The grand hall within the club was lavishly decorated, with massive white crystal chandeliers hanging down, creating a dreamlike spectacle.

Enormous white stone pillars supported the entire castle, and maidservants in white dresses carried trays, weaving between guests talking in small groups.

Ruan Xinxue, dressed in a red gown and adorned with a Violet necklace, with her delicate and stunning beauty, became the center of attention as soon as she stepped into the hall.

The legitimate granddaughter of Grandfather Ruan from the Capital City, the president of the Ruan Jewelry Group, and possessing an exquisite appearance...

These were all the halos surrounding Ruan Xinxue, and evidently, she had quite a reputation in this club.

As she walked along, many people voluntarily approached to greet her, and Ruan Xinxue responded with poise and a smile.

Among these people were quite a few outstanding young men from Yunshui City, most of whom harbored feelings towards Ruan Xinxue, this blossoming rose.

At this moment, Qin Yang, accompanying Ruan Xinxue as her date, seemed to attract even more attention. After all, in the previous auctions, Ruan Xinxue had always attended alone. Could it be that this time the beauty was claimed?

If so, it was bound to be interesting.

On the third floor of the club, in a clean and luxurious private room, a fair-faced young man held a glass of red wine, taking a gentle sip.

"This top-class Bordeaux from France tastes quite delightful," the fair-faced young man chuckled lightly, seemingly talking to himself.

Behind the fair-faced young man stood a slender man dressed in black, his expression sinister, with a scar on his left cheek and sharp eyes filled with restrained brilliance.

Knock, knock!

The sound of a gentle knock on the door echoed.

"Come in."

The fair-faced young man's tone carried a hint of calmness.

A man in formal attire pushed open the door and entered.

"Young Master Yang, Miss Ruan has arrived," the man in formal attire announced respectfully.

"Oh? Has she really arrived?"

The fair-faced young man downed the rest of his wine with a smile on his face.

The man in formal attire hesitated for a moment, then added, "Young Master Yang, there's also a man beside Miss Ruan, he seems to be her escort."

"An escort?"

The fair-faced young man, known as Young Master Yang, raised an eyebrow, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes as he unconsciously tightened his grip on the wine glass.

Crash!

The wine glass shattered, turning into shards of glass that scattered to the ground.

"Black Tiger, let's go. I want to see who dares to covet the woman I, Yang Buqun, have my eyes on."

Yang Buqun twisted his lips into a cold smile and addressed the man with the scar on his face standing behind him.

In a corner of the club's hall.

"Phew, finally, a chance to rest."

Ruan Xinxue let out a sigh of relief and sat down on the sofa with Qin Yang.

"You're quite popular here," Qin Yang remarked with a smile.

"I'd prefer not to be so popular. It's exhausting to keep pretending to smile,"

Ruan Xinxue sipped her red wine with a serious expression on her face.

"Hmm?" Qin Yang was momentarily taken aback.

"Most of the attendees are influential figures from the political and business worlds and renowned collectors. These people hold a lot of power. For Ruan's Jewelry to thrive, we need to rely on them and also prevent them from causing trouble at critical moments. So often, you have to pretend to smile and maintain good relationships," Ruan Xinxue explained.

Qin Yang nodded, his gaze shifting to the guests chatting in small groups within the hall. They were well-dressed, with insincere smiles on their faces.

"This is not just an auction; it's also an opportunity for networking. These guests usually arrive thirty minutes before the auction starts. Don't underestimate this half-hour; many significant business collaborations and political decisions are made within this brief window," Ruan Xinxue continued.

"I see."

Qin Yang took a sip of his red wine and nodded lightly. This was what high society was all about.

"Haha, Xue girl, you look so beautiful today; even this old man can't help but take a few extra glances."

As Qin Yang and Ruan Xinxue conversed, an elderly man wearing a brown Tang suit approached them, laughing heartily.

Seeing the elderly man in the Tang suit, Ruan Xinxue put down her wine glass, stood up, and greeted him with a smile, "Mr. Zhou, you're still as lively as ever."

"Haha, I'm just an old man,"

Mr. Zhou chuckled and turned his gaze to Qin Yang beside Ruan Xinxue.

"And this young friend is?"

"Mr. Zhou, let me introduce you. This is my friend, Qin Yang."

Ruan Xinxue smiled as she introduced the two.

"Qin Yang, this is Mr. Zhou Yihai, president of the Jade Association. He has great expertise in jade and is well-known throughout the Jade Realm."

"Hello, Mr. Zhou."

Qin Yang nodded slightly at the elderly man in the Tang suit.

"Haha, this is the first time I've seen Xue girl bring a male companion to such a gathering. Are you her boyfriend?"

Mr. Zhou's hearty laughter immediately drew attention, especially since Ruan Xinxue was quite prominent.

Upon hearing the elder tease her, Ruan Xinxue blushed and was about to explain, but seeing many gazes directed at her, she just smiled without confirming or denying it.

"Old Zhou, are you bullying Xue girl again?"

At that moment, a slender elderly man, exuding an air of nobility and using a redwood cane, walked over to the trio.

"Old Mu, you're talking nonsense again. I can't get enough of Xue girl, but you always think about marrying her off to your unaccomplished grandson. Do you think your grandson is worthy of Xue girl?"

Mr. Zhou, upon seeing the slender elderly man, immediately flared up.

"My grandson may not be worthy, but hey, some people don't even have a grandson."

The slender elderly man chuckled slyly.

"You... you... having a grandson doesn't mean much. I'd rather not have a useless grandson. How many years has he studied antiquities with you, and how much has he learned? Hmph, saying he's learned even ten percent is an overstatement by this old man," retorted Mr. Zhou.

"It's still better than some people who don't have a grandson..."

The slender elderly man hit Mr. Zhou's sore spot and argued back.

Watching the two elderly men, both so advanced in age and still bickering, Qin Yang found it somewhat amusing.

"This elder is Mr. Mu Yueshan, president of the city's Collection Association. He is highly respected in the collecting world, and many antiques and artifacts in auctions need his appraisal,"

Ruan Xinxue softly explained to Qin Yang.

At this point, their actions seemed rather intimate to onlookers. Yang Buqun, bringing Black Tiger with him, also happened to witness this scene as he entered the hall. Instantly, a dark expression crossed his handsome face, but moments later, he put on a gentle smile and stepped into the crowd of guests.

Yang Buqun wore a white suit with elegance and nodded gracefully to those who greeted him. The direction in which he moved was clear—towards Ruan Xinxue and her group, hence no one dared to unwittingly bother him.

"Mr. Zhou, Mr. Mu."

Yang Buqun approached the four who were speaking, first respectfully greeting both Mr. Zhou Yihai and Mr. Mu Yueshan.

As Yang Buqun arrived at this corner of the hall, it immediately became the focus of everyone's attention.

Mr. Zhou, Mr. Mu, Ruan Xinxue, and Yang Buqun—all had significant reputations. Additionally, the mysterious young male companion beside Ruan Xinxue piqued curiosity, prompting everyone in the hall to surreptitiously watch them.

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