Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: Entering the Charity Auction

A light gray shirt hung loosely over his shoulders, the sleeves carelessly rolled up to his elbows, revealing well-defined forearms. A perpetual smile played on his lips, and a pair of black-rimmed glasses rested on his nose.

“Xuyu, over here!” Shen Mo waved, unable to conceal his delight.

“Journalist extraordinaire, have you heard anything about that person?” Wen Xuyu set her purse aside and took a sip of the coffee on the table.

Shen Mo, knowing her tastes, had ordered her drink in advance.

“Don’t you trust me to get the job done?” Shen Mo patted his chest, brimming with confidence.

“According to my investigation, there’s an auction tonight at Heaven on Earth. It’s expected that all the most prominent figures in the capital will attend, and Lu Baiqian will be no exception. But that place is known as the city’s grandest den of extravagance, teeming with all sorts of people. Are you sure you want to go?”

“Yes.” Wen Xuyu set down her coffee cup, her gaze sharp. “I have to go.”

Wen Yuqin had given her only three days. Though today was the first, she wasn’t entirely confident.

“But you need an invitation to get in,” Shen Mo sighed. “With my abilities, this is as far as I can help. Besides, the editor-in-chief wants me to rush an article tonight, or I’d go with you!”

Wen Xuyu laughed, deliberately lightening the mood. She raised a playful fist.

“It’s fine, you’ve already helped me so much. Besides, you don’t know what I’m capable of yet. If anyone tries to bully me, I’ll just fight back!”

“I believe you. Just be careful!” Shen Mo raised his cup, but could not hide the worry in his eyes as he lowered his gaze.

He knew Wen Xuyu was hiding something from him. Still, he would always be her support.

“To us!”

*

The top floor of the Bian Group.

Bian Xunzhou finished reviewing the last document and glanced at his phone.

What was that woman doing? Why was she so happy?

He pressed the intercom, and Lu Zhao appeared in the office moments later.

“What’s on the schedule for tonight?”

As a consummate chief assistant, Lu Zhao immediately began his report.

“Regarding the development funds for the land in the northern part of the city, my investigation shows that Mr. Jobs, the person in charge, will be returning to the country tomorrow. Tonight, he’ll be at the Qiao family’s charity banquet, held at Heaven on Earth.”

“Heaven on Earth?” Bian Xunzhou looked up, thoughtful.

“Yes, tonight is our last chance.” Lu Zhao had already done his homework.

“The Qiao family also sent you an invitation. Should I—”

“I know. Get ready.” Bian Xunzhou capped his pen and stood up.

“What’s she doing?”

“She?” Lu Zhao was momentarily startled, but quickly understood. “You mean your wife?”

“Wife?” Bian Xunzhou turned, displeasure flickering in his eyes. “What has she given you to make you so loyal?”

They’d only met a handful of times, and Lu Zhao already called her that so naturally?

Lu Zhao lowered his eyes, standing straight. “You must be joking, sir.”

As if he would dare.

“Remember, she’s just an outsider,” Bian Xunzhou’s voice was low, authoritative without anger. “Once the synesthesia ends, she’ll leave. Don’t call her that in front of me again.”

“Yes, sir.” Lu Zhao nodded. “Should I go find out where Miss Wen is now?”

“No need.” Bian Xunzhou walked into the lounge.

Lu Zhao sighed. He really couldn’t figure out what his boss was thinking.

*

At seven in the evening, Wen Xuyu arrived punctually at the entrance of Heaven on Earth.

She wore a black strapless evening gown, tiny crystals shimmering along the hem, each step casting a trail of starlight. Her swan-like neck disappeared into the black silk, her delicate collarbones catching the eye. Long hair cascaded down her back, her shoulder blades barely visible, while matching tassel earrings adorned her earlobes. High heels complemented her porcelain ankles.

Her appearance drew more than a few glances.

