alright."

Su Qingli opened the car door and stepped out, watching Lu Han's new Maybach disappear into the night. Her delicate face wore a complicated expression.

Lu Han always liked taking advantage of her, especially her legs, which he used almost like a handrail. But ever since meeting Shen Luoyan today, he hadn't touched her once. Especially while driving, his hands stayed obediently on the steering wheel.

Clearly, Lu Han's heart was in turmoil. 

But why was hers too?

...

...