Chapter 19: Chapter 19 What is this situation?

Tian Xiangjun’s gentle eyes suddenly narrowed, “Let’s work together to keep your lovely wife then!”

“…”

Lu Zhaozhao had originally planned to try out Tian Xiangjun’s method when she returned home that evening, but Song Sinian had urgent work to handle last minute and went straight to the study upon arriving home.

She was left to “guard the empty room” once again.

What Lu Zhaozhao didn’t know was that Song Sinian went to the study to practice the “homework” assigned by Tian Xiangjun.

“Buzz buzz buzz…”

Her phone suddenly vibrated, displaying an unknown number.

[Zhaozhao, this is Xiao Jinglan. This is my number, you can contact me through this number if you need anything.]

Lu Zhaozhao raised her eyebrows slightly, a bit surprised that Xiao Jinglan would contact her in this manner.

Was it because she seemed too worthless to be utilized, so she was changing her approach now?

Just as Lu Zhaozhao was thinking about how to reply to Xiao Jinglan, another message came through.

[I asked someone to send you some things, they should be arriving soon. If you like them, you can keep them, these are just a little token of appreciation from Auntie.]

“???”

Lu Zhaozhao’s eyebrows instantly knotted; after hesitating for a moment, she typed out, “Thank you, Aunt.”

“Thud thud thud!”

Just as she put away her phone, the bedroom door was knocked on.

Soon after, Qian Hong came in holding a parcel-like object, “Madam, someone from the Song Mansion sent this over, insisting it be delivered directly into your hands.”

Remembering what Xiao Jinglan had just mentioned, Lu Zhaozhao reached out to take the parcel and began to unwrap it on the table.

What met her eyes was a box of DELI’s cubilose, a high-end nourishment she had also received from Xiao Jinglan in her previous life.

Back then, when she was in a poor emotional state, Xiao Jinglan would often send her this brand of cubilose.

Her brow furrowed, wondering if it was psychological, but she found herself disliking anything associated with Xiao Jinglan.

Just as she was about to wave Qian Hong to take it away, she suddenly remembered something.

In her previous life, even when she was constantly in a bad mood, her physically well-trained body was always in good shape.

But from some point on, her body grew weaker, and even climbing stairs left her sweating.

She once thought it was psychological wear and tear affecting her body, but now looking at the item in front of her… could it be related?

With that thought, Lu Zhaozhao’s eyes suddenly bent, and she plucked a can from the inside before saying to Qian Hong, “Aunt Qian, please put the rest in the kitchen. We must take good care of this, it’s from Lady Xiao.”

Upon hearing “Lady Xiao,” Qian Hong’s brow furrowed.

She hesitated for a moment, “Madam, you don’t have to pay much attention to Lady Xiao. The master has already spoken with the Song Mansion, and from now on, they won’t need to intervene in the affairs here.”

“Ah… okay.”

Lu Zhaozhao nodded lightly, sensing Qian Hong’s reluctance to speak further, which intrigued her more.

She always felt that since returning from Nanjing, Song Sinian had been acting a bit oddly.

It seemed she would need to have a good talk with him when time allowed.

The early autumn weather was already cool, and by morning, a light rain began to drizzle.

To protect the items, the auction house even turned on the air conditioning.

Lu Zhaozhao pulled the shawl on her shoulders closer into her embrace, admiring Qian Hong’s foresight.

She had never attended this auction before, but from the catalog, it seemed it was almost her turn.

Quickly, a new item was wheeled in behind the host.

“Next, we are going to auction off a piece by the emerging artist abyss.”

The host briefly introduced the artist’s background before announcing the starting price, “The bidding for this painting starts at 60,000. Each increment must be at least 10,000. Let us start the bidding now.”

Lu Zhaozhao didn’t even think before raising her paddle, “80,000.”

She knew that the painting would be sold for 100,000 eventually, so her bidding that amount should be fine, right?

At most, she would compete with the person buying the painting.

But what Lu Zhaozhao hadn’t expected was that no one else bid!

What was going on?

Soon, the host’s voice rang out again, “Any more bids? Last call…”

“90,000.” Suddenly, a clear and forceful voice came from the crowd.

Lu Zhaozhao’s gaze shifted, and she realized that the person was not far from her, close enough to see his features clearly.

His eyes were slender, the typical phoenix eyes, which looked exceptionally attractive on his well-defined face.

Noticing Lu Zhaozhao’s gaze, the man nodded at her, and she nodded back politely.

She had just worried that no one would bid against her, but now seeing her competition, she suddenly worried whether she could still take it home.

Thinking thus, Lu Zhaozhao raised her paddle again, “100,000.”

To her surprise, this time even the man who had bid against her didn’t follow up.

Thus, she successfully secured the painting for 100,000.

Things went smoother than she had expected.

“The next item is also by a newcomer, an ear cuff, designed by Mis.”

Feeling good, Lu Zhaozhao immediately noticed the image of the ear cuff displayed on the large screen.

It was a delicate, leaf-shaped metal piece, which caught her eye instantly.

She irrationally felt that this ear cuff would perfectly match Song Sinian’s ethereal and chill demeanor.

Without thinking much, she raised her paddle.

This ear cuff, too, was easily auctioned to her without any suspense.

The host chuckled and brought down the hammer, “It seems this lady really likes the works of these two new designers. Thank you for your support!”

He nodded at Lu Zhaozhao, then quickly moved on to auction other items.

Having secured what she wanted, Lu Zhaozhao relaxed significantly.

She flipped through the auction catalog casually, when suddenly, as if realizing something, she went through the entire list again.

It was only then she noticed something odd.

Most of the items at the auction were works by renowned artists, with the starting bid generally around 500,000.

Yet, amidst these famous names, there were two unknown new designers and artists, which explained the lack of interest during their auction.

People who came to this auction were all after famous names; who would care about two newcomers?

Lu Zhaozhao frowned, growing even more puzzled. Since both individuals were newcomers with no reputation to speak of, why were they included in this auction?

And that new artist…apparently, he was only 23. So young to have died early, it uncomfortably reminded her of herself in a past life, always an unsettling thought…