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nAfter saying that, he brought the black forest cake before Xue Xi’s lips.

n“…” Xue Xi stared at his fingers for a while. Hasn’t this person just entered the house and not washed his hands yet? I don’t know how many bacteria I can pick up from that.

nThese thoughts flashed across her mind. She was about to ask and had just opened her mouth when the cake was stuffed into it.

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nThe sweet taste entered her mouth. It was indeed not bad. Just as she was about to take another bite, Xiang Huai sent the cake to his mouth and took a bite.

nXue Xi was stunned and could not help but ask, “What are you doing?”

nThat is my cake!

nXiang Huai curled his lips and narrowed his eyes. “Why? You’ve already received a kiss yet you’re still shy about indirectly kissing?”

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nXue Xi: “??”

nShe looked at him blankly. What the hell?!

nJi Silin’s eyes darkened when he heard about this kiss. A complicated expression flashed across his eyes as he adjusted his spectacles.

nSomeone passed by and said in surprise, “Doctor Ji? I happen to have some questions to ask you. May I trouble you to answer them?”

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nJi Silin nodded. “Yes.”

nHe followed the person to the side. When he left, Xiang Huai smiled. Just as he was about to speak to the little kid, Xue Xi suddenly frowned and walked toward Ye Li.

nYe Li was originally standing there alone, but now, Xu Fang was actually speaking to her. There were nosy people nearby who were listening to the gossip.

nXu Fang said, “We’re university classmates, and I don’t want you to make a joke out of yourself. That’s why I came to warn you out of good intentions. It’s better for you to change the auction item.”

nYe Li looked at the champagne in her hand and said coldly, “Thank you for your concern, but this is my own business.”

nJust as Xu Fang was about to say something, a mean voice sounded from the side. “What do you mean by your own business? I knew it. You definitely want my son to pay for you!”

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nOld Lady Xue rushed to Ye Li and poked her face with her finger. “You heartless dog. You ate up and used our family. It’s fine that you haven’t earned a single cent ever since you married into the Xue family, but now you’re actually egging my son to invest in you?!”

nYe Li took a step back and frowned. She said gently, “Mom, can you wait until we get home?”

nThis was a public place. How embarrassing!

nOld Lady Xue was relentless. “I refuse. Everyone in here can be the judge. This woman encouraged my son to split up his family. That’s fine, but what the hell is this about her painting? She actually wants my son to spend money to buy a painting and earn her fame?!”

nYe Li looked at the people around her pointing at them and her face turned red. Other than being criticized by Xu Fang at the art exhibition, she had never been this embarrassed in her life.

nShe said, “Mom, it’s not like that. You…”

n“Not like that? Don’t think I don’t know that my son has already found someone. Isn’t that Mrs. Ma and family?”

nOld Lady Xue pointed at Mrs. Ma in the crowd and said, “Say, did Xue Sheng give you five hundred thousand or a million?”

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nMrs. Ma was stunned.

nShe had indeed been entrusted by Xue Sheng. After all, such matters had to be handled by someone who had a good relationship with them and was reliable. It was not surprising that Old Lady Xue knew that it was her.

nNow that Old Lady Xue had said it, how was she going to continue with the pretense?!

nUnder everyone’s gaze, she had to deny it. Otherwise, both families’ reputations would be ruined. “Auntie, it’s not me. I don’t know what you mean. You must be mistaken. Why would Mr. Xue do such a thing?”

nOld Lady Xue frowned. “If it’s not you, then who is it?”

nMrs. Ma waved her hand. “It’s not me. I don’t think there’s such an issue at all. Look at how badly you’ve made a mess of things.”

nOld Lady Xue sneered. “If it wasn’t you, then who else would buy her painting? Why am I not believing this? Don’t lie to me!”

nMrs. Ma helped her to the side. “Auntie, you and Mrs. Xue are both part of the Xue family. Don’t malign your own family and make a joke of yourselves. Come, let me help you to the sofa over there to rest for a while.”

nOld Lady Xue did not think things through that far. She was a straightforward person and became a little afraid after hearing Mrs. Ma’s words. Hence, she got off the center of the commotion and followed Mrs. Ma to the side.

nHowever, as she walked, she still had to explain herself. “Mrs. Ma, I’m not trying to malign my daughter-in-law. It’s just that she doesn’t have the capability and doesn’t contribute any income. She only knows how to bleed my son dry every day and even brought her parents over. She only knows how to paint. What nonsense is that? I think it’s worthless! Who’d buy her…”

nUpon hearing her words, everyone started discussing Ye Li softly.

n“Don’t embarrass yourself later!”

n“It’s really terrible when a woman doesn’t have a dowry. Look at how overbearing this old lady is. Mrs. Xue is so pitiful.”

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n“That’s right. Not only did she not have any dowry, but I also heard that she doesn’t work and doesn’t even come out to help socialize. It’s no wonder her mother-in-law dislikes such a person.”

n“…”

nYe Li balled up her fists. She was trembling in anger, but she could not speak.

nMrs. Xia hurriedly rushed over when she heard that there was chaos. When she arrived, she saw that the crowd had dispersed. She could only smile and say, “Alright, the auction is starting. Everyone, please enter!”

nThere were chairs placed below the auction hall. Everyone who came to participate in the auction walked over and sat down one by one.

nXue Xi followed Ye Li to the third row and waited for the auction to start.

nThe first item was a gem brooch that was worth 500,000 yuan. In the end, it was actually auctioned for 800,000 yuan. The gain was over 300,000 yuan.

nXue Xi was amazed.

nThe items passed one by one, and soon came the turn of Ye Li’s painting.

nThe staff stood on the auction stage and said with a smile, “Next is a painting that Madam Xue personally drew. It’s named ‘The Lone Mountain.’ This painting is majestic and has a profound concept. The starting bid is fifty thousand.”

nAfter he said this, someone slowly unfolded the painting on the stage.

nThere were not many people below the stage who knew how to paint. Moreover, after the commotion earlier, although everyone felt that it was alright, no one spoke for a moment.

nThe scene instantly turned awkward.

nXue Sheng anxiously looked at Mrs. Ma. He did not know what had happened earlier and could not help but wonder why Mrs. Ma was still not bidding.

nThe staff said, “Is there no one who’d bid for fifty thousand? If not, we’ll have to liquidate it.”

nIf they were to continue the bidding, it would be even more embarrassing!

nXu Fang rubbed her head and sighed. It wasn’t a very loud sound, but it wasn’t quiet either. Coincidentally, the people around her had heard it and said, “Let’s move on. This artist is too arrogant. Let alone fifty thousand, it’s already good enough if it sold for five thousand!”

nThe rest discussed among themselves. “Why should we get such a painting at the auction? Isn’t it too ordinary?”

nYe Li clenched her fists tightly as she felt hot air rush to her face.

nMrs. Xia’s expression did not look too good. She had originally intended to get someone to buy it for 50,000 yuan, but after Xu Fang had said that, who else could?

nShe could only wave her hand, and the staff said, “Then let’s…”

nBefore he could finish speaking, Fu Chun’s agitated and old voice sounded. “Wait!”

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