Chapter 147: The World of Love

Fu Siyan's gaze narrowed slightly. He pressed his lips together in silence.

Mu Yinayin's fingers continued tapping back and forth across her phone screen, but Fu Siyan did not glance at what she was looking at.

Withdrawing his gaze, Fu Siyan looked away from her, his cold eyes laced with a trace of complexity. Had Mu Teng been present, he undoubtedly would have laughed inwardly at his own boss—after all, everything happening right now was entirely self-inflicted.

Mu Yinayin paid no attention to Fu Siyan whatsoever, completely unaware of his fleeting emotions and subtle movements as she typed away swiftly.

—Mu Yinayin: [Just focus on recovering properly at the hospital during this time and stop letting your mind wander into random thoughts, understand?]

—Gu Xiaoqi: [Got it, got it. Sigh!]

A faint smile touched the corner of Mu Yinayin's lips. Knowing that Gu Xiaoqi was bored, she had no intention of ending the conversation just yet. Instead, she brought up another topic, and the two continued chatting.

Meanwhile, while she was busy messaging, two items had already been successfully auctioned off. To both Mu Yinayin and Jiang Ling, these pieces were completely irrelevant, so they hadn't paid them much attention.

Just as Mu Yinayin was preparing to continue her conversation, the auctioneer suddenly let out an exclamation that instantly captured her attention.

Simultaneously, it drew the focus of everyone else in the room.

With a deliberate, enigmatic smile, the auctioneer addressed the crowd: "The third item coming up next is likely something that many romantic souls will adore."

Frowning slightly, the audience wore expressions of puzzlement.

Logically speaking, every item featured at this auction should carry genuine significance. What on earth was the meaning of suddenly bringing out some bizarre object seemingly tailored for lovers?

Was there even any necessity for it?

Remaining silent, the crowd clearly projected a sense of dissatisfaction in their eyes.

Yet, witnessing the auctioneer's deliberate attempt to build suspense, everyone felt a strange, inexplicable curiosity stirring within.

Without a word, Mu Yinayin sent a final reply to Gu Xiaoqi and once again shifted her full focus toward the stage and the auctioneer.

***

Immediately afterward, the auctioneer smiled warmly into the microphone and announced, "Now, let us welcome our presentation model to the stage."

With that, background music swelled, and a tall, graceful beauty with flowing hair stepped onto the platform, clicking gracefully in her twelve-centimeter high heels.

In her hands, she carried a presentation tray covered by a red cloth. The item resting beneath it appeared rather small, as the fabric bore no prominent bulges, resembling an empty tray at a glance.

The attendees scrutinized the setup, attempting to guess what might be hidden underneath.

The next moment, the auctioneer chuckled and said, "It seems everyone is quite anticipating this treasure. I notice that it appears nobody is looking at their phones anymore."

No one spoke. Some people in the audience felt an intense wave of impatience, thoroughly annoyed by such drawn-out suspense.

Others, however, found their curiosity itching all the more with every word the auctioneer uttered. Had basic decorum and order not been required in the venue, a few might have already broken into curses, demanding the immediate revelation of the item.

Judging that the atmosphere had been built up sufficiently, the auctioneer smiled and continued, "Mr. Farrer once stated that true love is steadfast and unwavering. Throughout his life, he has exclusively designed treasures dedicated to eternal devotion. Every single piece he creates is a standalone design; mass production and replication are strictly forbidden."

The crowd remained quiet, though flashes of surprise were clearly visible in their eyes.

Farrer?

This was a master of towering renown. If he claimed the second spot, no one in the world would ever dare to claim the first.

Furthermore, countless individuals had fought tooth and nail, draining their resources, yet failed to secure even one of his exquisite creations. Many admirers of his work had traveled great distances in a personal quest to meet Farrer, only to be denied an audience altogether.

The only exceptions were those driven by a genuine pursuit of artistry, harboring a fierce yearning for love and a profound, unique perspective of their own. Such individuals found Farrer more than willing to converse with them. In rare cases, they even collaborated on designing a single piece together, with Farrer generously sharing the title of creator with them.

Everyone present was intimately familiar with this legendary figure, and as for the treasures he designed, their appeal and anticipation went without saying.

Amidst the collective contemplation of the crowd, the auctioneer spoke up once more, "Everything is a matter of destiny and affinity. Consequently, the treasures designed by Mr. Farrer never have duplicates. And this piece right here is a treasure Mr. Farrer finished designing just last month."

The eyes of the audience brightened involuntarily. A creation crafted by this venerable master was certainly worth bidding on.

Although advancing in years, Farrer's interpretation of love transcended age. His designs resonated equally with the young, the middle-aged, and the elderly. At this realization, anyone who currently shared their life with a partner felt a sudden urge to secure this piece for their beloved.

***

By this point, the auctioneer had successfully stoked the atmosphere to its peak.

Countless gazes remained unblinking, fixed entirely on the tray held by the model, waiting impatiently for the auctioneer to sweep away the red cloth.

After offering a few more remarks, the auctioneer smiled broadly and declared, "Come, let us unveil the kind of treasure Mr. Farrer has crafted this time! I am removing the red cloth right now!"

Many in the audience straightened their postures instinctively, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.

Still, that precaution was somewhat redundant. Although the auction hall was packed and many sat toward the back, a massive screen stood directly behind the auctioneer. This ensured that those seated further away could see clearly, as a dedicated close-up shot of the treasure would be broadcasted live, ensuring not a single person would miss out.

And so, amidst the collective anticipation and watchful eyes, the red cloth was finally lifted!

Seated relatively close to the front, Mu Yinayin and her companions did not even need to rely on the giant screen's close-up to see clearly.

As the red cloth was completely removed from the tray, everyone finally laid eyes upon the exquisite and breathtaking pendant resting inside!

Indeed, it was a flawless pendant.

Smiling warmly at the audience, the auctioneer held the microphone and explained, "As you can see, this is a remarkably delicate pendant. The concept was personally interpreted by Mr. Farrer. The overall tone of the pendant is cool and subdued, yet it conveys its message with absolute clarity."

While the crowd examined the piece, the auctioneer continued, "The blue ocean, where every thought and yearning belongs entirely to you. Look closely at the center of this pendant—there is a tiny point of red embellishment. Within a cold and suspicious world, there always beats a stubborn, irrepressible heart of pure passion. Love is sweet, yet it is equally bitter. At times, one cannot help reaching out to touch it, even though it inexplicably brings a sense of sorrow. Yet, even when the pain tears at your soul, you still cannot resist reaching out to touch those cold, inescapable thorns. Even bleeding and bruised, one still yearns to stain oneself with that frigid world."

The crowd stared in slight bewilderment. This interpretation...

Was this really supposed to be an interpretation of love, or did it somehow sound more like a description of the agony of unrequited longing?

Just as confusion rippled through the audience, the auctioneer chuckled lightly once again. "I can already tell what everyone is thinking. However, take a look at the platinum chain that accompanies this pendant..."