Closer to Revealing My True Self
Chapter 681 - 440: Misunderstanding?_1

Chapter 681: Chapter 440: Misunderstanding?_1

Hearing Feng Chi bid, Feng Yi smiled with satisfaction.

They had teamed up to act in plays during their student days at the Feng Family and had fooled so many people. Being able to partner up under everyone’s noses for so many years, the cousins indeed shared an understanding.

He regretted saying two and a half million the moment it left his mouth; the number sounded a touch awkward.

He hadn’t thought much about it when he spoke and blurted it out casually. He figured others would quickly surpass that bid without giving it much thought.

Unexpectedly, there was a sudden silence.

Fortunately, Feng Chi had just picked up the slack on his end.

"Three million,"

Feng Yi called out.

It wasn’t specifically to drive the price down; the situation was just too awkward. Everyone knew Feng Chi was on his side, and a slight boost would do—no need to overdo it. He could casually bid on another item later.

In the end, Feng Yi won the black diamond for three million, far less than the Feng Family’s expectation of over ten million.

Some in the audience couldn’t help but show a smirk, but Wang Xuqin, who continued to host the auction, was still flawless in his demeanor.

Soon, the metaphorical smoke of battle returned. The atmosphere was completely different from before, with both genuine bidders and those there just for fun resuming the intense pace, relentless and vigorous as if after a halftime break.

This was the normal vibe of a Ming Yao event.

That previous moment of calm and quiet was like a distorted scene in a painting.

Mr. Gong and Ms. Yin set their sights on a piece of jade and became hot-headed partners, fiercely bidding and winning that fine piece of jade.

The auction hall brimmed with "smoke" as the atmosphere heated up—there was teasing, shouting, and even some rolling up their sleeves ready to fight, no longer caring about decorum.

As a member of the onlooking crowd, Feng Yi certainly gained insights and had a rough idea of how high these people would bid when they got going.

Picking up the auction catalog, he flipped through it again and set his sights on a painting.

This painting was jointly created by several students funded by Ming Yao, a charitable piece with no commercial intent. Although it couldn’t compare to the jewels and diamonds, Wang Xuqin also announced a starting bid of over a hundred thousand for it.

Feng Yi joined in the bidding, but this time there was no silence like with the black diamond. Many guests who hadn’t yet made a purchase were eyeing this painting, all wanting to snap up a deal.

In the end, Feng Yi got the painting for five million.

At this point, Wang Xuqin announced, "Actually, there’s a little surprise here."

As he spoke, he had someone bring over another frame.

The painting wasn’t large, about the size of a ten-inch tablet.

Wang Xuqin explained, "This is a gift from one of the artists of the painting we just auctioned. It’s a drawing from his childhood based on legends told by the elders in his family..."

It was a single-color pencil sketch; the strokes were clearly immature, and it seemed to depict monsters and villagers from the elders’ stories.

The bonus item was not listed in the auction display catalog.

Looking at the drawing, Feng Yi blinked.

So there are these little surprises I didn’t even know about!

The "monster" in the painting wasn’t depicted with a snake’s tail, but it had sharp fangs and claws, with scales covering parts of its body.

Feng Yi strongly suspected that this was a scene of one of his ancestors teasing the villagers.

Ah, it’s worth researching.

If this drawing had been in the auction catalog, he would’ve had his eye on it sooner. But this was fine, too.

A guest joked, "Yo, buy one, get one free. Feng Yi is in luck!"

Feng Yi nodded, "Indeed, the luck’s not bad."

Other people didn’t think much of it, buying one and getting a few free seemed trivial, but they didn’t know that Feng Yi actually quite liked this childish painting. He decided to study it later with the attitude of an archaeologist—

Seeking to understand my ancestors who often revealed themselves through folktales.

Feng Yi spent another five million, and everyone understood it was compensation for the black diamond auction earlier.

The three million for the black diamond was too little for this setting. "Ming Yao Auction" wasn’t a true commercial auction; talking about "picking up bargains" wasn’t presentable.

By the time all items had been auctioned off, it was past midnight.

The guests had all participated, and Feng Chi had spent seven million here.

Wang Xuqin stood on stage to conclude the auction:

"... Blossoming dreams, sending love for miles, our ’Ming Yao’ supports those in need to achieve their dreams, be it students struggling with their education or talented individuals facing difficult conditions..."

"I sincerely thank everyone for participating in Ming Yao’s fundraising event!"

As Wang Xuqin finished speaking, the guests responded:

"Brother Xu, you’re being too modest!"

"Glad to be of help!"

During the exchange, a wave of warm applause erupted.

However, beneath Wang Xuqin’s perfect smile on the stage, there was a hint of subtlety.

He had a feeling that not much of the clapping conveyed real agreement; rather, it sounded like... the sound of a slap in the face.

They surely enjoyed the show when Feng Yi bid for the black diamond? They must all have been laughing secretly?

Oh, quite a few laughed out loud.

This crowd, they’re all no good!

One Feng Chi, one Feng Yi; Wang Xuqin always felt a discordance with these two surnamed Feng. Whether or not to invite them next year and how to do it required serious consideration.

