"Chuanbai..."
But when she saw Xu Qingqing and Xu An'an, her face instantly changed. "Chuanbai, why are you with them?"
"Anrou, Miss Xu is my special guest today," Lu Chuanbai introduced.
From Gu Anrou's eyes, Xu Qingqing could sense the strong hostility this woman had towards her.
It was really like sitting at home and having trouble fall from the sky. Jealousy could really distort a person's appearance.
"Hello, Miss Gu. My name is Xu Qingqing," Xu Qingqing said politely.
"Hello," Gu Anrou replied reluctantly. Then she walked over and grabbed Lu Chuanbai's sleeve, casually draping it over her arm. She raised her eyebrows and glanced at Xu Qingqing beside her.
Xu Qingqing found this scene boring. She had no interest in love affairs at the moment. All she hoped was that An'an and Yiyi would be safe and healthy.
But where on earth was Yiyi?
When the four of them walked into the auction, everyone's eyes were on them.
"Is that the eldest young master of the Lu family? He's here too. It seems he's after the blue - and - white porcelain vase."
"There are two women beside him. That little sister in black is so beautiful and has such good temperament..."
All the discussions around them reached their ears. Gu Anrou was so angry that she tightly clenched the hem of her dress.
...
When the auctioneer announced the start, the four of them walked to their seats. Of course, Xu An'an and Xu Qingqing sat together. Lu Chuanbai originally wanted to sit beside Xu Qingqing, but unexpectedly, Gu Anrou took the seat first.
"Anrou, sit over there," Lu Chuanbai pointed to the seat beside. To Gu Anrou's surprise.
Xu Qingqing was busy taking care of An'an and didn't bother to pay attention to them.
Although Gu Anrou was very reluctant, she had no choice but to move one seat to the side.
"Miss Xu, I see you're not very old, but you already have a five - year - old child. It's really unexpected," Gu Anrou said in a voice just loud enough for those around to hear.
How could Xu Qingqing not hear the mockery in her tone?
"Yes, auntie. Haven't you heard that the earlier you have a child, the better your body recovers? Now when Mommy and I walk on the street together, people think she's my sister," Xu An'an would never tolerate anyone bullying her mommy.
Hearing Xu An'an call her "auntie", Gu Anrou was so angry that she almost spat out a mouthful of blood. And saying that Xu Qingqing looked like her sister was clearly implying that she was old.
But she couldn't lose her temper. After all, she couldn't argue with a child.
Hearing her daughter's words, Xu Qingqing couldn't help but snicker. She secretly gave her a thumbs - up. Well done! Xu An'an also gave her a proud look in return.
"Miss Xu, I'm being a bit presumptuous, but since you love antiques so much, I assume your husband must be an expert too. But you're so young and beautiful. How could he be so relieved to let you come out alone? The people at this auction are a mixed bunch. Isn't he worried?"
Hehe, this woman was really full of hidden barbs in her words.
"Miss Gu, may I ask if you're an entertainment reporter? If not, I think you'd better just mind your own business and worry less about others. There are countless single women who play with antiques. Why does there have to be a man around? Your vision is rather shallow. What do you think, Mr. Lu?"
Xu Qingqing wasn't someone to be bullied. She retorted directly. He invited her here, but Gu Anrou had been rude to her all along, and this man had just sat there like a dead man, saying not a single word.
If it weren't for not wanting to go back empty - handed, she really would have just left.
"You..." Gu Anrou was about to say something else when Lu Chuanbai gave her a look that stopped her.
...
"Next is the long - awaited Yuan Dynasty blue - and - white porcelain vase. The starting price is 140 million yuan."
As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, the blue - and - white porcelain vase was brought up. There was a murmur in the venue. Everyone was stunned, including Xu Qingqing.
It was said that the blue - and - white porcelain of the Yuan Dynasty was the best, and it really lived up to its reputation.
Lu Chuanbai was sure that the vase was genuine, but to avoid a repeat of the previous fiasco, he still turned to Xu Qingqing beside him and asked, "What do you think of this blue - and - white porcelain vase, Miss Xu?"
"Judging from the patterns, it should be from the early Yuan Dynasty. It's worth collecting."
Xu Qingqing stared directly at the porcelain vase in the middle of the stage. She carefully read the information provided by the system and nodded slightly to herself.
If it weren't for Lu Chuanbai being there and the price being so... she would have wanted to bid for it.
Hearing Xu Qingqing's words, Lu Chuanbai finally felt relieved.
"240 million yuan..."
"300 million yuan..."
Good things were not afraid of high prices. Watching the people around raise their placards again and again, Xu Qingqing could only sigh that financial freedom was really great.
"500 million yuan..." Lu Chuanbai directly raised his placard and bid 200 million yuan more. For a moment, the venue fell silent.
As soon as everyone saw that it was Lu Chuanbai bidding, no one else raised their placards. Everyone knew how obsessed the old man of the Lu family was with antiques, so naturally no one dared to compete with him.
"500 million yuan once, 500 million yuan twice. Is there a higher price? 500 million yuan three times. Sold."
"However, the owner of this blue - and - white porcelain vase has another requirement. He hopes that the person who buys the vase can give an analysis of it. Besides money, there also needs to be a connection. Now, let's welcome Mr. Lu to the stage," the host said.
No one had expected this. Although everyone had only heard of the Yuan Dynasty blue - and - white porcelain and never dreamed of having the opportunity to collect it, Lu Chuanbai hadn't put much effort into blue - and - white porcelain usually. What could he say on stage? Wouldn't it just make a fool of himself?
"Sorry, I don't like to give explanations. My assistant will go on stage," Lu Chuanbai cast a pleading look at Xu Qingqing.
Xu Qingqing immediately understood the purpose of Lu Chuanbai inviting her here. For a moment, she really thought this man was kind - hearted enough to invite her to enjoy the auction, but she had forgotten his nature as a profit - seeking businessman.
But since she was here, she might as well help him to the end.
Xu Qingqing slowly stood up from her seat. Everyone's eyes were once again focused on her. Gu Anrou beside her gritted her teeth in anger but could only hold it in.
"She's so young. Does she know anything?"
"The Yuan Dynasty blue - and - white porcelain is precious and rare. How could a little girl like her know how to analyze it? But since she's with Lu Chuanbai, we might as well just listen to what she has to say."
Everyone was discussing disdainfully. In their eyes, experts must be old men wearing reading glasses. How could a young girl like Xu Qingqing understand?
"I'm sure all of you are seniors in the antique field. I'm going to make a fool of myself today," Xu Qingqing straightened her back.
"Go, Mommy! Mommy is the best..."
Xu Qingqing saw Xu An'an in the audience cheering for her without caring about others' gazes. She gave her a confident smile.