“I want to go to the auction tonight,” Dong Enyu said.
Perhaps she spoke too hastily the first time, so she put down her coffee cup and repeated herself to Zhao Han, who was eating a salad.
This time, she spoke clearly, word by word, making it hard for Zhao Han to feign ignorance.
From the catalog she received last night, Dong Enyu knew she had to attend the auction.
She wasn’t sure what might happen, but if she didn’t go, this cruise trip would be in vain.
Zhao Han put down her fork and elegantly picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window was an endless blue sea, occasionally dotted with birds flying across the sky.
Peaceful, serene.
“I just want to see what a charity auction is like,” Dong Enyu said, sipping her coffee when Zhao Han didn’t respond.
“You know I haven’t had the chance to experience such an event.” In Wutang, it was all about fighting; in Haijiao, it was about scheming.
But with Zhao Han, it was surprisingly…
“Very ordinary,” Zhao Han almost finished Dong Enyu’s thought with those three words.
Zhao Han referred to the charity auction as ordinary.
Dong Enyu thought Zhao Han’s life was ordinary.
“Don’t you want me to go?” It should have been disappointment, but a small smile appeared instead.
Dong Enyu looked up at Zhao Han, who was also looking at her through her glasses.
“You can’t bid even if you go.” The essence of an auction is to bid with money, and Dong Enyu had neither money nor power.
Going would be pointless, but that was Zhao Han’s thought.
“Just to have a look,” Dong Enyu shrugged, indicating she wanted to broaden her horizons.
But how much of it was genuine? How much was a lie? Dong Enyu put down her coffee cup, stirring her unfinished latte with a small spoon.
Zhao Han, with her hands folded, expressionlessly scrutinized the woman across from her.
As time passed, the dining guests dwindled until only Zhao Han and Dong Enyu remained seated.
After a long while, Zhao Han finally spoke, “How loyal can you be to me?” The answer wasn’t a simple yes or no; it was a probing question.
Dong Enyu raised an eyebrow, taking a calm breath.
“To what extent?” How loyal could she be to Zhao Han? Ten percent? Twenty? Sixty? As she pondered, Dong Enyu suddenly laughed.
“Would you sacrifice your life for me?” Zhao Han asked, reaching across the table to touch the collar on Dong Enyu’s neck, a symbol of restraint she had personally placed on the woman, signifying loss of freedom and belonging solely to her.
Sacrificing her life… That would be a hundred percent… Was this the level of loyalty Zhao Han wanted?
“I owe you six million, so I guess I’ll be your dog for life,” Dong Enyu stopped stirring her spoon, tilting her head slightly to move Zhao Han’s fingers away from the collar.
Instead of flattering Zhao Han, it was better to let her see that regardless of her loyalty, the restraint on her neck remained.
Dong Enyu had no choice… Zhao Han withdrew her hand, but her gaze never left Dong Enyu’s face.
“Is that your answer?” That was her answer, no matter what she wanted to say, it was the truth.
“If a life can buy freedom, then I’ve gained,” Dong Enyu blinked, smiling broadly.
Whether it was a joke or serious, even Zhao Han couldn’t tell.
After some thought, Zhao Han elegantly stood up, supporting herself with one hand on the table.
Before leaving, she turned back and said, “Tonight, you’ll attend the auction as my bodyguard.”
…
At night, a brightly lit cruise ship sailed across the dark sea, adding splashes of color to the ink-black sky.
After some effort in the morning, Dong Enyu successfully entered the venue, accompanying Zhao Han as her bodyguard.
She wore a black suit, tied her hair into a ponytail, and donned the essential black sunglasses for a bodyguard.
Standing next to Zhao Han, the aura they exuded made other guests hesitant to approach.
The auction was much simpler than Dong Enyu had imagined.
She thought it would be grand and luxurious, but it was just an ordinary banquet hall, far less impressive than events she had attended before.
This made Dong Enyu hum in boredom, thinking it was nothing special.
As she scanned the guests invited to the auction, she yawned in boredom, noting that they were all legitimate businessmen.
The only ones from the underworld were Brother Peng and Zhao Han…
“Why is she here too?” As the music played, Brother Peng approached Zhao Han with a light step, but upon seeing Dong Enyu, he showed a look of disdain.
It was well-known that the two didn’t get along.
“Bodyguard.” To attend the event, Zhao Han wore an elegant evening gown, the black silk fabric accentuating her graceful figure.
Her hair was styled up, revealing her fair neck.
Unfortunately, her serious demeanor made her seem like a strict teacher, deterring gentlemen from approaching.
Her cold words declared Dong Enyu’s purpose and stopped Brother Peng from further questioning her presence.
The opening cocktail party was quite peaceful.
As a bodyguard, Dong Enyu had to follow Zhao Han closely, but she noticed Zhao Han was quite solitary.
Apart from a few business owners introduced by Brother Peng, Zhao Han mostly stood by the window, sipping champagne or gazing out into the dark, clearly uninterested.
It wasn’t until the lights dimmed and the host took the stage that the auction officially began.
“First, I’d like to thank all the ladies and gentlemen for attending.
Before we start, let’s introduce the host of this event…” The microphone’s echo was a bit loud, giving Dong Enyu a headache.
