Chapter 61: Kneel and Apologize?

“Master, what medicine are you preparing?” Seeing Mo Han busy in the laboratory, Ding Si asked curiously.

“Xiaoxiao’s constitution is a bit weak; I’m preparing some medicine to improve it,” Mo Han replied without turning around.

He didn’t want to wait another six months—he wanted to repair Xiaoxiao’s cornea as soon as possible. So, he planned to improve her constitution first.

“Oh, for improving constitution, I’ve heard snow ginseng works best,” Ding Si said.

“Yes, but snow ginseng is extremely rare, hard to find,” Mo Han nodded.

“I’ll ask the Chen family; perhaps they have resources,” Ding Si offered.

Mo Han glanced up at Ding Si and replied, “Alright.”

Ding Si immediately took out his phone and called the Chen family. Soon after, he hung up and reported, “Chen Jianpeng said there’s an auction this afternoon—the star item is a snow ginseng.”

“What time?” Mo Han’s eyes lit up. With snow ginseng, he could repair Xiaoxiao’s cornea in at most half a month.

“Five o’clock,” Ding Si replied.

“Good, we’ll go have a look this afternoon,” Mo Han nodded.

…

The auction hall was spacious, able to accommodate several hundred people. It was divided into two levels: the first floor was the regular area, with a large stage at the center where the auctioneer presided. The second floor was the VIP area, made up of private boxes reserved for the truly wealthy elite. These boxes also allowed for privacy and concealed identities.

Because Chen Jianpeng had arranged matters, the auction house had prepared a VIP card for him in advance. As they entered, many staff greeted Chen Jianpeng with great respect, a clear sign of his renown in Qian City.

“Mr. Chen, we have reserved Box 8 for you. Allow me to show you the way,” said a middle-aged man respectfully. This man, Hu Chao, was the manager of the main hall.

“Thank you,” Chen Jianpeng nodded.

“My pleasure, my pleasure,” Hu Chao glanced at Mo Han and Li An’an before leading the three of them upstairs.

Box 8 was about fifteen square meters, offering a clear view of the auction stage below—a rather good spot.

“Mr. Chen, please make yourselves comfortable. I’ll arrange for some wine and refreshments,” Hu Chao said, then took his leave.

Soon, Hu Chao personally brought in two bottles of red wine and some fruit platters, accompanied by a server. He opened the bottles himself, poured the wine, toasted Chen Jianpeng and his guests, and then withdrew.

At that moment, Chen Jianpeng received a call. He turned to Mo Han and said, “Mr. Mo, I’ll go greet Li Qilang outside. Please relax here.”

Mo Han nodded, and Chen Jianpeng left.

Soon after, the auction began, but the early items held no interest for Mo Han.

The first few items were mainly antiques and curios. His goal was the star lot—snow ginseng. He anticipated fierce competition from other powerful bidders. But even if he had to spend a hundred million, he was determined to secure it.

Just then, a young man and woman entered the auction hall. The man was impeccably dressed, projecting an air of wealth and nobility—about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, a typical scion of a rich family. The woman was in her early twenties, stylishly dressed with a good figure and pleasant features, though lacking the kind of bearing that would make her truly stunning.

“That’s Young Master Cheng—he’s finally here.”

“Yes, I heard the star item is a five-hundred-year-old snow ginseng. That’s a real treasure. He must be here for that.”

“Did you notice? He’s got a new companion again—looks like a college student. He changes girlfriends faster than we change clothes!”

“Well, in Qian City, countless beauties are lining up for him. Of course he’s busy.”

As the pair entered, all eyes turned their way. This was Cheng Quan—one of Qian City’s most notorious playboys. The eldest son of the Cheng family, one of the city’s wealthiest young men. The Cheng family was renowned, with businesses in real estate, roads, and bridges, their assets rivaled only by the Chen, Zhang, and Zuo families.

Cheng Quan glanced coolly at his admirers and swaggered upstairs toward the private boxes. Upon reaching the second floor, his gaze swept across to Box 8, where he caught sight of Li An’an’s breathtaking beauty. His eyes lit up, and he strolled over.

“Cheng Quan, is there anything special up for auction today?” asked the young woman, Jiang Nu, as she followed him into Box 8. Cheng Quan had called her at the last minute to accompany him, which made her think she was in for a surprise.

She’d felt a little thrill of excitement earlier, but now failed to notice that Cheng Quan’s attention was no longer on her.

“The best item today is the snow ginseng at the end. That’s what I’m here for,” Cheng Quan replied indifferently.

Jiang Nu felt a pang of disappointment. She’d imagined some luxurious jewelry, not a root of ginseng. What use did she have for that?

But suddenly she remembered her grandmother’s sixtieth birthday was coming up. Maybe Cheng Quan intended to buy the ginseng for her as a gift.

“Cheng Quan, that kind of treasure must be expensive. Are you really giving it to me?” she asked excitedly.

“You’re overthinking. You should know your place. Do you really think you have what it takes to be my wife?” Cheng Quan sneered, glancing at her with utter disdain.

He changed women faster than he changed clothes. He was already bored with this college girl—if he hadn’t been in need of company today, he wouldn’t have called her at all.

As for marriage, that wasn’t even up to him. To be his wife would require a family of equal standing. Knowing his own future, Cheng Quan was determined to enjoy himself as much as possible before settling down.

That was why he was known as Qian City’s most notorious playboy.

Jiang Nu’s face stiffened at his words, feeling utterly embarrassed. But she quickly adjusted her attitude. She was only with Cheng Quan for his money; she’d known from the start it was just a transaction. As long as her vanity was satisfied, that was enough.

“Miss Jiang, I don’t think I’ve seen you before. Are you visiting Qian City? Would you like me to show you around?” From the moment he entered Box 8, Cheng Quan’s eyes were on Li An’an. He reached out his right hand as he spoke.

A beauty like Li An’an was a rare find in Qian City, and Cheng Quan, being the prodigal he was, would never let such an opportunity slip by.

As for Mo Han beside her, Cheng Quan barely noticed him. Even if he did, he wouldn’t care—in Qian City, there was no woman he wanted that he couldn’t get.

“Do we know each other?” Li An’an looked at him with disgust; she despised self-important men like Cheng Quan. First Qin Haoran, now Cheng Quan—they both made her sick.

“Well, now we do!” Cheng Quan laughed, introducing himself, “My name is Cheng Quan—‘Cheng’ as in success, ‘Quan’ as in complete. I’m the eldest son of the Cheng family. Not to boast, but in Qian City, when I speak, no one dares to contradict me. So, beautiful, may I have your name?”

“Get lost. Just looking at you makes me sick!” Li An’an snapped angrily. She knew exactly who Cheng Quan was and had no intention of giving a scoundrel like him any respect.

“Well, you’ve got a temper—I like a woman with some fire,” Cheng Quan replied, then turned to Mo Han. “Hey, is she your wife? I like her. Name your price. You must have some status to be here; you should know who I am.”

Cheng Quan’s eyes were full of mockery—he didn’t take Mo Han seriously at all. Such a beautiful woman, wasted on a guy like this—what a crime.

“If I were you, I’d kneel down and apologize right now,” Mo Han said coldly, a glint of murderous intent in his eyes.

“What did you say? You want me to apologize? On my knees?” Cheng Quan could hardly believe his ears. Someone in Qian City actually dared to demand that he kneel and apologize—was this a joke?

He made a show of cleaning out his ears and mocked, “Buddy, say that again. I didn’t quite catch it.”