The charity gala began soon after.
Xiao Rou picked up the microphone, smiled, and gave an opening speech: "Thank you very much to all the guests for attending tonight's charity gala. Over the years, the charity foundation I established has helped tens of thousands of homeless orphans. This is not my achievement alone, but the result of everyone's joint efforts. I am very happy to see that everyone can retain this kind heart to help others."
"Tonight, I've put some jewelry up for public auction. All proceeds will be donated to impoverished areas to build free schools. I firmly believe that children are the future of the empire, and we should treat them well and help them grow up to the best of our ability..."
The princess has been dedicated to charity work over the years, helping many orphans who have lost their parents. She has always been well-regarded by the public, and her brief speech was met with enthusiastic applause from the guests.
The auction has officially begun.
Regardless of its quality, the commemorative significance of the jewelry personally presented by the princess was enough to double its value. The bidding at the auction continued to climb, with an ordinary ruby bracelet even fetching a high price of 30 million star coins.
Of course, since the princess promised that all the proceeds from the auction would be donated to repair schools, the highest bidders would also be indirectly contributing to charity. Many wealthy businessmen would naturally not miss such a good opportunity to make a name for themselves.
The auction continued until 8 p.m., when only one diamond necklace remained to be auctioned.
The auctioneer smiled and said, "The diamond necklace starts at 8 million Star Coins."
People around kept bidding, and the price quickly broke through ten million.
"10 million!"
"15 million!"
"20 million!"
The bidding paddles rose and fell, but when the price reached 30 million, the number of bidders noticeably decreased.
After all, the necklace itself is not worth that much. When doing charity, one should act within one's means. The money of the rich doesn't fall from the sky. Donating tens of millions of dollars should be carefully considered.
Auctioneer: "30 million each time, 30 million..."
Shao Qingge smiled and raised the auction paddle.
The auctioneer was stunned for a moment, then excitedly announced, "This gentleman has bid—50 million!"
The guests at the scene turned around in shock to look at him.
The man holding up the bidding paddle was tall and handsome, with chestnut hair tied in a simple ponytail at the back of his head. This hairstyle complemented his face and did not make him look effeminate at all. Instead, it gave him a dashing and unrestrained air. He squinted his eyes, a half-smile on his face, and that smile was exceptionally captivating.
Many of the young ladies in the room blushed, their hearts pounding, and whispered among themselves, "Who is that? He's so handsome." "Never seen him before..." "He's never attended the Princess's charity galas before?" "He was brought by Kevin, he's so rich!"
Shao, the wealthy CEO, also spends money recklessly.
Ye Qi felt a pang of heartache seeing him casually pick up the 50 million auction paddle.
Of course, CEO Shao's account balance is far more than that. It's understandable that he spent a fortune on a diamond necklace to get closer to Princess Xiao Rou. Anyway, CEO Shao always spends money whenever he goes out—this spendthrift CEO Shao spends 5 million just to use a skill; let's just say he used his skill ten times.
The auctioneer met Shao Qingge's smiling eyes and immediately said, "50 million once, 50 million twice, 50 million three times—sold! Thank you, sir, for your support of the charitable foundation!"
The audience erupted in applause, and many people were wondering—who exactly was this handsome and wealthy stranger?
After the auction, there was a buffet dinner. Kevin, accompanied by Shao Qingge, went to the reception room and found the princess.
The princess smiled and said, "I don't think I've seen this gentleman before?"
Kevin eagerly introduced, "Your Highness, this is Shao Qingge, the owner of Luoke Empire Noah Medical Technology Company."
" This is CEO Shao's son, Ye Qi. They're currently traveling to Azure Empire and really wanted to visit you, so I took the liberty of bringing them to the charity gala. I hope the Princess won't be angry?"
When Xiao Rou heard "Noah Medical Technology", her fingers suddenly clenched at her side, but then quickly relaxed.
