After leaving the hospital, Lin Chen went directly to the largest traditional Chinese medicine market to purchase a large batch of medicinal materials for refining elixirs.
Lacking the necessary equipment for refining elixirs, Lin Chen could only store the medicinal materials in his Nine Dragons Ring and headed straight for the most prosperous commercial street in Hangcheng.
He had specifically inquired with Shangguan Ling'er earlier, so he naturally knew that a grand auction would be held there that afternoon, and one of the items to be auctioned was a cauldron!
As Lin Chen was about to enter the auction house, he unexpectedly encountered someone he absolutely did not wish to see.
"Huh? You again? How come I run into you wherever I go?"
Just as Lin Chen was about to avoid her, Qiu Hanying approached him like a curious baby, her gaze scrutinizing him.
She truly couldn't quite figure this man out. Their repeated chance encounters felt as if they were meticulously arranged.
"Move aside, I'm busy."
Lin Chen frowned and ignored her.
This crazy woman was ungrateful and he wanted nothing to do with her!
"Hey, do you have any manners? I'm talking to you!"
Being ignored by Lin Chen, Qiu Hanying immediately took offense.
Ever since she was young, she had been doted upon and surrounded by admirers. When had she ever been treated with such coldness?
Furthermore, the identity of the person who had kidnapped her had already been confirmed as a mere underling of Hei San, someone utterly insignificant.
This implied that those previous chance encounters might still have been deliberately arranged!
The fact that they met here now made it even more suspicious!
This auction was organized by their Rushuang Group, and the invitations issued were extremely limited.
She had personally reviewed the guest list, which consisted almost entirely of prominent figures from various industries in Hangcheng. There was no one named Lin Chen among them!
"What do you want?"
Annoyed by Qiu Hanying's incessant harassment, Lin Chen's temper began to flare.
This woman claimed to detest his advances, yet she was the one pestering him now!
"This auction is being held by my company, and I recall that your name is not on the guest list, Mr. Lin Chen?"
Qiu Hanying suppressed her emotions and questioned Lin Chen.
Today, she was determined to expose this scumbag's true colors in front of everyone!
He had clearly intended to approach her deliberately, yet he was now playing innocent. This was utterly unbearable!
"I don't need an invitation. Shangguan Ling'er asked me to come."
Upon hearing Qiu Hanying's words, Lin Chen immediately frowned.
Shangguan Ling'er had mentioned earlier that an invitation was required for the auction, but he only needed to give her name to be admitted.
In Hangcheng, the Shangguan family certainly had that much influence.
"What? Shangguan Ling'er sent you? Hahaha, and you still claim you're not trying to approach me deliberately?"
However, to Lin Chen's utter astonishment, after hearing this, Qiu Hanying not only did not let him pass but became even more incensed.
Qiu Hanying also knew Shangguan Ling'er. At a previous banquet, Shangguan Ling'er had jokingly offered to introduce her to a boyfriend.
Now, it seemed, this Lin Chen must be the one!
Although the Shangguan family was well-known in Hangcheng, no one would dare to impersonate them in such a setting.
After all, Old Master Shangguan Xiong's reputation carried significant weight in Hangcheng.
"Alright, Xiao Ying. There are so many guests here. Since this gentleman is representing the Shangguan family, we should naturally treat him with courtesy."
Just as Qiu Hanying was fuming, a middle-aged woman in a black, form-fitting outfit standing beside her glanced at Lin Chen with interest and stopped Qiu Hanying.
"Fine, but I'm telling you, there's absolutely no way between us. You can give up on that idea!"
Seeing that even Aunt Zhang was speaking up for him, Qiu Hanying didn't press the matter further. After issuing a final warning, she left with Aunt Zhang.
After leaving the lobby, Qiu Hanying turned to Aunt Zhang, "How is it, Aunt Zhang? This Lin Chen, he shouldn't know martial arts, right?"
"Mmm, this person has fair skin and no calluses on his hands. He doesn't look like someone who has trained."
In response to Qiu Hanying's question, Aunt Zhang nodded, her expression certain.
If he had undergone training, there would undoubtedly be some traces left on his body, but this Lin Chen?
He looked like a delicate pretty boy, frail and weak, someone who couldn't possibly have defeated four people alone!
The people who had kidnapped Qiu Hanying previously were all elite fighters under Hei San. It was absolutely impossible for a mere pretty boy to defeat them so easily!
Clearly, Qiu Hanying's guess was spot on. This Lin Chen must have colluded with those thugs to deliberately put on a show for her!
"Alright, just stay away from him from now on. The auction is about to start, and you still need to host it. You should go in first."
Then, under Aunt Zhang's protection, Qiu Hanying entered the auction hall to prepare.
It had to be said that Rushuang Group's service was excellent. As soon as Lin Chen entered the lobby, a server approached him, arranged a seat for him, and issued him a bidding number plate.
The auction was divided into two levels. The first floor was for attendees like Lin Chen, seated in the hall, while the second floor had over a dozen private boxes, clearly designated for aristocratic families.
Just as Lin Chen was about to sit down, Shangguan Ling'er, dressed in a qipao, descended from the second floor and gracefully walked towards him.
Her white, sheer qipao accentuated her near-perfect figure. Her hair was styled high, making her appear mature and sensual.
Instantly, the gaze of all the men in the auction hall shifted to her.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Shangguan Ling'er is truly a gem of the mortal world!"
"Indeed. If I could marry her, I'd be willing to live ten years less!"
"Keep your voices down. She's Old Master Shangguan's granddaughter. Are you tired of living?"
"Sigh, I wonder who will have the fortune to marry such a perfect woman."
A group of men looked at Shangguan Ling'er's elegant figure and sighed.
In their eyes, Shangguan Ling'er descending from the second floor was either for a stroll or to leave.
However, to everyone's surprise, Shangguan Ling'er, with a slight sway of her body, slowly approached a young man and knelt down.
"Mr. Lin, my grandfather is in a private room upstairs. Shall we go up together?"
Shangguan Ling'er's eyes were filled with a smile, and a faint fragrance wafted from her, making Lin Chen's eyes light up.