Crazy (Lily ABO) - Chapter 39

Xin Ruofan sat in the back seat of the car, her gaze fixed on the photos on her phone. Half an hour ago, the detective she hired had sent back a report; the entrusted matter had been investigated.

The SD card Xin De’en gave them contained, in addition to Teng Lin’s parents’ autopsy report, a manifest. It was ferry flight information for Hai City East District Port. According to the detective’s report, these ships were cargo vessels traveling to and from Southeast Asia. Monitoring from the port showed that Hekun Medical Aesthetics Company trucks entered and exited the port in the middle of each month. However, half a month ago, after Hekun Medical Aesthetics Company delivered their goods to the port, they requested that some of the cargo be unloaded back that same night. This part of the detained cargo was stored in a temporary container at the port. The investigation results showed that all the detained goods were not declared to customs.

Half a month ago was precisely the time Teng Lin had her accident.

Xin Ruofan pondered, holding her chin. It seemed they needed to get evidence of Hekun Medical Aesthetics Company’ illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking before Xin Deming could retrieve the goods. That way, they could deliver a fatal blow to Xin Deming.

Teng Lin sat beside her, also staring at the photos on the phone, murmuring, “I can’t believe you got these crucial photos…”

“Of course,” Xin Ruofan said confidently. “Back then, I relied on Old Shan to find your address in London.” Old Shan was the hired detective; as long as the money was enough, the job would definitely get done.

Teng Lin was momentarily stunned, not realizing this had happened. “I’m sorry…”

Xin Ruofan took Teng Lin’s hand and gently kissed the back of it. “It’s all in the past, and I won’t let you run away again.”

Teng Lin nodded. She wouldn’t run anymore. Some problems could only be solved by facing them head-on.

••••

The nanny van stopped at the entrance of a five-star hotel, with four bodyguards in black suits surrounding the vehicle. Teng Lin held Xin Ruofan’s hand as they exited the car, and reporters and photographers guarding the hotel entrance immediately swarmed them.

Today, a charity auction was to be held here, and Teng Lin’s artwork would be put up for auction. As one of the main figures in the recently sensational “Xin family marriage alliance” incident, Teng Lin’s appearance attracted much attention, especially since she was accompanied by the person involved, Xin Ruofan. Even more sensational was that the other person involved, the chairman of Xin Corporation, would also attend tonight’s auction.

Tycoons, supermodels, a “crazy” painter, scandals, and an arranged marriage—each element was a huge draw. Reporters and marketing accounts were trying every possible way to get into the auction to get firsthand news.

Teng Lin held Xin Ruofan’s hand tightly with one hand, and with the other, carried her artwork in a portfolio bag. Besides the originally announced auction items, the organizers would add three hidden items at the end. According to leaked information, these three items were a collection from a certain wealthy businessman, a collection from a famous movie queen, and an unrevealed painting by the artist Teng Lin. Teng Lin was carrying this hidden auction item.

Compared to her awkwardness when facing camera flashes last time, Teng Lin was very composed now, though her hand holding the Omega’s still trembled slightly, unable to hide it, and her palms were even sweating from nervousness. But her gaze was no longer timid; she didn’t shy away, looking straight ahead.

Xin Ruofan gripped Teng Lin’s hand, firmly returning a steadfast reassurance.

••••

Inside the venue, Teng Lin and Xin Ruofan met an acquaintance. He Yunyan wore a low-cut gown. Just like their last meeting, she gently tugged down her neckline, revealing her pale skin, and slowly walked toward the two. After enduring a silent dagger glare from Xin Ruofan, her hand, which had initially intended to approach Teng Lin, instead linked with Xin Ruofan’s arm.

“Linlin, Ruoruo, long time no see~”

Xin Ruofan’s skin prickled, but she maintained a graceful smile on her face, returning an equally sickeningly sweet response. “Sister Yan, long time no see.”

Teng Lin, standing nearby, no matter how much she tried to feign composure, felt goosebumps rising on her arm beneath her shirt. A fleeting thought of escape even crossed her mind. She didn’t want to participate in this superficial sisterhood conversation.

“You two have been quite hot lately,” He Yunyan teased.

Xin Ruofan chuckled, “It’s a world for two, isn’t it? We can show our affection without restraint.”

He Yunyan leaned closer to Xin Ruofan and whispered, “Actually, three people can be even hotter than two.”

Xin Ruofan inwardly scoffed. Remembering He Yuyan’s help last time, she suppressed the urge to retort.

