Chapter 233 - 185: The Feeling of Social Death + The Auction + Money Should Be Spent More Meaningfully

When the auction began, Ni Guangli got swept up in the excitement, wanting to bid on everything he saw.

In his mind, his daughter was a goddess, deserving of any jewelry in the world!

As her father, it was his duty to buy her everything!

Ni Bingyan flipped through the catalog, noticing the prices weren’t particularly high. Compared to the mass-produced pieces in jewelry stores, most of these items were exquisitely crafted and more unique. To her, they were quite appealing!

After browsing for a while, she picked out a few items she liked and quietly waited for them to come up for auction.

As for the others?

No matter how enthusiastic the bidding became, she never once raised her paddle.

But when the items she’d set her sights on came up, she would raise her paddle without hesitation.

Just as Ni Guangli was marveling that his daughter, being young, wasn’t lacking a fiery spirit, the price surpassed what she was willing to pay. And just like that, she pulled back, not hesitating for a second.

Such clarity, such composure, such nonchalance—it made Ni Guangli, who got swept up and bought piles of things at every auction, feel inadequate by comparison.

As they left the auction house, Ni Bingyan was quite pleased. "Dad, we should come again next time there’s an interesting themed auction."

Seeing that his efforts had finally paid off, Ni Guangli nodded enthusiastically. "Okay, okay! Let’s come back tomorrow!"

Ni Bingyan was speechless. "Dad, let’s not even talk about what a waste of time auctions are. Just look at the cost. Even someone as rational as me couldn’t resist spending hundreds of thousands tonight. An indulgence like this... I think once a year is more than enough."

"Money’s just paper, honey. It’s meant to be spent! Don’t we work so hard precisely for the freedom to spend as we please?"

Disagreeing with his daughter’s point, Ni Guangli had immediately fired back.

"And another thing, you shouldn’t just buy whatever catches your eye! No matter how rich you are, you have to learn some restraint.

"Look at everything you bought tonight! It’s at least three times as much as I did!

"With jewelry, if it’s less expensive, you can buy things you like or can wear every day. But for the pricey stuff, you should buy antiques with collectible value, or gems and diamonds that won’t depreciate. Things you can pass down as heirlooms.

"As for those pieces that are expensive but not quite heirloom quality? They have no potential to appreciate in value. It’s a terrible investment because they’re difficult to resell."

Ni Guangli’s true passion was collecting calligraphy and paintings from deceased masters. He only went on a jewelry-buying spree today because he felt his daughter didn’t have enough nice pieces to wear.

’Take this necklace,’ he thought. ’She’s been wearing it for days without a change.’

’What girl doesn’t love looking beautiful?’

’If she isn’t changing it, it must be because she has nothing else to change into!’

With that thought, Ni Guangli’s rebuttal was tinged with a sense of grievance. "Everything I buy appreciates in value! Besides, I only bought this stuff because you kept looking at it! I thought you liked it!"

Hearing this, Ni Bingyan fell silent.

The two went upstairs. After they put the new jewelry in the safe, Ni Bingyan took out all the jewelry she already owned and laid it across the bed, piece by piece, to show her father that it wasn’t a matter of not having any—she was just lazy!

"See, Dad? I’m really not short on jewelry! You don’t have to buy me more like this. I can’t wear it all even if you do."

After a moment’s thought, she pulled a large pouch out of the safe, unzipped it, and showed it to her father. "Look, Dad. This is where my money really goes."

Ni Guangli leaned in for a closer look. Right on top was a thick stack of pledge agreements, all for school donations. He lifted the stack and saw all sorts of other papers underneath—all of them receipts for various charitable contributions.

"Money should be spent in more meaningful ways, don’t you think, Dad? I’m only one person. How much can I possibly eat? How many clothes can I wear? How much jewelry can I put on?

"Dad, I know you love me and would give me the world. And I know that people who work hard deserve to live well. But sometimes... my conscience bothers me.

"There are so many people suffering in this world. If I go without one ruby set, a school can be built in a small town. If I go without one necklace, a thousand people can have their sight restored. If I go without—"

"Enough! Say no more!"

At that moment, facing his daughter, Ni Guangli felt his own pettiness. He was mortified.

But that feeling was quickly replaced by a deep, heartfelt pride.

’This wonderful child in front of him... He’d raised her, doted on her since she was just a tiny bundle. Now she moved through the entertainment industry, yet she hadn’t been corrupted by its murky depths. She had kept her beautiful heart. She was truly amazing!’