She stood straight with her hands behind her back, just a step away from Zhao Han.
From above, she could see the woman’s ear, adorned with diamond-shaped earrings, the blue sapphires as cold as Zhao Han herself.
Like a light rain in winter, the chill was inescapable when the breeze blew.
“You’re not unfamiliar with this kind of event,” Zhao Han said, pulling Dong Enyu to stand beside her instead of behind.
“I’m not unfamiliar,” Dong Enyu gently withdrew her wrist from Zhao Han’s grasp, responding calmly, “but I don’t like it.”
A simple dislike drew a disdainful snort from Zhao Han, as if mocking her for lying.
Dong Enyu didn’t deny it; she was lying, and it was utterly unconvincing.
The auction proceeded at a surprisingly slow pace.
The dull atmosphere was occasionally interrupted by coughs or whispered conversations among the guests.
One auction item after another was presented, but there weren’t many bidders, as the donations weren’t particularly appealing.
It wasn’t until a model brought out a glass display case that the room buzzed with excitement.
“Next, we have a piece of jewelry provided by Mr. Lanz, the Queen Shara blue diamond necklace, Tears of the Sea God.” As the spotlight shone, the blue diamond in the glass case refracted a magnificent glow, casting a fairytale-like color, enchanting and elegant, like a delicate blue rose or a sorrowful teardrop.
“Starting at five hundred thousand, please bid.” As the host struck the gavel, many wealthy women raised their hands.
In just thirty seconds, the price had reached nine hundred thousand…
“One million two hundred thousand.” A sudden male voice cut through the bidding of the wealthy women.
Zhao Han and Dong Enyu looked to the right, where Brother Peng was slowly lowering his left hand.
Brother Peng bid one million two hundred thousand.
“Teacher Zhao, do you know the story behind Tears of the Sea God?” Dong Enyu asked softly, meeting Zhao Han’s gaze.
One up, one down, yet it didn’t affect the woman’s aura at all.
Even in a lower position, a queen is still a queen.
“I remember the description said that Tears of the Sea God was a duke’s love offering to the queen, symbolizing undying love.
Even if separated by life and death, or by status, this unaccepted love would be guarded forever.” Romantic or cheesy, expensive jewelry paired with a simple story always ignites the passion of blindly in love couples.
Undying love? How illusory.
Zhao Han’s indifferent gaze shifted from Dong Enyu’s face to the man beside her.
One path was legitimate, the other was not… Brother Peng or Dong Enyu…
“One million five hundred thousand.” Suddenly, Dong Enyu raised her hand to bid.
The room erupted in chatter; one million five hundred thousand was the highest bid of the auction so far.
“Do you have money?” Compared to the chattering wealthy women around, Zhao Han’s calm demeanor made her seem detached.
Her hands rested on her lap, not looking at Dong Enyu, but the question was clearly directed at her.
Don’t forget, Dong Enyu still owed Zhao Han six million…
“Since Brother Peng bid, I should show some appreciation to my master,” Dong Enyu slightly curled her lips.
Money? She didn’t have any, but she had Zhao Han as her patron.
Plus, with the earlier mention of “undying love” and “showing appreciation to my master,” it should count as flattering the woman.
“One million six hundred thousand.” This time, it was Zhao Han who called out the bid.
The atmosphere in the venue instantly heated up, with many guests trying to locate the bidder, while Brother Peng was taken aback.
“Teacher Zhao?” The man was only a foot away from Zhao Han.
He had slicked-back hair with greasy gel that looked particularly disgusting under the lights, and his flashy suit, which didn’t match at all, instantly lowered his taste to the lowest point.
“The gem matches my dog.” Zhao Han glanced lightly, leaving Brother Peng stunned.
Zhao Han’s dog was Dong Enyu.
This bid was for Dong Enyu…
“One million six hundred thousand! A guest has bid one million six hundred thousand, thank you very much! Is there any other guest who wants to continue bidding?” The host on stage was quite excited, holding the microphone and scanning the venue, but only heard noisy conversations, with no other guests bidding.
“Teacher Zhao, you…” Brother Peng was puzzled, completely not understanding Zhao Han’s intention.
For a woman, a woman who killed the Wutang Boss, a woman who defected to the Coral Reef Group, a filthy and lowly woman… so concerned?
“One million six hundred thousand, going once!” The gavel struck heavily.
Brother Peng opened his mouth, wanting to speak but hesitated.
“One million six hundred thousand, going twice!” The gavel struck again.
Dong Enyu’s eyelids trembled slightly.
“One million six hundred thousand, going three times!” Tears of the Sea God, undying love…
Just as the gavel was about to fall, the ship suddenly shook violently, as if it had hit the shore.
The host lost his balance and fell off the stage, high-pitched screams erupted around, lights flickered, and drinks spilled.
Everything happened too suddenly.
Zhao Han gripped the armrest of the chair tightly to avoid falling, while Dong Enyu steadied himself against the wall.
They exchanged glances, and then the light bulbs exploded, plunging the entire venue into terrifying darkness.
Screams erupted, and the whole place descended into chaos.
“Damn it!” Brother Peng got up from the ground in a sorry state, ready to rush out, “I’ll go see what’s going on!”
Just as he finished speaking, the venue door was kicked open with a “bang!”…
