The village beauty and me!

"How annoying, they all followed us."

"Chen Huan, what is it that you've taken a fancy to?" Liu Qian asked in a low voice, her brows furrowed slightly, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

They probably planned to lock onto the item and act quickly to seize it, preventing Li Meina and the others from having a chance to grab it.

"See that jade plate in the corner? In my opinion, it's the most exquisite jade artifact that has appeared so far," Chen Huan replied calmly.

Then he asked, "Can't I just hold that thing in my hand and say I want to buy it? I don't have to worry about anyone trying to steal it, right?"

Liu Qian still frowned. "It's not as simple as you think."

"If no one else is interested in that item at the same time, you can naturally buy it at its standard bottom price."

"But if someone wants to compete, then it's a highest bidder wins—an auction, you understand?"

Chen Huan seemed to understand something, "So this is how troublesome it is."

"That Li Meina will definitely not let this opportunity pass. With their sharp eyes, they should be able to discover the value of that jade plate very soon."

"Never mind anything else, just seize the initiative first."

"Anyway, the client is paying for this, so as long as we buy the right thing, the rest shouldn't be a problem," Liu Qian quickly explained.

Before they could finish speaking, the two of them had already reached the corner.

The palm-sized jade plate, which radiated a distinct precious light even from a distance, was now within reach.

Although its placement, shape, and appearance are not particularly outstanding.

However, Chen Huan was absolutely certain that this item was full of spiritual energy.

It is absolutely the best quality jade and jewelry present so far, without exception.

However, just to be on the safe side, he still reached out and touched it directly.

Sure enough, the rich spiritual energy inside made his cultivation technique become extremely excited, almost uncontrollable, like a cat smelling blood.

  

I almost actively absorbed that spiritual energy.

"He's the one."

"We'll take this jade plate," Chen Huan announced to a staff member not far away, while quickly withdrawing his hand.

He knew very well that once he absorbed the spiritual energy from the jade plate, the quality of the jade would be greatly reduced.

The staff members nearby cast surprised glances at them.

Because the jewelry and jade exhibition has only just officially started, most people haven't had a chance to appreciate all the exhibits yet.

No one else did what Chen Huan did: walk right over and announce that he wanted to buy the item.

It felt like they were rushing to a show and just bought one without thinking.

"What are you still standing there for?" Liu Qian urged from the side, frowning.

At this moment, Li Meina tried to squeeze through, wanting to get a closer look at the jade plate that the two of them had blocked with their bodies.

Under Chen Huan's astonished gaze, the staff member walked over in a few steps, took out a piece of velvet red cloth from his person, and gently covered the jade plate.

"As soon as someone mentions wanting to buy something, it will be immediately covered up. This is to prevent others from blindly following suit and raising prices," Liu Qian explained quietly from the side.

"I didn't know there were such rules. That's quite humane."

The two people acted and made decisions very quickly.

Therefore, neither Li Meina nor her men, who were following closely behind, had time to see the jade plate clearly; they only caught a fleeting glimpse of it.

According to Chen Huan, Li Meina and her group might not actually dare to follow and film them.

Sure enough, although they gathered around, they were all staring intently at Chen Huan and Liu Qian's expressions, unable to make up their minds for the moment.

"This jade plate has a starting price of 100,000 yuan. Are you two really interested?" the staff member said slowly from the side.

Liu Qian said calmly, "I just like jade plates. If no one else is bidding against them, I'll buy them."

The staff member immediately looked at Li Meina and her group.

With his experience, he could clearly sense that Li Meina might make a move.

However, after waiting for a while, Li Meina and the others were just discussing and exchanging opinions in hushed tones, without giving any clear expression.

"It seems they don't have the guts," Chen Huan said in a low voice.

But Liu Qian shook her head slightly, "It's not that easy."

Sure enough, just as the staff member looked disappointed and was about to tell Liu Qian that she could pay for the jade plate, Li Meina suddenly turned around and said, "I like this jade plate too."

The staff member immediately beamed with joy, "In that case, according to our rules, both parties can bid against each other."

"However, the next person was not allowed to view that exhibit at all during the entire visit."

Li Meina calmly replied, "No problem, I know the rules."

"I'll add another 100,000 to the base price."

"So what do you mean?" The staff member looked at Liu Qian with a smile.

He clearly hoped to sell the exhibit for a higher price, which was probably related to his own revenue share.

Liu Qian clenched her fists secretly. Although her expression didn't change, she was extremely angry inside.

Despite all precautions, Li Meina eventually gave in to her desires.

"I'll offer 300,000," Liu Qian said casually.

"Five hundred thousand." Li Meina said as she approached, her expression full of provocation and arrogance.

"I don't know what you're being arrogant about. You're not young anymore, and you're still just following others around like a dog. Whatever I buy, you buy too. You really have no creativity at all."

"You're so insecure about yourself," Liu Qian said, immediately launching into a sarcastic remark.

But Li Meina wasn't angry at all; instead, she laughed even more smugly. "So far, you still haven't figured out the rules of this world?"

What you see first isn't necessarily what you get. True strength is shown in the final moment of obtaining something, not just in words.

"I've heard you're quite good with words, and you've used that to please a lot of important people. Otherwise, with your temper and intelligence, you probably wouldn't have achieved what you have today."

Li Meina's words were even sharper and more cutting, bordering on vicious.

Chen Huan was somewhat worried that Liu Qian, who was never one to tolerate bad behavior, would lose her temper on the spot and might even tear her mouth apart.

But Liu Qian remained firmly in place, though a hint of anger was clearly visible on her face.

He gritted his teeth and coldly replied, "I don't know how a shameless person like you, who only knows how to spread rumors and slander, was able to enter this industry. I remember there used to be a bottom line to doing this job."

Li Meina took a half step forward, her eyes revealing an extremely cunning emotion.

Chen Huan could almost guess that the words she would say next would be even more vicious and sharp.

"Liu Qian, you're talking to me about bottom lines?"

"What right do you have to be treated like a breeding machine by a wealthy tycoon, having your child snatched away and discarded before you've even finished your postpartum confinement?"

Chen Huan watched as Liu Qian's face turned ashen and her chest began to heave violently.

"Oh no, this woman's going to explode!"