Chapter 173: Targeted by Starving Wolves

Seeing the respectful attitude of the auction staff toward Gu Xiujin, coupled with his special treatment, Xie Qingtang could not help but be dumbfounded. After all, such an outrageous move as dismantling a regular seat just to place a wheelchair there was a privilege reserved exclusively for Gu Xiujin.

Gu Xiujin's arrival instantly heated up the atmosphere of the auction venue. As prominent figures from various industries poured in one after another, the hall grew slightly noisy.

At this moment, Dong Weiyi appeared at the venue wearing a sky-blue suit. A gentle, cultured smile still lingered at the corners of his mouth, sweeping into the hall as softly as a spring breeze. Quite a few people stood up to greet him, which clearly showed that he was exceptionally well-liked and connected.

Dong Weiyi’s gaze swept constantly across the auction room as if searching for something, until it landed on the back of a woman sitting in the front row. That woman was none other than Xie Qingtang.

A flash of pleasant surprise crossed his eyes the moment he spotted her. He immediately walked over in that direction and noticed Gu Xiujin sitting right beside her.

"Miss Xie!" Dong Weiyi paused for just a brief second before continuing his stride. He stopped right in front of her and greeted her with a smile.

Xie Qingtang stood up, smiled back at him, and said, "Mr. Dong, you're here too."

"Miss Xie, please rest assured. I am not here to compete with you for that herb, the Universe Grass. There is something else I am after at this auction," Dong Weiyi said half-jokingly, taking a seat directly beside Xie Qingtang.

Only then did Xie Qingtang notice Dong Weiyi's name tag affixed to the seat next to hers. She hadn't paid attention earlier because her entire focus had been on Gu Xiujin.

"Who on earth is this Xie Qingtang? To think she's sitting right between those two business titans, Gu Xiujin and Dong Weiyi. Could she be the young heiress of some reclusive business dynasty?"

"You really are ill-informed if you don't even know Xie Qingtang. She's the curator of the recently established Cunshan Hall, a female practitioner of traditional medicine. She's been quite trendy online lately—basically a minor internet celebrity." Two women were whispering to each other nearby, their eyes filled with undisguised jealousy and disdain.

After all, in their eyes, both Gu Xiujin and Dong Weiyi were prime, eligible bachelors among the elite families. Although Dong Weiyi already had a daughter, his wife had passed away many years ago, and coupled with his illustrious family background, he naturally became a prime target for everyone to vie for.

As for Gu Xiujin, it went without saying. Though his health was poor, everyone was coveting his vast wealth. Besides, if he were to pass away early, inheriting the enormous fortune of the Gu family would be a wonderful prospect.

Thus, before she knew it, Xie Qingtang found herself sandwiched between two men whom everyone envied with red eyes. She could feel several gazes stabbing into her back, as if they wanted to pierce multiple holes right through her.

Fortunately, Xie Qingtang possessed enough self-confidence, and her attention was not on the two men sitting beside her anyway. Before long, the auction staff distributed the order list of items to the people in the front rows.

Her burning gaze immediately scanned the list, finding that the Universe Grass she needed was ranked ninth in the auction.

"She really came, and she's even sitting with Gu Xiujin and Dong Weiyi. She truly is a flirtatious vixen who knows best how to seduce men." Seated in the fifth row, Wang Miaoer ground her teeth as she watched Xie Qingtang sitting alongside Gu Xiujin. Griaced with jealousy, she clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug deep into her flesh without her even realizing it.

Also seated in the fifth row were Shao Bin, Bai Cheng, and Zhou Ning, all sitting together.

"That's Xie Qingtang. Just looking at her back makes one's imagination run wild; I can only wonder how stunning her face must be. To think she's even sitting in the front row—this is getting interesting." A lewd gleam flickered in Bai Cheng's eyes as he unscrupulously swept his gaze over Xie Qingtang's back, a smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.

A jolt ran through Shao Bin's heart. He turned to look at his buddy and smiled, asking, "What's this? Are you interested in Xie Qingtang?"

"Haha, brother, don't think I don't know who Xie Qingtang is. She's technically your half-sister. No matter how much of a bastard I am, I wouldn't prey on my friend's sister. Rest assured," Bai Cheng said, quickly offering an explanation because he assumed Shao Bin was on Xie Qingtang's side.

To his surprise, a chilling glint flashed in Shao Bin's eyes. He waved his hand dismissively and said, "What half-sister? I've never acknowledged her as such. If you're genuinely interested in her, I might even be able to help introduce you."

"Oh? Is that true? It's a deal then. As soon as the auction ends, you must introduce me to this half-sister of yours." To Shao Bin's surprise, Bai Cheng eagerly seized the opportunity and expressed his desire to meet Xie Qingtang.

Looking at the lustful man beside him, Shao Bin smiled with an expression that conveyed mutual understanding, though his heart was filled with utter contempt. Despite being born into a prominent medical lineage, Bai Cheng's personal conduct was notoriously scandalous and dissolute.

He was a well-known playboy even within their social circle, and any woman Bai Cheng set his sights on would be pursued by any means necessary. Shao Bin felt no pity for Xie Qingtang; instead, he believed that if this half-sister of his could help him establish a connection with Bai Cheng, it would actually be a good thing.

Sensing an unbridled gaze lingering on her—one that felt somewhat different from the others—Xie Qingtang frowned slightly, turned her head, and glanced backward.

Without any warning, her eyes locked directly onto Shao Bin's calculating gaze. A surge of instant revulsion rose within her heart, and Xie Qingtang quickly averted her eyes.

That mere glimpse of her profile was enough to sweep Bai Cheng off his feet. Saliva almost pooled at the corners of his mouth as he sighed in admiration, "Shao Bin, is she really your half-sister? Beautiful—she is simply too breathtaking. Just a glimpse of her profile is enough to haunt a man's soul."

"My sister has a humble background, so being noticed by Young Master Bai is her good fortune. Don't worry, once the auction is over, I will certainly make sure Young Master Bai gets his wish," Shao Bin scoffed inwardly, mentally cursing Xie Qingtang for acting so aloof on the outside while being loose on the inside—otherwise, why would she deliberately flash her profile to seduce Bai Cheng?

Amidst the various ulterior motives harbored by the attendees, the auction finally commenced. The auctioneer stepped up to the podium holding an auction gavel, smiled, and bowed deeply to the crowd below to show respect.