Chapter 8 Chapter Six: Listening to Waves and Seeing Ghosts in the Dark Night

Sikong Zhu will hold an auction reception tonight, auctioning several of his famous paintings, more than ten pieces of calligraphy and painting works created by himself, and eight pieces of artworks and cultural relics he carefully collected. All proceeds will be donated to the resettlement and reconstruction work after the earthquake in Yushu .According to Qin Huai, a group of important city leaders, including the secretary of the municipal party committee, will be present. "But why should I go?" "Because I was invited." Qin Huai seemed to think that this reason was justified.

"You don't think it's troublesome enough, and you want to gossip more violently? You just admitted that Yu Ji is staring at you." "If you are afraid of being exposed, you don't have to follow me." Nalan wanted to shout: I have nothing to expose here!She held back and asked, "I still don't understand why you insisted on me going." "You may not know that although Sikong Zhu has done a lot of charity, it is the first time for his own collection to be auctioned. He is a person who loves collecting like his life. I often laugh at him for being so obsessed, but he actually accepted it. "It felt like Qin Huai was talking about him.

"You still haven't answered my question. You want to watch the excitement. I have no objection. Why..." "Who is my writing assistant?" "Writing assistants are only in charge of writing-related things." "Tonight is a reception related to writing." Na Lan knew that Qin Huai was debating, so she reasoned that she was just a student and didn't even have clothes suitable for the occasion.Qin Huai said it would be easy to handle, and Fang Wendong's wife could lend it to her. Thankfully, at least he doesn't need to wear the clothes of Qin Huai's missing wife.

On the ferry, Na Lan found that Fang Wendong and his wife did not come together, Qin Huai said lightly: "Si Kongzhu is picky about hiring people." .Qin Huai said again: "Don't get me wrong, originally, I was also incompatible with the group of people going to the reception, but Sikong Zhu and I have a personal relationship... It should be regarded as a friend in need." Na Lan didn't ask any more questions, but still felt that it was a bad idea for her to agree to accompany Qin Huai to the banquet - she could guess something from the strange eyes and expression of the boss Zhangdu.

The auction reception was held in a restaurant called "Tingboxie" in Linhu.Qin Huai said that this restaurant also belongs to Sikong Zhu's group, and it is said to be the best Zhejiang cuisine in the three provinces.The most commendable thing is that there are no VIP rooms, no karaoke, and no girls in the restaurant.Na Lan said: "This seems to be contrary to the 'way of business'?" Qin Huai said: "It's actually very simple. Sikong Zhu is afraid of ruining his elegant name. This restaurant is just Sikong Zhu's private kitchen, and it was not used to make money. Yes, so he can 'do whatever he wants'."

At the gate of "Ting Boxie", Na Lan finally understood why Qin Huai "dare" to bring her to the banquet.Due to the presence of the city leaders, the police cars lined the road at the entrance of the restaurant, as if they were facing an enemy.Anyone who enters will have to check the invitation card again and again.The invitation was printed with a painting of Sikong Zhu's "private house", and there was a magnetic strip sandwiched between the invitations, which would only be released after being scanned by the security guard. This kind of strict security blocked at least 99% of the entertainment reporters and all kinds of people.

But the strict security inside and outside the restaurant did not stop that person. From this angle, that person could clearly see all the people who entered and exited the auction reception.You can see the secretary of the municipal party committee, two deputy mayors, five district chiefs, the secretary of the district party committee, the chairman of the Provincial Political Consultative Conference, the deputy director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, and a rich and wealthy businessman who can be named. Oh, don't forget that there are first- and second-tier The famous movie star and singer, the host of the reception is the popular host of Jiangjing Satellite TV.

How many people here are perfectly clean? Qin Huai and Na Lan walked in side by side.Thank goodness, the two of them didn't hold hands, otherwise, that person would not be able to hold back, and maybe he would do something very inappropriate on the spot. What's the rush, even if they really struggle and show their ugly faces, sooner or later it will end.If they can't break up with each other, at least someone else will come forward to solve it completely. This secret, only that person knows. Poor Na Lan, a little girl who knows nothing about the world, is involved in such a torrent of muddy water, and sooner or later she will be submerged and washed away.