Her expression remained unchanged, her smile still present. After listening to Kevin's introduction, she extended her hand and said, "So you are CEO Shao. Thank you for bidding such a high price for the diamond necklace and supporting our charity foundation."
Shao Qingge politely shook hands with the princess: "You're too kind. I've heard of you since I was very young. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to meet you since you got married twenty years ago. It's an honor to meet you today."
He took out the prepared sapphire necklace jewelry box and handed it to Xiao Rou: "I heard that the princess likes all kinds of jewelry. I recently happened to collect a sapphire necklace as a gift. I hope the princess likes it."
When Xiao Rou saw him open the jewelry box, the necklace lying on the black velvet was extremely exquisite, with a pure natural sapphire that was the most beautiful she had ever seen. A look of amazement flashed in Xiao Rou's eyes: " CEO Shao's gift is far too precious."
Shao Qingge said gently, "Only when paired with a beautiful woman of outstanding temperament can precious jewelry truly complement each other."
Ye Qi: "..."
CEO Shao's flattery skills are maxed out; these compliments come naturally to him.
Whether it was due to the increased favorability, Xiao Rou's gaze softened noticeably after accepting the jewelry. She looked at Kevin and said, "Mr. Kevin, you can go ahead and do your work. I'd like to speak with CEO Shao alone."
Kevin tactfully withdrew.
Xiao Rou then looked at Shao Qingge and asked, " CEO Shao, how is my father...?"
Shao Qingge said, "His Majesty is in good health and spirits."
She paused for a moment, then asked softly, "Where is my younger brother Xiao Lou? I heard that Father held a birthday banquet for him a few days ago. As his older sister, I couldn't go to congratulate him in person because of the long distance."
Shao Qingge said, "His Highness the Prince is very well. I also attended his birthday banquet. By the way, I happen to have a video of the birthday banquet here. I wonder if the Princess Consort would be interested?"
A flicker of excitement crossed Xiao Rou's eyes, but she quickly calmed down: "Let me see."
Shao Qingge opened the video recording on the communicator.
In fact, this was a clip recorded by Yu Hanjiang and Xiao Lou using a drone. The person appearing in the footage is not Xiao Lou himself, but rather the " Xiao Lou " from the birthday banquet. Whether he is the real prince is still uncertain.
In the video, " Xiao Lou " is seen holding his fiancée Lin Yan's hand, politely greeting the guests. The young man, dressed in royal attire, looks handsome and debonair.
However, Xiao Rou's expression suddenly turned ugly after seeing the young man in the picture.
Her hands were trembling slightly as she struggled to control her emotions. Ye Qi, who was observing her movements and expressions closely, used Telepathic Connection to tell Xiao Lou, "The princess watched the video and her reaction was a bit strange."
Xiao Lou said, "Let's see how she reacts."
Looking at her pale face, Shao Qingge asked in confusion, "Princess?"
Xiao Rou snapped out of her daze, quickly composed herself, and smiled, "I haven't seen my brother for many years. I didn't expect him to have grown so much. I almost didn't recognize him... CEO Shao, please excuse my rudeness."
Shao Qingge said, "I understand." He paused, then pretended to be kind and suggested, "If the Princess misses His Highness the Prince, why don't you go back and visit him? I think His Highness misses you very much too."
Xiao Rou's hands trembled, and she stood up, saying, "Mr. Shao, I'm not feeling well, so I'll return to the palace first."
Ye Qi asked via Telepathic Connection: " Professor Xiao, she's leaving. She seems to have been through something."
Xiao Lou said, "Have CEO Shao give the things to her."
Ye Qi gently nudged Shao Qingge's waist. Shao Qingge understood, took out an earphone, put it in the jewelry box, and whispered to Xiao Rou, "Your Highness, press the button on the earphone when you're sure no one is watching you."
Xiao Rou looked around, put the earphones in her ears, and pressed the button.
Then, she heard a clear and gentle voice in her ear: "Sister, I am Xiao Lou, I want to see you."