Glancing at the row of spacious and bright floor-to-ceiling windows beside him, Li Yun saw that the sky wasn't looking good, with a dark cloud drifting overhead, as if it were about to rain.
Sure enough, upon closer inspection, fine raindrops were already tapping rhythmically against the glass, a light rain that, annoyingly, never seemed to stop and could last all day.
Li Yun turned his attention back to the task at hand and quickened his pace, heading towards Shen Monong, who was constantly checking her watch ahead.
When Li Yun and Shen Monong were led by a staff member from the club directly into a small auction hall on the second floor, they found that the front rows were already filled with club members, with only a few seats available in the back. It seemed that this internal club auction was indeed attracting quite a few members.
When people are well-fed and warm, they tend to think about more indulgent things. Those who could enter the club, regardless of gender, were either quite wealthy or held a certain social status.
The auction was secondary; what mattered was having a place, a reasonable gathering spot, and an excuse.
Shen Monong sat next to Li Yun in the back row and said, "I have a good friend who just got back from the US. Her birthday is next week, and I heard she's recently become quite fond of Tang Sancai. I've been looking around these past few days but haven't found anything suitable. I heard that a rare piece is going to be auctioned today."
Tang Sancai? Li Yun was taken aback and quickly waved his hand. "Don't give it, don't give it."
Shen Monong looked puzzled. "Why not? I think that girl is quite pretty."
"It's not about prettiness. Setting personal preferences aside, Tang Sancai shouldn't be given casually," Li Yun thought to himself. He was relieved he knew a bit about it; otherwise, he might have offended someone.
"In the early TV adaptation of 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' there was a Tang Sancai in Grandma Jia's room. That was a mistake, a bug. During the Qianlong period, no one would have had a Tang Sancai in their home. It's a funerary object, something specifically made for the dead, and it's considered unlucky."
In all of China, people from Beijing are the most particular about these things. For example, in a siheyuan, you wouldn't plant a mulberry or a locust tree. The word for mulberry, "sang," sounds like "death," which is inauspicious.
As for the locust tree, it drops a bug commonly called "hanging ghost," and it wouldn't be appropriate if passersby said, "Why are there so many hanging ghosts at this house?"
"Funerary objects? That girl has a thing for these strange and old-fashioned items," Shen Monong frowned, then smiled and said, "You know a lot. I'm glad I called you."
Li Yun let out a dry laugh and asked, "Minister Shen, we..."
Shen Monong cut him off, seeming a bit annoyed. "Minister Shen, Minister Shen... Do you think my name is unpleasant? I told you to call me by my name when we're alone."
There were people everywhere! Li Yun's expression turned a bit awkward as he hesitated, "Shen... uh, Monong, I, I..."
Shen Monong gave him a sideways glance. "From now on, when we're alone, you have to call me by my name, or I'll be upset."
"Got it, got it," Li Yun quickly agreed, then continued, "Monong, aren't we here for an inspection tonight?"
Hearing Li Yun's question, Shen Monong couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. She playfully tapped his forehead with her slender finger and said, "What's there to inspect about the Mulan Club's investment project? They just don't want to make a fuss. You know, in this country, even the slightest hint of news can cause a stir—flipping houses, stocks, futures, and even the recent garlic speculation by the Shanxi coal bosses..."
Li Yun nodded, understanding that what Shen Monong said was true. No wonder it was an obscure company that stepped forward, yet the loan amount was substantial. He had initially suspected some underhanded dealings, but it turned out they had considered all possibilities.
The auctioneer was a charming beauty with curved eyes, red lips, and a voluptuous figure. Every move she made exuded a mature charm, and she was quite attractive. She wore a coffee-colored OL suit, her plump legs tightly wrapped in flesh-colored stockings, which were quite eye-catching.
Li Yun noticed that many men were stealing glances at her, while the young girls dressed up beside them were all pouting.
Li Yun said with a smile, "No wonder it's a top-tier club! Not to mention the auctioneer, but even the two girls delivering the auction items are all beauties!"
Shen Monong let out a soft hum and said, "You men! Always focusing on women's looks, all of you are such lechers."
"Not really! Liking to look at beautiful women doesn't mean being lecherous! Everyone has an appreciation for beauty. Besides, if men don't look at women, what are they supposed to look at? Other men? That would probably be even more outrageous. But lately, it seems celebrities are quite fond of revealing their same-sex relationships. It's a well-known fact that Leslie Cheung was gay. He never shied away from the media and paparazzi's pursuit and hype of his gay life.
Not only that, but Leslie also grew long braids and wore women's makeup for his music videos and movies. So, in terms of prominent gay figures, Leslie Cheung is unparalleled. But it's a bit baffling when someone like Huang Xiaoming claims to be gay. He was in a hot relationship with Angelababy, and paparazzi even caught them returning home together in a sweet moment, yet he still claims to be gay..."