At this time, a striking figure appeared in that person's field of vision, which also attracted the attention of almost everyone present.The man's heart skipped a beat: who knows, perhaps, the best show will be tonight. Qin Huai only wore a casual suit, which seemed a little rough on this occasion, but it seemed that the dark blue off-the-shoulder dress that Na Lan borrowed from Mrs. Fang Wendong was too formal.It wasn't until the two of them walked into the lobby of the restaurant that they knew what to wear tonight, it wouldn't be too formal.Figures in black suits and tuxedos are everywhere, and the female guests' off-the-shoulder, backless, low-cut and high-waisted dresses are all grand.

Nalan, who never had stage fright, also felt a little dizzy at this moment, so she was about to "turn underground", but Qin Huai saw through her intention immediately, and her slender waist was held by Qin Huai's big hands.Nalan was disgusted and put it on her face, Qin Huai said in a low voice: "I didn't mean to be a fool, you only need to endure for two minutes, and it's over after meeting him." Seeing an imposing middle-aged man approaching from the opposite side, Nalan knew that she had to change her face immediately. She smiled calmly and faced Sikong Zhu.

Looking at Sikong Zhu up close, he looks more radiant than on TV. His hair is black and it is said that he has never dyed it. There is almost no wrinkle on his forehead.He was wearing a black suit, tie, and white shirt.He took a tiger step and stretched out his hand from a distance. Nalan was still puzzled, but Sikong Zhu held his hand tightly: "This is..." "Nalan." Qin Huai said, "My writing assistant." Sikong Zhu smiled: "Welcome. It's a pleasure to meet you." Na Lan was hesitating whether to ask for an autograph for her mother.Sikong Zhu held Qin Huai's hand tightly again: "I'm really worried that you won't come." "why?" "I thought the tabloid's gossip was trapping you." Sikong Zhu looked at Nalan again, and there seemed to be multiple meanings in his words. "It's just for me to practice my ability to escape from prison." Qin Huai smiled, "Take out the treasures that you carefully collected, sir, to auction for donations. I can't help but admire them." Si Kongzhu said to Na Lan: "The young lady may not know that Qin Huai often said that my collection habit is suspected of being insane." He turned to Qin Huai again: "So, today is also for myself to cool myself down and calm down again. Being able to benefit others can be said to kill two birds with one stone.” Qin Huai chatted with Sikong Zhu again, and asked, "Where is Mrs. Sister-in-law?" Si Kongzhu said: "She inspected the display of the works at the end, and reviewed the auction rules and schedule with the auctioneer. You know, she is a hundred times better than me in terms of everything." Nalan couldn't help being curious, wanting to see what this Mrs. Sikong looks like.Finally, Sikong Zhu turned around to greet an important person from the city government. Nalan looked towards the front of the auction stage, and for a moment couldn't recognize anyone who looked like Mrs. Sikong, but bumped into two cold eyes without thinking. For a moment, Nalan felt that she had been stared at by Ning Yuxin's black eyes too much, and the grass and trees were all on fire.Look again, more confused.The owner of those two gazes, with bright black eyes embedded in a flawless face, has porcelain-like skin, a slender neck, a high bun, and a snow-white dress, making people immediately think of a modest and expensive swan. Pretentious beauties feel like ugly ducklings.She seems to have stepped directly from the famous artist's canvas—in fact, she really stepped off the canvas. Nalan is sure that she is the prototype of the diabolo, the boss of the invitation. I must have read it wrong just now, the gaze that Nalan saw at this moment, calm and friendly, if it is really related to "coldness", it is also a bit of innate reserve. Could this be Mrs. Sikong?It is not surprising that Sikong Zhu's "confidence" is an old couple and a young wife.Na Lan would like to ask Qin Huai, who has "read countless girls", what is the origin of classical beauties.But Qin Huai has disappeared. She suddenly felt that although there were real faces and real dresses around her, she seemed to be trapped in a thick fog, even a bit like a lost child, a kind of panic towards strangers, Unlike Grandma Liu who entered the Grand View Garden—Grandma Liu was so tactful that she became the private comedian of the Rongning Second Mansion as soon as she entered the Grand View Garden—she felt more like Grandma Liu's grandson Ban'er entered the Grand View Garden, at a loss. At this time, the best way, of course, is to hide and