"I'm very sorry, sir," the greeter said to Luo Xiu apologetically, "but could you please step aside? You're hindering the other guests who need to enter."

Duan Feibai gently shook his head, too disdainful to give Luo Xiu another glance. He said to Sun Li, "Xiao Li, since your 'good friend' doesn't have an invitation, how about I take you inside?" He intentionally emphasized the words "good friend," his tone heavy with implication.

In his eyes, Sun Li was already his wife-to-be! His fiancée was mingling with another man, which infuriated him to the point of wanting to slaughter Luo Xiu. However, he was well aware of the importance of today's event, so he had to feign composure.

Then, he added, "According to Tianbao Residence's rules, one invitation allows for an additional guest. I came alone, so I can take you with me."

Nearby, Du Gang smiled at Lin Xiyue and said, "Miss Lin, I also have an invitation and can take you inside with me." After speaking, he looked at Luo Xiu with a smirk. "As for Mister Luo, I'm terribly sorry, but I don't have any spare invitations."

Luo Xiu waved his hand, mimicking the tone of Du Gang's master as he smiled. "No matter, no matter."

Hearing this, Du Gang's face darkened. He sensed extreme provocation in Luo Xiu's smile.

Luo Xiu looked at Lin Xiyue, his voice tinged with an odd tone. "Xi Yue, from Dr. Du's attitude, it seems he's certain you'll go in with him. Why don't you go ahead?"

Lin Xiyue shot him a look. These men are so childish. Then she smiled faintly at Du Gang. "That won't be necessary, Dr. Du. Please, you go ahead."

At that moment, Duan Feibai looked at Luo Xiu as if he were a clown, no longer bothering with pretense. He asked Sun Li directly, "Xiao Li, how could you be friends with someone like him?"

"Does he think this is a supermarket? That any Tom, Dick, or Harry can waltz inside?"

"Heh, not having an invitation is one thing, but to bring a whole crowd? Is he deliberately trying to make a fool of himself here?"

"Xiao Li, you're the distinguished young mistress of the Sun Family. You should keep your distance from people like that."

Hearing this, Sun Li's smile gradually vanished, replaced by a stern expression. She had never expected the supposedly gentle heir of the Duan Family to have such an ugly side. People really do change.

Suddenly, Du Gang strode up to Luo Xiu, his gaze intense and scornful. He sneered, "This auction at Tianbao Residence is only for distinguished guests who have been recognized by Tianbao Residence and received an exclusive invitation."

"So, Mister Luo, what exactly is your status?"

"You just got lucky learning a few folk remedies. You never even went to medical school, yet you go around playing the mystic and swindling people. Do you really think that makes you a doctor?" He spoke loudly, clearly intending for the nearby guests to overhear. In truth, he wanted to humiliate Luo Xiu in public and make him lose face completely.

Suddenly, a commotion rippled through another part of the crowd. The greeters lined up neatly at the entrance, bowing in unison. By the looks of it, someone important had arrived.

All eyes turned to see Qin An, the owner of Tianbao Residence, stepping out of the entrance.

The moment he was outside, Qin An spotted Luo Xiu and hurried over, his face wreathed in a warm smile, greeting him as if welcoming an honored ancestor.

Boss Qin must be here to greet me, Duan Feibai thought, considering his status as the heir of the Duan Family. He stepped forward as well.

He smiled and said, "Boss Qin, good morning. There was no need for you to come out personally..."

However, before he could finish, Qin An walked straight past him without a second glance, completely ignoring him.

Next, Du Gang stepped forward, positioning himself before Qin An and extending his hand.

Qin An paused, then smiled. "Ah, Dr. Du! Long time no see, long time no see indeed."

Du Gang smiled faintly. So Boss Qin came to welcome me. He felt a swell of pride. After all, I have treated him before.

He turned and pointed toward Luo Xiu. "By the way, Boss Qin, this Mister Luo came without an invitation and is causing a disturbance. Perhaps you could..."

