ALCSRB Chapter 36

At that moment, the host of the auction took the stage, and all the guests turned their attention to the front.

An introduction of the auction items began playing on the screen in the center.

Jiang Mingyi’s hand, resting on his knee, suddenly twitched. He reached his finger out to the left and lightly poked the firm muscle of a man’s thigh.

Shen Xingyan glanced down briefly at the slender, pale finger, then looked away again.

When he didn’t respond, Jiang Mingyi poked him a couple more times, subtly enough that no one noticed.

Until that restless hand was caught and held firmly in a larger one.

Jiang Mingyi turned slightly and softly mouthed something to him, his lips moving lightly under the sound of the host’s voice. But Shen Xingyan could still make out what he was saying.

Why are you holding my hand and not letting go?

Jiang Mingyi called him softly again, but when there was still no reaction, he bit his lip.

Their tightly clasped hands were pressed together, sharing warmth.

He looked around—Xie Zhuoyan was focused on the stage, and Du Zhihe behind them had finally quieted down.

So he leaned his head over.

But he leaned too forcefully—his forehead bumped right into Shen Xingyan’s shoulder, and his whole body leaned into the man.

“…”

Thankfully, at that moment, the first auction item appeared on stage, and the lights in the hall dimmed, leaving only the stage lit.

No one noticed their current position.

Jiang Mingyi was momentarily embarrassed. His long lashes fluttered. When he looked up again, he met a pair of eyes that remained striking even in the dark.

Deep-colored pupils, hard to read.

He instinctively lifted his head a bit higher to try and read the emotion in Shen Xingyan’s eyes. As the light on stage shifted and swept briefly over the audience, it illuminated Shen Xingyan’s sharp, handsome features—and Jiang Mingyi’s heart skipped a beat.

Shen Xingyan looked down. His black pupils reflected the boy’s hand pressed over his chest. For a moment, the stillness in his expression broke.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his grip shifting to half-embrace Jiang Mingyi.

Jiang Mingyi heard his voice in his ear, very close. So close that he could feel the warm breath brushing his ear.

His brain lagged a beat before he shook his head, eyes dropping. The light cast a faint shadow across his long lashes.

“Nothing.”

Beneath the stage, bidding had already begun.

Voices calling out prices rose in waves, drowning out Jiang Mingyi’s soft reply.

Shen Xingyan’s gaze lingered, brushing past the trembling eyelashes. He said in a low voice, “If you’re not feeling well, don’t push yourself. I’ll take you home.”

“I’m fine,” Jiang Mingyi replied, pulling his hand back and sitting up straight again.

The lights in the hall returned to full brightness. Around them, guests continued to raise their bidding paddles.

Seeing this, Shen Xingyan said nothing more.

Soon, several items had already been auctioned off. Since it was the Xie family’s charity gala, the guests were all generous with their bidding.

Jiang Mingyi sat quietly.

Then someone poked him in the back.

Du Zhihe snuck his head forward, just about to speak—only to be slapped back by Jiang Mingyi.

Jiang Mingyi glared at him. “Be quiet and watch the auction.”

After speaking, he turned his head back and sat upright.

Du Zhihe touched his cheek, his handsome face flushed with a lovestruck smile. Everything he wanted to say turned into mush after that moment of intimate contact.

Chairman Du, sitting nearby, saw his expression and shook his head with a sigh.

Xie Zhuoyan turned his head and asked Jiang Mingyi, “Xiao Yi, you were just looking at the auction catalog—did you see anything you like? If not, your big brother here can recommend some good items.”

Just as the auctioneer had finished with a rare item and a few minutes of silence followed, Xie Zhuoyan’s voice drew the attention of those around them.

Jiang Mingyi declined, “I’ve already picked something. Thank you, Brother Zhuoyan.”

Xie Zhuoyan raised an eyebrow. “Which one did you pick?” He knew exactly what was being auctioned at this event.

After a brief hesitation, Jiang Mingyi quietly told him, “I like a jade peace pendant.”

As he spoke to Xie Zhuoyan, his body leaned slightly toward him. From Shen Xingyan’s angle, it looked like their heads were almost touching—intimate and close.

Shen Xingyan’s dark eyes instantly darkened, and he pulled Jiang Mingyi back with one hand.

“Sit properly. Don’t whisper.” His voice was lower than before, and as he retracted his gaze, it briefly and coldly swept over Xie Zhuoyan.

That glance made Xie Zhuoyan shiver inexplicably.

“…” That look—it was the same cold stare he gave little Brother Du.

Xie Zhuoyan was confused for a second, and by the time he came back to his senses, Jiang Mingyi was already talking to Shen Xingyan, leaning against him.

In that moment, he suddenly felt like Shen Xingyan was… jealous?

A few items later, it was finally time for the jade peace pendant Jiang Mingyi had his eye on.

On stage, the host held the microphone with excitement in his voice. “Next up is a jade peace pendant provided by Mr. Lin. This piece has been passed down through Mr. Lin’s family for generations. It is said to have been a token of affection from one of his ancestors.”

An introduction to the jade pendant appeared on the screen.

From its appearance, both the outer and inner circles were round, giving an overall impression of smooth perfection.

Jiang Mingyi actually didn’t know much about jade. He simply liked this peace pendant the moment he saw it.

At this moment, he listened intently to the host’s explanation.

“As we all know, jade peace pendants symbolize safety, good health, and prosperity. Wearing one not only highlights the wearer’s refined and noble aura, but it also serves as a protective charm suitable for all ages.”

Among the guests, quite a few were already interested in the jade peace pendant.

The host was very pleased with the atmosphere in the room. “The starting bid is 800,000.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately raised their paddle to bid.

