Chapter 64: No Participation Allowed

Several large cameras were set up near Meng Zexiao and his group, with reporters constantly holding up their cameras to take pictures. It was said that tonight's charity auction gala was being fully covered by television broadcasters, attracting both entertainment and financial journalists.

Through the camera lens, Kong Lingxin maintained a dignified and graceful smile. Only now did she realize that smiling could be such an exhausting task. Celebrities truly earned their hard-earned money; flashing a six-tooth smile at the lenses all day would give anyone facial cramps.

Then, the host stepped onto the stage again and announced, "Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to grandly introduce tonight's most heavyweight lot. This piece has been donated by Mr. Song Siyuan, the China President of the world-renowned King Group. I presume everyone has already noticed the introduction in the auction catalog. This emerald bead necklace is not only of priceless value due to its exceptional quality and color, but more importantly, it is an antique of immense collection value. When the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, they carried away numerous treasures, and this string of emerald beads was one of them. Having drifted overseas for so many years, it has finally been brought back to its homeland by Mr. Song Siyuan, an overseas Chinese!"

Following this introduction by the host, almost everyone present was captivated by the emerald bead necklace, and their interest in its former owner, Song Siyuan, grew accordingly.

Some people whispered among themselves, "The King Group's investment in China this time shows tremendous sincerity. I heard that not long ago, their China President, Song Siyuan, hosted a banquet for the political and business elites of B City at his own villa. Now, presenting such an expensive item at this charity auction has certainly captured everyone's attention."

"Indeed! I hear the King Group's business spans a vast range of fields, including real estate, hotels, import and export trade, and even mineral resource development."

"It's truly extraordinary. Rumor has it that the mastermind behind the King Group has Chinese ancestry."

"No way. If he had Chinese ancestry, why would he wait until now to invest in China? The King Group only shifted its investment focus to Asia in recent years, and China is the last market they entered in Asia. Therefore, I find the rumor about the King Group's boss having Chinese ancestry hard to believe."

Sitting there with nothing to do, Kong Lingxin listened to every word of the surrounding discussions without missing a beat. Naturally, Meng Zexiao did the same, as his father's earnest words earlier had forced him to heighten his vigilance toward the King Group.

While the Meng family maintained a low profile regarding negative news that frequently landed them on the entertainment headlines, the King Group did everything possible to generate news and make the front page of the financial sections.

The host continued, "Mr. Song Siyuan is not in the country today and therefore cannot be with us in person. He has entrusted his secretary, Miss Gu, to represent the King Group and deliver the emerald bead necklace to the venue."

In truth, the auction item had been delivered long ago; the host's announcement was merely a gesture to give the King Group an opportunity to show their face and grab the spotlight.

A woman in her thirties wearing gold-rimmed glasses stood up from the guest seating and walked toward the host. This was the Miss Gu mentioned by the host.

Tonight, Miss Gu wore a Chanel purple evening gown, adorned with a necklace featuring a purple crystal pendant and a matching crystal bracelet, exuding a sense of regal elegance without appearing ostentatious.

If a secretary serves as the face of her employer, then even though Song Siyuan was not present in person, he had already gained plenty of prestige.

Miss Gu accepted the microphone from the host, bowed slightly, and then said with a smile, "Thank you all for the applause! Although Mr. Song is not in the country, he has been following the success of tonight's auction through the internet. As everyone knows, tonight is a charity auction, and all proceeds raised will be donated entirely to impoverished children in the western region. Therefore, we also hope that this emerald bead necklace, which holds immense collection value, can fetch a high price."

Following enthusiastic applause and a continuous flurry of camera flashes, the auctioneer announced a starting price of five million for the emerald bead necklace, instantly pushing the atmosphere of the venue to a climax.

Many people focused their gaze on Meng Zexiao, because at the very beginning of the banquet, the fact that the Second Young Madam Meng had expressed her fondness for this emerald piece to her husband had already spread widely.

However, Meng Zexiao did not rush to raise his paddle at first. With others raising the bid in increments of five hundred thousand, the price quickly climbed to ten million.

Just as Meng Zexiao was about to make a move, his phone rang. He frowned, wondering who could possibly be calling at a moment like this. However, upon seeing the name displayed on the screen, his rebellious impulse vanished.

Meng Zexiao said respectfully, "Father, why are you looking for me?"

Meng Haoquan's voice traveled through the phone into Meng Zexiao's ear, "You must not bid on that emerald bead necklace! You are forbidden to participate!"

In a single, concise sentence, Meng Haoquan spoke with extraordinary weight, leaving no room for discussion.

Meng Zexiao was taken aback. Although he knew his father's character was such that once a decision was made, it would never change—especially given that he was calling at this crucial juncture—he had previously promised Kong Lingxin that he would secure it. With the situation suddenly taking a drastic turn, Meng Zexiao could not help but ask, "Father, why?"

Meng Haoquan replied with a stern and unquestionable tone, "Don't ask so many questions! Just do as I say!"

The hand holding the bidding paddle slowly lowered, and Meng Zexiao's expression turned extremely unsightly. Kong Lingxin roughly guessed the meaning behind Meng Haoquan's phone call.

Mindful that everyone present—guests and media alike—was focusing their attention on the two of them, Kong Lingxin quickly thought of a countermeasure. She said, "Darling, I suddenly remembered that I already have a string of emerald bead necklaces very similar to this one. Perhaps we shouldn't bid on this one after all. While you can never have too many good things, scarcity is what makes them truly precious. I've got my eye on the two pieces donated by the veteran artists later on. Can you win those for me instead?"

Meng Zexiao had not expected Kong Lingxin, who always opposed him at home and deliberately did the opposite of whatever displeased him, to be so understanding at this moment.

However, he had no extra energy left to puzzle over what kind of contradictory person Kong Lingxin really was. At the very least, her performance tonight made her a thoroughly qualified daughter-in-law of the Meng family.

Although Meng Zexiao had given up on the bidding, B City was not short of wealthy magnates who spent lavishly. While the couple was speaking, the price of the emerald bead necklace had already been driven up to twenty million.

After another round of fierce bidding, the price soared to twenty-five million! Looking at the bids being thrown around, Kong Lingxin couldn't help but marvel at how many wealthy people there were in the world. What concept was twenty-five million? If converted into one-hundred-yuan bills, it would probably fill her entire home in the small southern county to the brim.

"Twenty-five million going once!"

"Twenty-five million going twice!"

The auctioneer's resounding voice echoed in every corner of the venue, and everyone held their breath, waiting for the wooden mallet in his hand to fall and finalize the sale.