"It's quite pretty."
Su Wan lifted her glass to hide her face, but her mind spiraled uncontrollably.
Pink really is beautiful.
She remembered a friend who was planning a trip to the Gemstone Country—maybe she could ask them to bring a few back?
Yes. That settled it.
"Su Wan, what are you thinking about?"
"N–nothing…"
She felt annoyed at herself. Luckily the lighting was dim; even if her cheeks were red, it might not be noticeable.
A-Xin stared at her face for a moment.
"Are you hot?"
"No."
Su Wan's heart skipped—did Qin Xin notice her blush?
A-Xin nodded lightly.
"Then you're probably drunk. Your face is red."
Su Wan: "…"
So she did notice. Thankfully Qin Xin didn't seem to suspect anything else. Su Wan quietly turned away and looked toward the dance floor.
Watching Ye Xiaoge and Qin Feng become the center of attention made her deeply uncomfortable. Many people had gathered around Ye Xiaoge, asking about the sapphire necklace.
Ye Xiaoge simply responded,
"A friend gave it to me."
"Oh? Don't tell us it was the gentleman next to you?" someone teased, believing that was the only explanation.
Ye Xiaoge froze slightly. Qin Feng's expression darkened too, but both recovered quickly. In the dim lighting, no one noticed the momentary change.
"What a shame there's only one sapphire necklace. I really like it, but there are too many rich people on this ship. None of them are short on money. If they want something, they won't hesitate… it probably won't end up in my hands," a beautiful woman said regretfully.
Ye Xiaoge hurriedly added,
"Besides this necklace, I brought other pieces. They're not as valuable, but they're all very pretty. You should come to the auction in three days—maybe you'll find something you like."
Truthfully, selling them pained her.
She liked all those accessories dearly. She had barely worn them. When she accompanied Qin Feng to events, she didn't dare wear them to avoid trouble—because they were gifts from Su Wan. Now she had to part with all of them, and her heart ached.
But once she auctioned these off and invested the money into Qin Corporation, she would be contributing to the company as a shareholder. Then, when attending events with Qin Feng, no one would mock her humble background or say she was a canary raised by him. With the title "Qin Corporation shareholder," who would dare look down on her?
Since Su Wan had already broken ties with her, and since she couldn't openly wear the gifts anyway, she might as well put them to better use. Once Qin Corporation recovered, she could buy better jewelry. And because she was helping Qin Feng this time, she knew her position in his heart would rise.
Earlier, when she told him her plan, Qin Feng's gaze became gentler. She understood now—this man preferred a woman who could be useful to him. She lacked family background, so she could only rely on these things. Su Wan had given them willingly. With her wealth, she wouldn't care.
Su Wan had gone too far and didn't value their friendship. There was nothing worth holding on to.
Ye Xiaoge wasn't far from them, and she raised her voice so everyone could hear. When Su Wan heard her announcement, her expression darkened.
So this was how the gifts she spent years choosing were treated?
"If I'd known, I should have just donated them."
"Donated?" A-Xin murmured softly. "Yes… they should be donated."
Her voice was so quiet that Su Wan didn't notice.
Su Wan downed half her drink in one gulp. When she went to pour more, A-Xin stopped her.
"Don't be upset. Let's go dance."
"We're two women. How are we supposed to dance?" Su Wan shook her head. "If you want to dance, find a decent-looking man."
She didn't know why, but the thought made her sour inside. Even though she said it, she didn't want Qin Xin dancing with any man.
A-Xin set her glass aside, took Su Wan's hand, and walked toward the DJ. She placed her finger on the fingerprint scanner. The DJ immediately noticed her.
"Miss Qin, what can I do for you?"
"Change the song to something upbeat—like a cha-cha."
A-Xin smiled softly.
In a TV show she had watched, the cha-cha looked lively and fun. She had learned it from the instructional videos.
It should be fine for two girls to dance it together.
Su Wan froze.
A cha-cha?
She glanced toward Ye Xiaoge, who was standing like a glowing centerpiece in the crowd, then turned back to the girl holding her hand and smiled.
A cha-cha really was a great choice.
This was the Carnival, after all—not the place for stiff, old-fashioned ballroom dancing. Something energetic, youthful, and vibrant fit the atmosphere perfectly.