Not wishing to attract attention, Wen Xuyu slipped into a corner and noticed for the first time that this was a masquerade ball.

Fortunately, the hosts had anticipated this, providing a wall of masks nearby.

She walked over and selected a gray fox mask, which suited her ensemble perfectly.

At the entrance, the doormen checked invitations and registered guests.

Wen Xuyu’s heart pounded as she pondered her options.

Suddenly, a familiar figure caught her eye.

Lu Baiqian? It was really him!

She watched with wide eyes as he was ushered through the door.

Now or never—she had to take a chance.

Scanning the crowd, she noticed that most people had companions. After another careful look, she found her target: a tall figure in a silver wolf mask.

She strolled to his side, making it seem as if they were together.

Lu Zhao handed over the invitation. The doorman glanced at it, then looked at Wen Xuyu, who stood at the back.

He was about to question her, but just then, a commotion drew everyone’s attention.

“I forgot my invitation—please, let me in!” A woman in a revealing red dress clung to the doorman’s arm, pleading.

“No invitation, no entry,” the doorman interrupted, unmoved.

Seeing this, the woman tried to cause more of a scene, but the doorman called security to escort her out.

Wen Xuyu silently thanked her luck; if she’d tried that, she’d have been thrown out as well.

With the distraction, Bian Xunzhou grew impatient. “Are we done here?”

The doorman nodded hurriedly and let them in.

Wen Xuyu’s tense nerves finally relaxed. Once inside, she slipped away in the opposite direction, unaware that the man behind her turned to watch her retreating figure.

“Sir, what is it?” Lu Zhao looked as well, but only caught a glimpse of a black skirt.

“Nothing.” Bian Xunzhou pressed his lips into a straight line, his gaze unfathomable.

Meanwhile, Wen Xuyu made her way into the main hall alone.

She found a seat toward the back and scanned the room, but couldn’t spot Lu Baiqian anywhere.

“How can that be? I saw him come in.” She murmured, but then a thought struck her.

Given his special status, Lu Baiqian would likely avoid the public eye—perhaps he was in a private box.

With this, Wen Xuyu felt reassured.

As long as Lu Baiqian was at the auction, she still had a chance.

The auction began. The host took the stage, and soon the auctioneer started presenting the lots.

Wen Xuyu felt bored, her anxiety mounting.

Unbeknownst to her, two sets of eyes were watching her from a second-floor box.

“Third Young Master, I think that’s the second Miss Wen,” Meng Jin pointed out, puzzled. “But how did she get in?”

Lu Baiqian, seated in a wheelchair, silently gazed in her direction, long fingers tracing the rim of his teacup as if lost in thought.

“She’s here to see me. Bring her up.”

Meng Jin obeyed and left the box for the main floor.

At the same time, next door, Lu Zhao sensed something amiss.

He glanced at the man beside him, who rested with his eyes closed, and hesitated. “Sir, I think that woman looks like Miss Wen.”

He caught himself just in time, changing his form of address. Close call—he’d nearly risked his life.

Hearing this, Bian Xunzhou slowly opened his eyes.

He lounged in the black leather sofa, long legs crossed carelessly, his left arm draped over the backrest. Reaching for the glass on the side table, he swirled the ice in the amber liquid, his pale skin striking in the dim light.

“She’s getting bolder,” he said after a sip, his expression unreadable.

“This isn’t good,” Lu Zhao said, alarmed. “Someone just took Miss Wen away—it looked like Meng Jin from the Lu family.”

Bian Xunzhou’s hand stilled on the glass, a chill flashing in his eyes.

So that’s why she was so happy—she’d rushed here to see her former fiancé?

But when had those two grown so close? She’d been desperate to escape the engagement before; had she been deceiving him all along?

Bian Xunzhou lowered his gaze in contemplation, his eyes falling on the contract documents regarding tonight’s affair. His dark eyes glimmered.

It seemed he now knew exactly what to do.