Chapter 47: The Small Auction

People gradually returned from the self-service hall and took their seats inside. On stage, the auction items were arranged neatly in rows on either side, with the auction podium in the center.

The auctioneer stepped up and addressed the crowd: “Let me make it clear to everyone that all proceeds from today’s auction will be deposited into the foundation to support children suffering from serious illnesses. We hope all of you in the industry will participate enthusiastically.”

“Now, let’s officially begin the auction!” With a commanding voice, the auctioneer signaled the start.

A hostess came on stage to unveil the first auction item.

Lin Xi gazed around curiously and asked Lu Yuxiu, “Are these really all handmade by the children?”

“Of course,” Lu Yuxiu nodded, giving her a definite answer.

“This is truly the most unique auction I’ve ever attended!” Lin Xi’s eyes lit up, brimming with excitement.

Xu Feng provided the commentary: “Our first auction item is a painting created by a child with autism, titled ‘Hope.’ This young boy was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Sensitive and withdrawn, according to his parents, he completed this painting overnight after his first therapy session.”

At this point, the hostess unveiled the painting, carefully holding up the framed artwork. The photographer zoomed in, displaying the painting in its entirety on the big screen.

It was a striking black-and-white gouache—a hand, twisted and tense, reaching upward. The only splash of color was a gentle streak of muted yellow light.

Many in the audience were stunned. Who could have imagined this came from a child so young? No one could believe it was painted by a child with autism, nor could they fathom the state of mind that led to its creation.

“The starting bid for ‘Hope’ is one thousand yuan. The bidding begins now!”

“Five thousand!” No sooner had the auctioneer spoken than a female celebrity raised her paddle.

“One hundred thousand!” A male director quickly followed.

…

Although Lin Xi felt great sympathy for the children, she didn’t wish to win the painting and add to her melancholy. She maintained her composure, not wanting it to affect her mood, and Lu Yuxiu, seeing this, refrained from bidding as well.

Beside them, Gu Yao asked Wen Jin without a care, “So, little one, do you want it?”

Wen Jin slowly shook her head. “No, let’s leave it for someone who really loves it.”

“Alright.” Gu Yao rested his hand on the back of Wen Jin’s chair, as if drawing her into his embrace.

Bang! The auctioneer brought down the gavel. “Congratulations to Ms. Xia for winning the painting at eighty thousand yuan!”

Applause broke out in the audience. The female celebrity who had first bid finally secured the painting—she clearly loved it.

The next item was a potted gypsophila crafted by a child, made using various materials. It was delicate and beautiful, clearly the result of much effort.

Wen Jin took a liking to it at first glance, and in the end, Gu Yao won the bid at ninety thousand yuan.

When it came to the final star lot, the hostess took the stage early to prepare the unveiling. The female host introduced the item with enthusiasm: “Our final item is a colorful bracelet made by eleven children with leukemia. Each of these girls is full of hope for the future, refusing to give up, resolute in their fight against illness. Each child contributed a bead to this bracelet, and each bead represents their blessing, hope, and future. There are eleven beads in total.”

The bracelet was displayed on the big screen from every angle. Each bead was a different color, smooth and exquisite.

Lin Xi was not only drawn to the bracelet’s beauty, but also felt it carried deep meaning—she was determined to win it.

The auctioneer raised his hand. “The starting bid for the colorful bracelet is fifty thousand. Bidding starts now!”

“One hundred thousand!” Before Lin Xi could react, Lu Yuxiu had already raised his paddle.

Lin Xi gave him a heartfelt smile, and Lu Yuxiu reached under the table to hold her hand.

“Hundred and fifty thousand!”

“Two hundred thousand!”

The bidding for the final item was intense. Lin Xi, determined to win, raised her paddle herself. “Three hundred thousand!”

“Huh?” Some participants hesitated, seeing how much Lin Xi wanted it, and set down their paddles, content to let her have her way.

In the end, only Lin Xi and another female celebrity remained in the bidding.

“Three hundred and fifty thousand!” The other woman was just as resolute, refusing to give in.

“Four hundred and fifty thousand!” Lin Xi continued to raise the stakes—she would not give up on something she truly wanted.

“Five hundred thousand!” The other woman was not to be outdone.

The two were locked in a standoff.

“One million!”

Suddenly, a clear, graceful female voice rang out with a raised paddle.

A collective gasp swept through the room.

Everyone turned to see who had bid. It was none other than superstar Ning Wan!

Lin Xi’s expression changed in surprise. Lu Yuxiu smiled calmly and patted her hand. “You don’t need to worry. Someone’s paying for you.”

Artists, directors, and actors present all marveled inwardly: Ning Wan, always so low-key, was now openly favoring her future daughter-in-law!

The other celebrity dropped out, not daring to compete further. No one would be so tactless as to contest something with a senior like Ning Wan.

“One million, once!” The auctioneer’s voice trembled—who would have thought a bracelet with neither gold nor silver could fetch a million?

“One million, twice!” The hall fell silent…

“One million, third and final call! Sold!” The gavel struck the table.

In the end, the colorful bracelet found its way into Ning Wan’s hands. The hostess promptly brought it down from the stage, and without a moment’s pause, Ning Wan turned and presented it to Lin Xi.

“Here, Xi, take it.” Ning Wan smiled as she handed it over.

