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Qin Tang was invited to view the auction items at the exhibition center in the afternoon.
Cao Yan saw her preparing to leave and approached her, “Miss Qin, are you going out?”
Qin Tang nodded, “Yes.”
Cao Yan smiled, “Shall I go out with you? You don’t mind, do you?”
Qin Tang looked at him. The last time she was kidnapped by Zhao Qianhe, Cao Yan saved her. Apart from her and Jiang Chuan at Yi Station, no one seemed to know he was a police officer. Qin Tang didn’t know what mission he was on, thought for a moment, then nodded.
Cao Yan drove while Qin Tang asked, “Are you and Jiang Chuan colleagues?”
The fact that Jiang Chuan had revoked his police status was a secret. Cao Yan didn’t know about Qin Tang’s relationship with Jiang Chuan, so he spoke cautiously, “We used to be.”
“Used to be?” Qin Tang didn’t quite understand.
“Yes, we’re not in the same team anymore,” Cao Yan said.
“Oh.”
Qin Tang didn’t ask further.
This was a private auction with no publicity or advertisements; everything was very discreet. The exhibition center was located in a villa in the suburbs. Several luxury cars worth millions were parked in the yard. Cao Yan drove the red jeep from Yi Station, which looked both shabby and conspicuous when parked among them.
The reception staff didn’t approach until Qin Tang got out of the car. Someone finally came over, apologizing, “Miss Qin, next time you come, you can call us to arrange for a hotel and a shuttle.”
Qin Tang looked at him, “No need.”
The person glanced at the worn-out car and then at Cao Yan, smiling as he asked, “And this gentleman is...?”
Qin Tang, “A friend of mine.”
The person, “Oh, oh... Please come in, both of you.”
Cao Yan casually walked behind Qin Tang, even changing how he addressed her, “Qin Tang, this place is pretty nice.”
Qin Tang rolled her eyes and smiled, “Not bad.”
She thought, what exactly does this Cao Yan want to do?
Cao Yan suddenly became more familiar in his attitude towards her. Despite having only met twice, Qin Tang tried to cooperate with him as they walked into the exhibition center. This auction was different from a charity auction.
It was a private auction with few but rare items, and the prices went without saying.
It was Qin Tang’s first time attending a private auction. Her father, however, was often invited and occasionally bought items he liked as gifts for her mother.
They passed through a spacious hall and headed towards the end of the corridor.
Security guards were stationed along the way, very cautious.
Qin Tang walked in, and the auction items placed in the center of the room were clearly visible—only five pieces in total, each with a hefty price tag.
Qin Tang wasn’t particularly interested in private auctions and had no intention of spending money on these things.
Cao Yan, on the other hand, seemed very interested, his eyes fixed on those items.
The sound of high heels approached, and Qin Tang caught a glimpse of a red skirt. Lu Sha had already walked up to her, “Interested?”
Qin Tang’s attendance at this auction was unexpected. Lu Sha stared at her, trying to discern something from her eyes. Having been an auctioneer for many years, she could often tell from a buyer’s eyes whether they intended to bid, and during the actual auction, she would guide them to push the price higher.
She was a woman, smooth in character and beautiful, and many men fell for her charm.
In recent years, Lu Sha had risen to prominence in the auction industry and gained some fame.
Qin Tang glanced at the jade bracelet inside the glass case and smiled, “That one looks pretty.”
Lu Sha stared at her for a few seconds and smiled, “It is pretty, but also expensive.”
She looked at Cao Yan with a probing gaze.
Qin Tang said, “He just gave me a ride here.”
Lu Sha, “I see.”
Qin Tang glanced at her, “You don’t need to entertain me.”
Lu Sha smiled, “Alright, we can consider ourselves acquaintances. I won’t stand on ceremony. If you need anything, feel free to find me.”
Qin Tang nodded.
Lu Sha turned around, her voice soft and sweet, “Mr. Kun, you’re here?”
