As Shangguan Ling'er made her move, all eyes at the auction were drawn to her.
What in the world was going on?
The esteemed Miss Shangguan Ling'er, daughter of the Shangguan family, had personally come down from the second floor to invite a man upstairs.
And it seemed like she had the permission of Elder Shangguan.
Just who was this young man?
Could he be Elder Shangguan's future grandson-in-law?
"Ahem, well, no need, I'll just stay here. It's quite spacious."
Lin Chen shivered involuntarily as he felt the killing intent emanating from the surrounding gazes.
"Holy cow, Shangguan Ling'er was actually rejected?"
Seeing Lin Chen's refusal, everyone in the auction hall froze again.
Good heavens, it was already shocking enough that the dignified eldest daughter of the Shangguan family had come down personally to invite someone.
While noble families had invited guests upstairs to private rooms before, at most, a waiter would deliver a notification, and the guest would obediently follow.
But now? This was Shangguan Ling'er!
And she was rejected!
"Have you considered that if Miss Shangguan said her grandfather was also upstairs, it might mean that Miss Shangguan's descent was actually carrying out the elder's orders?"
"And this young man has rejected not just Shangguan Ling'er, but Elder Shangguan himself?"
A middle-aged man wearing glasses swallowed hard, his face filled with disbelief.
"Yeah, who is this guy? So amazing?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Upon this reminder, everyone present also reacted.
"I haven't seen him before. He's definitely not from the prominent families of Hangcheng!"
"I haven't seen him either. He's not among the family members of CEOs of listed companies."
A few people who were more familiar with Hangcheng pondered for a moment and came to a conclusion.
This person could not be from Hangcheng's high society!
"Alright then, since Mr. Lin is unwilling to go upstairs, I will accompany you here."
Despite Lin Chen's refusal, Shangguan Ling'er was not discouraged. She immediately got up and sat on the chair next to Lin Chen.
"Ahem, no, no, you should go back and attend to your grandfather."
Hearing Shangguan Ling'er's words, Lin Chen almost spat out his drink.
Just now, when she crouched beside him, he had almost been killed by the gazes of the other men in the auction hall. If she were to continue accompanying him for the auction, wouldn't he be murdered on the spot?
He was here to buy a cauldron for alchemy, and he certainly didn't want to attract any attention.
Almost everyone here today was from Hangcheng's upper crust. He didn't want to steal the spotlight.
After all, he still had a mission to accomplish. If he attracted too much attention, it would be detrimental to his investigation in Hangcheng later on, wouldn't it?
"Alright."
Sensing the firmness in Lin Chen's words, Shangguan Ling'er's lips pouted instantly.
She had made a significant effort to personally invite Lin Chen, only to be rejected. Not only that, but he didn't even want her to sit beside him. This was truly disheartening.
With a heavy heart, Shangguan Ling'er could only compose herself and return to the private room on the second floor.
As soon as she entered, she was met with Elder Shangguan's doting gaze.
"Grandpa, am I not pretty?"
Shangguan Ling'er asked Elder Shangguan with a hint of grievance.
"Hahaha, of course not. My Ling'er is one of Hangcheng's four great beauties."
"But someone like Lin Chen will soar to the heavens sooner or later. It's not easy to stay by his side!"
Elder Shangguan sighed deeply as he spoke.
Given his god-like medical skills, this small city of Hangcheng wouldn't be able to hold Lin Chen for long!
"Alright, I understand, Grandpa."
Hearing Elder Shangguan's words, Shangguan Ling'er's heart was made up.
From now on, she was determined to prove that she was worthy of being by his side!
Meanwhile, downstairs, after Shangguan Ling'er's departure, the auction hall gradually returned to its previous calm.
Many elite figures from various circles were led into the auction seats by the staff.
Just as the auction was about to begin, two uninvited guests suddenly appeared beside Lin Chen.
"Huh? Lin Chen? What are you doing here?"
Qin Wanru looked bewildered, her expression filled with disbelief.
Hearing her voice, Lin Chen instinctively turned his head and saw Qin Wanru sitting down beside him with a middle-aged man in his forties.
"Oh ho, found a new catch so quickly? Not bad, he's quite a match for your age."
Seeing Qin Wanru and the middle-aged man beside her, Lin Chen smiled, a smile full of sarcasm.
This was the woman he had loved for several years!
"Lin Chen, stop your nonsense. This is CEO Du from Hangcheng Shanyue Group. He's worth hundreds of millions, not someone you can compare to!"
Hearing the sarcasm in Lin Chen's voice, Qin Wanru's face instantly changed.
Hadn't she wanted to find a younger sugar daddy?
But unfortunately, after the incident with Zhong Hao, her reputation in Hangcheng was completely ruined. How could she easily find a sugar daddy now?
This CEO Du was someone she had worked hard to curry favor with!
On one hand, she hoped to get some benefits from him. On the other hand, she also hoped to investigate the truth of the matter through him.
How could a good-for-nothing like Lin Chen afford to live in Shanshui Jiayuan?
"Is that so? That's truly impressive."
Hearing Qin Wanru's words, Lin Chen shook his head noncommittally.
In terms of net worth, his own had already reached two to three hundred million.
If nothing else, the villa Elder Shangguan had gifted him, though nominally valued at fifty million, would realistically cost at least one to two hundred million!
The entire villa's decoration and furnishings were made of the most expensive luxury goods.
If all of it were converted to cash, it would easily exceed a hundred million.
"Tch, let me tell you, the finale item at today's auction is a bronze cauldron."
"CEO Du is here today specifically for that cauldron!"
Qin Wanru said proudly to Lin Chen, showing off.
After all, it was an item thousands of years old! Its price would definitely be astronomical!
"Heh heh heh, that's not just any bronze cauldron. As far as I know, that cauldron is made of meteorite and was once kept in the imperial palace, a symbol of status."
As Qin Wanru finished speaking, CEO Du beside her began to show off with a smug look.
Hearing CEO Du's words, Lin Chen nodded inwardly. It seemed he had come to the right place for the auction.
Such a cauldron was exactly what he needed for his alchemy!
He just wondered if the fifty million cash in his card would be enough to bid for this cauldron!