âTodayâs banquet is organized by Young Master Tuoba Jie. The Tuoba Family is the largest and wealthiest family that has existed for hundreds of years in South Yue. Their family makes up half of the countryâs total GDP, proving themselves to be extremely rich and powerful. Naturally, his banquet will attract a lot of celebrities and prominent figures from all over the world!â As he entered the loud and crowded party with the rest of the guests, Jiang Yong introduced the party to them proudly, acting like an influential, obnoxious know-it-all local.
Jiang Yong looked at several beautiful girls as he spoke, and was very pleased by the surprised looks on their faces. He paid the most attention to Long Feifei, who was the most beautiful girl in the room.
He threw a few more glances in her way.
Ma Bing, who was standing beside Jiang Yong, seemed to notice his friendâs unusual stare. He couldnât help but feel a pang of jealousy. When compared to Jiang Yong, Ma Bing felt rather inferior to him, and believed that only Jiang Yong was in the same league as Long Feifei.
Ma Bing attempted to change the topic immediately. âSo, Young Master Jiang, it sounds like Tuoba Jie is a prominent figure in South Yue. Speaking of which, he looks like he is about to auction something on the stage. Hehe! I suppose a prominent figure like him wouldnât be facing a financial crisis, would he?â Ma Bing made small talk.
âYes, of course he is a prominent figure. However, there are certain things in South Yue which you all are not familiar with, so youâd better be careful with your words and donât say things which youâre not sure of. As for the auction, I donât suppose Young Master Tuoba has a financial crisis. Haha! Maybe heâs just doing it for fun!â
âBy the way, do you still remember the time when I asked your father to help my family find some precious treasures a few years back? Hehe! Well, to be honest with you, my father wanted those treasures to fawn over Young Master Tuoba after he found out about the young masterâs hobby of collecting antiques. Haha! Thanks to that public relation stunt last time, I managed to get my hands on so many admission tickets for todayâs banquet!â Jiang Yong laughed gleefully.
âHaha! I didnât expect our Ma Family to have made such a great contribution to the Jiang Family! Eh, what will Young Master Tuoba be auctioning today?â
Ma Bing smiled faintly. However, he was rather upset at the moment. If he had known earlier, he would have taken up that opportunity to get to know Tuoba Jie himself.
If that was the case, he wouldâve been the one showing off instead.
âIt is quite a surprise that Young Master Ma did not feel an ounce of shame for giving away precious treasures of China to these foreigners, yet you feel regret for not being able to do so personally?â Chen Hao, who stood at the side, frowned and commented plainly.
His words made both Ma Bing and Jiang Yong frown simultaneously. Especially when his words resonated with the thought in Ma Bingâs mind, it greatly embarrassed him.
âGod damn it, you disgusting loser! Iâll do whatever I want to do, and itâs none of your business!â Ma Bing bellowed. He took his anger out on Chen Hao after seeing Jiang Yong flirt with Long Feifei.
âHmph! Donât you agree with Chen Hao? Ma Bing, itâs a shame that you are a gentleman who studied abroad. Youâre being really rude and uncivilized now!â Tian Xiaofan took Chen Haoâs side when she heard Ma Bingâs words.
It looked like they were about to start a fight. âOkay, okay, can you guys cut it out? Weâre here to have fun at the banquet instead of listening to your arguments. Come on, letâs go, it looks like the auction is about to begin soon. We need to get closer to the stage!â
Unlike everyone else, Long Feifei put all her attention on Tuoba Jie. He was standing on the stage, with rays of lights in different colors shining on him.
Her grandfather had told her to seize the opportunity. She wondered if her grandfather meant for her to take the opportunity to be close with Tuoba Jie.
This was because of all the people in the party, in comparison with Jiang Yong, Tuoba Jie possessed a unique temperament which appealed to her.
As for Ma Bing, he was so inferior that it was pointless to compare him with the others.
Long Feifei had heard about the Tuoba Family from her grandfather before. After all, they were the most powerful and richest family in their country. Of course, the family was very influential too.
