The Tycoon's Enchanted Mermaid-Chapter 149: Protecting the Calves

Chapter 149 -149: Protecting the Calves

“Great, Zhong Xiao’ai, no matter how many years you’ve been abroad, coming back you’re just as disgusting as before.”

Wang Qingyi slammed down her hand, holding back her anger to get some verbal jabs in, throwing caution to the wind, just to curse and vent her frustration.

People nearby had already taken notice of the situation here, and Shi Mingfang tried to pull Wang Qingyi away. However, the latter, stubborn as an ox, refused to swallow her pride and was dead-set on firing back.

The long-standing resentment between the two meant that neither was willing to take a step back.

Wang Qingyi was notoriously unreasonable and aggressive back in school. Zhong Xiao’ai wasn’t her type, but being in the same social circle, the two were inevitably at odds.

“You hate me, and I just happen to dislike you too. All you’ve got is the ability to talk. Now you’ve fallen so low that you’re acting in the entertainment industry for others’ amusement,” she said. “I really don’t know what you have to be proud of, Wang Qingyi. You don’t think you can outdo me, do you?”

Zhong Xiao’ai whispered in her ear, “Even if it’s an arranged marriage, my partner would be of a higher status than yours. The man you marry won’t necessarily be better than mine. Just wait and see if you don’t believe me.”

“You think everyone’s as down on their luck as your Zhong family? My family is doing just fine without any marriage alliance.”

The Wang family focused on the entertainment industry and was faring much better than the Zhong family, whose real estate bubble had burst repeatedly in recent years with many projects failing. Wang Qingyi didn’t know much about it but was aware of some, which she mentioned with her back stiffened in defiance.

“Everyone in Capital City knows your Zhong family is dying to climb up to the Qin Family, hoping they’ll clean up your mess and fill the hundreds of billions you’ve sunk into that quagmire. Sadly, even if I don’t succeed, you stand no chance.”

“You said the future will tell, well, let’s just wait and see who wins in the end.”

Zhong Xiao’ai clenched her fingers and her beautiful face lost all expression, while Wang Qingyi felt a surge of satisfaction and deliberately brushed past her shoulder with her high heels.

The sparks flying in the corner didn’t affect the others sitting on the sofas. Ah Da had finished her juice and polished off the desserts, utterly content, wiping her mouth with a napkin in her hands.

Tang Bufan joined in the fun, “Why just a little? Is that enough for you? There’s plenty more over there.”

Ah Da rolled her big eyes, glancing at him, both cute and haughty, “If you want to eat, go ahead. Why are you asking me?”

Tang Bufan stroked his chin, “What to do, it feels like you’re not only identical to Little Ade in looks but also in movements. Are human genes really that powerful?”

Ah Da’s heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously moved closer to Qin Yu, her pale fingers clutching his clothes.

Qin Yu placed a hand on her head and glanced protectively at Tang Bufan with a hint of coldness in his eyes, which scared the latter into quickly turning his head to forcibly start a conversation with Wei Lan.

“Oh man, when does the auction start? It’s almost 8:30, we’re not going to wait until the middle of the night, are we?”

Wei Lan lounged with his legs crossed, playing with his phone, dismissive, “What’s the rush? It’ll start once everything’s ready. Wanrong planned this auction to lure Third Young Master here. The real intent wasn’t in the wine; the good stuff is all yet to come.”

“What does that mean? Is there another purpose?” Tang Bufan leaned in, curious, “What kind of show?”

Wei Lan looked at him with disdain, “How would I know? Back off, is there not enough space there for you to sit?”

Having been snubbed repeatedly, Tang Bufan shook his head in resignation, patted his backside, and got ready to leave. He ruffled his hair, the room was filled with beauties, and chatting with them about life seemed much better than staying here.

Obviously, people around had been waiting for a while, and several came up to Tang Bufan the moment he walked over.

Men and women alike.

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Ah Da saw a familiar face, her rosy cheeks became tense, and she furrowed her brows. Qin Yu noticed her distress, and his long fingers rested on the back of her neck, asking,

“What’s wrong?”

The little girl’s round eyes first lifted to glance at him, then shifted toward the young man conversing with Tang Bufan not far away, her voice feeble, her expression slightly wounded.

“That man, when the incense burner was sold, he was there too. I remember his face. He often used to come over to chat and dine with the old master, and sometimes they would argue.”

Qin Yu looked over but had no recollection of the young man. Wei Lan spoke, “He is Dong Jikai’s grandson, his name is Dong Tianen. He’s a well-known second-rate dealer in our circles, known for scamming amateurs. He doesn’t have any genuine goods, but he sure can talk, and he’s ingratiated himself with quite a few people.”

Ah Da clenched her fists, “Everything the old master collected was genuine, but they sold it all.”

Qin Yu grabbed her hand, forcibly prying open her clenched fist. The little girl puffed her cheeks, visibly in the throes of annoyance.

Wei Lan continued.

“After Dong Jikai’s death, his belongings were stripped clean by his children, which has made many sigh in pity. While he was alive, his children weren’t close to him because of disputes over antiques, and after his death, they managed to retain nothing.”

Wei Lan expressed his sympathy, not knowing the exact relationship between Ah Da and Dong Jikai. But given the connection to the Green Jade Incense Burner, he could only speculate the relationship between her and Dong Jikai was profound.

It wasn’t surprising that the little girl, who had her own extensive collection of Xiling antiques, had some dealings with Master Dong.

“The family of the old master was not kind,” Ah Da said with a muffled voice, involuntarily recalling the past times.

Wei Lan looked at her, “After all, it’s the Dong Family’s private matter. As outsiders, it’s not our place to comment. It’s said that Dong Jikai died suddenly, without a will. Whether that’s true or not, who knows?”

Ah Da clutched Qin Yu’s sleeve, leaning on his shoulder, her face listless and her long eyelashes drooping.

She didn’t know what a will was, she only knew that when the old master suddenly passed away, she and the Bronze Sword were separated soon thereafter.

Everything happened too suddenly.

Qin Yu lifted her chin, unable to bear her dispirited look, and inquired, “You dislike him?”

Ah Da gently shook her head. Dislike wasn’t the word. When this man wasn’t arguing with the old master, he was quite agreeable, having accompanied the old master in chess and tea more often than anyone else.

He was one of the nicer ones among the old master’s relatives.

“I was just wondering where the old master was buried. I want to visit him with the Bronze Sword.”

Qin Yu pinched her cheek, his gaze soft, and said softly, “That’s simple. We can find out when we get back.”

The little girl’s eyes suddenly brightened up, and Qin Yu’s lips curled in a smile, his fingertips gently scratching her chin, “Happy now? Smile for me, and from now on, no more crying at the drop of a hat.”

“I’m not crying. You shouldn’t falsely accuse me.”

Ah Da swatted his hand away with mild annoyance, sitting up straighter, her mood changing swiftly.

Qin Yu chuckled softly, stretching his arm around her to pull her close. The little girl, mindful of their surroundings, didn’t struggle.

Sitting nearby, Wei Lan felt like he was being pelted with an onslaught of affection, torture for a single guy like him.

Ah Da’s earlier denial spared Dong Tianen a fate, for with just one word from Qin Yu, the future existence of the Dong Family in Capital City was uncertain.

At nine o’clock, the auction officially began. Qin Yu, holding Ah Da’s hand, entered first, taking seats in the front row.

The seats were arranged in a circular formation, with a stage in the middle covered with a red carpet where a woman in a black cheongsam slowly emerged, her beauty and poise striking, her snow-white hands folded across her midsection, and her bright red nails captivating the audience.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com