Chapter 28: 028 Ten million!

In high society, there are never a shortage of people who enjoy watching a spectacle.

Moreover, since Li Hanjiang was a renowned big shot in Capital City, the main table was presently surrounded by numerous socialites and noblewomen who were keen to witness the drama.

Hearing this, Li Hanjiang looked up at Qian Jiayi and a slight smile touched his lips, "Miss, you ask a good question. I believe that everyone present might have the same curiosity."

With that fleeting glance, Qian Jiayi’s face turned crimson, and her heart began to thump wildly.

At this moment, the crowd was discussing in low voices.

An elderly man with white hair and a long, deep beard stood up, "Young Master Li, could you lend this old man a look at the ring on your hand?"

The elder was dressed in a plain Tang suit and bore the demeanor of a sage.

He was none other than the head of one of the four great families of Capital City, the Wang family, Wang Zhen.

Wang Zhen had a hobby of collecting antiques unlike Zhao Hai, who was born a farmer and collected antiques purely to feign sophistication.

But Wang Zhen was from a true elite background and was quite renowned in the circle of antique collectors.

Li Hanjiang looked up at Chu Jin, "Miss Chu, you wouldn’t mind, would you?"

Chu Jin shook her head, "Not at all."

In fact, she was also eager to find out if the jade ring was as valuable as Li Hanjiang had claimed.

Li Hanjiang handed the jade ring to Wang Zhen, "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Elder Wang."

Wang Zhen nodded, taking the jade ring from Li Hanjiang’s hand, his eyes growing brighter as he examined it. "Indeed, this is high-quality jade! Such beautiful jade, I never expected to see in my lifetime. My life is complete!"

The two elders following Wang Zhen soon approached for a closer look. Once they saw the quality, color, and craftsmanship of the jade ring, they all nodded and exclaimed, "Indeed, looking at this color and quality, it’s definitely a genuine piece from the Song Dynasty!"

Wang Zhen approached Chu Jin and asked, "Young lady, is this jade ring yours?"

Chu Jin nodded, "Yes, it is."

Wang Zhen stroked his beard, "Young lady, I am quite fond of this jade ring, and I am willing to offer ten million to purchase it. Would you be willing to sell?"

Ten million!

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone gasped in surprise, having not expected a small jade ring to be worth so much money.

Li Ruyu’s heart was bleeding! This wretched girl, treating her money like nothing! To actually give Zhao Hai such a precious thing!

Zhao Hai himself was trembling with emotion, regretting that he had only cared about saving face earlier and had not chosen to believe in his granddaughter.

Qian Jiayi was completely stunned, ten million, something Chu Jin simply had was worth ten million; her entire year’s pocket money did not even amount to a hundred thousand yuan.

Originally, she had planned to use the fake item Chu Jin had given as a gift to thoroughly humiliate her. But in the end, it was she who ended up being embarrassed!

Chu Jin smiled lightly and said calmly, "Thank you for your generous offer, Grandfather Wang, but I have already given this jade ring to my grandfather. If you are interested, you may discuss it with him."

This young lady was neither arrogant nor impatient, maintaining a calm demeanor from beginning to end.

She hadn’t become angry out of embarrassment when her jade ring was questioned as a fake.

Neither had she become conceited when receiving everyone’s praise.

Nor had she held a grudge against Zhao Hai for his misunderstanding; she was a child who was smart and understood the bigger picture.

Wang Zhen nodded in satisfaction, turning to Zhao Hai, "She’s a fine young lady, and you’re lucky to have such a good granddaughter, you old antiquarian."

Zhao Hai didn’t expect Chu Jin to say such words this time, and for a moment, he looked at her with great shame, "Jin, it’s grandfather... who has wrongly blamed you..."

"Grandfather," Chu Jin raised her eyes to look at Zhao Hai, "for you to say so makes it seem as though we are strangers. How could Jin blame you."

"However, it’s thanks to the several grandfathers and Boss Li this time. Jin thanks you all here." Saying this, Chu Jin turned and bowed slightly towards the men.

Li Hanjiang merely watched her, softly saying, "It was a small effort, Miss Chu need not be so polite."

Though he appeared nonchalant, from Zhao Yiling’s angle, one could clearly see a look of admiration in Li Hanjiang’s eyes.

Zhao Yiling’s hand, clutching the tissue, tightened, and a flash of ruthlessness quickly passed through her eyes.

Wang Zhen and the two old men by his side waved their hands, "A trivial matter, a trivial matter."

They were all esteemed with profound friendships, and now, having seen something exquisite, though they couldn’t claim it for themselves, it had at least broadened their horizons and enriched their experience.

It wasn’t a wasted trip after all. One should know that some people might never see such precious things in their whole lifetime. In this respect, they were indeed basking in Chu Jin’s light.

Qian Jiayi was even more discontented. The figure ’ten million’ constantly echoed in her head.

Based on her understanding of the Zhao family, how could they be willing to give Chu Jin such a substantial amount of money? With this thought, a glint flashed across her eyes, and she stood up to say, "Sister Jin is so generous and shows such filial piety to grandfather. It truly makes me, her sister, feel ashamed."

Chu Jin raised an eyebrow, "It’s good that you know shame."

Qian Jiayi hadn’t expected such a retort and angrily said, "What do you mean by that?"

Chu Jin slightly curved her lips, "Knowing shame means you’re not beyond help. To be a person, it’s okay to have an empty head, what’s important is it shouldn’t be filled with water."

This Qian Jiayi, from the start till now, has been endlessly looking for trouble. If she didn’t fight back, she would really think Chu Jin was an easy target!

The corners of Li Hanjiang’s mouth curled into a faint smile. This girl was interesting. It seemed that the Zhao family’s visit tonight had not been in vain.

Wang Zhen also looked at Chu Jin with an approving gaze. He had thought this girl was soft and fragile, but when it came to it, she was not to be trifled with.

What a pity that such a clever and intelligent girl wasn’t his granddaughter. If she had been a member of his own family, he could have been woken up from his dreams with joy.

Upon hearing this, Qian Jiayi’s face turned pale. How dare this bumpkin!

How dare she speak to her like that! And in front of such important figures!

"Alright, alright," Zhao Yiling stood up at the appropriate moment, adopting a gentle demeanor, "We’re all family here, let’s not hurt the harmony. The banquet is about to start, please take your seats."

"Right, right, right," Zhao Hai also quickly assumed the host’s demeanor, "I haven’t hosted well. Please take your seats, everyone."

With that, everyone dispersed, each taking their respective places.

With the dishes being served one after the other, the banquet officially began.

At such an important occasion, there were very few who truly let go of their status and dined heartily—in fact, almost none.

After all, those seated were ladies of high society and individuals of great influence and power, especially with someone as substantial as Li Hanjiang present, the young ladies were even more conscious of their image.

They were mostly sipping wine with grace, hardly touching their chopsticks. Their gaze, almost without exception, was concentrated in one direction.

—Li Hanjiang.

As few people touched their chopsticks, Chu Jin became that odd one out in everyone’s eyes.

Qian Jiayi’s lips curled up in a satisfied smirk. As expected, a bumpkin is just a bumpkin, eating as if she hadn’t seen food in centuries!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read