Before he could finish, Qin An's expression changed abruptly, and he strode quickly to Luo Xiu's side.

He's going to deal with Luo Xiu, Du Gang thought, the corners of his mouth curling up. This is going to be a good show. That Qin An holds sway over both the legitimate world and the underworld in Sea City, and he's known for his explosive temper. He's a ruthless character.

However, in the next moment, the smile on Du Gang's face froze.

Qin An clasped Luo Xiu's hand, his expression overwhelmingly friendly. He slung an arm around Luo Xiu's shoulders and began to lead him through the main entrance.

For a moment, Du Gang thought he was seeing things. What kind of man is Boss Qin? Why would he be so polite to a country bumpkin like Luo Xiu?

"Mister Luo, my sincerest apologies," Qin An said. "I had to greet some other guests and couldn't be out here to welcome you on time. I'm truly sorry, truly sorry."

"Come this way. You and your friends, I've already arranged the largest VIP box for you."

Luo Xiu glanced at Duan Feibai and Du Gang. "It's just that a moment ago, Young Master Duan and Mister Du here said that one cannot enter without an invitation. I wouldn't want to... break the rules."

Upon hearing this, Qin An's face turned stern. "The rules of Tianbao Residence are set by me!"

"Who are they? And who, Mister Luo, are you? How can they possibly compare?"

"They need invitations to enter. You, however, need nothing. You are free to come and go as you please."

Luo Xiu smiled. "Then I've really troubled you, Boss Qin."

"Hehe, no trouble at all, no trouble at all. And please, just call me Fatty. It's friendlier."

Luo Xiu laughed, then turned to Duan Feibai and Du Gang. "Well then, you two esteemed young masters, feel free to take your time in line presenting your invitations. I shall head in first. See you later."

"..."

Watching Luo Xiu and his group being personally led inside by Qin An, Duan Feibai and Du Gang exchanged glances, their expressions turning ugly. As the nearby guests stared at them with strange looks, both men felt their faces burn with humiliation.

Duan Feibai gritted his teeth, let out a sudden, cold laugh, and shoved his invitation at the greeter before striding through the gates.

Du Gang handed over his own invitation and followed closely behind.

...

"Dammit," Duan Feibai snarled. "Why does that country bumpkin Luo Xiu know Qin An? And they seem so familiar, too."

Du Gang scoffed. "Luo Xiu knows some folk remedies and goes around swindling people. He probably treated Qin An for something."

"And look at Qin An, acting like a complete sap. He was probably duped by Luo Xiu."

"I see," Duan Feibai muttered.

As they walked, Du Gang added, "Still, I really didn't expect it, Young Master Duan. From the look of it, you've known Luo Xiu for a long time. It seems you have a grudge against him."

Duan Feibai slowed his pace slightly and countered, "Aren't you the same, Dr. Du? The look you gave him just now... it was like you wanted to eat him alive."

Du Gang just smiled without a word. Was I that obvious? he thought. In truth, he held no real grudge against Luo Xiu. It was more that he couldn't stand the way his master, He Dang Gui, treated Luo Xiu, and that fact deeply unsettled him.

Duan Feibai laughed lightly. "So what if he knows Qin An? What does that even mean?"

"You mean, Young Master Duan..."

"Enough. Let's just attend the auction first. A minor character like Luo Xiu... I can crush him whenever I please. There's no rush."

Du Gang nodded and smiled. "You're right. The two Solid Peiyuan Pills are the main event today."

"If we caused a scene now and couldn't participate in the auction, the loss would far outweigh the gain."

A confident smile touched Duan Feibai's lips. "I am determined to acquire those two Solid Peiyuan Pills."

Originally, he had no intention of attending this auction. He wasn't particularly interested, even though he'd received an invitation half a month ago. But just yesterday, he received a call from his family informing him that two Solid Peiyuan Pills would be up for auction today. That was the only reason he had come.

He had even called Du Gang, an old acquaintance, to help him authenticate the Elixirs.

After all, Du Gang was the closed-door disciple of Divine Doctor He.

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