Chapter 218: Chapter 215: Men Are Not Good ThingsChu Mengyao and Li Qianru exchanged polite words, flattering each other back and forth.

    Mayor Niu was delighted to see the harmonious interaction between the two. Both Chu Mengyao and Li Qianru are known for their commendable work in charity, receiving high praise and recognition across the board. As mayor, he naturally hoped for prosperity in his governed area, and even if some relied on relief aid, with the help of these two, negative impacts could be mitigated.

    "President Chu, feel free to make yourself comfortable. We’ll go greet some other guests first," Mayor Niu said with a diplomatic smile.

    "Mayor Niu, go ahead and do your thing, don’t mind me," Chu Mengyao replied.

    Mayor Niu, Shen Tingting, and Li Qianru walked away. As the initiator of the charity event, Li Qianru naturally had to accompany Mayor Niu to greet the other elite guests. These were people who came out of respect for Mayor Niu and due to Li Qianru’s influence. It was only natural for Mayor Niu and Li Qianru to treat these donors with politeness.

    Ye Fan, Chu Mengyao, and Liu Shangxiang were chatting.

    Soon, the charity event began.

    The so-called ’charity auction’ items had already been submitted when the invitations were collected by the attendants.

    The items presented by the ladies at the charity event were all quite valuable; they wouldn’t offer anything too ordinary.

    The auctioneer, with an enthusiastic and friendly smile, auctioned off the items brought by the ladies, one by one. S~ea??h the N??eFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    People care about appearances, just like trees care about their bark.

    Such an occasion was all about face value. The gentlemen purchased the items from the ladies at several times their value. The funds raised were all used for charity, gaining face while securing a good reputation, which the gentlemen were naturally willing to do.

    "Now for the final four star items of the charity auction, let our esteemed gentlemen bid to your heart’s content," the auctioneer said loudly.

    The final four included Chu Mengyao, Liu Shangxiang, Shen Tingting, and a mature lady.

    Their items, compared to those of other ladies, weren’t particularly valuable, but due to their high status, there was no shortage of bidders, especially for Chu Mengyao. This is why their items were chosen as the finale.

    A mature lady’s bracelet, which was simply worth a few hundred thousand in a retail store, was auctioned off for eight million by a gentleman.

    The mature lady was obviously the object of this man’s affections. Regardless of her attitude towards him afterwards, she smiled at him now, acknowledging his gesture, whether sincere or insincere.

    "The second star item, a pair of Liu Shangxiang’s earrings, please, place your bids," the auctioneer cut straight to the point without unnecessary elaboration on whose item it was.

    The attendees were familiar with each other, so detailed introductions were unnecessary, and the auctioneer smartly avoided lengthy commentary.

    "Ten million!" The moment the auctioneer finished his sentence, Ji Tian spoke up.

    Around them, everyone involuntarily gasped. The lavishness of his bid was extraordinary.

    Then, no one else bid. Ji Tian had set the price, and who would dare oppose him? The only person capable of challenging Ji Tian, Meng Hao, remained leisurely seated throughout, never making a single bid.

    Meng Hao and Ji Tian were both vying for Chu Mengyao. Since Ji Tian had bid for Liu Shangxiang’s earrings first, Meng Hao naturally didn’t raise the bid. Ten million was already quite high, and Ji Tian had shown Liu Shangxiang considerable respect. As Chu Mengyao’s best friend, this indirectly suggested Chu Mengyao might view this slight favorably.

    It seemed Meng Hao and Ji Tian had reached an unspoken agreement without needing to coordinate; Ji Tian won Liu Shangxiang’s item, and Meng Hao followed by acquiring Shen Tingting’s piece. After all, Meng Hao needed to secure the Jinluo Bay project, and this was a great opportunity to show goodwill.

    As if it were all pre-planned, Ji Tian acquired Liu Shangxiang’s item, and Meng Hao similarly bid one million to secure Shen Tingting’s jewelry.

    This subtle move was well-understood by those present, recognizing that Ji Tian and Meng Hao each had their gains without any conflict arising.

    "Now there’s a good show to watch," everyone thought with a relaxed smile. The last item was Chu Mengyao’s, and Ji Tian and Meng Hao would definitively clash head-to-head, stopping at nothing to win Chu Mengyao’s item, regardless of what it was.

    "Mengyao, I’ve benefited from your glow. A mere trinket is worth ten million; Ji Tian certainly has a kind heart," Liu Shangxiang chuckled with a peculiar expression.

    "Looks like there’s a man who’s quite disappointed. Look to the left, the way he gazes at you is filled with such resentment. I bet deep down, he hates Ji Tian, but is too intimidated by Ji Tian’s status to raise the bid, which is causing him frustration and indignation," Chu Mengyao muttered.

    Liu Shangxiang knew exactly whom Mengyao was referring to. Without glancing around, she dismissively said, "There are loads of men chasing me, what does he even count as? A scummy man with three mistresses outside, thinking he’s something just because he has some dirty money. What a joke to think he could express love before me."

    "Uh!" Chu Mengyao was slightly taken aback, not expecting Liu Shangxiang to be so well-informed about that man.

    Liu Shangxiang, with a mischievous expression, stared at Ye Fan and asked, "Do you think all men are the same? Do you agree there’s truth in the saying that not a single man is decent?"

    "Shangxiang, aren’t you being a bit too absolute in branding all men with the same brush?" Ye Fan replied helplessly.

    "Absolute? Wasn’t it the ancients who said that? Wouldn’t their words hold some truth?" Liu Shangxiang retorted with a frown.

    "Whoever said not a single man is good must be a madman. Didn’t you attend school? In ancient times, it was common for men of status to have multiple wives and concubines. That was the privilege of well-established men. For ordinary folks to marry even two wives, they had to have the means to do it," Ye Fan countered.

    "Nonsense, pure nonsense," Liu Shangxiang dismissed him with a sneer. "I’ve read in numerous books that even eunuchs have multiple wives. Are those the ’good men’ you’re talking about?"

    "What a joke, eunuchs holding official positions aren’t even men anymore, alright? Please don’t insult us men. As for eunuchs, they’ve long been out of the male category. Lack of knowledge is truly frightening. Surely you understand enough to know which part is missing from a man once he becomes a eunuch?" Ye Fan said with fervor.

    "Mengyao, your Ye Fan is being a rogue. I see a serious facade, but deep down, all he thinks about is a harem," Liu Shangxiang complained indignantly.

    "Oh, come on!" Ye Fan cried inwardly, his face instantly darkening.

    Chu Mengyao chuckled silently, paying no mind.