avoid many strange faces. Nalan still doesn't understand the purpose of Qin Huai's bringing her here, is it just a shock therapy for commoner women to "see the world"?She kept smiling, walked through the suit and dress, and walked out of the banquet hall to the garden behind the hall. She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like Zhao Zilong who rushed down Changbanpo for the last time. The garden is unique and unpretentious, with small bridges and flowing water between the repairs, and the summer evening wind blowing around the lake.Nalan smiled at herself, this is my base for tonight. What interrupted the comfortable feeling were two gazes, familiar gazes.Poisonous, dark eyes, like a snake hovering from among the bamboo bushes, attacking silently. She knew that she must have read it wrong. This is an "important occasion" with strong barriers. It is impossible for Ning Yuxin to be invited... But, I didn't send the invitation, so how would I know? She was not mistaken, she saw a tall black figure, under a flowering tree not far away, fleeting. Nalan chased after him, and the black shadow sprinted around the winding path in the garden, seeming to be evading and leading at the same time.She insisted on chasing Ning Yuxin and questioned her gaze. "Are you lost?" A voice suddenly sounded behind her, and Na Lan was so startled that she almost made a sound. She turned around and saw a white dress.That pure white "dancer", that classical beauty I saw in front of the auction stage just now.Bathed in the melting moonlight at this moment, the dancers are more like immortals.Nalan said: "No, I just came out to get some air." She half turned and glanced, and Ning Yuxin's shadow had faded into darkness. "It seems that I'm not the only one who feels stuffy inside." The girl smiled, which made Nalan's heart beat and she didn't know what to say.The girl didn't let the silence continue, and said flatly, "Qin Huai must like you very much." Nalan really hoped that the silence would continue: "What are you talking about?!" "Don't get me wrong, it's just an objective evaluation. Ning Yuxin has been by Qin Huai's side for so long, and he has never brought her to such an occasion." The girl looked down-to-earth. "Ning Yuxin...you also know Ning Yuxin?" Hearing this name, Nalan forgot to defend herself. "It seems that more than half of the citizens of Jiangjing know Ning Yuxin." The girl smiled, obviously talking about the recent lace news in the tabloids. Nalan turned around and took a look again, as if Ning Yuxin would still be waiting for her in the dark. "Coincidentally, I saw her just now, right here." The girl frowned, shook her head and said, "Impossible. How could she be invited? Even if she came, how could she come in?" "How do you know she didn't..." Nalan asked, feeling regret immediately. "Of course I know," said the girl. "Because I made the invitation list." "So you belong to Sikong Zhu..." "Sikong Zhu is my father. My name is Sikong Qing." Understand some, do not understand more.The reception in the hall, where she is surrounded by celebrities and dignitaries, is her real stage, but why did she come out to strike up a conversation with me? Nalan introduced herself, and asked again: "You must be very capable, and your father must be very proud. The 'dancer' on the invitation is you, right?" "Yeah, do you like it? I've been helping my parents with corporate affairs. I don't like it, and I don't want to be a parasite, so I have to be conscious and do things I don't want to do. Fortunately, as you said, I Dad has always been very indulgent to me, who made me an only daughter. I also don't want to let him down." "I'm so envious of you." Nalan liked Sikong Qing a little bit. "I really envy you." Nalan suddenly felt that the tacit understanding between the two of them would be broken at the touch of a button. She faintly knew what Si Kongqing was referring to, so she could only say: "You really know how to joke." "I am indeed very lucky. I was born in such a family with such capable parents who treated me so well." Sikong Qing took a step closer to Nalan, as if to tell her a secret deeply buried in her heart, her eyes were as soft as water, " But you might never have thought that my parents gave me life, but Qin Huai gave me a second life." Then, Sikong Qing left, leaving only the speechless Nalan in place, as if nothing had happened, as if time was reversed back to that moment, she was chasing Ning Yuxin's ghost. Ning Yuxin's ghost! She blinked, and Ning Yuxin, in a black dress, was standing in front of her.Nalan wanted to question her, but she was so shocked that she couldn't speak for a while, Ning Yuxin said softly, "I don't envy you at all... You are in real trouble."