C19 Buy the Calming Heart Jade!

Zhang Zuiqiang swelled with pride, convinced of his own cleverness.

"Young Master Zhang, you're incredibly astute!"

"Absolutely. There's no way he can come up with that much cash."

Onstage, the auctioneer Ma Dequan was torn with indecision.

If he sided with Zhang Zuiqiang and Bai Piao truly couldn't produce the funds, the responsibility would fall on him.

He found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.

The auction house's policy was to bid on items first, then settle the payment backstage.

"No worries, I've got the money."

Bai Piao spoke evenly, yet joy bubbled within him.

He was looking for ways to earn more astonishment points, and Zhang Zuiqiang was unwittingly assisting him.

Zhang Zuiqiang was inadvertently being a good Samaritan.

Seeing this, Ma Dequan's anxiety dissipated, and he quickly signaled to a nearby maid.

"Doggie, take care of the payment!"

"At once, Young Master."

Doggie acknowledged the command and stepped outside to confer with the maid.

"Bai Piao, are you sure this is wise?"

Lee Yanran, observing Bai Piao's unwavering composure, found herself inexplicably reassured.

Wang Shiqi itched to mock Bai Piao, but he consistently ignored her. She opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately, no words came out.

Yet, her gaze kept darting to the door, curious whether Doggie would be sent packing.

"Relax, you'll have that jade pendant in no time."

Bai Piao offered a reassuring smile, glancing at Lee Yanran and noting her progress with silent approval.

Before long, Doggie returned from his discussion with the maid, the Calming Heart Jade in hand.

The maid went back up to the stage, gave Ma Dequan a confirming nod, and discreetly exited.

"Young Master Bai Piao is refreshingly decisive!"

Even Ma Dequan couldn't hide his astonishment at Bai Piao's ability to produce such a sum.

His remark sent ripples of shock through the crowd.

Did Bai Piao really possess that much wealth?

No one was more stunned than Zhang Zuiqiang.

"How could you possibly afford that much?"

He had anticipated Bai Piao's humiliation, not foreseeing his own.

Bai Piao had just racked up well over a hundred astonishment points.

The Wang sisters were momentarily taken aback.

Bai Piao, glancing at the more than six hundred points of astonishment, felt his spirits lift. He couldn't be bothered to squabble with Zhang Zuiqiang.

He had more pressing matters at hand.

Doggie approached with a plate, presenting it to Bai Piao with reverence.

Bai Piao accepted it, and upon touching the pristine Calming Heart Jade, a refreshing sensation instantly washed over him, seemingly sharpening his mind.

"Miss Lee, I'd like you to have this Calming Heart Jade."

Lee Yanran snapped out of her astonishment, a flicker of joy in her eyes at the sight of the jade. Yet she hesitated, "Young Master Bai, I can't accept something so precious."

"Miss Lee, it was purchased with you in mind." Bai Piao noted the slender cord on the Calming Heart Jade and offered, "Let me put it on for you."

Typically, Lee Yanran was quite liberal, but she wouldn't tolerate such personal gestures from just anyone—she'd have sent them flying. However, an unusual sentiment stirred within her, and she allowed Bai Piao to adorn her with the jade himself.

As Bai Piao fastened it, a delicate scent enveloped him, leaving him utterly captivated.