Keeping an obtrusive presence, Ru entered the convention center where the charity auction was organized. The convention hall was quite big with round tables arranged neatly leaving a pathway in the middle.
There were prominent figures of the Imperial Capital attending this auction. But it seemed like a socializing event to Ru which she despised the most. According to her if you came for the charity then you should focus on that instead of mingling with people to broaden your social circle.
The only good thing was the fact that reporters were not allowed to enter the venue. Otherwise, this would have been just a show of power and money.
As per her preference, Wu Dishi had arranged her seat to be at the most inconspicuous corner. Far away from the chattering crowd of the night.
Wu Dishi could clearly see his master's face darkening because of the delay and he was at the verge of breaking down. Knowing that if the auction didn't start soon, his master would probably run berserk.
Finally, the auction began and Wu Dishi could stop being on edge. He wiped the invincible sweat on his forehead and sat straight on the seat beside his master. Two other men and a woman were seated on the same table.
During the entire auction ceremony, Ru didn't bid for anything. She clearly knew what she wanted. Therefore, she didn't want to bother with unnecessary stuff at all.
Her eyes only darted around to see the things being auctioned and then she'd act nonchalantly. As for the people around seated on her table, they didn't seem much interested in the auction either. But Ru was interested in them for sure!
Other than having a brutal personality and cruel mouth, another one of her bad traits was her habit of trying to read people. Wu Dishi wasn't wrong with the idea that his master might read his mind. Ru might not be able to read a mind but she was very good at reading people.
As she was noticed a bit, the man seated on her right was wearing a cap on his head and mask on his face. He was trying to be quite discreet with that look. But his dark eyes were staring blankly at the stage. His eyes looked desolate, clear and yet there was a hint of being lonely.
Ru stroked her chin and turned her face to see the gentleman sitting opposite of her. With his professional attire and glasses, he looked dignified and mature.
Ru didn't bother checking up on the woman who's been eyeing her for a long time now. Ru avoided that woman's gaze afraid that she might lose her restraint and say something that she wasn't supposed to.
As the auction neared its end, the final piece was put on display as the emcee announced, "Now, the highlight of tonight... Here we present the 'The Parting Soul' by the famous French artist 'Casse Amourex'."
The painting was beautiful. It made one want to spend hours looking at it. There was nothing much on the canvas. There were only two hands holding each other. But the feminine hand was painted in the form of fleeting butterflies. While the masculine hand was drawn as if it had cracks like a shattered glass slowly scattering away. The name was really befitting for the painting, 'The Parting Soul'.
It showed how one person was flying towards the sky freely leaving the other in pieces.
"The bidding price is starting at 5 million dollars." The emcee's voice rang out and the bidding started.
"8 million!"
"10 million!"
"15 million!"
Ru looked at the man opposite of hers who made the last bid and quirked her brow. 'Oh, so he wasn't bidding before because of this piece? Dream on!' She thought to herself as she leaned back in her chair with no intention of raising the price. She was sitting leisurely with her legs crossed over each other elegantly.
"30 million!" The man with glasses raised the final bid.
"We have 30 million. Is there anyone who would like to add? No?" The emcee was speaking enthusiastically. "30 million going once! 30 million going twice! 30 million goi-"
"90 million!" Ru's deep voice rang in the hall attracting plenty of attention from people.
"Who's that young man?"
"Did he just tripled the bid price?"
"He's really handsome. Seems like a young master of some noble family."
There were plenty of comments going around but Ru wasn't focused on them at all. The man in glasses glanced at Ru with a slight frown between his strong brows. In response, Ru's lips curled slightly upwards in a smirk.
"Alright! So, 90 million going once! 90 million going twice! And... Sold! This gentleman in a black suit..." An employee whispered something in the emcee's ear making his eyes go round as he cleared his throat and continued, "I mean, Mr. Xie Rong from the Metrix Consortium has bought the 'The Parting Soul' for 90 million dollars."
"You're Mr. Xie Rong?" The man in glasses asked with disbelief as he shot up from his seat. Seeing the odd looks being thrown his way, he took his seat back but stared at Ru inquiringly. At the moment, the man with a mask on his face was also intrigued as he kept staring at Ru with a complicated look.
Ru looked straight at him and replied, "Why? Want an autograph?"
The one who asked the question had a very unpleased look on his face while Ru heard a small chuckle from the one sitting beside her, hiding his face from all.
"Actually, I was looking for a way to have a meeting with you," the man in glasses replied calmly.
Ru frowned a bit as she asked, "And why is that?"
He extended his card towards Ru and she read the name written in gold writing: 'Qin Qu' from SnapVise Technologies.
"Wu Dishi!" She called out.
"Yes, Master!" Wu Dishi stood up to take his orders.
"Collect that painting!" Wu Dishi looked at Qin Qu for a while in hesitation before nodding his head.
"Mr. Qin, may I know why have you been looking for this lo-" she cut her words before she could complete the 'this lord' title and added, "I mean how can this young master help you?"
"Actually, our company's CEO would like to have a meeting with you!" Qin Qu told her keeping his eyes on Ru's green eyes feeling a strange sense of intimidation. But he had to make this request for Xiao Zhi-Ren. It took him more than a month to find out about the person who replaced Xiao Zhi-Ren's gift for his grandfather. Qin Qu didn't just spend time and resources, he even had to bribe the hotel staff to get some information.
Ru rolled the name card in her hand a few times with a contemplative look. "I'll see what I can do about that," Ru spoke indifferently before standing up from her seat and turning towards the side exit of the hall.
Her being 'Xie Rong; The chairman of Metrix Consortium' was attention-grabbing news. She didn't want to be involved with the meet and greet part. There was no-one at this event who caught her eyes except for this man, Qin Qu and the one who was being mysterious with his mask and all.
Her task for the night was done! Now, the news that Xie Rong himself was in China would start circulating and that was her way of announcing to the world that now, Metrix Consortium will become the biggest business corporation in Asia. Also, from the time Metrix Consortium started working in Asia, there had always been rumors that Chairman Xie Rong was autistic and ugly. That's why he never attended any events. After this event, the rumors would surely die down.
While she was leaving the convention center, she heard someone calling her, "Stop! Mr. Xie!"
Ru turned around to see the man who was wearing a cap and mask, running after her. He was wearing plain jeans and a shirt but with his taut figure, it looked quite good on him.
"Do you have something to say Mr. I'm-being-low-key?" The man didn't give much of a reaction.
"Why did you bought the painting for such exorbitant money? I'm sure it wasn't worth this much."
Ru gave him a once over before replying with a serene look, "The painting might not have worth it but... Those orphan kids are worth that money."
Ru didn't bother sticking around and whipped around to leave taking long strides with her long legs.
The man was stunned for a moment with her reply and it took a while to come around for him. As he saw her straight back with her hand stuffed in the pants pockets, he shouted, "Didn't think you'd have a soft spot for orphans?"
Ru didn't turn around to look at him, just lifted her arm over her head and waved at him saying, "That's the only redeeming quality I've got!"
Although he was right that the painting 'The Parting Soul' wasn't worth this much, for Ru, it was all worth it. Because as they say there's no accounting for tastes. Since she liked the painting, she bought it. Yes, bought it at a preposterous price but so what? The money was going to a good cause. That was all that mattered.