The onlookers at the scene didn’t recognize Mu Yanxi, but the person in charge, who was frequently hired for such high-end exhibitions, was quite familiar with her temper.
Not only was she a big spender who loved to throw money around, but she was also someone incredibly difficult to please.
The person in charge made a swift decision, completely ignoring the man beside her and walking straight up to Mu Yanxi to ask, “Second Miss Mu, what’s wrong? Did someone displease you?”
He had deliberately lowered his voice, making it sound extremely respectful and humble.
The man next to Li Yan straightened his clothes, not hearing what the person in charge had said.
He thought the man had gone over to reprimand her, so he exaggeratedly tugged at his own tie, walked over, and said arrogantly:
“Manager Zhang, the security check at your auction is really not up to par. All sorts of riffraff can sneak in. It’s already this chaotic before the auction has even started, and you can’t even guarantee the basic safety of your clients. Is this how you treat your customers?”
After speaking, he even glanced around at the surrounding people, feeling smug that he was of the same class as them.
Who would have thought that after he finished speaking, Manager Zhang’s face would darken, and he would look directly at him? “This… Young Master Wang, is it? Our auction is indeed not up to par. The temple is too small for a great Buddha like you. The exit is over there, please see yourself out.”
He said “see yourself out,” but after speaking, he waved his hand with an air of finality, and several bodyguards behind him immediately surrounded the man.
The so-called Young Master Wang was completely stunned.
It wasn’t until the bodyguards in black suits stepped forward that he finally reacted, pointing at the person in charge in disbelief. “Manager Zhang, did you make a mistake? Are you prepared to bear the consequences when word gets out that your auction house is protecting a wannabe internet celebrity like this?”
Manager Zhang ignored him, simply directing the bodyguards, “What are you standing around for? Hurry up and escort him out.”
As the several bodyguards in black suits moved to escort him out, the man was still struggling relentlessly. His already wrinkled suit became even more disheveled, and Li Yan, who was beside him, finally realized what was happening.
Li Yan had been standing relatively close to Mu Yanxi and had clearly heard the words “Second Miss Mu.”
Adding a surname was a sign of respect, but specifically including the ranking number added another layer of status.
Their Li family had only recently arrived in Yuncheng and was at a critical stage of needing to build connections and break into the upper-class circle. Therefore, she had been accepting all sorts of invitations to events recently. If she didn’t have an invitation, she would work hard to create an opportunity to squeeze in, hoping to become a familiar face in the circle.
The standard of this auction was not low. For someone to be treated so respectfully by the person in charge, their family background must be formidable.
Surnamed Mu, with a prominent family background, and ranked second in the family…
Even if Li Yan was unfamiliar with Yuncheng, she had heard things during her social interactions recently.
Looking across the entire upper-class circle of Yuncheng, who else with the surname Mu and these specific characteristics could it be but the Mu family, owners of Xinyu Bank?
Mu Yanxi’s identity was immediately obvious.
Thinking back on what had just happened, there was hardly anyone else besides the second miss of the Mu family who had the guts and the power to cause such a scene at an auction.
Especially since Bai Yu’an had just shielded that Miss Mu. Bai Yu’an hadn’t been wallowing in self-pity and keeping a starlet after losing contact; she had clearly befriended a figure their family had tried every means to connect with but failed!
And here she was, acting like a buffoon, showing off her superiority in front of Bai Yu’an just moments ago. It turned out she was the one performing like a monkey!
The moment Li Yan thought of this, even though the bodyguards hadn’t come to drag her out, she couldn’t bear to stay any longer. She wished she could leave the yacht immediately.
Just as she was about to move, she heard Bai Yu’an and Mu Yanxi talking beside her.
Mu Yanxi’s tone was quite innocent. “Speaking of which, your friend’s taste in partners is as bad as her taste in jewelry.”
“Huh? What do you mean? Be more specific.”
“Didn’t I just say she was wearing a fake watch? Now that I look, I see her boyfriend’s Patek Philippe is a matching couple’s watch. So, who do you think has the other one?”
