Chapter 38: You Cannot Be a Decent Human Being, but You Are an Expert at Playing Innocent

"Oh, I actually thought you wouldn't show up. What a surprise."

Nan Zhen'er took off her sunglasses and spun them around her finger.

"I forgot to tell you, sister, the Star Coast operates on a membership system, divided into Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers. Are you a lowly Bronze member? If not, I'm afraid you won't even be able to get through the front door." Nan Zhen'er looked smug.

"So, what is your purpose in bringing me here?" Nan Xing asked, her expression calm, showing neither shame nor annoyance.

Nan Zhen'er chuckled and stepped forward to hook her arm into Nan Xing's. "Of course, it’s to follow Father’s orders and take you out to see the world." Her voice was sweet. "Don't be angry, sister; I was just joking earlier."

"It doesn't matter if you aren't a member. With me here, I can certainly get you in."

With that, Nan Zhen'er showed her Silver invitation to the young security guard. "I am the daughter of the wealthiest man in Beixin. This is my sister; she’s accompanying me."

The handsome security guard looked Nan Zhen'er up and down, verifying the authenticity of her invitation. The person before him claimed to be the daughter of the wealthiest man in Beixin, yet she held only a second-tier Silver invitation. Meanwhile, the lady who had passed just before her—though she hadn't fully revealed her invitation—had shown just a corner that he immediately recognized as a top-tier Gold membership. It was hard not to doubt the veracity of Nan Zhen'er’s claims.

After confirming there were no issues, the guard politely let them through.

Nan Xing didn't say a word, but she pulled her arm away from Nan Zhen'er with a look of disgust. Since Nan Zhen'er was so eager to show off and make a spectacle of her, she wouldn't mind preparing a big gift for her later.

With twenty minutes left until the auction began, the two arrived at the reception hall on the first floor. A lounge area was set up there, and many high-society attendees had already arrived. Several fashionably dressed young socialites spotted Nan Zhen'er and came over to greet her.

"Zhen'er, I knew you wouldn't miss this year's auction. Where are your parents? Are they not with you today?"

"Father is busy with the company, and Mother went to play mahjong with her friends," Nan Zhen'er said with a smile, pushing Nan Xing forward. "But I have my sister here with me; I’m sure this auction will be even more interesting now."

Nan Xing understood the implication behind her words perfectly and sneered. The socialites shifted their gazes to Nan Xing.

When they saw Nan Xing’s "shamate" (non-mainstream) style and her drab, tacky attire, their expressions shifted to one of undisguised contempt.

"Zhen'er, I never heard you had a sister. Is this a distant relative from the countryside?"

"Yeah, Zhen'er. I only knew you were the only apple of the Nan family's eye. Is she a cousin or something?"

"Ahem, Zhen'er, don't tell me you brought your servant's daughter along?"

Out of respect for Nan Zhen'er, their tone remained somewhat subtle. However, Nan Zhen'er just smiled, offered no detailed explanation, and said gently, "My sister hasn't been in Beixin long since coming from the countryside. She really longs for big-city life, so Father asked me to bring her out to see things and meet some friends."

"Oh, I see."

"Zhen'er, you are so kind-hearted. Knowing that country folk don't get many chances to see the world, you even took the initiative to bring her along. If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to be seen with her."

"Exactly. I heard people from the countryside are especially petty and never like to lose out on anything. I, for one, can't stand that."

"Well, I don't want to either, but she is my sister. Family should love and support one another, right?" Nan Zhen'er handed a glass of juice to Nan Xing. "Isn't that right, sister?"

Nan Xing didn't take it. She thought to herself: *You aren't good at being a person, but you're an expert at playing innocent.*

Nan Xing replied, "Who is family with you?"

Nan Zhen'er froze for a moment, her eyes turning red and looking deeply aggrieved. "Sister, how can you say that? Even if we didn't grow up together, blood is thicker than water. Regardless, in my heart, you will always be my dear sister."

Nan Xing exhaled and fixed her gaze on Nan Zhen'er’s wrist. "What watch is that, a Patek? It looks so 'bitchy'."

Nan Zhen'er: "..."

As Nan Xing spoke, the surrounding socialites exchanged glances and shared their thoughts on her again. *This country bumpkin is exactly what you'd expect—no class whatsoever. A genuine heiress is trying to help you see the world and meet people, and you just slap the hand that feeds you? Thinking that being cold and aloof makes you cool? Ha, I've never seen anyone so ungrateful!*

Of course, with Nan Zhen'er present, they kept these thoughts to themselves. Nan Zhen'er placed the juice back on the tray and let out a soft, choked sob. "Sister, are you still angry about that day? I was in a rush and picked up the wrong package. I didn't realize you also liked that perfume endorsed by Lin Weiyang."

Nan Xing: "???"

"Although I don't know if you bought it from some discount site just to save money, I understand that everyone loves beauty. If you really like it, you can just tell me, and I'll pick one out for you myself so you don't get scammed into buying those low-quality products again."

This time, Nan Xing couldn't hold back. She gave Nan Zhen'er a thumbs up. "As a textbook example of a failure, you are truly a success."

Nan Zhen'er pretended not to understand her sarcasm, pulled out the auction brochure, and said with exaggerated concern, "Dear sister, I apologize for my impulsiveness last time. To make it up to you, I plan to give you a small gift."

A small gift?

One of the socialites chimed in, "Zhen'er, you don't mean you're going to bid on something here for her, do you?"

Nan Zhen'er nodded, looking naive and confused. "Um, is there something wrong with that?"

*Damn!* Does this foolish heiress realize that every item in this auction is worth a fortune? Prices could even double if others bid against her. And yet, she’s going through all this trouble just to please her sister...

One of the socialites close to Nan Zhen'er couldn't take it anymore. She pulled Nan Zhen'er aside and spoke bluntly, "She's just a bumpkin. Why not just give her some pocket change to send her off? Why waste so much money?"

"And didn't you see her attitude just now? She doesn't even treat you like a human being. Why are you so desperate to please her? Are you stupid?!"

However, Nan Zhen'er ignored her advice and walked back to Nan Xing with a humble expression. She handed the brochure to Nan Xing. "Sister, take a look and see if there's anything you like. If there is, please tell me, and I will do my best to fulfill your wish."

Nan Xing glanced at Nan Zhen'er, her only thought being: *I'd like you to get lost, is that possible?*