Chapter Sixteen: Brazen Provocation

In the crowd, within her line of sight, if it were not for him, she could disregard everything else—the focus would be hers alone. Yet, from the moment their eyes met, from the instant his elbow rested on the table, his slender fingers pressed to his lips, absentmindedly rubbing them with a look of scrutiny and amusement, his gaze fixed upon her, he had already declared the start of the game.

His long legs crossed elegantly, radiating an undeniable air of intimidation, utterly indifferent to the glances cast his way. In that moment, it was as if only she, illuminated on stage, existed in his world—she was his everything.

The seat he occupied made his identity clear; he was one of the organizers of this jewelry design competition. If her guess was correct, his name matched his presence—Shen Yanlie.

Below the stage, a sense of ease prevailed, while tension reigned above. The two atmospheres clashed; the designers secretly anxious, clutching their hopes, while the benefactors lounged leisurely, sipping their drinks and casually critiquing whether the beauties’ runway walks were up to standard.

The buyers cared only whether the designers’ creations pleased their eyes, never mind the deeper meaning behind them. They watched that brief minute on stage, indifferent to the decade of dedication behind each work.

The exhibition stretched on, designers taking turns ascending the stage to auction their pieces.

Mai Xijun could no longer remain calm—her nerves frayed, as if enduring a slow execution.

Some auctions succeeded, fetching high prices and bringing immense joy. Others failed, and the designers descended from the stage carrying the bitter fruit of their labor, dispirited. There was happiness and sorrow; the outcomes varied.

If Mai Xijun claimed not to care about the auction price of her own work, it would be a lie. This was a commercial stage, and the selling price would inevitably be a measure of the designer's skill. She squeezed her palm, steeling herself, gathered her skirt, and stepped onto the stage.

At that moment, Xue Lizan also walked forward from backstage, taking a seat by the runway. Under the dazzling lights, reporters took notes, and photographers captured the moments that moved them most.

Now, Mai Xijun stood quietly beside the notary. Sharing the stage for the auction was none other than He Jingjing. Mai Xijun had never imagined that coincidence could be so astonishing.

Clenching her lower lip, her thoughts scattered. She struggled to appear less dejected, feigned indifference to those bygone emotions, and lifted her eyes—only to meet that man's brazen provocation once more. Since her arrival on stage, his gaze had never left her.

She turned her head slightly, but only she knew how much she had diminished herself.

When one is rejected by the person they love most, betrayed by those closest to them, self-doubt inevitably follows, shutting the heart within its solitary chamber.

She was no exception, though outwardly she still seemed resilient, unbreakable.

"Three hundred thousand, once!"

The notary was now auctioning her creation. She struggled to stay composed, calming her emotions over and over in her heart, blinking to dispel the mist before her eyes.

Her piece lingered at three hundred thousand, while He Jingjing’s had already soared past eight hundred thousand, spurred on by a few wealthy heirs stirring up excitement. Yet on her side, time seemed frozen at midnight.

He Jingjing glanced over arrogantly, time slipping unnoticed through her fingers. In just a few seconds, if no one raised the bid, the notary would confirm the sale—and this time, she would once again lose in utter disgrace.