As for Feng Chi... Letting guests warm up the crowd is a big no-no; it’s too easy for them to turn the tables!

The auction concluded, and the guests were free to do as they pleased. Feng Yi declined their invitations to nighttime activities and returned to his room with the items he had won that day.

Setting the painting aside, he took a careful look at the black diamond.

It was responsive to energy matter, but not the same as those diamonds grinded by his ancestors.

Moreover, it wasn’t just a surface reaction. Further research was needed.

He was eager to conduct research, but this was not a suitable place for it.

It was inconvenient in the city, too, as making any noise could easily attract unwanted attention. Moreover, there were already many people paying attention to him at this time, so it was better to find a quiet place to delve into his research without worry.

An island would be nice.

In passing, he could visit Xin and let Xin meet the new colleague.

As he made plans, Feng Yi carefully put away the black diamond and then picked up the childishly drawn picture to "excavate".

The next day, the yacht carrying guests set sail back home.

Upon disembarking, many guests were listless, the result of partying all night.

Back at the hotel, aside from those who went back to their rooms to catch up on sleep, the other guests began to depart one by one.

Feng Yi and Feng Chi went downstairs together.

"You can drive the sports car straight back. I have other arrangements for the next few days, and our schedules might not sync up," Feng Yi said.

"Sure thing! Hehehe, I’ve been craving for it!"

Feng Chi had his assistant drive his own car back, while he took the wheel of Feng Yi’s supercar.

Though he didn’t have Feng Yi’s smartwatch, the "one-person" central control terminal, some features were out of reach, but it was enough to satisfy his curiosity and cravings.

"Which car will you take?" Feng Chi asked.

"There’s a business car," Feng Yi replied.

Jia had already driven the car over.

"Oh. Wait, I still have stuff to take from my car," Feng Yi opened the door of the sports car and bent over to search inside.

Not far away, another group emerged from the elevator.

Jin Li was talking to someone when he saw what was happening on Feng Yi’s side. He excused himself to "make a phone call", then stepped aside, pretending to be on his phone, but his attention was on Feng Yi.

The door of Feng Yi’s sports car was open, and Jin Li could see Feng Yi’s actions inside.

It looked like he was searching in a hidden compartment.

Looking at Feng Chi’s reaction, Jin Li could guess the situation. If the car was being lent out, surely its contents would be cleared out, right?

What exactly was it?

While speculating, Feng Yi took several sealed bags with spouts from the car.

"What’s this?" Feng Chi asked, curious.

"Brain-boosting packs. Writing supplementary material is draining on the brain; need to replenish. Here, have two bags," Feng Yi responded.

Feeling Jin Li’s overly inquisitive gaze, Feng Yi looked his way.

Jin Li returned the gaze with an awkward yet polite smile.

He thought he must’ve misunderstood Feng Yi.

Just about to leave, Jin Li saw Feng Yi approach a black business car that had been driven up, a vehicle that looked extremely solid and stable.

Jin Li had once studied this type of modification and could immediately spot certain details worthy of deeper investigation.

Isn’t the security level of this car too high?

Does Feng Yi really need a car with this level of protection?

As he pondered, Jin Li saw a burly and strong man, looking like a bear, step out of the car with a sharp and fearsome demeanor.

Jin Li felt a pull.

Was this man also Feng Yi’s bodyguard?

He hadn’t seen him before, but it was clear the man was very familiar with the other people who usually accompanied Feng Yi, likely from working together for a long time.

Maybe this man was the hidden force behind the scenes?

No wonder people say the toughest guys are underwater and not easily seen.

But Jin Li’s eyes didn’t linger on the muscular man, but rather on the strange case he was carrying on his back.

Jin Li watched as the professionally dubious strongman, with the case on his back, walked to the back of the car and carefully placed the long case in the trunk.

This scene made Jin Li have some unpleasant associations. He couldn’t help thinking that there must be some kind of powerful weapon inside.

Had he really misunderstood Feng Yi?

Or was it possible he hadn’t misunderstood at all?

Jin Li brainstormed all the possibilities.

In the car, on Feng Yi’s side...

"Why is Bing here?" Feng Yi inquired.

Having secured the case, Bing got back into the car, and upon hearing Feng Yi’s question, he said:

"I was picking up some newly customized kitchen tools today and happened to pass by. When I heard from Jia that your yacht was about to arrive, I came to pick you up for the return journey," Bing explained before handing over some cold snacks.

The vehicle slowly left the parking garage, and as the windows were not fully closed, Feng Yi could still hear the boisterous conversations of a few guests.

Looking over, it seemed like a friend had come to find the guest.

Unable to attend the Mingyao event, the friend’s words carried a hint of jealousy.

The guest, on the other hand, nonchalantly draped an arm over his friend’s shoulder and said:

"You missed out big time! Hahaha, this Mingyao event was so much fun, so many laughs!"

Those who had not received an invitation now set aside their jealousy and crowded closer, like a curious monkey in a melon field:

"Tell us everything!"

Feng Yi closed the car window.

If I can’t hear it, then it’s not about me.