A hint of laughter was hidden in Bai Yu’an’s tone. “Well, it’s not with me.”
Hearing this, Li Yan stumbled and fled as if her life depended on it.
Among the surrounding crowd of onlookers, some finally began to recognize Mu Yanxi’s identity. Even those who didn’t were quickly brought up to speed by the people around them.
The way they looked at Mu Yanxi gradually changed from lofty disdain to a mixture of fear, envy, or a desire to curry favor.
In the past two months, news of the marriage alliance between Xinyu and Rongjia had spread throughout Yuncheng’s high society. This auction had gathered many small-time entrepreneurs who hoped to use the event to consolidate or elevate their family’s status.
To these people, both Mu Yanqing of Xinyu and Yi Wulan of Rongjia were difficult to approach. Getting a meeting with either was harder than climbing to the heavens, making Mu Yanxi their breakthrough point.
Even when Mu Yanxi attended such events, she would usually leave right after making her purchases, not lingering for long. But this time, she was recognized right at the start. It was a rare opportunity, and many people were itching to go up and make her acquaintance.
Mu Yanxi was accustomed to such gazes and had no intention of socializing or expanding any new business territories for Mu Yanqing or Yi Wulan.
She just couldn’t stand someone offending the people around her. Whoever provoked her, she had to vent her anger immediately.
After the bodyguards finally cleared the man out and harmony was restored to the hall, Manager Zhang came forward again with an apologetic smile. “Second Miss Mu, for something like this to happen on your rare visit, it was my dereliction of duty for not handling it promptly. I am truly sorry.”
Mu Yanxi gave a perfunctory acknowledgment. The matter was resolved, and she wasn’t the type to hold a grudge and involve the innocent. Her tone carried a faint sense of detachment. “It’s not your fault.”
Hearing this, Manager Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to say something more, Mu Yanxi glanced at the diamond necklace that had fallen on the floor.
“I’ll take this necklace. At the price appraised by your auction house. I’ll look at some other things later, and you can have them all sent to me together.”
Manager Zhang’s eyes lit up. The starting bid for that necklace on the floor was close to eight figures. Not only had Mu Yanxi not lost interest because of the incident, but she also seemed poised to spend a lot more money tonight.
Such a decisive and straightforward attitude left Manager Zhang feeling flattered, completely erasing the last bit of displeasure in his heart.
He almost wished a whole row of men like the one who had just fallen could show up, so Mu Yanxi would spend even more money.
Manager Zhang personally escorted Mu Yanxi and Bai Yu’an to a designated VIP room. The view and the bidding equipment were more than a notch above the regular area.
After they left the main hall, the onlookers finally began to talk among themselves. “It’s really great to be rich. That guy who just got kicked out had some seriously bad luck.”
“Who told him to cross Second Miss Mu? That ancestor doesn’t care if you’re rich or not. As long as you displease her, she’ll get her payback.”
“So why did that woman just now call Second Miss Mu a wannabe internet celebrity?”
“A wannabe internet celebrity?” A young playboy looked at Mu Yanxi’s departing figure and clicked his tongue in admiration twice. “Perhaps our Second Miss Mu wants to enter the entertainment circle to experience a new life.”
“That makes sense. My sister was telling me a few days ago that she wanted to act in a web drama to get some fame. I’ve thought about it too. Things like that are very common.”
In the two years Mu Yanxi had been in the entertainment industry, she had indeed become an obscure, eighteenth-tier starlet. Many of the people present had a high opinion of themselves and never paid attention to the entertainment world. Even if they knew a few celebrities, they were all A-listers. How would they know about Mu Yanxi?
But Mu Yanxi’s family background had been revealed by the auction’s manager, so it couldn’t be fake. She was a genuine, bona fide heiress.
As for being an internet celebrity, who would be bored enough to go and verify it?
Everyone just laughed off the “wannabe internet celebrity” comment.
After the auction officially began, Mu Yanxi and Bai Yu’an sat in the VIP box, looking down at the display stage on the first floor. The frequent ringing of their bidding bell attracted the attention of many people on the floor below.
