Chapter 201 - Chapter 201: Spending Money to Fight for Love
Chapter 201: Spending Money to Fight for Love
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Gu Ci chuckled and patted her head. Zhou Jinjin made an offer, and Gu Ci was determined to win. In the end, the price settled at 20 million euros, leaving the aristocrats who had underestimated them in shock.
These two seemed like they had wandered into the auction, dressed simply. Apart from that watch, Gu Ci’s entire attire was worth no more than 500 euros. Yet, they were now splurging at the auction, spending a total of 50 million euros.
50 million euros
Their deep pockets were undeniable.
“Who are they, really?” The aristocratic lady was both annoyed and puzzled. “Which wealthy family in China do they belong to?”
“I don’t know, never seen them before.”
“We attend all the major auctions in France, but they are new.”
“So young and extravagant; they must be the daughters of some tycoon.”
“They are truly audacious!”
Zhou Jinjin was genuinely enjoying herself, especially when she noticed the aristocrats at the neighboring table trying to maintain their composure despite their obvious anger. It made her even more pleased.
Pei Qiuying sipped her champagne, smiled, but remained silent. When Gu Ci raised her paddle to bid on an antique, Pei Qiuying competed with her. The two of them engaged in a bidding war that went all the way up to 40 million euros, far exceeding the actual value of the antique.
Gu Ci gracefully conceded defeat.
Pei Qiuying raised her glass, offering a distant toast, displaying both gentleness and grandeur, causing Gu Ci to avert her gaze.
Zhou Jinjin asked, “Do you like this antique?”
“I don’t.”
“Why did you bid for it then?”
“It’s fun,” Gu Ci chuckled lightly, calmly awaiting the auction of Sukru’s famous violin. The auction was intense, with fierce competition.
The ladies at the aristocratic table also sensed the tension but gleefully watched the drama unfold.
“She actually bid against Pei Qiuying. Does she even know who Pei Qiuying is?” The lady shook her head in disbelief. “She’s really asking for trouble.”
“She must have offended Pei Qiuying. We should get the popcorn ready first.”
“If she offends Pei Qiuying, can she walk out of this door alive?”
“They really have no idea of their place, daring to provoke anyone and everyone. Provoking us is one thing, but provoking Pei Qiuying? That’s courting disaster.”
“At an auction, who dares to offend Pei Qiuying? She truly doesn’t value her life.”
Gu Ci listened to their taunts and insults but remained silent. She was interested in a few items but not overly attached to them. She continued to bid.
However, everything she bid on ended up in Pei Qiuying’s possession, with each item surpassing its actual value when Pei Qiuying secured it.
The group of aristocrats believed that Gu Ci was digging her own grave by offending Pei Qiuying.
It seemed like she was deliberately driving up the prices for Pei Qiuying.
Pei Qiuying had already spent 200 million euros at the auction.
Zhou Jinjin sensitively noticed that Gu Ci was being targeted. “Is this woman crazy? She’s intentionally opposing you, bidding on everything you bid on. Does she have money to burn? Does she know you?”
“She’s a love rival” Gu Ci replied succinctly.
Zhou Jinjin turned to look at Pei Qiuying. “How old is she?”
“27.”
Zhou Jinjin showed a hint of disdain. “I don’t mind age differences, and I won’t deny that she’s quite beautiful. But if she has her eyes on our husband, I’ll have an issue. If I were Lu Zhiyuan, I’d definitely choose you; you’re more beautiful than her.”
She glanced at Gu Ci’s chest, then at Pei Qiuying and concluded, “We’re still young; our figures can still improve. Don’t worry.”
Gu Ci sighed inwardly, thinking, “Jinjin, you’re quite shallow!”
Perhaps it was the directness of Gu Ci’s gaze that prompted Zhou Jinjin to say, “Even us girls love looking at beautiful women. Men are even more shallow; who cares about your inner beauty?”
As they chatted, another item came up for auction.
It was Sukru’s famous violin.
Gu Ci’s heart raced. Zhou Jinjin said, “Don’t worry; I’ll help you bid!”
“No, I’ll do it myself!”
For Sukru’s famous violin, over 20 people were bidding. When it reached 20 million, Gu Ci placed a bid. Pei Qiuying had already bid, and she hadn’t moved since.
Pei Qiuying was a regular at auctions, known to many aristocrats, and recognized as a powerful figure. She had substantial wealth.
She and Gu Ci had been competing for items throughout the evening, and Gu Ci had been thoroughly defeated, failing to acquire a single item from her.
Even the most obtuse individuals could sense the tension, especially those who were experienced in auctions. When Gu Ci and Pei Qiuying placed their bids, there were hardly any others willing to join in.
No one wanted to compete with Pei Qiuying for what she desired.
The aristocratic ladies couldn’t believe that Gu Ci dared to raise the bid against Pei Qiuying. The way they looked at her, it was as if they considered her a dead person.
“It’s been three years since 1 last saw someone daring to raise the bid against Pei Qiuying.”
“The last time was that young lady from the Rong family who intentionally raised the bid against Pei Qiuying. She’s long gone now.”
“She’s asking for trouble!”
Gu Ci raised her paddle.
“22 million,” the auctioneer announced, and Pei Qiuying raised her paddle again.
The auctioneer continued, “23 million!”
Gu Ci kept raising her paddle, and Pei Qiuying smiled, engaging in a bidding war with her.
Zhou Jinjin checked the price of Sukru’s famous violin and saw that it had already exceeded its value. The two of them continued to bid until it reached 30 million. One of Pei Qiuying’s guards said, “Miss, it’s beyond its value.”
“What does it matter? Money can’t buy my happiness.” Pei Qiuying raised her paddle once again.
When it reached 35 million, Gu Ci no longer raised her paddle.
Pei Qiuying smiled and raised her glass to Gu Ci. Each time she took an item away from Gu Ci, she would raise her glass as a seemingly polite gesture, but it carried an underlying provocation. This time, however, it was different. Just as the auctioneer was about to hammer down the sale…
“36 million!” a man raised his paddle.
The auctioneer shouted, “36 million once, anyone else?”
Pei Qiuying looked displeased as she glanced at the man wearing sunglasses and a tailored suit sitting in the middle of the lower floor, not in a prominent position.
Who was this impudent person!
Pei Qiuying raised her paddle again, and the man continued to bid, taking it all the way up to 40 million euros. Her guard reminded her, “Miss, that’s enough. You’ve already spent 200 million euros.”
Pei Qiuying disliked violins, even loathed them, but she just couldn’t stand the thought of Gu Ci getting her hands on it. She snorted, “Fine, let that sucker have it!”
Buying a violin for 40 million euros was far beyond its actual value. In a normal auction, it would probably sell for around 25 million euros.
Sukru’s famous violin finally sold for 40 million euros, breaking the record for the highest price ever paid for a musical instrument in an auction. It was likely to remain unbeaten for decades.
After the auction, Pei Qiuying walked over, attracting the attention of the aristocratic ladies who were eagerly watching.
“These two newcomers are showing off with their money. Let’s see how Pei Qiuying teaches them a lesson.”
“Yes, they need to learn that Paris is not a place for them to be arrogant.”
Gu Ci watched as Pei Qiuying approached, remaining composed. Zhou Jinjin, however, didn’t share the same composure, thinking of Gu Ci as Pei Qiuying’s rival and displaying a united front against her.
“Miss Gu, what a coincidence to meet you at Sotheby’s. You had quite a successful day,” Pei Qiuying greeted Gu Ci warmly. However, all the items auctioned had ended up with Zhou Jinjin, not Gu Ci..