"Madam Chen's kindness earns my admiration. On behalf of the children who cannot attend school, I thank you," Feng Qinian said, bowing to Madam Chen.
"Young Master Hu, there's no need to be polite. This is something I should do," Madam Chen replied.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Madam Chen has donated her pearl necklace, which comes from the far north and is worth a fortune. The auction will now begin, so please respond actively," Feng Qinian announced loudly.
Butler Qiu held the pearl necklace and walked around the dance floor for everyone to admire.
"I bid two thousand taels," Jiang Ming was the first to make an offer.
"I bid five thousand taels," Nie Han quickly followed with his bid.
"I bid twenty thousand taels." My voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
I raised my bidding paddle, successfully winning Madam Chen's pearl necklace at the high price of twenty thousand taels.
Everyone turned their gaze towards me.
Madam Chen looked at me in surprise, and I smiled and waved gently.
The attendant immediately understood and brought the box containing the necklace to Madam Chen.
Madam Chen accepted the necklace and smiled at me in front of everyone.
I stood up and walked over to Madam Chen. "Shall I help you put it on?"
Madam Chen looked at me and, after a moment, nodded with a smile.
I picked up the necklace and stood behind Madam Chen, carefully helping her put it on.
There was a faint fragrance about her, which became more pronounced as I drew closer.
I couldn't help but take a few more sniffs.
The scent was like a magical catalyst, stirring something within me.
Madam Chen seemed to sense something; she shifted uncomfortably, and it was then that I snapped back to reality, fastening the necklace before discreetly stepping back.
She touched the necklace around her neck and smiled at me, "Thank you, young master."
I smiled back without saying anything and turned to return to my seat.
The auction continued, but it was clear that everyone's thoughts were no longer on the bidding. They frequently glanced my way, their faces filled with shock and confusion.
I could understand their bewilderment.
After all, at this auction, I had first competed with Feng Qinian for the necklace, bidding twenty thousand taels to win it, only to give it to Madam Chen afterward.
In other words, I spent twenty thousand taels on a necklace just to give it away.
Such an act naturally seemed quite insane in the eyes of others.
Of course, some astute individuals appeared to see through my intentions; their gazes held a hint of admiration, and some even gave me a thumbs-up.
To that, I simply smiled in response.
The auction was coming to an end, and it was clear who the most generous person was.
I originally planned to spend five hundred thousand taels, but Feng Qinian went head-to-head with me, continuously competing for the bid, forcing me to spend an additional fifty thousand taels.
Five hundred fifty thousand taels is not a small amount.
However, I felt that the five hundred thousand taels spent were well worth it.
With the charity auction concluded, the much-anticipated ball finally began.
The so-called ball was actually just a night banquet hosted by Exotic at the open port.
Diplomats from various foreign nations gathered together, singing and dancing, reveling in joy.
For the people of Exotic, this was a rare grand event.
For the Haining People, it was also an irresistible temptation.
At this time, countless Haining People flocked to the residence of the Foreign Envoy to witness the spectacle.
This was no exception every year.
Comment 0 Comment Count