Little did they know that in a certain box next door, Yi Jingming, who had finally recovered from his injuries, had been observing them through the floor-to-ceiling window for a long time, silently clenching the champagne glass on the table.
Yi Jingming hadn’t known Bai Yu’an for long. He only met her after Mu Yanxi and Yi Wulan got married, and all in all, it had been just over half a month.
Bai Yu’an seemed enthusiastic, but she always maintained a certain distance from him, never fully trusting him, much like with the Shuilin Fang project. But since it hadn’t taken much of his time, Yi Jingming didn’t care too much about losing Bai Yu’an as an ally.
But Mu Yanxi was different to Yi Jingming. After Yi Wulan’s car accident, Yi Jingming had spent a full six months wearing her down before he finally got close to her. Then, just when he thought everything was ready, Mu Yanxi suddenly backed out and ran off to marry Yi Wulan.
This was like a thorn embedded deep in Yi Jingming’s heart. The longer it stayed, the harder it was to let go.
Whether it was what happened in the hall just now or that day at the Yi family’s old mansion, Mu Yanxi’s every move was so dazzling that it was impossible to look away, making Yi Jingming feel increasingly unbalanced.
Why could Yi Wulan get Rongjia and Mu Yanxi? Why could Yi Wulan take away his power in Rongjia with just a few casual words?
If Mu Yanxi had chosen him for the marriage alliance back then, would things be different now?
Where exactly did he fall short of Yi Wulan? Why did he have to be Yi Wulan’s substitute?
Unfortunately, since he left the Yi family’s old mansion that day, he had never found another opportunity to see Mu Yanxi again. His original contact information was blocked, and he couldn’t even find a trace of her at the parties she used to frequent.
“Brother Jingming, if you squeeze any harder, that glass is going to shatter,” Yi Zizhuo, who was beside him, had just finished pressing the bidding bell and noticed Yi Jingming’s ugly expression.
He followed Yi Jingming’s gaze and had a sudden realization.
Yi Jingming retorted, “I see you’re not in a great mood either.”
Ever since his power was taken away, his position at Rongjia had been snatched by this cousin’s father, Yi Hongwei, so his attitude was naturally not much better.
“I’m in a bad mood because I don’t have enough money to get what I want. What about you?” Yi Zizhuo didn’t mind exposing his own sore spot and deliberately jabbed at Yi Jingming. “Brother Jingming, why do you keep looking at that box? Oh, is your ex-sister-in-law there? How come there’s another sister-in-law?”
“Mind your own business.” Yi Jingming downed a glass of champagne. Under the influence of alcohol, his attitude became even worse. “Little brother, you should worry more about yourself. Your dad was so eager to take my position. Do you think Yi Wulan won’t come after you guys?”
“Yi Wulan…” Yi Zizhuo chewed on the three words, then lowered his voice. “With Mu Yanxi’s behavior in the hall just now, who would dare marry her? We originally thought she would clash with Yi Wulan, but who knew Mu Yanxi would be so supportive of Yi Wulan after getting married? We shouldn’t have let them get together in the first place.”
Yi Jingming sneered, “What, could you have stopped it back then?”
Yi Zizhuo gave him a meaningful look. “Brother Jingming, others might not know, but why are you hiding it from me? Didn’t Mu Yanxi fall head over heels for you back then, almost running away with you?”
It would have been better if Yi Zizhuo hadn’t mentioned it. Now that he did, Yi Jingming’s eyes darkened completely.
“I thought you could win over Mu Yanxi, and then I thought Yi Wulan wouldn’t be able to stand Mu Yanxi’s personality. Now it seems life is truly unpredictable.”
Yi Zizhuo was still lamenting, “Brother Jingming, we’re on the same side. It’s better for your position at Rongjia to be with us than to be taken by Yi Wulan’s people, so don’t hold it against me. Haven’t you noticed that ever since Mu Yanxi came to Yi Wulan’s side, none of our plans or the projects we wanted have succeeded? What we need to consider now is how to get everything back to the way it was, to make Yi Wulan lose this support.”