"Play the happiest one you've got," Su Wan added, grinning. "You like the cha-cha?"
"Yes. I like it."
Su Wan's smile widened uncontrollably.
"I like it too. It's my favorite dance."
(From today onward, it officially became her favorite.)
The slow music suddenly shifted to an upbeat rhythm. The dancers in the ballroom quickly adjusted their steps. Ye Xiaoge, however, didn't react fast enough, and Qin Feng—concerned about his image—wouldn't dance such lively steps at all.
The entire floor burst into motion. Now this felt like a Carnival.
Just then, A-Xin noticed Su Wan's dress brushing the floor.
"Let me help."
She lifted part of the gown and tied it into a beautiful decorative knot on one side, revealing just enough of Su Wan's long, elegant leg.
The elegant gown instantly resembled a blooming rose—fiery and passionate.
Su Wan grabbed her hand, and the two stepped into the center of the dance floor, moving to the lively rhythm.
Two beautiful girls dancing the cha-cha, laughing brightly—they instantly became the center of attention. People subconsciously cleared space around them. Everyone assumed they were the stars of the night. Before long, the entire floor was dancing the cha-cha with them as the focal point.
While dancing, Su Wan's eyes never left the girl across from her.
Even in the noisy, glittering ballroom, that girl stood out effortlessly. Moving with the beat, smiling softly—no matter how lively the world became, Qin Xin remained quiet. Being beside her felt like stepping into a quiet, peaceful world.
But within that quiet was a hint of loneliness—something missing from her world.
Su Wan froze for a moment.
Yes—Qin Xin was always too quiet. Too indifferent. Nothing stirred her heart.
Even when speaking of Yue Meiyun, there wasn't even hatred in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Ye Xiaoge and Qin Feng, who couldn't dance the cha-cha, had been squeezed into a corner.
Qin Feng glanced at Ye Xiaoge, his eyes filled with suspicion.
"What is she doing here?"
He didn't believe Su Wan had truly given up on Ye Xiaoge.
"What a coincidence."
"Qin Feng, how many times must I say it? I have nothing to do with Su Wan anymore."
Ye Xiaoge looked pitifully hurt.
Why can't you feel that I only care about you?
She really didn't understand why he always doubted her.
"Let's go. I have nothing to do with her," she insisted, pulling him away. "If I wanted entanglement, I wouldn't have sold those things."
Qin Feng relaxed a little.
"True."
He glanced toward A-Xin.
"My dear little sister is over there too. Forget it—I don't want to argue with her right now."
As they walked out, Ye Xiaoge added,
"This morning, Aunt Yue and I ran into Qin Xin at the snack bar. She and Aunt Yue argued pretty badly. And now she's hanging around with Su Wan. Aunt Yue was furious. Qin Feng, you should step in. You know how crazily Su Wan chased me. If she likes Qin Xin now and you don't stop it, she'll succeed. And once Qin Xin's… situation gets out, it'll be bad for Qin Corporation."
Qin Feng grew serious.
That was true.
If word spread that his sister was gay, they'd be laughed at.
After the cha-cha, Su Wan's mood brightened noticeably.
"Do you want to try that over there? It looks fun."
"No," A-Xin shook her head. "I don't like gambling. But if you want to, I'll go with you."
"I don't like it either. It's boring. I'd rather buy a couple of gems or bags."
Her mind drifted right back to pink diamonds.
Since A-Xin hadn't received any instructions from Boss Zhou, she didn't need to go to the casino. He had said he'd only call her if his people couldn't manage.
They went to play other activities together. By dawn, they were exhausted and returned to their rooms.
Finally, the auction day arrived.
Su Wan and A-Xin had arrived early.
Since many items had been her gifts to Ye Xiaoge, she wanted to see who would take them home.
A-Xin sat between Su Wan on her left and the chauffeur on her right—though one seat separated them. She glanced at him; he smiled politely.
Their eye contact was brief—too short for anyone to notice anything.
Su Wan still looked gloomy. Ye Xiaoge and Qin Feng were seated far away. She refused to look at them now—only disgust filled her heart.
All goodwill Ye Xiaoge once held had crumbled within days.
"Qin Xin, you were wrong that day. My taste isn't always good," Su Wan murmured with a faint smile.
