Chapter 89

Tonight's charity gala featured an auction, where several items donated by many prominent figures in Tianhai were auctioned off, with every cent of the proceeds going to charity.

"Now we have reached the most crucial part of the auction tonight. The first item up for auction is an emerald necklace. We have already had experts appraise its value, and it is worth at least 150,000 yuan on the market," said the male host, a man in his thirties, holding a microphone and speaking loudly from the stage at the front of the second-floor hall of the Yage Hotel.

A礼仪小姐 (etiquette lady) walked gracefully onto the stage with a tray covered in a red cloth. She placed the tray on the table in front of the male host and then walked off the stage.

The male host lifted the red cloth, revealing a high-quality emerald necklace to everyone below. Each person attending the charity gala tonight was wealthy and influential, and they could immediately tell that the host's words were true; the emerald necklace was worth the price he mentioned.

"The starting bid is 150,000 yuan. Those interested can start bidding," the male host on the stage said.

"150,000 yuan." Soon, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties bid, his plump figure and the nasty smile on his face suggesting he intended to buy the emerald necklace for his mistress.

However, the people attending the charity gala tonight were all extremely wealthy, and someone quickly bid 200,000 yuan.

The plump middle-aged man was not to be outdone and bid 250,000 yuan, but when someone bid 300,000 yuan, he immediately wilted, showing that he was not truly wealthy.

The auction price soared to 500,000 yuan before it stopped rising. Seeing no one else bidding, the male host asked, "Is there anyone willing to bid a higher price?"

"600,000 yuan." A young man in his mid-twenties bid 100,000 yuan more in one go. His name was Xie Pan'an, and his father was one of the richest businessmen in Tianhai. He often spent millions on cars, so a few hundred thousand yuan was nothing to him.

Xie Pan'an stood tall and proud, his eyes full of arrogance. Although there were many wealthy people present, the auction had just begun, and everyone knew the best items were auctioned last. Thus, they lost interest in competing with Xie Pan'an.

"Is there anyone willing to bid a higher price?" the male host asked again. Seeing no one else bid, he said, "600,000 yuan once, 600,000 yuan twice, 600,000 yuan three times, sold. The emerald necklace goes to Mr. Xie Pan'an."

The etiquette lady handed the emerald necklace to Xie Pan'an, who then turned his gaze to Bai Xueling, who was sitting in a corner nearby. Seeing Xie Pan'an's actions, the people present finally understood that he was trying to win the heart of the beautiful lady.

"Miss, my name is Xie Pan'an, and my father is a well-known wealthy businessman in Tianhai. This emerald necklace is a gift for you," Xie Pan'an said very gentlemanly as he approached Bai Xueling.

Bai Xueling was feeling very uncomfortable. Ye Chen had just proposed to dissolve their engagement, and her heart felt as if a heavy stone was blocking it.

Women are strange creatures. Wasn't this the result Bai Xueling had most wanted? Yet now that it had happened, she felt inexplicably unhappy.

Seeing that Bai Xueling was ignoring him and staring at Ye Chen, who was sitting nearby with his eyes closed, Xie Pan'an's face lost its composure. He raised his voice at Ye Chen and asked, "Did you make this lady angry? I order you to apologize to her immediately."

Ye Chen scratched his ear and slowly opened his eyes, asking indifferently, "Who are you?"

"My father is one of the top ten richest businessmen in Tianhai, and my name is Xie Pan'an," Xie Pan'an said confidently, looking down on Ye Chen.

"Who your father is has nothing to do with me. Even if your father were a prostitute, it wouldn't matter to me. Xie Pan'an? With your looks, you should change your name to Xie Wangba! That name suits your appearance better."

"Ha ha ha—" Bai Xueling, who had been in a bad mood, couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh at Ye Chen's words, making Xie Pan'an's face turn green with anger.

"Uncultured person, I don't know how someone like you managed to get in here. This is a charity gala. Don't you think you should do some good deeds?" Xie Pan'an, who knew most of the wealthy second-generation in Tianhai, had never seen Ye Chen before, so he instinctively thought Ye Chen was not wealthy.

Seeing the situation from a distance, Zhao Qihua quickly said to Fang Nanxiang, "Go see what trouble Chenfeng is in."

Ye Chen saw Fang Nanxiang walking towards him and shook his head slightly. Fang Nanxiang, understanding that Ye Chen wanted to handle it himself and knowing that Ye Chen was capable, did not go over.

Ye Chen stood up from his chair and said, "I do good deeds every year. Since I'm here at the gala tonight, I certainly won't come empty-handed." With that, he walked towards the stage.

"Doing good deeds every year!" Bai Xueling thought to herself, remembering that the former Ye Chen was a complete playboy who rarely did anything good.

The guests present were puzzled as they watched Ye Chen walk onto the stage on his own. At this moment, Xie Pan'an acted as the commentator: "This friend is going to donate a large sum of money at tonight's charity gala. I think the amount he mentioned must be at least a few million yuan, or he wouldn't have the nerve to go on stage!"

Xie Pan'an was trying to corner Ye Chen, but Ye Chen remained calm and composed, making Xie Pan'an doubt whether he was really wealthy.

As Ye Chen walked onto the stage, Zhao Wanting also came out of the restroom. Their eyes met, and both felt a bit awkward.

The male host politely asked Ye Chen, "Sir, in what form do you plan to donate? If you want to donate through the auction, you can just bid from the audience."

"No need. I plan to donate directly," Ye Chen said, pulling out a few red bills from his pocket, about 500 yuan, which was all the money he had on him. He usually didn't carry money when he went out.

"I will donate 500 yuan." His expression was so calm and composed, and Ye Chen did not feel at all embarrassed about what he was doing.

When Ye Chen said this, the wealthy businessmen in the audience were taken aback. The male host was stunned, unsure whether to accept the 500 yuan or not.