Chapter 200: Annoying, She’s a Professional

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

She turned to the wealthy young lady next to her and said, “Those who are probably here to broaden their horizons, dressed like this, I wouldn’t show up if I were them.”

“Truly… so tasteless.”

“These nouveau riche from China, they don’t understand art appreciation, they’re vulgar and lack discernment. Being with them only lowers my own taste.”

“Can you believe it? They don’t even have money in their pockets. They can’t even afford the lowest-priced artwork.”

Petty attitudes know no nationality; mean-spirited people can be found everywhere. Gu Ci and Zhou Jinjin were surrounded by a group of people, pointing fingers and making fun of them in a foreign land, isolated and defenseless, being mocked without restraint.

Zhou Jinjin, young and smooth-tongued, was an eighteen-year-old girl. After being subjected to such comments, she felt a mix of embarrassment and anger, wanting to retort but was held back by Gu Ci.

Zhou Jinjin’s face turned red with anger. “Don’t hold me back; 1’11 definitely give them a piece of my mind.”

Gu Ci remained composed and calm. “Jinjin, don’t be hasty. If there’s a grudge, we’ll settle it on the spot.”

The venue was warm, there was no need for down jackets. Both of them took them off and casually put them aside. They arrived early, looking at the auction items— all exquisite pieces, but quite expensive.

Several aristocrats chatted animatedly next to them, surrounding a noblewoman and showering her with compliments. Zhou Jinjin glanced over and saw the provocative look in the noblewoman’s eyes, along with the mockery.

Zhou Jinjin was infuriated. In this unfamiliar environment, she didn’t want to cause trouble, but she truly felt like striking back. Gu Ci lowered her head, flipping through the introduction to the items.

Gu Ci’s gaze fell on an oil painting, a masterpiece from the Middle Ages.

Grandfather Jiang had a deep fondness for paintings.

The items distracted Zhou Jinjin’s attention, and she excitedly grabbed Gu Ci’s arm. “Cici, look, a famous violin, the Stradivarius violin by Sukru, damn!”

A masterpiece crafted in 1816 by the Italian master Sukru, it had been purchased by a famous orchestra and played in countless classic pieces. Its front panel was made of high-altitude spruce, and its back was crafted from maple.

The wood grain was exquisite, and the dynamics were captivating. A famed violin, it was the dream instrument for every violinist.

A determined gleam appeared in Gu Ci’s eyes. “I want it!”

When Pei Qiuying appeared at the auction house, seated in the front row of VIP seats, Gu Ci knew that acquiring this violin might cost her everything. But she truly loved it—this violin was the gift that Lu Zhiyuan had given her in her past life.

So, it was auctioned in this year?

But at that time, wasn’t he still in a coma? How did he manage to acquire the violin and gift it to her later?

Pei Qiuying sat in the VIP seats on the second floor. When Gu Ci’s gaze turned her way, she raised a glass of champagne, nodded in greeting, and appeared calm and gentle. There seemed to be no ill intentions, as if their fierce confrontation on the cruise ship was merely a farce.

“Cici, what’s wrong with you?”

Gu Ci shook her head lightly. “It’s nothing.”

Leaning in towards Zhou Jinjin, she said a few words. Zhou Jinjin looked surprised. “Alright.”

Zhou Jinjin got up and asked a waiter about the location of the restroom, then followed the waiter to the restroom.

Gu Ci leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes calmly to rest. Pei Qiuying chuckled lightly while watching the young girl downstairs. She truly had no idea of the world’s complexity. Tonight, Pei Qiuying intended to show Gu Ci just how naive she was.

Inside the auction hall, Li Jiang hurriedly approached Lu Zhiyuan.

“Third Master, Pei Qiuying and Miss Gu Ci met at the auction,” Li Jiang furrowed his brows. “Miss Gu Ci spent the whole day shopping with Zhou Jinjin and decided to come to the auction at the last minute. Pei Qiuying’s people followed her all day, deliberately.”

Lu Zhiyuan took a towel and wiped his sweat, his gaze slightly darkening. “Tell Rong Li that I don’t want that violin anymore.”

Li Jiang hesitated. “Understood!”

After a moment of silence, Li Jiang wanted to say more but held back. Lu Zhiyuan glanced at him. “Have someone keep an eye on Gu Ci.”

“Understood!”

Inside the auction hall, the atmosphere was bustling. Zhou Jinjin returned from the restroom, sipped champagne, and shared a comment on it with Gu Ci. A silent understanding passed between them.

The auction began.

This was an art auction featuring exquisite treasures. The first item was a diamond. The wealthy lady next to them raised her paddle and engaged in a bidding war with others. The price soared to 8 million euros. She had significant financial resources. The auctioneer called out the price again, “8 million for the second time. Is there another bid?”

The wealthy lady displayed her delight. Gu Ci said, “Jinjin, raise your paddle.”

“Do you want it?”

Gu Ci smiled but remained silent. Zhou Jinjin raised her paddle, and the auctioneer gestured in her direction. “9 million!”

The wealthy lady looked at them, displeased and disdainful. She raised her paddle again. Zhou Jinjin glanced at Gu Ci, who said, “Secure it, regardless of the cost.”

“Alright!”

Excited, Zhou Jinjin raised her paddle. The wealthy lady raised hers too. Zhou Jinjin even gave her a challenging look. The bidding escalated to 15 million. The wealthy lady’s face turned extremely sour!

The auctioneer announced, “15 million once, 15 million twice…”

The wealthy lady seemed to want to raise her paddle but hesitated throughout. She lost to Zhou Jinjin. Angrily, she looked at Zhou Jinjin, who responded with an innocent smile.

It was infuriating; she was a professional!

Didn’t they look down on people from China? Didn’t they say we can’t even afford the cheapest artwork here? Let’s show them that we can afford what they desire. Do they feel frustrated now that what they wanted has fallen into our hands?

After turning away, Zhou Jinjin quipped to Gu Ci, “It’s so expensive. If you don’t like diamonds, why buy them?”

Gu Ci chuckled, “Do you like them?”

“Of course, who doesn’t like diamonds?”

“I’ll have someone make a crown out of them. When you get married, you can wear it as your wedding gift.”

Zhou Jinjin widened her eyes, gripping Gu Ci’s hand. “Cici, I’m part of the firm ‘No Marriage, No Child’ crew, but tonight, you’ve changed my beliefs. I’ll get married for your yellow diamond.”

Gu Ci was speechless.

In the subsequent auction items, Gu Ci wasn’t interested. However, whenever the others raised their paddles, she had Zhou Jinjin do the same, leaving the wealthy lady and her group of people fuming.

As Gu Ci said, when there’s a grudge, settle it on the spot.

They had been arrogant just a while ago, but now they were infuriated. Gu Ci used her financial prowess to thoroughly humiliate them.

Pei Qiuying observed from upstairs, finding it interesting. “Competitive and ambitious, this temperament…”

There was a hint of condescension in her tone, but Gu Ci didn’t mind at all. She did things according to her own desires and enjoyed herself.

Gu Ci wasn’t an art enthusiast, but the Jiang family had an almost fanatical obsession with art.

Antique paintings, collectibles—these were their passions!

Finally, the turn came for an oil painting. It was a masterpiece by a renowned Italian artist from the Middle Ages. This artist had six pieces in museums around the world. Only this one was available in the market. In today’s auction, several museum directors participated through phone bidding, and the competition was fierce. Zhou Jinjin didn’t quite understand art; she felt the painting looked old and couldn’t appreciate its beauty.

“I paint better than him,” Zhou Jinjin said confidently..

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