Chapter 198: Three Million, It’s Yours

Fang Zhou’s half-step retreat almost caused the malice in Qiao Sisi’s eyes to spill out uncontrollably.

Why?

Why are you avoiding me?

Do you really like Zhang Zhiyin?

She slowly raised her head, looking at Fang Zhou with a face full of confusion.

“What were you about to say? Can you continue telling me?”

Just when Fang Zhou had finally figured out the key issue, there was no way he would continue.

Agreeing to her request would be like pushing himself into a pit of fire.

Shaking his head, Fang Zhou changed the topic and seriously told her, “I can help you issue a clarification statement if it’s inconvenient for you.”

“And yes, I was the one who initiated the breakup back then. It’s my fault, so I can bear the brunt of the fans’ backlash.”

His eyes were filled with sincerity, seemingly thinking only of Qiao Sisi’s well-being.

Little did he know, this very attitude of considering her feelings infuriated Qiao Sisi.

She smirked, a trace of irony in her smile.

“You’re still so self-righteous.”

“You were like this when we broke up, and you’re still like this now.”

“Do you really think what you believe is good for me is actually good for me?”

“Did you ever ask if I wanted it?”

Her voice was soft but carried a seriousness that made her expression daunting.

Fang Zhou fell silent.

Indeed, he had never asked for Qiao Sisi’s opinion.

But wasn’t that the best decision he could make for her?

He didn’t think he was wrong.

The atmosphere in the corridor grew tense with Qiao Sisi’s questioning.

If Zhang Zhiyin hadn’t witnessed it herself, she would have thought their breakup was due to incompatibility. Now it seemed there was more to the story.

No wonder Qiao Sisi couldn’t forget Fang Zhou; he must have done something she couldn’t accept.

Fang Zhou felt his throat clogging up. He opened his mouth but ended up just apologizing.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

“If you don’t need clarification, I won’t take any action.”

His voice became hoarse, lacking the clarity it had earlier.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhiyin took two steps forward and said to Fang Zhou, “Can you hold my bag? I need to go to the restroom.”

She gave him a look, signaling him to leave the area.

Fang Zhou nodded lightly, agreeing, “Okay.”

He then walked out, leaving Qiao Sisi and Zhang Zhiyin alone in the corridor.

One wore a purple gown, the other a blue one, standing on either side as if natural-born rivals.

Zhang Zhiyin looked at the exquisite actress opposite her, feeling a mix of emotions.

Previously, she had been too weak to face Fang Zhou’s affections for another woman, too afraid to accept her own failed crush, leading her to flee abroad.

Now that she was back, she wouldn’t be a weakling anymore.

Having decided to protect Fang Zhou, she knew Qiao Sisi, his first love, had to be kept away from him.

Qiao Sisi withdrew her gaze from Fang Zhou’s departing figure and smiled meaningfully at the famous author across from her.

“He seems to listen to you.”

With Fang Zhou gone, she no longer needed to pretend.

“But as a friend, don’t you think you’re overstepping?”

Qiao Sisi implied that Zhang Zhiyin was meddling too much.

Zhang Zhiyin caught the sarcasm but didn’t care.

Her dark eyes shifted slightly as she replied softly, “Asking him to hold my bag was just a small favor, something any gentleman would do.”

“Miss Qiao seems to be overthinking.”

Qiao Sisi snorted, knowing Zhang Zhiyin was deliberately misinterpreting her, but she didn’t want to waste time arguing over it.

Her gaze darkened, fixing on Zhang Zhiyin as she warned, “Fang Zhou is my first love and will be my future husband.”

“He can have friends, but I don’t want him to have overly close female friends. Do you understand, Ms. Zhang?”

At that moment, Qiao Sisi’s aura became oppressive, like a lioness protecting her territory.

Dominant and fierce, ready to pounce and tear apart any intruder.

Zhang Zhiyin almost laughed out loud.

Anyone unaware would think Qiao Sisi was a kind, gentle person offering heartfelt advice.

Facing Qiao Sisi’s inexplicable hostility, Zhang Zhiyin wasn’t intimidated. Instead, she met her gaze head-on.

“You said he’s your future husband.”

“But, Miss Qiao, the future is the most uncertain thing. It’s full of variables.”

Zhang Zhiyin smiled, exuding a calm and confident aura that made her seem like she belonged at the top, admired by many.

She leaned in and whispered in Qiao Sisi’s ear, “The unknown is the most terrifying thing, isn’t it?”

With that, Zhang Zhiyin straightened up and walked into the restroom, leaving Qiao Sisi standing there in a daze.

Was she officially joining the fray?

Entering the competition to see who would emerge victorious?

Zhang Zhiyin had spent years in Fang Zhou’s life, understanding his temperament and habits better.

If she chose to interfere, it would indeed be more convenient.

But why would Qiao Sisi fear her?

A woman who had never truly had Fang Zhou, why should she be afraid?

Crossing several corridors, Fang Zhou returned to the hall to find the charity auction had already begun.

Han Xi was seated in the front row, with an empty seat beside her, seemingly reserved for Fang Zhou.

She spotted him immediately and signaled for him to come over.

Remembering that he was here as her companion, Fang Zhou felt he should be useful and sat next to her.

“Take this, and bid.”

Han Xi handed him a paddle, signaling for him to participate in the auction.

Fang Zhou was puzzled but did as Han Xi instructed, raising the paddle whenever she nodded.

After a few rounds, with the auctioneer’s gavel striking, the first item found its owner.

“Three million once, three million twice, three million thrice!”

“Congratulations to President Han for acquiring this Qianlong-era artifact for three million!”

Han Xi nodded lightly and told Fang Zhou, “It’s yours.”

Fang Zhou’s expression was one of complete bewilderment: What?

He had raised the paddle a few times, and it cost three million?

Oh wait, the important part was, Han Xi casually gifted him a three million artifact?

tln : hmm interesting, so right now Qiao Sisi vs Zhang Ziyin , Qin Yun vs Chu Xinran. Right now only Han Xi not confronting directly to anyone. maybe Qin Yun, but surely they all gonna be in one big fry. ig, lets just see.