Li Yun threw his head back in exasperation, then delved into a topic that made Shen Monong's face turn slightly red with embarrassment. He then grinned mischievously and said, "I'm a good man of the new era, hehe! But speaking of which, with you, Monong, by my side, I don't need to look at other girls. Compared to you, they're like stars to the moon. You're electricity, you're light, you're the eternal belief..."
"Smooth talker, flatterer," Shen Monong playfully scolded. Looking at Li Yun's not-so-handsome face, Shen Monong's eyes became a bit dazed. She thought to herself, "He looks so much like him, even in the way he speaks. Could it be that the heavens, pitying my constant longing for him, have placed this person who looks so much like him by my side, so that I can develop new feelings and forget the past? No, it's impossible. He's gone, and he'll never come back, never again..."
Li Yun, noticing Shen Monong's gaze fixed on him, felt a bit embarrassed and turned his head to look at the people in front who were engaged in fierce bidding.
At that moment, his expression suddenly changed. He couldn't believe his eyes and rubbed them vigorously.
Upon closer inspection, he realized he wasn't mistaken—it was Liu Bin, the uneducated rich second generation, who had taken Lin Yixin away from him.
Liu Bin had a woman sitting next to him, his arm wrapped around her slender waist, and she was leaning closely against him.
The woman was dressed provocatively, wearing a tight white blouse that accentuated her ample breasts, creating a gap between the top two buttons where one could catch a glimpse of her cleavage and the lace edge of her red bra.
Her short skirt clung tightly to her hips, almost revealing the edge of her stockings. Although he only saw her from behind, Li Yun was certain that the woman was not Lin Yixin.
Liu Bin seemed to have won an auction item, and the woman excitedly kissed and hugged his face, her full breasts pressing against his arm. The couple then stood up and left the auction hall through a side door.
Seeing Li Yun's changed expression and his fixed stare, Shen Monong followed his line of sight and saw the couple who had caught his attention. They had just left through the side door. Li Yun's face grew even more sullen. Shen Monong seemed to guess what was going on and cautiously asked, "Do you know them?"
Li Yun nodded solemnly. Shen Monong then asked, "Both of them?"
"Stop it," Li Yun growled, but quickly realized his outburst and apologized, "I'm sorry. My girlfriend broke up with me and ran off with that guy..."
Seeing the affectionate display of the "cheating couple," Li Yun couldn't help but feel a surge of anger and wanted to rush over and beat up Liu Bin on the spot.
But as soon as he made a move, Shen Monong quickly grabbed his hand and said, "Stay calm. Don't rush. There will be a chance to teach them a lesson. Right now, the most important thing is to find that man's Achilles' heel."
Li Yun thought Shen Monong had a point and decided to suppress his anger for the time being, pondering how to deal with Liu Bin. Shen Monong looked at Li Yun and suddenly sighed, "Yun, you loved your ex-girlfriend, didn't you?"
Li Yun, still fuming, didn't catch what Shen Monong was saying and asked her to repeat it. Shen Monong, a bit upset, replied, "I didn't say anything."
Why was she suddenly angry? Li Yun looked at her in confusion. Shen Monong's face turned red under Li Yun's gaze, and she playfully scolded, "What are you looking at? Is there something so interesting? Have you never seen this before?"
Despite her harsh tone, her face turned even redder. What was she thinking? Why was she acting so girlish? Hehe, but her blushing face was quite charming.
Perhaps feeling uncomfortable under Li Yun's gaze, Shen Monong took three deep breaths, causing her ample bosom to rise and fall dramatically, creating tantalizing waves. Only then did she manage to calm her racing heart.
Five minutes later, Li Yun could no longer contain himself. He said goodbye to Shen Monong and followed the couple. Exiting the auction hall, Li Yun found a waiter and told him he was looking for a "friend," giving a rough description of Liu Bin. Soon, he learned that the man was in room 1024.
Outside room 1024, through the wooden door, Li Yun could faintly hear the sounds of kissing and the rustling of clothes. He knew he had found the right place.
Of course, Li Yun didn't barge in. After he left, he became restless and had to rush out of the auction hall. Shen Monong, who had chased after him, wouldn't let him act impulsively.
Calming down, Li Yun realized that this room was next to Qin Keqing's. A thought crossed his mind, and he decided to act. He opened the door to Qin Keqing's room, and Li Yun and Shen Monong quietly entered.
The room was spacious. Qin Keqing, still drunk and exhausted, wouldn't wake up even if Li Yun were to... well, he didn't have to worry about Shen Monong discovering Qin Keqing's current state of undress, which was quite provocative.
Knowing it was Qin Keqing's room, Shen Monong wasn't surprised that Li Yun had the key. And since the room's owner was already asleep, she wouldn't easily disturb her. Besides, what they were about to do wasn't something they could easily talk about with others.
Li Yun climbed over the balcony that separated the two rooms. Unable to resist Shen Monong's irresistibly cute, pleading eyes, he helped her climb over the balcony as well.