Chapter 8: No Mistakes

In an instant, my heart pounded like a drum, and I stared blankly at the disappearing figure, unable to regain my senses for a long time.

No mistake—those bloodshot eyes are something I will never forget in this lifetime.

I shouted desperately, hoping someone would notice the fleeing murderer, but the words I called out were heard only by myself.

How could he have appeared here?

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck my mind.

He came looking for Gu Tingchu.

Otherwise, why would a murderer risk being discovered by coming to such a crowded place?

Yet, he was truly skilled at disguise.

Though clearly a tall man standing nearly six feet, at this moment he hunched over like an elderly man nearing the end of his days.

If he had not left such a deep impression on me, I would not have recognized the murderer immediately.

Even now, as a spirit, seeing the man who killed me once again fills me with genuine terror.

At the very second I saw him, my instinct was to run.

I dared not stay where I was, but my body refused to move.

Though I had died once, it was as if my body had been immobilized by some unseen force.

Suddenly, the familiar voice of Qiao Yanxin pulled me back from my fear.

“Auntie, you’re here.”

I snapped back to reality and looked toward the speaker.

Qiao Zhuxin still wore a gray coat, her pale skin starkly out of place among the crowd.

Hearing Qiao Yanxin’s voice, Qiao Zhuxin slowly turned her gaze over and then stepped forward in my direction.

At the same time, I noticed the murderer seemed drawn by the commotion and also began walking this way.

My pupils contracted sharply, and I instinctively stepped in front of Qiao Yanxin.

He’s a murderer—who knows if he’s come to kill more people this time?

Fortunately, the man only paused briefly when passing by Gu Tingchu, then resumed walking and left the area.

Qiao Zhuxin reached Qiao Yanxin’s side and stood firmly.

The moment she spoke, the surrounding air seemed to chill by a degree.

“As far as I know, Qiao Yunzhou has been missing for a long time. You still have the heart to stroll around the gallery instead of searching for him?”

Qiao Yanxin responded nonchalantly, “Oh, Auntie, you don’t understand. Yunzhou has always been like this—bad-tempered. Several times before, whenever he got angry, he’d run off, and no one could stop him. I think this time he’s just sulking. When he can’t stand it outside after a few days, he’ll come back on his own.”

Hearing Qiao Yanxin’s words, my heart sank into despair.

I never expected that after being missing for so long, the only person who truly cared about me would be a stranger like Qiao Zhuxin.

In contrast, Qiao Yanxin and I grew up together as childhood friends, yet she showed no concern, always thinking I was just throwing a tantrum.

All this time, she never tried to understand me.

Qiao Zhuxin’s expression remained unchanged, yet the pressure around her was palpably heavier.

“What if something really happened to him? Could you still remain so calm today?”

Qiao Yanxin was taken aback, then stammered, “N-no… it probably wouldn’t be like that.”

Qiao Zhuxin was about to say more when a strange male voice interrupted.

“Cousin, are you talking about Yunzhou? He went out to have fun. Didn’t he tell you?”

Qiao Yanxin froze, her expression instantly turning fierce.

“What did you say?! Speak clearly!”

She stepped forward and grabbed the man’s collar tightly.

The man, Qiao Ran, was startled by Qiao Yanxin’s intensity, his eyes instinctively flicking toward Gu Tingchu nearby.

“C-cousin, a few days ago, Yunzhou asked me about traveling to West City. You know I work in tourism, so I got him a plane ticket,” he said truthfully.

I love West City—the clouds, the fields there. I knew Qiao Yanxin wouldn’t accompany me, so I planned to go alone after getting married to clear my mind.

Since Qiao Ran works in tourism, I consulted him about it.

Qiao Ran seemed oblivious to Qiao Yanxin’s sullen face beside him and poured fuel on the fire.

“Yunzhou didn’t tell you this? I always thought he told you before going out.”

“Yunzhou’s an adult, but I didn’t expect him to be so unreliable. When he comes back, Cousin, you better have a good talk with him.”

Qiao Yanxin was furious, her voice cold and sharp.

“No wonder I sent people to search all over South City and couldn’t find a trace of him—he ran off somewhere else to enjoy himself!”

Seeing Qiao Yanxin so angry, Qiao Ran pretended to comfort but actually stabbed deeper.

“Cousin, don’t be too upset. Yunzhou has always been like this.”

Watching Qiao Yanxin’s fury, all I felt was bitterness.

If only she had checked, she would know I only bought the ticket but never boarded the plane that day.

Though she had the means, she wasn’t even willing to verify the simplest fact.

She chose to believe a stranger’s few words rather than trust me.

But Qiao Zhuxin scoffed quietly beside her.

“Hopefully, you won’t regret it later.”

Looking into Qiao Zhuxin’s deep, piercing eyes, my face changed drastically.

Does she know something? Otherwise, why say something like that?

But after saying this, Qiao Zhuxin turned and entered the hall without another word.

Qiao Yanxin and Gu Tingchu followed closely behind.

Soon, the auction began.

The first piece was my painting.

Qiao Yanxin, thinking it belonged to Gu Tingchu, immediately raised her paddle.

“Two million.”

This price was not high; my paintings have sold for more.

So bids quickly followed.

Qiao Yanxin called out again, “Five million.”

Gu Tingchu watched Qiao Yanxin with affectionate eyes.

“Yanxin, thank you for your generosity.”

Qiao Yanxin merely shook her head, but inside, she felt something strange.

It was as if she wasn’t bidding on the painting for Gu Tingchu’s sake.

Five million was already a high price.

No one else dared to bid higher.

Besides, everyone could see that Qiao Yanxin clearly wanted this painting herself and had no intention of offending the Qiao family over it.

The auctioneer raised his small hammer.

“Five million once, five million twice, five million…”

“Eight million.”

Suddenly, someone raised a paddle from the corner.

Qiao Yanxin looked up and met Qiao Zhuxin’s icy gaze.

I never expected Qiao Zhuxin to bid so high.

Though my painting is valuable, it’s nowhere near that amount.

Qiao Yanxin gritted her teeth and raised her paddle again.

“Ten million!”

Qiao Zhuxin said nothing but calmly raised her paddle.

“One hundred million.”