Xiao Yifeng realized with some surprise that she was the same woman he had become drunk with at the Yanjing bar that night and almost ended up fighting after returning to the hotel.
It was Sunx Ziyun, the woman full of a young wife’s charm, who, because of her period, hadn’t gone through with it. And she was none other than the sister of the Patriarch of one of the Eight Great Families of Yanjing, the Sunx Clan.
Sunx Ziyun hadn’t expected to see Xiao Yifeng here either, and looked somewhat embarrassed. The memory of that night came flooding back, causing her cheeks to redden.
Without saying much, Sunx Ziyun turned her head and left, clearly not wanting to see Xiao Yifeng.
Xiao Yifeng just smiled faintly and said nothing, after all, their encounter could only be considered an imperfect chance meeting.
When he returned to the charity event, the number of people there had increased. The tables were filled with guests, and each had a number placard for the upcoming auction.
Situ Yuntian and Situ Qian were seated not far from Xiao Yifeng and his group.
At that moment, a group of people walked in from outside. Leading them was none other than Princess Zi Luo from the Japanese Imperial Family, with Liusheng Yiyi faithfully by her side.
They were accompanied by a large entourage of Imperial guards and Liusheng Clan experts, among whom a number of Dragon Soul Experts were hidden for protection; it was clear that after the assassination attempt at Mingquan Temple, the security was much tighter than before.
"Welcome, Princess Zi Luo," came the greeting. "It’s truly an honor to have you grace our charity evening."
At that moment, Sunx Ziyun approached Princess Zi Luo, wearing a red off-the-shoulder evening gown, and bowed slightly.
"Miss Sunx is too kind. I myself am also very keen on charitable works," nodded Princess Zi Luo with a smile. "As a representative of the Japanese Imperial Family, coming to China for cultural exchange and to foster goodwill between our countries, it’s natural for me to participate in meaningful charity events and to contribute my share of love."
"Thank you, Princess Zi Luo. Please, take a seat!"
Sunx Ziyun ushered Princess Zi Luo and her entourage to prime seats at the front.
Xiao Yifeng recognized her identity with some surprise. He hadn’t previously known who the woman he’d almost had an encounter with that night was.
It was only now that he learned her identity, and it turned out to be quite interesting. She was from one of the Eight Great Families, the Sunx Family, and the sister of its Patriarch.
"Do you know Miss Sunx?"
Ye Yaxin glanced at Xiao Yifeng.
Xiao Yifeng answered ambiguously.
Ye Yaxin’s gaze flickered but she said nothing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the charity evening I’ve organized," began Sunx Ziyun from the stage, holding a microphone. "The theme and purpose of tonight’s gala is to conduct a charity auction, to raise funds for donating to Hope Primary Schools, enabling the children in the mountains to have the opportunity to attend school and learn just like other children."
"As for the items in the charity auction, they are all provided by those present. There is no minimum bid and no limit to the bidding, it’s all free and open!"
After saying that Sunx Ziyun stepped down from the podium.
"What did you prepare for the auction, honey?"
Xiao Yifeng looked curiously at Ye Yaxin.
"A calligraphy and painting from my grandfather’s collection," she replied, casting a look at Xiao Yifeng. "What about you?"
"Do I need to prepare anything too?"
"You came after all, shouldn’t you prepare something as a contribution to the charity!"
Ye Yaxin said, looking at Xiao Yifeng.
Xiao Yifeng waved his hand, and a green pill appeared in his palm.
Ye Yaxin looked at the pill in Xiao Yifeng’s hand with a puzzled face.
"This is called the Eternal Beauty Elixir, it can make you look ten years younger!"
"That’s impossible, you’re bragging!"
Ye Yaxin’s face showed disbelief.
"Don’t believe it, huh? Then forget it!"
Xiao Yifeng smiled gently.
Then, everyone started to hand over their auction items to the staff, explaining the value and starting price of their items.
When the staff member heard about the value and starting price of Xiao Yifeng’s pill, he was thoroughly shocked and looked at Xiao Yifeng as if he were a fool, clearly thinking Xiao Yifeng was there to cause trouble.
"Sir, you aren’t joking, are you? This is a serious charitable auction!"
The staff member couldn’t help but speak to Xiao Yifeng.
"I am the fiancé of the president of Tianhai Ye Corporation, do you think I’m joking?"
Xiao Yifeng said with a light smile.
The staff member nodded, took the Eternal Beauty Elixir and the calligraphy that Ye Yaxin had given and left.
"Don’t mess around, if your elixir doesn’t work, Ye Corporation will be humiliated today. I’m planning to completely break into the Yanjing market and was hoping to build good relations with these corporate bigwigs."
Ye Yaxin whispered to Xiao Yifeng.
"Don’t worry, when has your husband ever made you lose face? Besides, you’re my woman, they should be courting your favor, not the other way around."
Xiao Yifeng said with a roguish smile, wrapping an arm around Ye Yaxin’s waist.
Ye Yaxin’s cheeks turned slightly red as she looked at Xiao Yifeng’s roguish grin, feeling mesmerized.
"Alright, everyone who has come to this charity evening has enthusiastically brought forth their auction items. Now, please allow the auctioneer to begin the auction of each item, and I hope everyone can contribute a little to our charity."
Sunx Ziyun took the stage and gave a speech before stepping down, her gaze inadvertently glancing at Xiao Yifeng and Ye Yaxin, who were intimately close, and her eyes flickered.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am the auctioneer for this evening’s charity auction. Now let me proceed to auction all of tonight’s items."
An auctioneer took the stage, gave a speech and started the auction right away.
One after another, items provided by corporate CEOs, family young masters, and sons from various clans were brought out for auction; these people all cared about face, so the items offered were precious antiques, valuable calligraphies and paintings, exquisite jade bracelets, and other rare treasures.
These items were all sold for prices far exceeding their own worth, and the reason these people offered such high bids was twofold: first, to enhance their company’s image through the charity event.
Second, to network with the owners of the auction items, hence the extravagant bidding to win favor from the owners.