Mr. Tycoon's Daring Wife

The auction finally started towards the end of the meal. Dessert and drinks were being served and the lights were dimmed a bit to hide everyone’s identity. Though, it wasn’t exactly working.

A gorgeous woman in a body-tight ruby red dress strutted onto the stage, accompanied by the announcer. One by one, the items were being showcased, the majority of it was priceless pieces of jewelry that women went crazy for. From the pearl accessories and jade bracelets with flecks of gold worn by Empress Cixi to the naturally vivid red diamonds worn by Queen Elizabeth the First, each accessory here was special.

Zhao Lifei was bored by all of the pieces being sold, thus, her flag never raised in the air. Seeing as his granddaughter did not show interest in anything being auctioned off, he did not bother raising his flag as well. He only came here to buy her things and maybe get one or two items for himself. He tended to dabble in calligraphy pieces or scroll paintings by unknown artists that would catch his eye because of their age and style.

Zhao Lifei’s breath was caught in her throat when an instrument was rolled up the stage. Her eyes remained fixated on the mesmerizing piano. It was translucent, crafted in 2008, and made entirely of crystals that glistened like glass and allowed everything to be seen-through.

"This fine piano will start with 500,000!"

Zhao Lifei did not raise her flag until the bidding started to get intense. It was lead by Zhao Linhua whose flag went up every time someone countered her. Within the next minute, it reached one million dollars.

"Two million." Zhao Linhua easily replied.

"Three million." A person to the right countered.

"Five million." A person in the back said. Whispers erupted at the exceedingly high price, but to Zhao Linhua, it was tissue-money.

"Eight million." She calmly said.

"Fifteen million." Someone beat her to it, the price terrifying many people. It was down to two people now, Zhao Linhua and another person.

Zhao Lifei was growing tired of this bidding game. For the first time since the banquet started, her flag was raised in the air. "Thirty million."

No one dared to raise their flags anymore. A thundering silence fell upon the crowd that was so surprised, they were all at a loss for words. Thirty million?! For a mere piano?!

The Nings’ hearts were beating excitedly, their eyes wide with appreciation. Oh my, oh my! They did not expect the highest valued item would be a piano! But the night was still young and the possibilities were endless.

Zhao Linhua gritted her teeth. ’Why does she always have to compete with me?!’ The hatred she had for her older sister ran deeper than the roots of century-old peach blossom trees.

The only thing she could do was seethe in anger, inside of her head and silently gloat in happiness at the misfortune that had befallen her older sister a while back... And it was all because of her good friend, Xia Mengxi.

Zhao Linhua much rather preferred Xia Mengxi to be her older sister instead. Xia Mengxi was much more gracious and unlike Zhao Lifei who wanted to shelter her younger sister from the harsh reality of the upper society, Xia Mengxi helped Zhao Linhua make her grand entrance that turned the ugly duckling into a soaring swan.

Zhao Linhua did not understand what Zhao Lifei was even attempting to protect her from. Every wealthy person she’s had the fortune to come across was very kind and welcoming to her. Many of them praised her for her piano skills and thoroughly valued her friendship.

Besides, why did Zhao Lifei even want a piano? It’s not like she can play it in the first place!

"Thirty-five million." Zhao Linhua could not afford to spend too much, especially when her father was missing and her mother was going through the money like it was bread.

Just then, another person spoke up. His voice was gruff, dark, and rough. It was mighty like the God of War, but rich and smooth like roasted Blue Mountain coffee. There was a tinge of Leinan [1] accent. "Fifty million."

Zhao Lifei countered it, "Sixty million." She was highly unwilling to let such a beautiful piano go.

"Sixty-five million." The competitor replied, his lips quirking into a smirk.

"Seventy-five million." She replied, earning sharp gasps from everyone in the room.

"Eighty million." His voice became playful now. Like her, he was not fazed by the delirious price. At this point, it was a game to him.

"One hundred million."

The man opened his mouth, ready to offer his price, when suddenly, Zhao Moyao raised a flag in the air, tired of this childish battle. "Three hundred million." Not a single sound was made. The air was turning suffocating and everyone was too blown away by the instantaneous tripling of the price to speak.

Zhao Lifei’s heart dropped. Dang it! Now her grandfather wanted the piano as well?!

The man’s smile slipped the slightest bit, his dangerously dark eyes turning to Zhao Moyao. Of course, the former Colonel would bid for his granddaughter with such a ridiculously high price. "Four hundred million."

Zhao Moyao’s face morphed into amusement. Which youngster dared to challenge him like this? He wanted a face to the voice but when he tried to look in the direction of the voice, he could not properly see the man’s features. Seated in the back, not a single person could decipher who he was.

"With all due respect, Mr. Zhao, I can go all night long. The sky’s the limit." The man let out a small laugh, cold and lifeless.

"Funny that you have a limit in the first place." Zhao Moyao mused. He saw how deeply interested Zhao Lifei was. There was no way he was going to give up so quickly. "Whatever price you say, I will top it."

The man became quiet. "You’re quite an old man, Mr. Zhao. For what purpose would you possibly want the piano for? To display it in the corner of the living room, never to be touched. That would be such a shame."

"Anything my granddaughter desires, she shall get it." Zhao Moyao’s response blew everyone away.

No one dared to breathe in the wrong way.

They were all stunned by his endearing words. They have never heard him utter such sweet words about someone. Not even when his eldest son was born, or when his youngest son graduated from TH University at the top of his classes. The people knew Zhao Lifei was an acknowledged and treasured granddaughter, but only tonight, did they realize just how deep his adoration for her lay.

Zhao Lifei’s head snapped to her grandfather. She did not expect him to be so doting tonight. He rarely gave her gifts.

The man wanted to say, "I see we’re both vying to get on her good side," but that response was too cheesy for him. Instead, he opened his mouth and said, "Seeing as you’re such a doting grandfather, I suppose I should back off for now."

The way he sounded. Zhao Lifei bit her bottom lip. Her eyebrows etched together while she was lost in thought. Why did he sound so...familiar? Maybe it was his Leinan accent that she had heard so many times before.

"As if you had a chance to counter me." Zhao Moyao muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Four hundred and fifty million."

The announcer exchanged looks with Ning Yijun. He cleared his throat and in a loud, booming voice, excitedly announced, "Four hundred and fifty million going once...twice...and sold to Mr. Zhao Moyao!" Everyone loudly clapped, cheering that such an enormous amount would be donated to charity. No one was happier than the Nings who could shed tears of happiness that the money could go towards an amazing cause.