A-Xin squeezed her hand.
"You met her when you were still in middle school."
"Are you… comforting me?"
"You can think of it that way."
Su Wan laughed softly.
"Alright. I won't dwell on it. It's better this way."
It was her black history—she'd prefer it fade, even if nothing ever happened between her and Qin Xin. Even if Qin Xin didn't know or care, she still wanted it gone.
After several items were auctioned, Ye Xiaoge's jewelry finally appeared—pieces worth hundreds of thousands, millions… and then the sapphire necklace worth over a hundred million.
"Congratulations, Mr. Zhu. These earrings are now yours."
"Congratulations, Mr. Zhu, for winning the bracelet."
"Congratulations, Mr. Zhu—"
Su Wan glanced over at the middle-aged man sitting two seats away, wearing obnoxiously showy sunglasses, bidding on every single piece she had once gifted Ye Xiaoge—without blinking, even paying more than the items were originally worth.
Where did this nouveau riche come from?
A big spender indeed—buying everything without discrimination.
And he was sitting between two men.
Maybe he truly enjoyed the thrill of buying?
"Su Wan, why are you staring at him?"
A-Xin waved a hand in front of her face.
"People will get the wrong idea. He might think you're interested in him."
Driver Zhu's mouth twitched.
Qin Missy, please… I don't even have the courage. She's the young lady of the Su family. I'm not suicidal.
He kept his sunglasses on and stared forward. Every time Ye Xiaoge's jewelry appeared, he bid immediately. Occasionally, he glanced at A-Xin—when he saw her smiling faintly, he knew she was satisfied.
His lavish behavior drew the attention of the entire room. People noticed he only bid on jewelry—nothing else.
Then the sapphire necklace was brought out.
Everyone turned toward him.
Would he bid?
Starting price: 100 million.
Would even a nouveau riche go that far?
But when he called out his bid, the room erupted.
"200 million," he said without hesitation.
"210 million!"
"300 million," he responded immediately, enjoying the thrill.
(It wasn't his money anyway—just Qin Missy's.)
The room fell silent.
Ye Xiaoge's face flushed.
200 million?
Was it really worth that much?
She glanced toward Su Wan, only to find Su Wan leaning close to Qin Xin, whispering. Remembering something, her expression sank.
"310 million!"
"400 million."
Driver Zhu practically vibrated with excitement.
He had helped his boss bid before, but the spotlight had always been on his employer—not him.
This feeling was… intoxicating.
With no more bids, the auctioneer hammered down.
"Congratulations, Mr. Zhu! The sapphire necklace is yours!"
"We'd like to conduct a short interview with Mr. Zhu," a hostess in a qipao said, microphone in hand.
Driver Zhu replied in a steady, cool tone,
"Go ahead."
Total big boss energy.
"Mr. Zhu, are these jewels—especially the sapphire necklace—a gift for your wife?"
"No."
Still expressionless.
"I don't have a wife."
She blinked.
"Then… who are they for?"
"A charity donation."
"D–donation?"
She froze for two seconds, then recovered.
"Mr. Zhu has such a kind heart—truly an example for us all—"
Driver Zhu inwardly winced at the flood of flattery.
"Any more questions? Continue."
After a momentary uproar, the auction proceeded.
"If you see something beautiful, remember to bid," Su Wan told A-Xin.
"If you're short on money, I'll help... You can pay me back later. I believe you'll earn a lot in the future."
"Alright."
A-Xin nodded, then took out her phone. The message she'd received earlier flashed across the screen—"Mr. Xu."
She typed:
I'll add something extra for you. How about that?
The reply came quickly.
Add what?
I'm on the Carnival. There should be antiques in this auction. I'll buy you two real ones.
Xu:
Haha, Miss Qin is truly generous.
A-Xin:
I earn plenty.
Xu:
Perfect. With you as a partner, we're unbeatable.
Then A-Xin opened another contact and sent a message.
Moments later, Driver Zhu's phone buzzed.
It read:
Buy all the antiques.
Meanwhile, Ye Xiaoge asked softly,
"Qin Feng… with this money added in, will it be enough? Can we win that land?"
Qin Feng nodded slowly.
"Almost. This time we absolutely cannot fail."