Chapter 70: Baishan Manor

In the suburbs of H City, at the foot of Golden Phoenix Mountain, there lay an estate of classical elegance. In front of it flowed the surging Golden Phoenix Creek, its waters crystal clear thanks to the diligent environmental efforts of the state government—so clear, in fact, that one could see fish darting along the creek bed. Backed by verdant hills, with the stream winding in a green ribbon before the residences, this landscape of emerald mountains and jade waters made every manor here immensely valuable, each worth at least hundreds of millions.

At this moment, the parking lot before one such estate, known as Baishan Manor, was filled with luxury cars. BMWs, Mercedes, and Audis were merely the most ordinary vehicles present; Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Porsches dominated the scene.

Men and women dressed in finery stepped from their cars, greeting friends with laughter and conversation as they made their way toward the manor. These people were all of great wealth or influence, gathered for the jade and rare plant auction hosted by Mo Baishan.

Just then, three people stepped out of a Mercedes sports car and a Porsche: a young man in designer casual wear, a sturdy youth with a broom-like haircut, and a tall, beautiful girl. The men were strikingly handsome, the girl exquisitely lovely.

The one with the broom haircut was Lan Chao, the youth in casual wear was Lin Feng—the heir of H City’s Lin Group—and the beautiful girl was his younger sister, Lin Meiqi, one of the Four Beauties of H State University of Science and Technology, renowned alongside Zhang Xin.

Lan Chao and Lin Feng were old acquaintances, and Lan Chao immediately strode over with a warm greeting. “Young Master Lin, Miss Meiqi, it’s been a long time!”

Though Lan Chao could be considered a privileged young man, he was still a far cry from Young Master Lin.

Lin Feng replied with a friendly smile. “Lan Chao, it’s indeed been a while.”

Lin Meiqi, however, merely nodded with cool indifference.

The three made their way toward Baishan Manor together.

“Young Master Lin, what took you so long?” Suddenly, a young man’s voice called out.

Following the sound, they saw a handsome young man in a beige pinstripe suit emerging from the manor, smiling as he approached.

“Young Master Mo, there’s still nearly an hour until the auction begins. We’re hardly late!” Lin Feng said with a laugh.

This was Mo Shaocong, scion of the Mo family, who was already well acquainted with Lin Feng and Lan Chao.

“Young Master Mo, I heard you’ve obtained a Master’s in Finance from the National University of XX. That’s impressive—congratulations!” Lan Chao flattered him with a smile.

Mo Shaocong basked in the compliment, his gaze flickering frequently to the lovely Lin Meiqi.

“Let’s head inside, have some tea, and chat,” Mo Shaocong invited the three.

At that moment, a taxi pulled up in front of Baishan Manor. Since all the guests today were either wealthy or noble, each having arrived in luxury cars, the presence of a taxi was as jarring as a beggar among tycoons—it immediately drew everyone’s attention.

The taxi stopped, and from the back seat stepped a young man with a close-cropped haircut, dressed plainly, but with eyes as bright and deep as the stars.

“Chen Xian!” Lan Chao immediately recognized the young man and muttered to himself.

“You know him?” Mo Shaocong asked.

Lan Chao nodded. How could he not know Chen Xian? Not only had this man won favor with the goddess Zhang Xin, but he had also caused Lan Chao and his uncle, Lan Jianshe, to lose half a million yuan—a truly hateful fellow.

If any other famous young master in H City had won Zhang Xin’s affection, Lan Chao could accept it. But for it to be the unremarkable Chen Xian—it was simply unbearable.

A sly smirk played at Lan Chao’s lips as he glanced at Mo Shaocong. “Young Master Mo, that’s the penniless fellow who caught Zhang Xin’s eye.”

He knew that Mo Shaocong also had feelings for Zhang Xin, though his pursuit had ended in failure.

At Lan Chao’s words, Mo Shaocong’s smile vanished, replaced by a chill as he fixed his gaze on the young man with the close-cropped hair.

Seeing this, Lan Chao knew that trouble was brewing for Chen Xian and secretly rejoiced.

Lin Meiqi, herself one of the Four Beauties of H State University of Science and Technology, was also curious and glanced over at Chen Xian. She knew Zhang Xin’s standards were exceptionally high—none of H City’s prominent young men had ever caught her eye. How could she favor such an ordinary, impoverished youth?

The more Lin Meiqi observed him, the more unremarkable she found Chen Xian. Aside from his calm composure, there was nothing outstanding about him.

After paying the driver, Chen Xian headed toward the entrance of Baishan Manor, where burly security guards in sharp suits stood watch.

“Chen Xian!” Just then, a melodious young woman’s voice called out from behind, carrying a note of joy.

The voice was very familiar to Chen Xian. Turning, he saw it was Zhang Xin and her grandfather, Master Zhang Xingtian.

Today, Zhang Xin wore a denim outfit over a white turtleneck sweater and brown Martin boots, radiating youthful beauty.

“Zhang Xin, Master Zhang!” Chen Xian greeted them.

Zhang Xin beamed. “Chen Xian, you’ve come for the auction too?”

“Yes, Mr. Mo invited me to come and have a look.”

“Then let’s sit together later!” Master Zhang Xingtian said kindly.

Naturally, Chen Xian did not refuse. He walked with Zhang Xin and her grandfather toward the entrance, the three of them chatting and laughing.

Not far away, Lan Chao watched with furrowed brows, seething inside.

“A toad lusting after swan meat,” Mo Shaocong muttered coldly, his expression even darker than Lan Chao’s.

Lan Chao’s eyes glinted as he reminded him, “Young Master Mo, everyone here today is wealthy or noble, each worth at least tens of millions. That Chen Xian is a penniless nobody—he surely doesn’t have an invitation.”

On hearing this, Mo Shaocong immediately said to Lin Feng and the others, “Let’s head inside as well.”

With that, Mo Shaocong, Lan Chao, Lin Feng, and Lin Meiqi also made their way to the entrance.

“Sir, please present your invitation,” the security guards at the manor gate checked each guest’s invitation as they arrived.

One by one, guests showed their invitations and entered smoothly.

Soon it was the turn of Master Zhang Xingtian, Chen Xian, and Zhang Xin. Master Zhang presented his invitation, Zhang Xin on his arm, and they entered. Chen Xian tried to follow.

“Sir, please present your invitation.” The security guard stopped him with an outstretched hand.

Chen Xian was at a loss—Mr. Mo had only invited him by phone and had never given him a physical invitation.

“He’s with us,” Zhang Xin quickly said when she saw Chen Xian unable to produce an invitation.

Hearing this, the guard glanced at Zhang Xin and was about to let Chen Xian through.

“Stop that young man with the cropped hair! No invitation, no entry into Baishan Manor!” Suddenly, a cold voice rang out.

The security guards looked toward the source and, seeing it was Young Master Mo, immediately straightened and blocked Chen Xian’s way once again.