Chapter 38

Chapter 38 (New) So Your Mother Was a Housemaid? At the auction. The auctioneer wore a dark blue cheongsam, her demeanor elegant and composed, radiating the charm of a highly educated woman. Neither Jiang Shixu nor Gu Zechuan had any interest in the earlier lots. It wasn't until the pink diamond necklace came up. After a brief introduction of the pink diamond necklace, the auctioneer opened the bidding at four million. Gu Zechuan immediately raised his paddle. After several rounds of bidding, the price quickly climbed to six million, and few paddles remained in the air. Gu Zechuan raised his paddle again, pushing the bid to six million two hundred thousand. The auctioneer gestured with her hand. "We're at six million two hundred thousand. Shall we go to six million five hundred thousand?" Jiang Shixu calmly raised his paddle. The auctioneer smiled at him. "We're at six million five hundred thousand. Any higher?" Gu Zechuan shot a glare in Jiang Shixu's direction, his face dark as he raised his paddle. The auctioneer announced, "Six million five hundred thousand, back to paddle number 20. Any higher? Six million eight hundred thousand?" Jiang Shixu raised his paddle again. The auctioneer gestured toward Jiang Shixu. "Six million eight hundred thousand. Any higher?" Gu Zechuan was determined to win. He gritted his teeth and raised his paddle once more, pushing the bid to seven million. Seven million was nothing—he could easily afford it. If Su Yu's cousin was satisfied, Su Yu would partner with the Gu Group, and the investment would return at least tenfold. As the saying went, you had to spend money to make money. He had to win this necklace today. The auctioneer announced, "Seven million, back to paddle number 20. Any higher?" Jiang Shixu raised his paddle. The auctioneer said, "Seven million five hundred thousand." Gu Zechuan raised the bid to eight million. Jiang Shixu was about to raise his paddle again when Ruan Chutang suddenly pressed down on his hand. "Forget it. It's not worth it." The item had started at four million and had already doubled in price. Chutang could tell that necklace was worth at most two to three million, and she didn't even like it that much. There was no need to keep driving up the price just to spite Gu Zechuan. If he wanted it, let him have it. She remembered there was a blue diamond necklace coming up later—she liked that one much better. Jiang Shixu glanced at Chutang and obediently lowered his paddle. In the end, Gu Zechuan won the pink diamond necklace at eight million. Chen Wan sat beside him, casting a contemptuous smile in Ruan Chutang's direction. It seemed the new man she'd latched onto wasn't all that into her either—he'd stopped at eight million. ... In the ladies' restroom. Ruan Chutang was touching up her makeup in front of the mirror when she caught sight of Chen Wan behind her through the reflection. Chen Wan wore a smug expression as she walked over and turned on the faucet to wash her hands. "Oh my, it's only been a few days and you've already hooked a new man?" Chutang applied her lipstick, ignoring her. Chen Wan chuckled lightly. "All I said was that the necklace was pretty, and Zechuan spent eight million to get it for me. Your man's not much, is he? Can't even bear to spend that kind of money on you." "Then again, rich people aren't fools. They spend money only when it's worth it. And you..." Chen Wan looked at Ruan Chutang in the mirror, a mocking curve forming on her lips. "You're not worth it." Chutang finished applying her lipstick, looked at herself in the mirror, and said without so much as a sideways glance, word by word, "Is that so? Well, good luck to you then." With that, she turned and walked away briskly. Chen Wan's words had zero impact on her. Because she was living far better than Chen Wan could ever imagine. At this moment, Chen Wan was like a pitiful dog, helplessly raging and barking at her. There was no need to argue with Chen Wan—it would be too ugly. ... Soon, the day of the banquet arrived. The Su family's private estate. Cars streamed through the entrance without end—all luxury vehicles worth millions or tens of millions. The guests were all wealthy and influential. Besides those like Gu Zechuan who came to curry favor, there were also major figures from various fields—people Su Yu had personally invited, intending to introduce them to Ruan Chutang. In the legal profession, connections and resources were of utmost importance. Chutang arrived at the estate early with Jiang Shixu. Su Yu stood at the entrance of the main villa to greet them. "Tangtang, you're finally here." Su Yu wore a white suit today, his hair slicked back. The Su family had good genes—Su Yu was exceptionally handsome, crowned the school heartthrob back in his student days, with girls chasing after him endlessly. He was also a fickle, romantic man, changing girlfriends faster than he changed clothes. Chutang smiled and greeted him, "Cousin." "It's been so many years, and Tangtang just keeps getting prettier." Su Yu turned to Jiang Shixu with a grin and teased, "Tsk tsk, who'd have thought I'd one day call you my brother-in-law? Hahahaha—come on, call me 'big brother' and let me hear it." Jiang Shixu gave a light snort, his gaze sweeping over coldly. Su Yu feigned displeasure. "Tsk, look at you, always with that cold, aloof look. My little cousin must suffer so much being with you." Chutang's almond-shaped eyes curved into a smile. "Cold and aloof? I don't think so. Shixu is very gentle with me." Su Yu made a face like he couldn't take it anymore. "You're not even engaged yet and you're already force-feeding me dog food?" Chu Tang chatted with Su Yu for a moment at the entrance before linking arms with Jiang Shixu and entering the villa. The main hall on the first floor of the villa served as the primary venue for the banquet. Guests filled the space, most of them unfamiliar faces Chu Tang had never seen before. The moment Jiang Shixu entered, a steady stream of people came forward to strike up conversations and curry favor. Among them, a foreign couple had an important project to discuss with Jiang Shixu and Su Yu, so they needed to head upstairs to the study. Chu Tang, understanding the situation, said, "It's fine, you all go ahead. I'll wander around downstairs by myself for a bit." She had just settled onto the sofa when Nanny Chen, the Ruan family's housekeeper, came looking for her. "Miss, you left in such a hurry today that you forgot to wear this pair of earrings. Madam asked me to bring them to you." Nanny Chen held out a pair of pearl earrings—the very ones Chu Tang had carefully selected to match her gown. Hearing this, Chu Tang instinctively touched her earlobes. "Oh, would you look at me. I can't believe I forgot those." "Miss, the banquet hasn't officially started yet, has it?" Nanny Chen offered the earrings. "There's still time to put them on now." "Mhm." Chu Tang smiled warmly. "There's no mirror here, Nanny Chen. Could you help me put them on?" "Of course." Nanny Chen sat down beside Chu Tang and gently fastened the earrings for her. "There, that looks much better." Nanny Chen admired her work with a satisfied smile and a nod. "Ruan Chutang? What are you doing here?" A familiar, surprised female voice rang out. Chu Tang frowned and turned around. It was Gu Zechuan's mother, Madam Meng Yaqin. Beside her stood Chen Wan, dressed in full glamour. Chu Tang's brow furrowed even deeper. Meng Yaqin walked up and stopped in front of Chu Tang, glancing between Nanny Chen and Chu Tang with an air of superiority, her tone dripping with contempt. "So your mother is a maid, then?" Nanny Chen was wearing her housekeeper's uniform, making it easy to identify her as a servant. Hearing this, Nanny Chen quickly waved her hands in denial. "No, no, you've misunderstood. I'm not Tangtang's mother. I'm just the housekeeper for the Ruan family." "Heh." Meng Yaqin let out a light laugh. "I know you're saying that because you're afraid of embarrassing your daughter in front of others. Oh dear, lying won't do you any good. We just saw you putting those earrings on her—so intimate with your movements. Who would believe you're not her mother?" Chen Wan also covered her mouth with a light giggle. "Ahahaha, yeah. Being a maid isn't exactly a respectable job. If it were me, I'd be embarrassed too."