Tonight, Li Zhengzheng was taking Song Jin to a private auction. The attendees were either wealthy or influential, and there were even several famous directors from the entertainment industry. Li Zhengzheng hadn’t originally wanted to go, but thinking she might be able to help Song Jin secure more resources, she tricked her into coming under the pretext of “taking her to bid on a few pieces of jewelry to play with at home.”
Her taste in fashion was very similar to Song Jin’s; she loved wearing clothes that set her apart from the crowd.
Li Zhengzheng took out a seasonal haute couture piece she had prepared long ago from her walk-in closet, then forced Song Jin to change into a dress she had newly designed herself. Song Jin didn’t mind at all; in fact, she was happy to be spared the mental effort of choosing an outfit.
Today, Li Zhengzheng drove personally. She pulled a relatively low-profile black BMW 7 Series out of the garage, swapped her stilettos for flats before getting into the driver’s seat, and floored the accelerator, roaring out of the parking space. In no time, they reached their destination.
Song Jin yawned as she pushed open the car door and stepped out.
Minghu Manor was the domain of the wealthiest person in Qing City, covering a total area of about two thousand square meters. As soon as the two arrived, specialized staff came over to park Li Zhengzheng’s car in the garage.
Linking arms with Li Zhengzheng, Song Jin followed a waiter toward the exhibition hall. There were over a hundred auction items in total, but after browsing for a while, Song Jin realized she didn’t like a single one.
“They’re all quite ordinary…” Song Jin’s eyes moved disdainfully away from a sapphire necklace, thinking it looked no different from the one she had bought the year before last. She walked to another display, examining a malachite bracelet lying inside a glass case, and nodded. “This one is okay.”
Seeing Song Jin looking more and more intently, Li Zhengzheng, standing beside her, silently nudged her with her elbow and squeezed a sentence out through a forced smile: “Stop looking. At the three o’clock position, there are two major directors from the industry. Mommy’s going to take you over to introduce you.”
“Huh?” Song Jin was startled and instinctively looked in the direction Li Zhengzheng indicated. “Is that necessary, Mom? Didn’t we come here for the auction?”
“Look at what you’re saying. Can’t we make new friends while we’re at the auction?” Li Zhengzheng said disapprovingly. She pulled Song Jin’s hand and started walking toward the two directors who were deep in conversation. Unexpectedly, a woman in a business suit suddenly cut them off halfway, blocking their path with a flattering expression.
Li Zhengzheng moved to the left.
The woman stepped to the left.
Li Zhengzheng dodged to the right.
The woman stepped two paces to the right.
Seeing that she truly couldn’t avoid her, Li Zhengzheng pursed her lips and looked up at her. “Is there something you need?”
“Mrs. Song…” Seeing Li Zhengzheng roll her eyes, the woman immediately corrected herself smoothly, “Ms. Li.”
“Mm.” Li Zhengzheng had no expression, only responding with a single syllable. But the woman was not deterred by her coldness; instead, she took a gold-leaf business card from her pocket and handed it over. “Ms. Li, I have a project here that I’d like to discuss with you.”
Li Zhengzheng took the card, scanned it, and parted her red lips: “Forget it. I don’t understand business at all. If you have a need, go talk to Song Shaoyan.”
“You can’t say it like that. Our project is…”
Despite her unreliable appearance, her logic was actually quite clear. Li Zhengzheng was originally a bit resistant, but after hearing more, she actually grew interested. Seeing that the two had already started talking business back and forth, Song Jin glanced casually at the directors not far away and, with great situational awareness, decided to find somewhere else to hang out.
Almost all the exhibits in the hall were in glass cabinets, so there was no need to worry about them being damaged. Song Jin took a glass of champagne from a tray held by a waiter and began to appreciate the other jewelry on her own.
Her parents’ marriage was a business alliance. Both families were in the jewelry business, so their union was a powerhouse combination that benefited both clans.
It was just a pity for two people who didn’t love each other.
Li Zhengzheng hadn’t wanted to agree at first, but her mother promised her that after marriage, she would be set free to do what she wanted. Additionally, after a few meetings, she felt Song Shaoyan was actually a decent person, so she settled and agreed.
So, after getting married, Li Zhengzheng quickly opened her own studio. After giving birth to Song Jin and completing her “task,” she went alone to Qing City, where the garment industry was more developed, to build her career. Unless the occasion required it, she would not encounter Song Shaoyan.
Song Jin took a light sip of champagne, a hint of bitterness lingering between her teeth.
Sometimes she felt that Li Zhengzheng didn’t have it easy either.
She had money, but no freedom. As a living, breathing human being, she had to sacrifice her marital happiness just to pursue her dreams. Fortunately, she wasn’t interested in romance, and the man she married was a healthy, normal person; otherwise, who knows what kind of life she would have led.
Li Zhengzheng knew the taste of having no freedom, and because of that, she supported all of Song Jin’s choices. As long as it wasn’t anything illegal, she could do whatever she wanted.
When she wanted to learn piano, a piano appeared in the villa that very night, along with a top-tier teacher; when she wanted to learn equestrianism, Li Zhengzheng sent someone to take her to the stables the next day and even picked out a pure white foal for her. When she wanted to become an idol halfway through university, Li Zhengzheng agreed, enduring pressure from above to send her abroad. From then on, Song Jin began her life of half-“working,” half-studying.
Song Jin found a corner to lean against the wall. Seeing Li Zhengzheng smiling and exchanging WeChat contacts with someone, she guessed the deal was likely a success.
Her gaze swept carelessly elsewhere. There were many people around, and most were beautifully dressed noblewomen who were pleasing to the eye; even the men were dressed decently.
