Chapter 21: Auctioning the Emerald Rough

When they had just come out of the restroom, Coldblood reached out to stop Qianyin, not sparing even a glance for Mulan. He simply said, indifferently, “Let’s talk.”

Qianyin noticed the short dagger hidden in his sleeve and, blinking her large dark eyes, turned to Mulan and said, “You should head back. We’re just going to have a quick chat.”

Mulan felt uneasy, but she didn’t want to arouse suspicion. She nodded, walked ahead, turning back every few steps, but finally reached the end of the corridor and had no choice but to return to her seat.

“Why didn’t you take this job and leave it to me?” Coldblood slowly lowered his hand, leaned against the wall, and crossed his arms over his chest. That lazy posture and indifferent tone made him the very image of a cold, ruthless killer.

“Why did you accept this job? Do you not realize you might fail? And for two billion—should we really kill two people who don’t deserve to die?” Qianyin couldn’t understand why Coldblood had no principles. Did he believe everyone in his world deserved death?

Qianyin despised the world too, but that didn’t mean she would kill just anyone. She had her own code; some people simply did not deserve to die.

“We’re both cold-blooded killers, aren’t we? I think you’ve already left that world behind. You’re starting to yearn for a human life. Killers are meant to be stained with blood, living in the darkness.” Coldblood’s eyes grew icier, his words laced, whether intentionally or not, with a dangerous edge. He was clearly angry, though Qianyin couldn’t guess why.

“Enough. I have nothing more to say to you.” Qianyin knew she had begun to long for a more human life, but she didn’t want to admit it. She realized she had grown more flesh and blood, so different from her former self. Yet at least now, she could feel happiness.

After speaking, Qianyin tried to stride away, but Coldblood grabbed her hand, pulling her sharply into his arms. Caught off guard, she stumbled into what was, surprisingly, a rather warm embrace.

Both of them froze, their expressions locked in shock. It was entirely accidental—Coldblood hadn’t realized his own strength, and Qianyin hadn’t expected to be seized so suddenly.

Snapping back to herself, Qianyin shoved Coldblood away, her face dark with anger. She reflexively slapped him—a gesture so practiced among women that it seemed almost instinctive.

After slapping him, Qianyin walked off proudly as though nothing had happened, though the long hem of her dress hindered her momentum.

Coldblood pressed a hand to his stinging cheek, reddened and swollen, but not bleeding. He pursed his lips tightly, and there was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, as if he’d willingly accepted that slap.

When Mulan returned to the main hall and the others realized Qianyin wasn’t with her, their faces took on strange expressions.

Xiao Qi, suspecting something was off, got up and walked toward the restroom. She arrived just in time to witness the scene around the corner and could hardly keep from clicking her tongue. These two were certainly not ordinary.

With somewhat wicked delight, Xiao Qi snapped two photos. She then slipped out, feigning nonchalance, though she couldn’t hide her broad grin.

Qianyin appeared shortly after, and, seeing Xiao Qi, felt a pang of foreboding. Was this woman actually there to use the restroom, or was she plotting something she shouldn’t? It was best if she didn’t find out. If this troublemaker were to scheme against her, Qianyin would send her straight to hell. A fool like her wouldn’t last a day in a palace drama.

Back at the table, the banquet had begun. The host stood on stage, beaming as he made introductions.

“Are you alright?” Mulan whispered in Qianyin’s ear, worried she’d been hurt—after all, she had brought her here.

Qianyin was only a little upset. Forcing a smile, she shook her head.

Everyone except Xiao Qi found the situation odd. Xiao Qi, however, was increasingly convinced that this Qianyin woman was no ordinary person—sharp-tongued, quick-handed, and fast, like someone who’d been trained.

It turned out to be a charity gala, and rumor had it something particularly valuable would be auctioned tonight. Xiao Qi had shared this tidbit. The proceeds from the auction would go directly to charity.

The event dragged on with a long preamble, wearing on everyone’s patience—except the other guests, who listened intently.

Mo Fan was listening with equal seriousness. Clearly, those with higher education were different.

“They’ve gone on and on forever—why not get straight to the auction? These people are tiresome. Why do they need such a long introduction? Why not just get to the point?” Xiao Qi played with her wine glass, disdain in her eyes as she glanced at An Feng.

As she spoke, Mo Fan shot her a look full of contempt. Speaking so flippantly at such an important event—everyone around them began to whisper and point.

Seeing everyone’s disapproval made Xiao Qi angry, but she swallowed her frustration with a gulp of wine.

An Feng said nothing, his gaze fixed on the table on stage, covered by a red cloth.

What was to be auctioned? An Feng’s curiosity was piqued. What kind of treasure could attract so many wealthy people?

At last, after much pointless chatter, the main event arrived. Qianyin was nearly dozing off, but when the red cloth was lifted, her eyes sparkled.

A jadeite rough stone—an emerald, no less. And such a large piece, likely worth a fortune. Who would put something so precious up for auction? Such treasures were rare and usually unattainable.

“Heavens! It’s an emerald!”

“Hurry, auctioneer, name the starting bid!” A chubby, middle-aged man had already leapt to his feet, his excitement palpable, eyes glued to the stone.

The host announced with a smile, “The bidding starts at twenty million.”

For a stone like this, that was a steal for a starting price. It would certainly rise into the hundreds of millions. After all, jadeite jewelry alone could fetch millions or tens of millions.

“Thirty million!”

“Seventy million!”

“One hundred million!”

The bids soared ever higher, the crowd growing increasingly frenzied. One had to wonder if they’d brought enough money—at this rate, the final price would be several hundred million.

“Incredible wealth,” Mulan gasped. This was her first time at an auction where bids reached into the hundreds of millions—was she truly so naïve?

“I recall the Mo family isn’t poor, either,” Xiao Qi’s irrepressible mouth piped up again.

Mo Fan shot her another fierce glare, his expression hostile. Was this woman looking to make an enemy of the Mo family, and so openly at that?