Suddenly, the lively venue fell silent. Everyone’s gaze turned towards the entrance as Xin Deming, the chairman of Xin Corporation, entered the hall. Across the crowd, Xin Deming’s sharp gaze directly met theirs.

He Yunyan beside him felt uncomfortable under this cold gaze. Even though she couldn’t smell his pheromones, she inexplicably sensed an oppressive Alpha presence. Unlike her, Xin Ruofan’s face remained unperturbed, as if she didn’t sense this oppressive feeling at all. No, this woman was simply fearless.

He Yunyan secretly observed the Omega before her, a knowing smile playing on her lips. These past few days, she had more or less learned about the “marriage alliance incident.” Coincidentally, she also held no good feelings towards this Chairman Xin. When Xin Yufei was relentlessly pursuing her, Chairman Xin had used many tactics to obstruct her investment projects. Since they shared a common enemy, reconciling with a rival for one night was not out of the question.

He Yunyan leaned closer to Xin Ruofan, chatting intimately in a low voice. As she expected, Xin Deming immediately frowned, looking utterly disgusted. He shifted his gaze to Teng Lin, slightly narrowing his eyes, coldly scrutinizing the Alpha.

Teng Lin’s gaze no longer evaded him, and even held a hint of steadfast conviction, though a flicker of awkwardness in her eyes, caught by Xin Deming during their brief eye contact, was clearly noticed. Still a coward after all, just like Xin De’en, incapable of anything significant. He snorted coldly, then withdrew his gaze and took his seat according to the organizer’s arrangement.

••••

The auction proceeded smoothly, quickly approaching its end. When the host announced the three hidden auction items, the atmosphere in the venue instantly became lively. Many people were deeply interested in the hidden items, especially the unrevealed painting by the recently renowned artist Teng Lin, which attracted the attention of many wealthy businessmen.

Teng Lin carried her artwork onto the stage. However, when the staff, wearing gloves, uncovered the portfolio, their faces immediately showed difficulty. “Teacher Teng Lin, are you sure this is the work you wish to auction?” one of the staff respectfully whispered to Teng Lin.

Teng Lin nodded. “Yes, this is the item I’m providing for auction.”

The staff’s expression was hesitant as they secretly observed the artwork. This painting, no matter how you looked at it, seemed to be pointedly referencing a certain chairman in the audience… However, everyone had different perspectives and understandings of art, so perhaps he was simply misunderstanding. More importantly, among tonight’s auction items, Teng Lin’s work had fetched the highest price. For both the organizer and the entrusted auction house, the higher the value of the item, the more commission they earned. The staff member gritted his teeth and gestured for the host to continue the auction.

“Next up for auction is a work by the artist, Teacher Teng Lin.”

When Teng Lin’s painting was placed on the stage, the venue instantly erupted in an uproar. The painting depicted a man in a suit sitting at an office desk. On the desk lay rows of hypodermic needles, scattered pills, and a bloody scalpel. Behind him, through a floor-to-ceiling window, stood towering skyscrapers, with countless banknotes fluttering down through the air. The man rested his elbows on the desk, his hands clasped beneath his chin, in a posture of commanding authority. However, the man’s facial features were haphazardly smeared and covered by layers of black paint. The painting style, as always, exuded an atmosphere of despondency and oppression, even hinting at an eerie feeling.

The title of this work: The Source.

Teng Lin’s gaze was fixed on the man in the audience. Because the source of all this was him. Her parents’ deaths, her sister’s illness, her separation from Ruofan, the knots in her heart, and all the experiences she had endured to this day—all were orchestrated by this man. Xin Deming was the source of her nightmare.

“This painting looks so creepy…”

“The direction she’s looking… so is the person in this painting Chairman Xin?”

“Is she hinting at something indirectly? Is she crazy? She dares to offend Xin Corporation.”

“She’s always been crazy; everyone calls her the crazy painter.”

“Is this a public provocation against Xin Corporation? Didn’t Chairman Xin object to her being with the Xin family’s Omega…?”

“Do you think Chairman Xin will buy it?”

The discussion in the audience grew more intense, with many people starting to gather in small groups and whisper. The host nervously wiped his sweat, looking at the staff’s signal. It seemed he had no choice but to push through. “Then… may I ask the artist to explain the meaning of this work?”

Teng Lin took the microphone, and the venue instantly fell silent. “As you all might have guessed, this painting was created with Chairman Xin as its prototype.”

