Ah! The Villains I Forced to Turn Evil Can Read My Mind

Soon, the auction began.

When it was Xia Xuechun's turn, the auctioneer announced, "The artwork titled 'Dream of Beauty,' created by the recently emerging artist Xia Xuechun, who is also the donor. The Wonderful Fund Association thanks Miss Xia for her generous donation."

Xia Xuechun stood up and nodded to the audience.

A few people frowned and whispered among themselves, "Is she Long Yuntian's new mistress?"

"No, I heard she's his goddaughter."

"I thought she was his sister."

"She's quite good-looking, though."

Xia Xuechun sat back down, her eyes shining with excitement as she gazed at the painting hanging on the wall.

The guests, however, reacted indifferently.

After all, it was just a landscape painting.

A depiction of flowers and plants, nothing particularly special.

But Xia Xuechun was confident.

Though she hadn't painted it herself.

She had instructed the artist to paint according to her vision!

She believed in her own taste!

Of course, the expected price was set at 1.5 million. She wondered if anyone would appreciate her work enough to bid higher.

Soon, the gavel fell.

The artwork sold for 1.5 million.

A smattering of applause followed, and Xia Xuechun's smile stiffened slightly, her disappointment evident.

All the bidders were people arranged by Long Yuntian, artificially driving up the price. No outsiders had participated.

These people simply didn't understand her inspiration.

Long Yuntian, however, smiled and said, "Everything is going according to plan."

Xia Xuechun nodded, unable to hide her disappointment. "I thought someone might actually like my painting."

Long Yuntian reassured her, "You've just made your debut today. It's normal for some people not to appreciate your work yet. But you're the only artist here, and your painting is the only one on display. Don't worry, people will remember you. Once we create some buzz, everyone will follow the trend and admire you."

Xia Xuechun nodded, her mood lifting.

That's right.

Today was her big day.

Today, Qiao Chuchu would never expect that she had dealt with her traitor and was about to become unstoppably famous!

The auctioneer announced, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have added another artwork to the auction. Next, we present the painting 'Dragon Slayer' by the artist Qiao Chu."

The artwork was wheeled onto the stage, and as the cover was removed, a black dragon was revealed, stunning everyone present!

Wang Ru Tang: "?!"

Long Yuntian: "??"

Xia Xuechun shot up from her seat!

The room erupted in murmurs.

"Qiao Chu is selling her work today? Didn't she retire years ago?!"

"This is why she's Qiao Chu. Her work always gives me chills!"

"This is what it means to be born with talent! Look at her painting compared to the one before—it's like comparing a god to dirt!"

"Ha, I can't believe that last painting sold for 1.5 million. My child could paint something like that. Someone must have been propping her up, artificially inflating the price."

Xia Xuechun's mind was reeling as she looked toward the figure approaching from the side of the stage.

All eyes turned in that direction.

Qiao Chuchu walked in from the side.

She wore a form-fitting, high-slit gown that accentuated her long legs. Her fiery red hair contrasted sharply with her ivory-white dress. Her makeup was subtle, but her gaze was piercing, exuding an air of dominance.

She looked like a dark princess who had just stepped out of a fairy tale, captivating everyone the moment she appeared.

The Pei family, hiding in the shadows, stole glances at her.

They didn't dare to be too obvious.

But they couldn't look away.

Pei Mu and Pei Ci walked proudly beside her, like two strutting roosters.

Xia Xuechun's fingers trembled.

Why was Qiao Chuchu here?!

How could she be here?!!!

Qiao Chuchu smirked, thoroughly enjoying Xia Xuechun's reaction.

[Didn't expect this, did you? I'm here to put you in your place!]

She glanced at the stunned Long Yuntian, then slowly turned her gaze to Wang Ru Tang, whose expression was grim.

Wang Ru Tang's face turned ashen.

Long Yuntian's expression twisted with anger.

Qiao Chuchu ignored them, calmly meeting the stares of the crowd as she took a seat beside Xia Xuechun.

Xia Xuechun's face flushed with anger.

She had noticed the empty seat next to her earlier, but she thought the person wasn't coming.

She never expected it to be Qiao Chuchu!

Wasn't this auction supposed to feature only her painting?!

Why was Qiao Chuchu here to steal her spotlight?!

She turned to Long Yuntian, her lips trembling, on the verge of tears.

Long Yuntian, heartbroken, took Xia Xuechun's hand and demanded of Qiao Chuchu, "Miss Qiao, what strings did you pull to get your painting added to this charity auction? We weren't informed."

"The organizer is the mother of my high school classmate," Qiao Chuchu replied, her eyes fixed ahead. "I do have some connections, after all."

Long Yuntian narrowed his eyes, his tone mocking. "I bet you used your brother's connections, didn't you?"

Qiao Chuchu raised an eyebrow, finally looking at him. "What's the difference between my brother's connections and mine?"

"The difference between relying on yourself and relying on a man," Long Yuntian sneered. "I don't think you're capable of this on your own. You're just a spoiled young lady from the Pei family."

Pei Mu and Pei Ci's faces darkened as they glared at him.

Qiao Chuchu chuckled. "Age really does make a difference. You can't even understand plain speech anymore."

Long ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍Yuntian: "?"

Qiao Chuchu casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I already told you, the organizer is my high school classmate's mother, yet you insist I'm relying on my brother."

Her smile was sweet but laced with venom. "Are you going senile? Or have you reached an age where you no longer consider yourself a man? If Xia Xuechun relies on you, does that mean she's relying on a eunuch?"

Long Yuntian: "!"

Xia Xuechun: "Qiao Chuchu—"

"This isn't a marketplace, Xia Xuechun," Qiao Chuchu interrupted, her tone calm but firm. "Shouting here only makes you look uncultured."

Xia Xuechun: "..."

Pei Mu and Pei Ci quickly started a video call to broadcast the scene live!

Such an exciting moment couldn't be enjoyed by just the two of them!

Our sister is amazing!

Little Eight is a legend!

The auctioneer continued, introducing the painting and its price.

"The artist is Qiao Chu, and the artwork is titled 'Dragon Slayer.' The starting bid is two million..."

Xia Xuechun: "?"

Two million?

Qiao Chuchu's painting starts at two million?!

Qiao Chuchu noticed Xia Xuechun's shock and smiled even more smugly. "What do you have to compete with me? Your final bid didn't even reach my starting price."

Xia Xuechun clenched her teeth, wanting to retort.

But her hand was held by Long Yunxiao's wrinkled one.

Long Yunxiao said reassuringly, "Let's wait and see how the bidding goes. No need to rush. She's a well-known artist, after all. If her painting doesn't sell for at least five million, she has no right to boast in front of you. You're just starting out."

Xia Xuechun felt somewhat comforted and let out a long sigh.

But within minutes, the auctioneer cheerfully asked, "Nine hundred and sixty thousand. Can anyone bid higher? Nine hundred and ninety thousand?"

"Good, we have a phone bid at nine hundred and ninety thousand. Can anyone go higher? One point two million?"

Xia Xuechun: "?"

Long Yunxiao: "??"

Qiao Chuchu: "???"