Qin Tang instinctively turned her head. Lu Sha was greeting Jiang Kun, who had made a big purchase of a ten-million-yuan item at the An Yi auction last time. That evening, at the An Yi Foundation charity banquet, Jiang Kun had chatted happily with her parents.
Is he participating in this auction too?
Jiang Kun smiled, “Miss Lu Sha, we meet again.”
Lu Sha pursed her lips and smiled, charmingly, “Let me introduce you.”
Jiang Kun, “Then I’ll trouble Miss Lu Sha.”
Jiang Kun took two steps forward and also noticed Qin Tang. He didn’t seem surprised and smiled, “Miss Qin.”
Qin Tang smiled, “Mr. Jiang.”
Jiang Kun didn’t seem to have any intention of talking much with her. Lu Sha gestured for him to follow, and Jiang Kun moved towards a piece of jade.
Qin Tang glanced at Cao Yan, whose gaze inadvertently brushed past Jiang Kun and Lu Sha.
She said, “Let’s go.”
Cao Yan looked back at her, “Alright.”
The two left the exhibition center, and the person who had greeted them earlier escorted them to their car.
Cao Yan chatted casually while driving, “Have you met Jiang Kun before?”
Qin Tang, “I’ve seen him once in Beijing.”
Cao Yan understood and didn’t ask further.
By the time they returned to Yi Station, it was already evening. Jiang Chuan and Lü An hadn’t returned yet.
Qin Tang remembered the things still in her suitcase, went upstairs, and soon brought down several small boxes, distributing them to everyone. These were souvenirs from the last An Yi Foundation auction. She had brought ten sets.
The souvenirs weren’t anything particularly valuable, just keepsakes.
Everyone was delighted to receive the gifts. Xiaobai was especially pleased, smiling and saying, “Sister Qin Tang, you’re so nice to bring us presents.”
Qin Tang smiled.
Just then, Jiang Chuan and Lü An returned.
Lü An saw that everyone was holding a delicate little gift box and curiously approached, “What’s this good stuff? Is there one for me?”
Qin Tang still had two boxes left in her hand. She handed one to Lü An, “A souvenir.”
She completely ignored Jiang Chuan standing there, a big figure.
Xiaocheng said, “Brother Jiang doesn’t have one either.”
Qin Tang looked at Jiang Chuan, tightened her lips, and remained silent.
She didn’t offer the last remaining gift box in her hand.
Jiang Chuan stood rooted to the spot, his brow slightly furrowed.
The atmosphere became somewhat strange. Xiaocheng scratched his head, “Ah, I forgot. Brother Jiang just returned from Beijing last month. Sister Qin Tang must have already given him a souvenir.”
“No,” Jiang Chuan looked at Qin Tang, “She hasn’t given me one.”
Xiaocheng made a sound of surprise, not knowing what to say.
The younger ones were stunned, their eyes shifting between them. Qin Tang still didn’t give away the last souvenir in her hand.
The atmosphere grew even more awkward.
Lü An suppressed a laugh and turned to smoke in the yard.
Qin Tang casually walked into the living room and said, “Aqi, where are the fruits we bought this morning?”
Aqi quickly stood up, “In the fridge, I’ll go get them. What do you want to eat?”
“Dragon fruit and grapes.”
“Alright.”
Aqi pulled Xiaobai along, and the two went into the kitchen to wash the fruits.
Qin Tang sat on the small sofa in the living room, fiddling with her camera. The small gift box was placed beside her.
Jiang Chuan stood outside the door, his face somewhat dark. Cao Yan came back from the restroom and noticed the unusual atmosphere. He saw the small gift box in Xiaocheng’s hand and two identical boxes on the nearby chair. He asked, “What’s this?”
Xiaocheng said, “It’s a gift from Sister Qin Tang, one for each person.”
Cao Yan raised an eyebrow, “Is that so?”
Xiaocheng pulled out a box from behind him, “Here, this is for you from Sister Qin Tang.”
Cao Yan smiled as he accepted it.
