This wasn't some deep grudge, yet it felt like one of those situations where even if he turned to ashes, she'd still recognize him. Jing Shu was completely helpless. How did she end up running into this ridiculous guy again?
The tall and skinny Jiang Changke squeezed out of the crowd, waving excitedly as he introduced her to his college classmates like he was afraid they wouldn't recognize her.
"See that? Jing Shu came here on her own. Yes, that's really Jing Shu, I swear on it. She didn't need Lan Shao's invitation at all. A boss is a boss. So, Lan Shao, what else do you wanna say now?"
Jiang Changke stared at the refined, suit-wearing Lan Shao while asking.
Lan Shao pushed up his glasses and walked toward Jin Baba with a polite tone. "Ba-ge, are you alright? Do you need a doctor? I'll take care of this for you, I promise I'll give you a proper explanation."
Jin Baba turned his head away with dramatic pride. "I'm fine, no, no need to handle it." Damn it, it hurts so much. His toes felt like they were dying. He really wanted to rub them and swear, but he couldn't show even a hint of pain. He had to find a quiet place soon and rub them properly.
Lan Shao frowned again and looked at Jing Shu. "You're Jing Shu, right? I don't know who you used to get in here, but hitting someone inside this trade conference isn't allowed. We have the authority to ask the organizers to kick you out. You need to apologize."
"Yeah, apologize! You even dared to bump into Ba-ge."
"You know who Ba-ge is? You're done."
"Not even the gods can save you today."
"Oh wow, so this is Jing Shu? She's dressed so well, maybe she really is some kind of golden phoenix. Too bad she pissed off the wrong people."
Xiao Liu, the finance clerk beside Jing Shu, frowned and was about to call for backup, but Jing Shu stopped her. She shook her head, telling her to stay calm.
There were also people in the crowd who didn't speak, only clenched their fists and lowered their heads. Tang Yuan and Liu Xia stood behind Lan Shao. They didn't dare speak up, but deep down, they were feeling smug. It'd be best if Jing Shu got knocked down today.
Jing Shu glanced around. This Lan Shao was really something. He practically dragged all their college classmates here to work as servers. The ones in plain clothes were probably extra slots he somehow got.
So what? Just because they had numbers, they thought they were right?
The manager in charge ran over too. The moment he realized it was Jin Baba, he rushed forward like a bootlicking puppy to ask what happened.
Jin Baba looked annoyed. Everyone needed to stop crowding him. They were delaying his chance to go rub his foot.
"So, Jin Baba, you want me to apologize?" Jing Shu wasn't in a good mood either. Her playful expression disappeared as she frowned lightly and stepped forward one step at a time. Her presence crushed the entire area instantly. She wouldn't disrespect Jin Tianci in public, but behind the scenes? Jin Baba would suffer so much he wouldn't even dare file a complaint.
"Disperse, disperse! It ends here!" Jin Baba yelled in frustration, then immediately limped away toward the bathroom.
Since the main person wasn't pursuing it, everyone hurried after him, leaving behind a circle of disappointed onlookers who didn't get to watch a fight.
Lan Shao looked confused. He stared at Jing Shu. This woman dared call Jin Baba by name and Jin Baba wasn't even angry? How did that make any sense?
The manager let out a breath of relief. "What's going on with that troublemaking brat today? He used to cause trouble every day. Total menace."
"If Ba-ge hadn't spared you, you'd be dead today."
"Let's go."
"Guess you're lucky."
Jing Shu scoffed. Yeah, lucky Jin Baba ran fast.
The scene dispersed quickly. Some people felt disappointed, some regretful, but the upcoming celebrity auction was about to start, so everyone's attention shifted back.
"I'll serve you, boss. Anything you need, just tell me. Boss, where are you sitting? Which seat is yours?" Jiang Changke trotted along behind her.
Jing Shu ignored him, rubbing her temples as she walked another round before finally spotting her seat.
Her seat was classified as a "connection seat", the best position reserved for important guests. She wasn't even seated in the same section as Li Yuetian. She was close to the display platform, so she'd get a clearer look at the items being auctioned. After all, this wasn't the capital. They didn't have 3D virtual screens, and even the lighting wasn't great.
Most importantly, there weren't many people here. The hall was divided into four sections, each with its own screen, making the area relatively private. It was basically the equivalent of a front-row private box, each box seating around thirty people.
Jing Shu had just sat down on the cold chair when the curtain lifted. Jin Baba walked in, rubbing his chest and then his backside, limping along with a big group behind him.
They both looked up and froze.
"You went to the wrong place?" Jing Shu asked.
"I didn't. My dad arranged this spot." Jin Baba answered on reflex, then got annoyed as soon as he finished speaking. But if his dad arranged it, then it was definitely correct. It was very possible his dad assigned Jing Shu to the same area.
Everyone around them suddenly lit up.
"So he's someone with authority?"
"Looks like it. Even though this isn't the town government's auction, all the earnings still get submitted to them. I heard everything here is from criminals or bankruptcy seizures."
"Ba-ge's amazing. He got us into such an impressive place. It's great we followed him."
Lan Shao asked, "So she's the one who went to the wrong seat? Manager, come over! And waiter, waiter!"
Jin Baba waved irritably. "Forget it, forget it. She's in the right place. Just hurry up and start. I've got tasks to do."
If he'd known this would happen, he would've let his Maternal Younger Uncle come in his place. He really shouldn't have taken on this stupid job.
Jing Shu and Xiao Liu sat at the very front, dead center, the best seats in the box. Jin Baba sat not far beside them. Lan Shao and Jin Baba's lackeys filled the second row, and the remaining guests took the seats behind them.
There were no refreshments available here, not even water. Everything was basic and cold.
Xiao Liu, ever meticulous, had already wiped Jing Shu's chair, laid down a blanket, and even set up another chair as a makeshift table. She covered it with a pink and white cloth, took out a thermos, brewed coffee for Jing Shu, and added two big pieces of rock sugar.
She also set out four tiny plates holding banana chips, dried fish snacks, peanuts and seeds, and cherry tomatoes.
"Please eat something first." Xiao Liu stepped aside holding her briefcase like a bodyguard.
The stares from behind were intense. People were frozen, muttering holy shit under their breath, swallowing nonstop. Even Jing Shu was stunned.
It was the apocalypse, people came here just to broaden their horizons, and Xiao Liu brought snacks like they were going to watch a performance?
This girl really knew how to handle things. Bringing food for the boss herself? Jing Shu swore she didn't pack any of it.