“Lose her support? Mu Yanxi is so devoted to Yi Wulan, how can we make her lose it?” Yi Jingming’s tone grew increasingly hostile. “If I had known it would be this much trouble, why didn’t you guys just… when you made your move back then?”
The sound of Mu Yanxi and Bai Yu’an’s successful bid from their box rang out again, drowning out all other words.
It wasn’t until silence returned that Yi Zizhuo spoke leisurely, “Brother Jingming, don’t blame everything on us. Every injustice has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor. Let me just ask you one thing: are you really content to just watch your former lover be with someone who’s about to die?”
Yi Jingming’s hand holding the wine glass tightened.
He and Bai Yu’an were just putting on an act for the Shuilin Fang project, but he couldn’t stand the sight of Mu Yanxi by Yi Wulan’s side.
Just thinking about it felt like a fire was burning in his heart, scorching him until he couldn’t breathe.
Yi Jingming took a deep breath. “If you have an idea, just say it.”
The two little peacocks, Mu Yanxi and Bai Yu’an, spent lavishly at the auction, causing a huge sensation.
When the auction ended, to avoid people coming up to build connections, they deliberately waited until the very end to go backstage and check on their purchases.
Bai Yu’an had also won the final item, a sports car. The car was a limited edition model, and when it was released a few years ago, it was virtually priceless, impossible to order even if you wanted to. The clever brand had therefore deliberately kept a few as exhibits.
This time, seeing one of them being auctioned off made the auction site unprecedentedly lively.
Mu Yanxi had just gotten a car from Mu Yanqing a while ago, and the novelty hadn’t worn off yet, so for once, she didn’t spend money recklessly, just watching Bai Yu’an frantically raise the price.
A thirty-million-dollar sports car was driven up to nearly seventy million by Bai Yu’an before she secured it.
As soon as it was over, Eldest Miss Bai immediately had the staff move the car to the deck so she could take it for a couple of laps to satisfy her craving.
Mu Yanxi was too lazy to move, so she stayed in the box, sitting comfortably on the sofa and waiting for her.
She was about to send a video to Yi Wulan when the doorknob was turned.
Mu Yanxi whipped her head around. “Who is it?”
Yi Jingming emerged from the dim doorway, his face dark. He looked at Mu Yanxi’s expression, which was like she was looking at a stranger, and the anger in his heart burned to its peak.
His gaze fell on Mu Yanxi’s phone, where the chat box still showed Yi Wulan’s profile picture, and the anger in his heart churned even more fiercely.
He was the one who met Mu Yanxi first. Why did he get nothing, while Yi Wulan benefited for free? Why could Mu Yanxi forget their past so quickly and so easily take away everything he once had?
When Yi Zizhuo made the suggestion, Yi Jingming didn’t know what he was thinking.
But it was undeniable that his heart held a sliver of anticipation that he himself was unwilling to admit.
He hoped that what happened at the Yi family’s old mansion was because Mu Yanxi was jealous of Bai Yu’an and deliberately made things difficult for him.
Otherwise, how would Mu Yanxi have a video of him at the bar?
After leaving the Yi family’s old mansion, Yi Jingming thought it over and over. The more he thought, the more he felt that Mu Yanxi was paying special attention to him, which was how she knew he went to the bar and was with Bai Yu’an. Then, in a fit of pique, she snatched his Shuilin Fang project.
Therefore, when Yi Zizhuo had just mentioned that Yi Wulan was not in Yuncheng at the moment, he was genuinely tempted and decided to give Mu Yanxi another chance.
Harboring unclear intentions, Yi Jingming deliberately pushed open the door while Bai Yu’an was away, wanting to be alone with Mu Yanxi.
“Miss Mu, you’re in high spirits, stealing the show today.” He stared at Mu Yanxi’s face, and seeing the cold expression on it, the anger in his heart burned even hotter.
Mu Yanxi slowly turned her head to look at him.
It wasn’t that she didn’t feel the anger coming from Yi Jingming, but what did it matter?
