Chapter 35: The Mysterious Man

The auction was set for tonight, and time was of the essence. Shen Chutang contemplated how to find a pretext to slip out unnoticed, avoiding Lu Beiqin’s attention. After all, her current status was merely the eldest daughter of the Shen family; if she rashly attended a black market auction, she would certainly arouse suspicion.

Unexpectedly, Lu Beiqin sent a message informing her that the boss was returning from a business trip tonight, and he needed to stay at the airport to pick him up, so his return home was uncertain. Shen Chutang replied that she understood, then made her way to the location mentioned on her phone.

It was a black market auction. The people who gathered here were a motley assortment, and many items unfit for public sale could often be found here. For this reason, the auction had a strict rule: all attendees must don black cloaks and masks to conceal their identities.

Shen Chutang pulled the hood of her cloak lower, leaving only a delicate, pale chin visible. She chose a spot in a quiet corner, waiting silently for the auction to begin.

Most of the items auctioned in the black market held no interest for Shen Chutang; some were even relics dredged from ancient tombs. She had played with such antiques since childhood and found them hardly worth her attention.

Finally, the secret Hibiscus Fruit was brought out. Despite its name, it was not a fruit but a rare artifact formed under precise conditions: after a particular herb wilted in extreme heat, it became coated with resin and eventually petrified, resulting in something akin to amber. The herb itself was scarce, and the chance of it becoming covered in resin was even rarer, making the artifact exceptionally difficult to find.

The starting price was three hundred thousand. Without hesitation, Shen Chutang raised her paddle. “Five hundred thousand.”

“One million.”
“One point two million.”
“One and a half million!”

The price for the Hibiscus Fruit quickly soared. For the wealthy, it might be nothing more than a decorative curiosity, but Shen Chutang needed it to save a life, so she pressed on without regard for cost. “Two million!”

“Three million.”

Suddenly, a cool, distant voice called out from the crowd, offering a high bid.

Shen Chutang felt a pang for her wallet. “Three and a half million!”

“Five million.”

At once, everyone turned to look at the man behind them. He too wore a black cloak and mask, his identity impossible to discern.

After leaving the mountain, Shen Chutang hadn’t brought much money. Buying the villa in West Hill had nearly emptied her funds, and now, with Lu Beiqin’s monthly income barely reaching ten thousand, and her brother-in-law still residing in the courtyard, she needed to be frugal. Marriage had indeed made her poorer; she no longer had the cash to indulge herself.

“Five million, once! Five million, twice! Five million, three times—sold!”

Watching the Hibiscus Fruit claimed by another, Shen Chutang focused intently on the man. He took his purchase and rose to leave, showing no interest in anything else.

Shen Chutang hurried after him, her voice deliberately lowered. “Sir, I’ll pay five million for your Hibiscus Fruit. What do you say?”

But the man ignored her and strode away.

If that was how he wanted to play, then she would not be polite.

Lu Yuebai was waiting for the Hibiscus Fruit to save his life, after all.

Shen Chutang reached out, clearly intent on snatching it, but the man was swift, dodging her grasp.

She stepped forward again, her voice tinged with a smile. “Handsome, don’t be so heartless. I really need this to save someone’s life. If you’re not in a hurry, perhaps you could wait.”

His voice remained icy and unyielding. “No.”

He was trained, strong enough that with a single move, he seized her shoulder and pinned her against the wall. “Try again, and I won’t be so gentle.”

Shen Chutang kicked toward his face, and as he retreated, she followed with a swift hook. The man dodged, seized her shoulder again, and she struggled to break free—only for her cloak to be torn away.

He moved quickly, raising his hand, and Shen Chutang felt a gust of wind sweep past—her mask was knocked off, and she staggered backward, unsteady. Behind her, the steps loomed; she was about to tumble headfirst down them.