“The development of Hai City has been booming, and Xin Corporation’s contribution to it is indispensable. Therefore, I believe Xin Corporation is the source of Hai City’s thriving economy.”

“And the origin of Xin Corporation is Xinhai Pharmaceuticals, which achieved great success in the pharmaceutical industry twenty years ago, and also where my father used to work.”

Teng Lin’s statement immediately caught the attention of reporters, especially the deliberate mention of “Xinhai Pharmaceuticals” and “my father.”

“Then why is the face painted over…?”

A low murmur suddenly arose from the audience. The sound was not loud, but those in the front rows, including Xin Deming, could hear it clearly.

Teng Lin smiled politely, “As for why the face is painted over, it’s because I suddenly remembered that I hadn’t obtained Chairman Xin’s portrait rights.”

“Of course, it can also be seen as a special touch I left to gain Chairman Xin’s attention. After all, Chairman Xin is my lover’s elder, and also my father’s former superior. I wonder, Chairman Xin, are you willing to accept my sincerity?”

Could painting over Chairman Xin’s face be called sincerity? Or was publicly mocking Chairman Xin her sincerity?

The venue was abuzz with chatter again, reporters already bent over, typing up news about this sensational auction. The host had to regain control, hastily changing the subject. “Then, the auction now begins. Teacher Teng Lin, please state the starting price for this work.”

“One yuan.”

The audience again erupted in an uproar. Before this wave of commotion could subside, someone in the crowd suddenly raised their paddle.

“Ten million.” Xin Ruofan smiled, calmly bidding.

The host looked shocked. This price far exceeded the market value of Teng Lin’s work. Wasn’t this deliberately inflating the price? But the staff didn’t signal to stop him, so he could only pretend to be calm and announce the bid: “Number 26, ten million.”

The venue was quiet for a moment, many people turning to look at Chairman Xin, the subject of the painting, whispering about whether he would bid for the work.

Xin Deming sneered. Such an open provocation was truly childish. He turned his head to look at Xin Ruofan’s position, but froze. Light gray eyes gazed intently at the Alpha on stage, not even sparing him a glance, completely disregarding him. Xin Deming frowned unhappily; this feeling of losing control made him somewhat impatient.

Now, whether he bought the painting or not didn’t matter. Everyone in the venue had already seen how Teng Lin ridiculed the chairman of Xin Corporation.

Secretary Liang leaned into Xin Deming, whispering, “Chairman Xin, perhaps you should bid for it. If someone else buys it, the reporters might make a big deal out of it.”

“I already gave them a chance to make a big deal.” Xin Deming coldly glanced at Secretary Liang, who immediately fell silent. “Fine, bid for it.” He motioned for Secretary Liang beside him to raise the paddle.

Rather than letting it fall into someone else’s hands, it was better to destroy it himself. Xin Deming looked at Xin Ruofan again. Let them be happy for now; they wouldn’t be smiling for long.

“Twenty million.”

“Number 8, twenty million.”

“Thirty million.”

••••

“Eighty million! Sold! Congratulations to bidder Number 8 for acquiring Teacher Teng Lin’s artwork.”

••••

Xin Deming signed the last page of the contract, indifferently looking at Teng Lin and Xin Ruofan.

“Is this your tactic?”

An amount of eighty million was nothing to the chairman of Xin Corporation.

Xin Ruofan smiled faintly, “What do you think?”

Years ago, Xin Deming had threatened Teng Fei, driving away her Sister Lin with an eighty-million-yuan check. Today, she wanted Xin Deming to buy this highly satirical work for eighty million. She deliberately inflated the price tonight to let everyone see how Chairman Xin became the big spender.

Xin Deming snorted. He gestured with his eyes for Secretary Liang to take the painting away, then coldly looked at Teng Lin. “I’ve accepted your sincerity. As a return courtesy, I should also send you a token of my sincerity.” An invisible oppressive force suddenly descended, without any scent, but Teng Lin and Xin Ruofan both knew well that this was Xin Deming releasing his pheromones.

“Ruofan, have you thought this through?” Xin Deming stared fixedly at Xin Ruofan, giving his final warning. As long as she was willing to return to the Xin family, he could let bygones be bygones.

Xin Ruofan met his gaze directly, answering with unwavering resolve, “No need to consider.”

Xin Deming turned to leave. At the doorway, he looked back deeply, a sinister smile curling on his lips.