Shen Xingyan noticed Jiang Mingyi’s expression. “You like it?”

“Mm.” Jiang Mingyi’s eyes remained fixed on the screen.

From the back, Du Zhihe heard him say he liked it and immediately raised his paddle. “1.6 million.”

Jiang Mingyi was a bit surprised that he was interested too.

Du Zhihe quickly added, “Baby, since you like it, I’ll bid for it and give it to you.”

As he said this, his face even showed a bit of shyness. He clearly remembered that the host had just mentioned this jade pendant was once a token of affection passed down from Mr. Lin’s ancestors.

It was the perfect love token to give to his darling.

From now on, that jade pendant would be their love token.

Jiang Mingyi’s face darkened. “I like it, so I’ll bid on it myself.”

He raised his paddle. “2 million.”

“Whether I bid or you bid, it’s the same thing. What’s mine is yours, and yours is— Ow! Bro, why are you pulling me?”

Chairman Du looked awkwardly at Shen Xingyan. “Don’t mind this brat. He just spouts nonsense whenever he opens his mouth.”

If it weren’t for the inappropriate setting, Chairman Du really wanted to shut his brother up.

Xie Zhuoyan chuckled. “Little Du’s intentions are sweet, Chairman Du. Don’t be so hard on him.”

“Exactly, exactly,” Du Zhihe quickly nodded.

Other people continued to place their bids. The price of the jade pendant had now climbed to 2.5 million.

Du Zhihe immediately raised his paddle again. “2.6 million.”

The people around didn’t recognize him, but quite a few knew Chairman Du. With just a bit of whispered conversation, they figured out this young man was Chairman Du’s younger brother.

“Looks like Chairman Du’s brother is pretty close with the Shen and Xie families.”

“Are you blind? That kid clearly has special feelings for the one from the Shen family. Didn’t you see how close they were sitting earlier?”

“Young people these days, huh? Their way of chasing someone is totally different from our time.”

“Hahaha…”

Bits and pieces of murmured conversations reached Shen Xingyan’s ears, and his usually calm brow furrowed deeply.

Jiang Mingyi said irritably, “Stop bidding against me for the pendant.”

Du Zhihe beamed. “I’m not competing—I’m bidding for you.”

“….” Jiang Mingyi didn’t even know how to respond to that.

Pei Shiqing, seated several seats away, couldn’t hear their conversation clearly amid the noisy hall. But he remembered that Jiang Mingyi had previously mentioned liking this jade pendant.

Hearing him bidding now, he just thought, as expected.

Pei Mingyue looked down and asked, “You like this jade peace pendant?”

He moved his number paddle slightly.

Pei Shiqing quickly shook his head. “I don’t like it.” He definitely didn’t want his brother joining this bidding war.

Pei Mingyue lowered the paddle. “If there’s something you like, just tell me. I’ll get it for you.”

Pei Shiqing immediately smiled brightly. “Okay, thank you, Brother.”

While the brothers on this side were getting along harmoniously, on the other side, Shen Xingyan suddenly raised his paddle and spoke in a deep voice, “5 million.”

The host beamed even more brightly upon seeing the price reach 5 million. “5 million—any higher offers?”

The entire venue fell silent for a few seconds in response to that price, before the host quickly drew everyone’s attention back.

Jiang Mingyi was shocked by the amount. He turned abruptly and looked at the man beside him, who wore an unreadably calm expression.

“Bro, you’re bidding too?”
Ugh, he had finally found something he liked, and now everyone was trying to snatch it from him.

Jiang Mingyi could deal with Du Zhihe—he didn’t think he’d lose to him in a bidding war, he had plenty of money too.
But if it was Shen Xingyan… then it was a headache.
If his brother also liked the jade peace pendant, he wouldn’t feel right competing with him.

Shen Xingyan didn’t respond to Jiang Mingyi. Instead, he gave Du Zhihe a cold glance and said, “What’s a bidding war without some guts?”

Du Zhihe was instantly fired up by those words. “Big brother-in-law is right!” He raised his paddle high. “Six million!”

Chairman Du couldn’t take it anymore. He pulled his brother back into his seat, pouring cold water on him. “Do you even have that kind of money?”

“That’s what I have you for, right?” Du Zhihe grinned at him sheepishly.

Chairman Du replied flatly, “I don’t have any money.”

What a joke—even if he did have money, he couldn’t outbid Shen Xingyan. Only this foolish kid didn’t know his limits.

Du Zhihe: “…”

“Bro, you’re really treating your little brother like this?”

Chairman Du turned his head away and ignored him.

Shen Xingyan let out a cold snort. He had long arms, and when he raised his paddle, it was just as eye-catching in the venue. “Eight million.”

The rest of the bidders, who had still been making offers, immediately fell silent upon hearing that price.

Clearly, none of them wanted to go head-to-head with the Shen family’s crown prince over a jade pendant. Besides, eight million was already well beyond the pendant’s actual value—even considering it was a centuries-old antique.

Jiang Mingyi lowered his head. He probably didn’t have that much money at the moment.

Sob sob sob—

Du Zhihe also dropped his head. “Big brother-in-law, you don’t have to raise the price like that…”

“Do I need to raise the price?” Shen Xingyan turned his head and looked at him, his gaze indifferent. As his words fell, he lifted the bidding paddle once again.

The host and other guests were stunned.

Then the man casually said, “Let’s make it a round number—ten million.”

“……”

Is that what people mean by “rounding up” these days?

The entire auction hall fell into silence.

Jiang Mingyi was already staring wide-eyed, completely shocked by how casually his brother had just said that.

What was his brother doing?

Bidding against himself?