Chapter 59: He Didn’t Pay

Translator: _Min_

Zhou Ci, wrapped in a cloak of Song Ling’s icy aura, grew increasingly anxious. Upon their arrival at the box, he unveiled Master Cui Song’s artwork, “Moon”.

“This is Master Cui Song’s creation set to be auctioned,” Zhou Ci announced.

The frostiness radiating from Song Ling noticeably thawed at the sight of the painting. “Handing over an auction item to me in advance… is that permissible?”

With swift reassurance, Zhou Ci replied, “Don’t fret, it won’t cause any trouble. I’ve personally acquainted myself with the owner of this exhibition, and 1 managed to secure this painting from him beforehand. The auction for this piece has already been called off.”

Without further questioning, Song Ling simply accepted the painting and departed.

Watching as Song Ling disappeared from sight, Zhou Ci’s expression darkened.

He’d gone to great lengths to acquire the painting for Song Ling, with the hope that it could serve as a bridge to discuss potential cooperation between their two families. Yet, to his disappointment, Song Ling merely took the painting without so much as a thank you, let alone a discussion on reimbursement.

Following Su Ting’s departure, Gu Dai returned to her private box to anticipate Master Cui Song’s artwork.

To her surprise, however, the auction concluded without a hint of the promised painting.

She cross-checked the auction list, verifying that Master Cui Song’s work was indeed listed, before deciding to investigate backstage.

Upon spotting the auctioneer, she stopped him to inquire, “Excuse me, why wasn’t Master Cui Song’s painting put up for auction?”

The auctioneer instantly recognized Gu Dai. After all, it was she who had managed to sell an ordinary painting for an astounding tens of millions of yuan, providing him with a lucrative commission of up to a million.

Although somewhat uncomfortable discussing the matter, he discreetly revealed to Gu Dai, “Our boss’s friend had pre-ordered the painting, which is why it wasn’t on display.”

Although Gu Dai had already suspected something of this sort, hearing it confirmed made her brows furrow. However, she gathered her composure and continued, “Could you possibly tell me who this friend of your boss is?”

The auctioneer responded, “I’m sorry, miss, all I know is that the individual is a friend of our boss. I can’t tell you who exactly.”

Disappointed but not wanting to trouble the auctioneer further, Gu Dai nodded and excused herself.

Having failed to purchase Master Cui Song’s painting, Gu Dai planned to return to the exhibition hall to revisit the painting she had taken a liking to earlier.

Exiting the auction venue, Wang Lan and her group crossed paths with Gu Dai. Recollecting how she had conned them into spending 50 million yuan on a worthless painting, their rage reignited.

Marching up to Gu Dai, Song Yu sneered, “Despite all the masterpieces available, you zero in on the most mediocre one. You truly live up to your ‘country girl’ reputation!”

Typically, Gu Dai would brush off Song Yu’s snide remarks. But today was different; she was not in a mood to let it slide. “If my taste is indeed deplorable, why did you engage in a bidding war for a painting I was interested in at the auction, to the extent of paying 50 million yuan for it?”

Reminded of the vast sum they had forked out, Wang Lan’s expression twisted uncomfortably. Nonetheless, she stubbornly retorted, “1 simply have more money than I know what to do with, and I wanted to splurge a little!”

Unfazed, Gu Dai smiled, then replied sincerely, “Mrs. Song, 1 feel compelled to inform you that the boxes are not soundproof. Regrettably, I overheard your earlier conversation.”

Wang Lan was taken aback. She never imagined that her lies would be unveiled, especially by someone she looked down upon. Her fury escalated to the point where she was visibly shaking.

Observing Wang Lan’s state, Jiang Yue patted her on the back and interjected, “Even if Sister Song Yu and Auntie were a tad harsh, there’s no need for such comments, Gu Dai. They were merely stating the facts.”

At this point, Gu Dai realized how vastly different her world was from Jiang Yue’s. She couldn’t comprehend how anyone could utter such a brazen remark.

Gazing directly into Jiang Yue’s eyes, Gu Dai asked, “Are you suggesting that 1 should refrain from exposing lies and just endure their hostility in silence?”