“This…” Lin Xi instantly felt as if the bracelet had become a hot potato. “Auntie, I really can’t accept this…”

“Nonsense. Just consider it a welcome gift from me.” Ning Wan waved off her hesitation.

Lin Xi blinked helplessly, turning to Gu Yao for guidance. Her family had always taught her not to accept favors lightly. Gu Yao simply raised his brows, leaving her to decide.

Lu Yuxiu took Lin Xi’s hand and, together, accepted the bracelet from Ning Wan. “You wanted it, didn’t you? Then take it.”

With the bracelet already in her hand, Lin Xi could do nothing but accept. “Thank you, Auntie!”

“It’s nothing.” Ning Wan playfully pinched Lin Xi’s cheek. “Such lovely skin—my son is a lucky man!”

Lin Xi blushed crimson at her words.

Lu Yuxiu went to draw Lin Xi back, protectively holding her behind him. “Dad!” he called, signaling his father to rein in his wife.

Lu Jin shrugged and wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist.

All around, people looked at this family with envy, especially jealous of Lin Xi.

Was this girl, who had suddenly appeared in the entertainment world, a savior of the galaxy in a past life? Goddaughter to Gu Ting, sister to Gu Yao, little princess of the Xingchen family, now dating Lu Yuxiu, and already acknowledged by Ning Wan—it seemed she was destined to marry into a wealthy family. She was truly born under a lucky star, wasn’t she? Even if she threw her weight around in the industry, surely no one would dare cross her.

Yet Lin Xi herself remained detached and composed, with an extraordinary grace—never arrogant, never impatient. This was what truly inspired admiration and would allow her to go far. She was a clever woman.

When all the items had been auctioned off, the two hosts returned to the stage to conclude the event.

“Thank you all for your enthusiastic participation. Today, we have witnessed many acts of kindness and generosity. Everyone here has a benevolent heart. Please give yourselves a round of applause for your compassion, and thank you for your support of this auction,” Xu Feng declared, his voice full of passion.

Thunderous applause filled the hall, the atmosphere solemn yet warm.

The female host smoothly took over. “Light and shadow shift, brilliance abounds. There are no ranks in love—let us pass on this care together, and use the power of love to protect the fragile hearts of children. Tonight’s charity gala has come to an end—thank you, everyone.”

As soft music played, actors and directors began to chat and take their leave.

Lin Xi, still reluctant for the evening to end, leaned lazily on Lu Yuxiu’s shoulder and said, “This kind of event is so meaningful! There really should be more like it!”

Lu Yuxiu chuckled, pinching her nose affectionately. “Silly girl, it’s about quality, not quantity.”

Lin Xi pouted, dissatisfied with his answer.

“Time to go home!” Gu Yao suddenly appeared out of nowhere, his tone faintly warning.

Lin Xi, who had been relaxing against Lu Yuxiu, immediately straightened up at the sound of her fourth brother’s voice.

Lu Yuxiu was unbothered, entirely unfazed by Gu Yao’s words, and replied lightly, “We’re going back to the set together.”

Gu Yao’s face darkened with anger.

“Wen Jin is going back to the set too,” Lu Yuxiu added leisurely, twisting the knife.

“Heh!” Gu Yao sneered through clenched teeth.

Lin Xi tugged at Lu Yuxiu’s sleeve, signaling him to stop—couldn’t he see her brother was about to explode?

Wen Jin quickly linked her arm with Gu Yao’s, trying to calm him down.

Lu Yuxiu, however, was enjoying himself, deliberately provoking Gu Yao like two squabbling schoolboys.

In the end, Gu Yao bit Wen Jin in frustration and stormed off alone, while the others followed Director Lu back to the set.

On the way, Lin Xi was still pondering a question: do truly selfless people exist in this world? She believed so—at least the founder of “Beautiful Lady” had braved immense public pressure to save the forgotten and helpless in the corners of the world...

She knew she could not yet reach the level of that late founder, but since she enjoyed the privileges of a special status, she ought to do something as well.

Without hesitation, Lin Xi sent a message to her company manager, expressing her intention to establish a charitable foundation under the Sun brand to support children in remote mountainous regions. She would take it step by step, doing charity and helping more people.

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After the heavy snow, the sky was bright. Early in the morning, Lin Xi and Wen Jin were rehearsing their lines. During a break, Mia approached, holding her phone with a complicated expression.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Xi took a sip of water and looked at her in confusion. Wen Jin was also curious. “Did something bad happen?”

“I’m not trending again, am I?” Lin Xi’s heart skipped a beat in panic—she didn’t want to become a topic of gossip for netizens once more.

“No… no! It’s just—see for yourselves.” Mia slowly handed her phone over, and Lin Xi and Wen Jin leaned in together to look.

The screen was filled with all sorts of derogatory headlines about Shu Yunyi.

The reason was that Shu Yunyi had been photographed taking a boy in and out of the hospital, and the images had made the trending list. The photos, taken from a distance and blurry, showed Yunyi holding a boy’s hand as they entered and left the hospital. The boy was heavily disguised with a hat and mask, while Yunyi, though bundled up, was still recognizable.

Lin Xi immediately recognized the boy as the same child from yesterday’s auction—Yunyi’s younger brother, Shu Yiran.

It was clear someone was trying to smear her reputation, and online discussions were already heated.