She looked down and took another sip of wine. When she happened to look up, she saw a graceful figure standing on the second floor.
Song Jin looked at her with some surprise, her eyes behind colored contacts narrowing into slits. Two words were on the tip of her tongue.
The familiar gradient dress of ochre and cyanwho could it be but Wen Yu?
Why was she here?
Was this the “great good thing”?
Song Jin downed the rest of her champagne in one go, placed the flute back on the tray, lifted her skirt, and headed up.
There were two sets of stairs leading to the second floor. Song Jin chose the left one so she would be seen by Wen Yu as soon as she appeared. However, whether it was because the two were talking too intently or something else, no one noticed her presence even after she had circled halfway around.
Song Jin was slightly displeased, so she just stood aside with her arms crossed, watching them.
She wanted to see just when these two would finally notice her.
The sounds of their conversation drifted into her ears through the surrounding noise. Although she couldn’t hear perfectly, she could still catch some information.
“I’m sorry, Director Su, please forgive my ignorance, but I don’t quite understand what you meant just now…” The smile on Wen Yu’s face was a bit forced, but she maintained her poise with good breeding.
“Little sister, we’re all adults, there’s no need to be shy.” Su Tianjiao threw her a flirtatious wink, her smile becoming increasingly playful.
Wen Yu understood her implication, and the smile on her face froze completely. But seeing her expressionless face, Su Tianjiao became even more energized.
Her eyes, framed by false eyelashes, swept ambiguously up and down Wen Yu, as if appraising a piece of merchandise waiting to be sold: “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong? Didn’t your company send you here because they wanted to discuss a partnership with me?”
“It is to discuss a partnership, but there’s no need to discuss it at a hotel.” These words were practically squeezed out through gritted teeth. Wen Yu’s lips were trembling; she was clearly incensed.
The company had previously only told her she was attending a private auction. It wasn’t until she was in the car that they notified her she was to get close to a certain group’s CEO.
When she heard the news, only one term flashed through Wen Yu’s mind.
Casting couch.
She was naturally unwilling, but her manager told her the other party had a good temper and was a woman, so she couldn’t do anything to her. After a long period of coercion and bribery, she was eventually persuaded.
Wen Yu met Su Tianjiao’s eyes, and the latter licked her lips provocatively.
Good temper?
Couldn’t do anything to her?
She took a deep breath and took a half-step back: “Sorry, CEO Su, I have something to attend to. I’ll be going now.”
“Hey, don’t be in such a hurry—”
Seeing the prey that had finally delivered itself to her door trying to run, Su Tianjiao reached out to grab her without a second thought. However, the moment she was about to touch her, her wrist was gripped tightly. Su Tianjiao raised her eyebrows in displeasure, her gaze following the porcelain-white arm upward. When she met the cold eyes of the newcomer, her brow relaxed slightly: “Little Song? What are you doing here?” As she spoke, she looked down at her reddened wrist and sneered, “What’s the meaning of this?”
Song Jin moved unobtrusively to stand in front of Wen Yu. Releasing the wrist, she answered with a non-sequitur: “Long time no see, Auntie Su. I’ll send my mother’s regards to you.”
“Good, good, good.” Su Tianjiao pulled her hand back and stepped to the right, wanting to continue her confrontation with Wen Yu. However, Song Jin moved over like a piece of chewing gum, unwilling to let her see even a strand of Wen Yu’s hair.
Su Tianjiao let out a breath and added: “Your friend?”
“Mm-hmm.” Song Jin squinted and gave a fake smile. “My best friend.”
“A best friend who only dates younger ‘puppy’ types.”
“Auntie Su, you wouldn’t try to force a twist, would you?”
In short: she doesn’t like older people, and she doesn’t like women.
“How could I—” Su Tianjiao caught the subtext and smiled along. “Your Auntie just wants to get to know some ‘younger friends’.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll introduce a few to you next time. I guarantee you’ll like them.” Song Jin looked completely sincere, as if she truly had her best interests at heart.
Su Tianjiao listened reluctantly, thinking to herself that she didn’t want others she wanted the one right here. She thought about bypassing Song Jin to continue talking to Wen Yu, but before she could move, Song Jin called out first: “Mom—my—!”
Su Tianjiao’s step faltered. Soon, Li Zhengzheng’s complaining voice came from behind: “What’s the matter with you, leaving your mother alone and running off?”
“Wasn’t it because I saw you having such a good time chatting Hey Mom! Look who’s here!” Song Jin physically turned Su Tianjiao around so Li Zhengzheng could see her face clearly.
A flash of disdain crossed Li Zhengzheng’s eyes, but seeing Song Jin frantically winking at her, she still managed to pull up a smile: “Oh, Old Su! Long time no see, long time no see. What are you doing here?” As she spoke, she took three steps in two to “reminisce” with her.
Seeing that Su Tianjiao wouldn’t be able to get away anytime soon, Song Jin immediately grabbed Wen Yu’s wrist and ran downstairs. Only after they turned a corner and Su Tianjiao was out of sight did Song Jin dare to let go of her hand.
The two walked side-by-side toward the exhibition hall. With no one chasing them, Song Jin’s pace wasn’t fast. She talked to herself: “Auntie Su is really something. How did she evolve to the point of being into both women and men after not seeing her for a few years…”
Song Jin prattled on about a lot of things, but Wen Yu couldn’t hear clearly and wasn’t in the mood to listen. As they walked, they ended up outside the manor gates. Seeing there was no one around, Wen Yu finally found her voice.
“Song Jin.”
“Huh?” Song Jin paused and looked at her, somewhat puzzled.
She said, “I don’t like younger ‘puppy’ types.”