What was wrong with Yi Jingming’s brain now, what kind of madness was he having, and what did it have to do with her?
The trash she had discarded before her death in her past life, was she supposed to pick it up again and worship it in this life?
She had no hobby of being a garbage recycling station.
She had absolutely no patience for people who made her unhappy.
“Mu Yanxi, you’re really something. You used to say you liked me, so what is the meaning of this now?”
Mu Yanxi shook her head nonchalantly. “I never said I liked you. If your brain isn’t working well, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.”
“You didn’t say you liked me, but aren’t you afraid Yi Wulan will investigate the days we spent together?” Yi Jingming stared intently at Mu Yanxi’s face, trying to see a hint of panic in her expression.
But unfortunately, there was none.
This treatment made him anxious and restless. Without thinking, he stepped forward and leaned in to grab Mu Yanxi’s shoulder.
Mu Yanxi’s expression didn’t change at all. She shook off Yi Jingming’s hand and looked up to meet his gaze. “Do you think I’d be afraid of Yi Wulan investigating?”
Yi Jingming’s gaze turned sinister. “It doesn’t matter if she can’t find anything. What do you think she’ll believe if I tell her that you and I were secretly engaged before your wedding, and that after you got married, you tried to obstruct me in every way out of jealousy?”
Mu Yanxi was so stunned by Yi Jingming’s line of thinking that she was speechless for several seconds.
She stood up, walked two circles around Yi Jingming, and specifically checked the back of his head for any injuries.
Then she stood before him with a strange look in her eyes. “Yi Jingming, you want an answer from me so badly. Could it be because you like me?”
A breath caught in Yi Jingming’s chest.
Although he didn’t want to admit it, to some extent, even if it wasn’t overflowing, Mu Yanxi had indeed hit upon a part of his thoughts.
He didn’t know what to say. Looking at the radiant face before him, he could no longer hold back.
Mu Yanxi sensed his movement and immediately retreated warily, causing Yi Jingming to lunge at empty air. Then she looked him up and down, walked towards the door of the room, and said heartlessly, “But unfortunately, I don’t like you. After all, in every aspect, you don’t seem to compare to Yi Wulan.”
How could Yi Jingming, who had just been provoked by this very issue, possibly listen to this?
The veins on his forehead bulged, and it took almost all his self-control to barely keep his expression from contorting.
“You weren’t like this before.” Yi Jingming was so angry he lost all reason, and the thoughts in his mind tumbled out. “Are you blaming me? Did you already know I was going to gay bars?”
Mu Yanxi closed her eyes, feeling like she was talking to a brick wall, and it was exceptionally noisy. “Yi Jingming, don’t tell me you still think I married Yi Wulan back then because I was heartbroken after discovering your sexual orientation?”
“I, I’m not…” Yi Jingming’s tone unconsciously dropped, carrying a truth he was unwilling to admit, tearing away his self-deceiving facade.
Even his speech became somewhat incoherent. “I did, back then, but, but after I found out you left, I, I… You have to believe me, I never deceived you.”
Mu Yanxi took a small step back, brushed past Yi Jingming without a second thought, and gripped the doorknob.
“You want the truth, it doesn’t matter if I tell you. Right now, I only feel that marrying Yi Wulan was the best decision I’ve ever made. No matter what you thought back then, there was never anything between us, and there never will be.”
All there was, was the enmity of two lifetimes.
After speaking, Mu Yanxi pushed the door open and left. Yi Jingming was still calling her name from behind, intending to chase after her. “Mu Yanxi, wait!”
However, just as he was about to grab Mu Yanxi, a bag suddenly came flying at his face.
Yi Jingming looked up. It was Bai Yu’an.
The previous camaraderie was completely gone from Bai Yu’an’s eyes. She clicked her tongue twice. “Yi Jingming, are you tired of your injuries healing too quickly, so you’ve come looking for another beating?”
Seeing this, Yi Jingming stopped in his tracks. “An’an, I…”
But before he could finish, Bai Yu’an quickly cut him off with a threat. “Yi Jingming, if you don’t want to end up in the hospital again, I advise you to leave right now.”