Jiang Chuan turned and walked back into the yard, asking Lü An for a cigarette.
Cao Yan looked at Jiang Chuan, “Why doesn’t he have one?”
Xiaocheng quickly signaled with his eyes and lowered his voice, “Shh, I don’t know... Sister Qin Tang isn’t happy giving it to him...”
Cao Yan became interested and sat down on the nearby chair, “Why isn’t she happy?”
Xiaocheng thought for a moment and said, “Sister Qin Tang seems to dislike Brother Jiang a bit.”
Cao Yan raised an eyebrow, “Really?”
Xiaocheng, “Anyway, Sister Qin Tang is gentler with us than with Brother Jiang.”
Cao Yan hadn’t noticed before but observed more during dinner. Slowly, he realized that Qin Tang could smile at anyone except Jiang Chuan.
After dinner, Qin Tang went upstairs.
Jiang Chuan glanced and followed her.
At the stair corner, out of sight of others, Jiang Chuan grabbed her wrist. Qin Tang twisted her hand trying to break free and turned to glare at him. Jiang Chuan pinned her against the wall and looked down at her, “Are you angry?”
Qin Tang looked up, her eyes cold with a hint of sadness.
Jiang Chuan paused for a few seconds, about to speak when Qin Tang’s phone rang.
After a while, Jiang Chuan let go of her and stepped back.
Qin Tang glared at him, puffed up with anger, and turned to go upstairs, pulling out her phone. It was Zhou Qi calling.
She stood by the second-floor railing to answer the call, her voice gentle, “What is it?”
Jiang Chuan stood still, playing with a cigarette in his hand, listening to her soft voice and staring intently at her back.
A few minutes later, the sound of high heels was heard.
Here, besides Qin Tang, only Lu Sha would wear high heels.
Jiang Chuan lit a cigarette and turned to look. Lu Sha looked up at him, her red lips smiling, “What are you doing here?”
Jiang Chuan exhaled a puff of smoke, “Nothing.”
On the second-floor corridor, Qin Tang had already turned around, her phone pressed to her ear, looking at him indifferently.
Jiang Chuan held the smoke deep in his chest, stared at her for a few seconds, and turned to go downstairs.
Lu Sha’s eyes cooled slightly, she retracted her smile, took two steps forward, and met Qin Tang’s gaze. She lightly raised an eyebrow, smiled faintly, and gracefully stepped onto the stairs.
Qin Tang faintly curved the corner of her mouth and turned back. She couldn’t hear what Zhou Qi was saying clearly; her mind was somewhat confused, wandering in thoughts. She wondered if anything had happened between Lu Sha and Jiang Chuan during this time.
Lu Sha watched her back, smirking sarcastically.
Jiang Chuan walked back into the yard. Cao Yan squatted under a tree smoking, his eyes fixed on the second-floor corridor.
Lu Sha had already gone back to her room. Qin Tang was still standing there talking on the phone. The night breeze swayed gently. From afar, it was hard to hear what she was saying, only her soft voice drifted lightly into the ears.
Cao Yan tilted his chin, “What did you do to upset her?”
Jiang Chuan, “What?”
Cao Yan chuckled, “I see that Qin Tang is quite friendly with everyone, but she has a cold face towards you. Did you bully her or something?”
Jiang Chuan smoked, recalling her red-eyed pleading expression last night, her soft body, and that wet, tight sensation that haunted his soul. He tightened his lips and licked his front teeth, feeling his kidney heat up. After a while, he slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, his voice low, “It was pretty lewd.”
Cao Yan kicked him, “Tell me, how did you meet her when you were young?”
“She went with her parents to do charity work and visited my hometown.”
He explained it in two sentences.
“Tsk.” Cao Yan found it curious, “Your connection runs deep. But just because of that kiss when you were young?”
“Mm, she holds grudges.”
“Tsk.”
Jiang Chuan looked up. Qin Tang had already put away her phone, lit a cigarette, and let her right hand hang on the railing. The Gesang flower swayed gently with the spark.
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