This was one of the reasons why Long Feifei admired Tuoba Jie very much.
She wanted to get closer and have a better view of him.
Ma Bing glared at Chen Hao while the group proceeded to move toward the stage.
Initially, Chen Hao had thought of asking Jiang Yong on matters regarding the Chen Family in South Yue, but with the current awkward situation and their close approximation to the stage, their surroundings became too loud for any conversation. In the end, Chen Hao did not manage to open his mouth.
At this moment, the sweet voice of a girl whispered in his ear. âChen Hao, donât be afraid. Iâll be the first one to defend you if anyone dares to bully you today. Iâm in support for all the things you critiqued just now!â Tian Xiaofan whispered in Chen Haoâs ear quietly while giving him a victory sign.
Chen Hao could not help but smile and nodded back.
He thought that she was a very nice girl. Although her words were light, they touched Chen Hao warmly.
I seldom come across such a kind girl. Itâs fate which has brought us together.
Why donât I take this opportunity to offer her something?
Whether it was money or skills, Chen Hao did not mind granting any of Tian Xiaofanâs wishes. He thought of it as a token of appreciation for her kindness.
âLadies and gentlemen, please quiet down!â Tuoba Jie, who stood on the stage with a microphone in his hand, silenced everyone in the banquet.
Shush! As if it had been perfectly rehearsed before, the noisy crowd fell silent the moment he spoke.
âEveryone knows that I, Tuoba Jie, will organize a large banquet once or twice every year. During each banquet, thereâs an important activityâwhich is an auction! For the past few years, most of the auctioned items were either antiques or some rare unique treasures. Hahaha! This year, however, the item that will be auctioned is a bit different and special!â Tuoba Jie narrowed his eyes.
âHoly smoke! If Young Master Tuoba thinks itâs special, I suppose it must really be special then?â
âWho knows? Perhaps Young Master Tuoba might auction off some kind of magical medicine this time?â
In an instant, Tuoba Jieâs announcement caused a stir at the banquet as the crowd began gossiping and speculating among themselves.
On stage, a middle-aged man walked toward Tuoba Jie. âYoung Master Jie, you sure know how to make these people anxious!â he whispered into Tuoba Jieâs ear while grinning.
âHehe! You see, this is the interesting part! Every year, I just love to see this bunch of lowly people fighting each other over petty stuff! Haha! This is why I enjoy organizing the auction every year!â Tuoba Jie smirked wickedly.
However, their low whispers did not escape Chen Haoâs ears. He could hear their words clearly. Since the matter did not concern Chen Hao, he did not bother to teach them a lesson.
âAlright then, I suppose all of you are starting to get really excited about what kind of item Iâve prepared to be auctioned off to you guys today, am I right? Now, allow me to reveal todayâs item!â Tuoba Jie announced loudly.
Cheer! Cheer! Cheer! The audiences were thrilled as their eyes flickered with excitement. Even the experienced and knowledgeable Long Feifei could not help but wonder curiously after being teased by Tuoba Jieâs words.
What could it possibly be? For someone as prominent as Tuoba Jie to be acting so secretive about the item, it must be really special! Everyone had the same thought on their minds.
âAlright! I will now reveal the item. The thing going for auction today is a lady!â Tuoba Jie beamed. âSo, gentlemen down there, todayâs your lucky day because this lady is exquisitely beautiful with an angelic appearance. She is pure and her beauty is out of this world. But most importantly, she is still a virgin!â
Tuoba Jie announced.
Cheer! Cheer! Cheer! Cheer!
âThe beauty favored by Young Master Jie is definitely not any ordinary girl! Young Master Jie, I canât stand the suspense any longer, please bring her out and let us have a look!â
Cheer! Cheer! Cheer! The gentlemen were ecstatic, especially several rich young masters.
âMen, bring the auctioned item up here, so that every young master down there can have a look at it!â
Tuoba Jie waved his hand.
Soon, four men carried a cardboard box wrapped in white chiffon cloth and walked toward the stageâ¦