Chapter 49: Luo Xing Is Driven Out
After leaving the auction venue, outside was a spacious hall. Luo Xing surveyed her surroundings and walked over to the sofa area to sit down.
The air conditioning in the hall was blasting, and she rubbed her arms against the chill.
Suddenly, agitation arose at the main entrance, and many people headed over. Luo Xing glanced toward the doorway.
A girl entered, tall and regal, dressed in a white gauze dress with her hair styled in princess curls.
“Miss Liu, you don’t have an invitation. You cannot enter,” the manager followed behind, trying to intercept her.
Liu Mingyue sneered, “I’ll enter if I wish. What does it matter if I don’t have an invitation?”
Watching her petulant demeanor, Luo Xing finally recalled that this was the girl who played tennis with Gu Shiyan last time. As for her name, Luo Xing had already forgotten. Judging by her aggressive posture, she seemed to be here to cause trouble.
Luo Xing withdrew her gaze.
Originally, Liu Mingyue intended to head into the auction, but blocked by the manager, she changed direction—only to spot Luo Xing sitting on the sofa.
She pointed at Luo Xing, “If I can’t go in, why is she allowed?”
Liu Mingyue remembered Luo Xing. She had gone to North City specifically to find Gu Shiyan, but after that tennis match, Gu Shiyan never paid her any attention again.
She’d had someone investigate the three girls who played tennis with him, and later discovered that Luo Xing had pursued Gu Shiyan, and they’d even been together. There was even a video online of Luo Xing confessing to Gu Shiyan; when she saw it, she nearly threw her tablet.
She’d looked into Luo Xing’s family as well—just an ordinary background. Only after learning they’d broken up did she feel relieved.
It was Uncle Gu Liang who told her Gu Shiyan would be here, so she rushed over, only to be refused entry for lack of an invitation.
“How could she possibly have an invitation if I don’t?” Liu Mingyue’s eyes swept over Luo Xing with contempt.
The manager, familiar with Liu Mingyue, had never seen Luo Xing before. He approached Luo Xing, “Excuse me, miss, do you have an invitation?”
Luo Xing lifted her gaze to meet Liu Mingyue’s. The latter stood with arms crossed, chin tipped upward, staring at her.
Luo Xing did not have an invitation; Gu Shiyan had it.
She offered no explanation. “I don’t. I’ll leave now.”
The manager hadn’t expected her to be so direct and took a step forward, asking, “Miss, may I ask how you entered without an invitation?”
Liu Mingyue chimed in, “Did you sneak in just to chase after Gu Shiyan? You followed him all the way here? As a girl, are you willing to do anything for a place in a wealthy family?”
Her words were sharp, each laced with ridicule.
Luo Xing’s steps halted. She turned to face Liu Mingyue. “Miss Liu...?”
She searched her memory for a name but could only address her as Miss Liu.
“Aren’t you leaving yet?” Liu Mingyue’s eyes were as cold as if she were staring at garbage.
She truly didn’t regard Luo Xing at all, but the fact that Luo Xing had once been with Gu Shiyan irritated her deeply.
“Miss Liu, do you have an invitation?” Luo Xing still held her phone, which vibrated. She glanced down—it was a message from Assistant Song.
[Where are you?]
There was something odd about the tone, but she had no time to dwell on it.
Liu Mingyue waved her handbag.
She laughed lightly, “Do you think I’ll be thrown out like you just because I don’t have an invitation?”
Luo Xing looked at her diamond-encrusted bag. Clearly, Liu Mingyue was flaunting its expense to assert her status.
“If the rule is that only those with invitations may enter, both you and I should leave. But if entry is permitted without an invitation, then...” Luo Xing turned to the manager, “am I not allowed to sit here?”
The manager was in a difficult position. Newly transferred here, he knew that everyone attending such prestigious auctions was wealthy and influential, yet hadn’t expected to encounter such a situation on his first day.
He was familiar with Liu Mingyue, so he hadn’t dared to fully bar her at the door, but the other girl was a stranger.
“How long are you planning to linger here?” Liu Mingyue impatiently glanced at the manager. “I told you to throw her out. Don’t you understand?”
The manager wrung his hands, troubled, and looked to Luo Xing. “Miss, I don’t know how you entered without an invitation, but this auction is not open to the public. Please leave now.”
His attitude was as courteous as possible, bowing slightly and speaking gently.
Luo Xing had no intention of arguing with Liu Mingyue.
She took a deep breath and left, holding back her anger.
On her phone, Assistant Song called her directly. Luo Xing answered.
But it was not Song’s voice she heard.
A pause, then a soft cough, and a low, magnetic voice asked, “Where are you?”
Gu Shiyan’s tone was languid, lofty.
“Dead,” Luo Xing replied, and hung up.
Beep... beep...
Gu Shiyan felt as if something were stuck in his throat, his eyes fixed on the phone’s screen.
Assistant Song, worried he might smash the phone, reminded him, “Young master, there are important files on my phone...”
Gu Shiyan glanced at him, “Do you think I’m the type who destroys someone’s phone on a whim?”
Assistant Song laughed, “The other day you came home holding a smashed phone...”
Hence his concern.
Gu Shiyan handed the phone back. “Stay here.”
Assistant Song said, “Old Master Gu said he’ll help you investigate that person only if you win the final lot today.”
“Forget it.”
With that, Gu Shiyan rose and left the auction. As he passed Lu Yuanyi, his eyes glared coldly at her.
Lu Yuanyi shrugged, “So fierce?”
Gu Shiyan didn’t reply, the words “dead” from Luo Xing echoing in his ears.
She was angry again.
No sooner had Gu Shiyan stepped out of the auction than he saw Liu Mingyue.
His brows knitted. He looked around, but Luo Xing was nowhere in sight.
He walked straight outside.
But Liu Mingyue spotted him.
“Gu Shiyan!” Liu Mingyue ran up. “You’re still avoiding me? I did you a huge favor today!”
Holding her gauzy dress and clutch, she hurried after him.
Gu Shiyan did not slow down; in fact, he quickened his pace.
“Gu Shiyan! I got rid of that clingy nuisance for you!” Liu Mingyue, seeing him deliberately avoid her, grew irritated.
Gu Shiyan stopped and looked at her. “What clingy nuisance?”
His gaze was deep, brows furrowed, exuding a strong sense of pressure.
His fingers curled by his trouser leg, then lifted to point at Liu Mingyue. “Don’t follow me.”
He turned and walked out, his steps hurried.