Behind Bai Yu’an were many of the auction house’s staff, all of whom were staring at Yi Jingming, making him feel exceptionally embarrassed.
Yi Jingming’s gaze towards Mu Yanxi hesitated for a moment, but he still turned and left.
After he left, Bai Yu’an immediately pulled Mu Yanxi over and checked her up and down for a moment. “That scumbag was harassing you just now? He didn’t do anything, did he?”
Mu Yanxi had thought Bai Yu’an would ask about her relationship with Yi Jingming, but she didn’t expect that to be her first question.
She paused for a moment, then smiled. “I’m fine. Do I look like someone who would let herself be wronged?”
“That’s not for sure.” Bai Yu’an reached out and pinched Mu Yanxi’s cheek. “This face of yours is about to turn me gay. With President Yi away, I have to keep an eye on you, can’t let any riffraff take advantage.”
Mu Yanxi expressionlessly slapped Bai Yu’an’s hand away. “Keep your hands to yourself. If you’re interested in the same sex, I can give you…”
Before she could finish, she was met with Bai Yu’an’s unabashed laughter, which danced back and forth on the line of being thrown out to feed the fish by Mu Yanxi.
Mu Yanxi’s face was blank as she said faintly, “Do you think you have too many friends?”
Seeing that the situation was not right, Bai Yu’an immediately tried to salvage it, repeatedly emphasizing to Mu Yanxi that it was her own lack of appreciation that led her to refuse Her Highness the Princess’s kind offer to play matchmaker.
Then she followed up with a torrent of rainbow farts, soothing Mu Yanxi’s fragile little glass heart.
Mu Yanxi was quickly placated and took the opportunity to complain to Bai Yu’an about Yi Jingming coming to find her just now.
If there was one thing that could best strengthen the bond between best friends, it was ganging up to complain about another person.
After the two of them vividly recounted all of Yi Jingming’s faults, their anger had mostly subsided. Just then, the auction house staff delivered their packaged purchases.
The little peacocks returned fully loaded, their invisible tail feathers nearly sticking up to the sky.
But sometimes, one just can’t be too smug. One second, you’re finishing a happy shopping spree with your best friend; the next, trouble comes knocking at your door.
After Mu Yanxi got home, she was about to unwrap her packages to send some pictures to Yi Wulan when her phone suddenly rang.
It was her manager.
On the other end of the line, the manager asked frantically, “What’s going on? What on earth is going on? Ancestor, where did you go today?”
Mu Yanxi was a little confused and answered honestly, “I went to a spa, and then to an auction?”
The sound of something falling came from the other end of the line, and the manager’s voice suddenly rose. “You were secretly photographed, do you know that? What is wrong with you? Didn’t you say you were married? Is it real with that man in the photo? Or is that person your marriage partner you’ve been hiding for so long?”
Marriage partner?
Mu Yanxi was completely baffled. “What man? My marriage partner is a woman.”
“See for yourself!” The manager hung up abruptly and then sent a link.
When Mu Yanxi opened it, she saw photos of her and Yi Jingming in the box. Judging by the quality, they looked more like screenshots from a surveillance camera.
The angle of the surveillance footage was very tricky, coming from the side and behind. One photo was of Yi Jingming grabbing her wrist at that moment. From that angle, the two of them looked like they were gazing at each other affectionately.
The other photo was taken after she had shaken off his hand and he was trying to hug her. The angle of this photo was even more devious. Even though there was enough space between her and Yi Jingming for another person to stand, in the photo, Yi Jingming’s arms were half-open, making it look as if he had already pulled her into an embrace.
Mu Yanxi: …
And that wasn’t all.
The most outrageous thing was that the tag for her, an eighteenth-tier starlet, had been parachuted to the top of the trending searches:
#MuYanxiRomanceExposed#
#MuYanxiPhotographedOnSecretDateWithBoyfriend#
#MuYanxisBackerIsTheCrownPrinceOfRongjia#
Huge thanks to Haoyue for the support!
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