The CEO’s Substitute Wife Is A Genius
Chapter 278: 21 Million, I’ll Take It!

Chapter 278: Chapter 278: 21 Million, I’ll Take It!

"What’s so important about that broken jewelry auction to you?" Hu Ming lifted his eyelid and looked at Chen Anna with an inquisitive gaze.

Chen Anna nodded vigorously, "Have you ever heard of the Thousand-Year Spirit Jade? They say if you wear a bracelet made of this jade, it cures all ailments!"

"In this day and age, you still believe that?" Hu Ming rolled his eyes. "Those jade sellers are just shearing you sheep!"

"You don’t understand," Chen Anna said, somewhat urgently, her eyes blazing as she turned to Jiang Man. "Master, have you heard of it?"

Jiang Man raised her eyebrows slowly, "I’ve heard of it."

"As for its effects, I haven’t seen them."

"I haven’t seen them either, but since there are such rumors, there must be some truth to them. My dad has been suffering from chronic insomnia and nightmares, and I’m thinking, if this jade stone is placed beside the pillow, could it have a calming effect?"

A jade stone that claims to cure all diseases is definitely a scam.

However, Jiang Man had heard many rumors about the Thousand-Year Spirit Jade, so she too wanted to see it for herself.

"I’ve agreed to go to the jewelry auction," she said lightly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Anna was initially stunned.

Then, she jumped up happily.

"Master, do you like this bag? I just bought it new, for you!"

"Hold on, I haven’t accepted you as my disciple, don’t just call me that."

"Right, right, don’t get the titles wrong," Hu Ming chimed in.

Murmuring softly, "Later Manman will have to call you ’third sister-in-law’."

"What are you muttering?" Chen Anna turned her head to glance at the man beside her.

"Nothing, I was saying I’ll go with you, the more the merrier." He said, then looked at Lu Xingzhou, "Brother-in-law, how about you?"

"Let’s go together," Lu Xingzhou said warmly.

He was not idly free, but in this unfamiliar city of Hong Kong, he wanted to spend more time with Jiang Man.

Even if Jiang Man didn’t need it, he still wanted to be there.

...

An hour later.

The four of them got into Chen Anna’s Rolls Royce and arrived at an estate on Mount Taiping.

Because it was an underground jewelry auction, the four were led through twists and turns into a basement.

The basement extended to the second level, where it was a different world, brightly lit.

The decor was vintage medieval European, reminiscent of the Versailles Palace in Paris of old times.

"Miss Chen, you only have one entrance ticket, these three, unfortunately... cannot enter..."

The attendant led them to a thick red door, suddenly stopped in his tracks, and blocked them.

"There’s a lounge nearby, please move there."

"Hey? Have you forgotten who I am, you fool? Are your eyes blind?" Hu Ming started to curse discontentedly.

The attendant, scared yet maintaining his composure, replied, "Sorry, young master Hu, without a ticket, no entry is allowed."

"It’s okay if I can’t enter, but Lu Xingzhou from Beicheng, you’re saying he can’t either?" Hu Ming clamored.

The attendant looked up in surprise at the distinguished-looking Lu Xingzhou.

Despite his fear, he still feigned calmness, "My madam has rules... without a ticket... no one can enter..."

"You bastard." Hu Ming raised his hand as if to slap him.

"Calm down, would you dare to offend Mrs. Lan Xiang?" Chen Anna furrowed her brows tightly and grabbed his wrist.

"Mrs. Lan Xiang, who?" Hu Ming raised his eyebrows in dissatisfaction.

"Mrs. Lan Xiang, the world’s top jewelry designer currently, her husband is the French Foreign Minister..." Chen Anna spoke cautiously.

The mention of such a noble status brought a slight stir to Jiang Man’s usually unflappable expression.

A minister’s wife, who is also a renowned jewelry designer?

"Mrs. Lan Xiang is of Chinese descent; over the years, she’s been known in both Paris and Hong Kong. She’s well-known in the ladies’ circles here."

"Forget it, you go ahead." Hu Ming stroked his slick-back hair, "Manman can’t get in either? Well, looks like this trip was a waste!"

"Could you please check with Madame? My sister here is a master in stone appraisal. No one has ever seen the Thousand-Year Spirit Jade, and even Madame can’t be sure if the one at the auction today is the real deal, right?"

"Since Miss Chen said so, please wait a moment."

The waiter walked through a side door, leaving the group waiting outside.

Jiang Man didn’t idle about; she began observing the murals in the hallway.

About ten minutes later, the waiter finally returned.

"Madame says, please all four of you come in."

"I told you so, with my status, how could I be turned away at the door?" Hu Ming said, hands clasped behind his back, looking very proud.

He strode confidently inside.

Chen Anna quickly followed him.

When Jiang Man walked past, the waiter stopped her, "Excuse me, you need to remove your hat to enter."

"You guys really have a lot of rules!" Hu Ming turned around, really wanting to kick the waiter.

Jiang Man didn’t mind and appeared to go along with the local customs.

When she took off her cap and casually handed it to the waiter.

The waiter looked up and was completely stunned.

Not just him, the other waiters who saw Jiang Man were also dumbfounded.

"Is there a problem?" Lu Xingzhou, who had been quite reserved, suddenly spoke up, disliking the way these men were staring at Jiang Man.

The waiter immediately came to his senses and bowed respectfully, "Please, come this way."

Lu Xingzhou, without giving him a second look, put his arm around Jiang Man’s waist and walked boldly towards the interior.

Leaving behind a group of doorkeepers looking at each other, "She looks so much like her... It’s uncanny..."

...

The interior was extremely luxurious, with a group of well-dressed men and women mingling under a grand crystal chandelier.

The entry of their group of four undoubtedly became the center of attention, out of place.

Their attire starkly contrasted with this miniaturized version of the Palace of Versailles and with the members present at the event.

It was as if several beggars had suddenly barged into a rich man’s home.

Fortunately, each of their demeanors was better than the last, their ordinary outfits still unable to hide the nobility they exuded.

They knew these four were only dressed casually, but their identities were definitely not simple.

"White, yellow, black —what an international gathering," Hu Ming, hands in his pockets, looked around the venue and couldn’t help but remark sarcastically.

"Madam Lan Xiang’s auction is always extraordinary," Chen Anna raised her chin, "You see how broad my social circle is now, don’t you?"

"This is the first time I’ve heard someone describe ’indulging in luxuries to the detriment of one’s duties’ in such a fresh way," Hu Ming retorted.

"You’re the one indulging in luxuries to the detriment of your duties!" Chen Anna was so angry she wanted to hit him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please be quiet. Our auction will commence shortly. Today, there will be three items up for bid."

The auctioneer walked to the center of the stage, "The first item is a pair of earrings—Empress Eugenie Earrings, and our starting bid is 20 million. Please look at the detailed introduction now."

As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, several photographers came up.

Displaying the images they captured on the big screen.

"These are pink earrings given to Empress Eugénie by Napoleon III, one of a kind worldwide..." the auctioneer explained.

Chen Anna’s previously beaming smile suddenly froze.

Hu Ming immediately noticed her change.

That night, at the 66th floor restaurant in Victoria Harbour, Manman had mentioned her earrings were counterfeit.

So, the real ones are here!

Without hesitating, Hu Ming raised his hand, "21 million! I’ll take them."