Chen Yang didn't feel anything was amiss. He wasn't short on money, and in terms of status, no one in all of Qiyun Road could compare to him. Besides, no matter how picky the seller was, he had to at least try, right?

With that, Chen Yang took two steps forward, intending to get a closer look.

"Excuse me, sir," the tall woman who looked like a staff member said, stepping in front of Chen Yang and holding up a hand to stop him. "Only local nobility may approach within five meters. Please step back."

The implication was clear: he was not qualified to come within five meters and should understand his place. Five meters, ten meters—the hierarchy was stark, drawn with such a simple, crude method.

Chen Yang took a step back and asked Yang Hu and Zhou Yufei, "What do you think?"

"It's quite nice. It suits Sisi's temperament," Yang Hu said seriously, not sharing any of Zhou Yufei's worries.

Before Zhou Yufei could speak, the wealthy nobles standing within the five-meter circle turned to stare at Chen Yang with scorn.

"Boy, keep your ignorant comments to yourself. If you can't even get within five meters, then just look and be done with it. Don't make a fool of yourself here."

"Who do you think it would suit? As if you have the money or the right to buy it."

The people standing inside the five-meter circle were wealthy and influential, yet they had all been told they lacked the status and reputation to purchase the necklace. It wasn't just them; even Young Master Qin Yan of the Qin Royal Family had been politely refused. Who in the vast Lingjin City could possibly acquire this necklace?

The tall woman also seemed to disdain Chen Yang's remarks. She scoffed, "Please leave. No one in the entirety of Qiyun Road is qualified to purchase this necklace. And you, even less so."

The tall woman made no effort to hide her disdain. She looked Chen Yang up and down and shook her head inwardly. So young, but what a problem with his head. Pathetic.

"Everyone disperse. The Qiyun Road exhibition is now over."

The week-long exhibition was ending today; tomorrow, it would move on to the next city.

CLACK, CLACK, CLACK.

A group of executives approached, ready to oversee the packing and shipping. At the forefront was a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He was the main director of the national exhibition, and upon seeing Chen Yang, his expression froze for a moment.

"This is..."

His gaze sharpened as he confirmed his suspicion, and a jolt went through him. He immediately hurried forward. "Lord... Lord Chen?"

His posture was utterly deferential, his expression full of awe.

Chen Yang glanced up at him.

"Lord Chen, I had the great fortune to see you from a distance at a banquet in Cangyun City two years ago. I never imagined I would meet you here today. It is truly an honor," the director said, bowing and fawning without a hint of disguise.

He then took the initiative to unlatch the velvet rope, leading Chen Yang inside personally. He began to explain the necklace's design concept and the exquisite modern craftsmanship it embodied.

The tall woman: "..."

Everyone: "..."

This was a man of high stature who rarely made public appearances. Even members of the Qin Royal Family had to schedule an appointment in advance just to meet him.

After the introduction, seeing Chen Yang nodding repeatedly, the director immediately waved his hand grandly. "Quick, pack up this necklace!"

What?!

Zhou Yufei and everyone else present froze in surprise. What was happening?

Chen Yang gestured to Yang Hu. "Pay."

Yang Hu pulled out a card and offered it to the middle-aged man.

The director repeatedly waved it away, his attitude reverent. "You jest, Lord Chen. It is an honor for this necklace to fall into your possession, and an honor for me as well!"

This Lord Chen is the Nine Gates Admiral, bestowed with the title of Zhennan Prince. He is unmatched on the battlefield, and his influence is unparalleled throughout the world. To be connected with him is the ultimate honor, no matter if you're a financial conglomerate or a noble house.

The middle-aged man took the packaged necklace and presented it to Chen Yang. "Lord Chen, please, accept this."

Chen Yang didn't stand on ceremony, simply taking the necklace with a slight nod of thanks.

"Let's go."

Chen Yang called out to the stupefied Zhou Yufei. Amidst countless astonished gazes, he slowly walked out of the convention center.

"Oh... right."

Zhou Yufei, a half-beat behind, hurried to follow.

「At the same time.」

The news that the Heart of the Ocean had been taken spread like a hurricane throughout the convention center, quickly making its way through all of Qiyun Road.

"How... how is that possible? Weren't we told that even the Qin Royal Family was politely refused? Who could possibly have been deemed worthy?"

"He didn't buy it—it was gifted to him! You should have seen it. The director was bowing and scraping, fawning over him!"

For a time, news about the necklace flew thick and fast. The internet completely exploded, with various speculations and rumors causing an uproar. Amid the frenzy for confirmation, only a blurry photo of the mysterious new owner's back as he departed was captured and uploaded online.

「Qin Royal Family.」

Qin Yan stared at the news on his phone, his brow deeply furrowed. He had gone to great lengths to find the director and had offered a generous reward, only to be politely refused. He had thought that no one in all of Qiyun Road could acquire that necklace.

And yet... it was just given to someone for free?

This...

Qin Yan felt completely helpless. His wedding was tomorrow, and he had wanted to buy that necklace for his bride-to-be. He'd imagined making her the most dazzling bride at the wedding, the most talked-about in all of Qiyun Road.

After a moment of thought, Qin Yan gestured to a nearby steward. "Go and investigate. See if you can find out this person's identity and address. If he's willing to sell, I'm prepared to pay double the price to buy it back."

"Yes, Young Master!"

He genuinely loved Li Si and wanted to give her only the best. As long as the owner was willing to part with the necklace, he would pay double, triple, even quadruple the price.

「Li Family Estate.」

Li Si sat alone in the pavilion, looking at the blurry photo on her phone, her brow creasing tighter and tighter. Due to the angle, it was very difficult to discern any details.

Young, towering, and upright.

The more she looked, the more familiar the figure seemed.

Could it be Yang?

At the mere thought, Li Si's heart warmed, and a thrill of excitement surged through her.

Tomorrow is my wedding. He would surely prepare a gift for me. And this necklace... who else but him would have the status to make them hand it over so respectfully, without taking a single penny? Yes, it must be Yang!

Overcome with excitement and joy, tears streamed down Li Si's face.

Perhaps... in his heart, I hold a special place too, don't I?

"Yang... oh, Yang..." Li Si buried her face on the stone table, her body wracked with great, heaving sobs.

...

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