Chapter 87: The Private Market

Xu Ruizhi shot him a sharp look. “Stop stirring up trouble here. I may have misunderstood you earlier, but don’t push your luck. Just stick closely to Youlin. If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you responsible! I want a call every half hour to report on Youlin’s safety!”

Shen Youlin rolled her eyes at him as well. She thought to herself, of course, if someone wants to take advantage, they’ll go for the tender ones—why would they bother with the old? The moment passed, and she didn’t take it seriously.

Just then, a group of wealthy ladies strolled past them.

A few among them seemed to know Xu Ruizhi, greeting her with a nod. Their eyes lingered on Chen Yuyi, as if they’d already guessed he was the Shen family’s son-in-law by marriage—a reputation Xu Ruizhi herself had spread. Covering their mouths, they looked as though they wanted to laugh but felt too embarrassed.

Xu Ruizhi didn’t mind; after all, she was the one who’d called him “the cheap son-in-law” in the first place. She waved Shen Youlin off, signaling that they needn’t pay her any mind, and during her break she joined the group of ladies in conversation.

“Oh, Sister Zhao Lan! I finally found you all!” Shen Youlin, after wandering about for a while, spotted some familiar faces.

Chen Yuyi followed behind her like an attendant, rubbing his nose and pondering when he might have a chance to touch Youlin’s wrist and erase the magical bracelet there. His encounter with his mother-in-law had made him cautious. As for Zhao Lan and her companions, he couldn’t care less.

Zhao Lan was surrounded by a few people besides the foreigner, Mr. He—her close friends, though fewer than at the previous gathering. It seemed many hadn’t come, or had gone off on their own. Those present were likely here thanks to Zhao Lan’s influence.

With Shen Zhujun absent, their glances at Chen Yuyi were openly dismissive; they greeted Shen Youlin but paid little attention to Chen Yuyi.

Zhao Lan, smiling, patted Shen Youlin’s head. “I ran into your mother earlier. She said she’s feeling a bit seasick, so she can’t take you around. She asked me to keep an eye on you, so you’d better stick with me.”

“When is the magic ceremony going to take place?” Shen Youlin couldn’t help but ask.

“Oh, probably tonight, but it might not even be today,” Zhao Lan replied with a gentle smile.

Chen Yuyi frowned slightly; he’d assumed they’d only be on the Realman for a day, but from Zhao Lan’s tone, it seemed it would be longer.

“Wonderful! I get to enjoy the ship a bit longer. Once the ceremony is over, the event ends—one day isn’t enough for all the fun!”

Shen Youlin was a playful girl at heart; she had no real interest in the magic ceremony, preferring the various entertaining activities that broadened her horizons and piqued her curiosity.

Zhao Lan, privy to some inside information, turned to everyone. “I heard the Realman will drift on the river for a full day and night. Besides enjoying the scenery, it’s a great chance to relax and see new things. The entertainment options are plentiful, so everyone can join whatever interests them. And for those seeking romance, this is the perfect setting. Just have fun!”

Given that she’d organized the outing and her family background surpassed everyone else’s, she took on the role of big sister.

“And I’ve already booked rooms for all of you on the Realman, so you don’t have to worry about where to rest,” Zhao Lan added thoughtfully.

Everyone nodded in appreciation, commending her attention to detail.

“There’s one more thing. Since the Realman is Master Zhong’s private yacht, there are areas you shouldn’t enter without permission. Offending Master Zhong could have serious consequences, so please be careful.”

She then handed out room cards to the group, and with their accommodations settled, they dispersed to find entertainment.

Zhao Lan took the last card and gave it to Shen Youlin, saying it was for her and her mother.

Then, with an apologetic smile in her eyes, she turned to Chen Yuyi. “Mr. Shen, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t expect the rooms to be booked so quickly, and didn’t have a chance to prepare one for you. Perhaps you could share with Youlin and her mother—after all, you’re family.”

Shen Youlin’s eyes widened. “If he doesn’t have a room, let him go stargazing on the deck. We’re not letting him into ours!”

Chen Yuyi shrugged indifferently. “It’s fine. The ship is so big—I'll make do wherever. Don’t worry about me.”

Zhao Lan, clearly playing up the situation, laughed. “Then I must apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. Shen.”

“Youlin, would you like to see some unusual things?” Zhao Lan suddenly asked, taking her hand.

Shen Youlin’s interest was piqued. “Yes, yes, let’s go!”

The Realman didn’t forbid private sales; in fact, it provided a special venue. If you had something good, you could sell it here, or perhaps acquire something rare.

Zhao Lan led Shen Youlin toward the venue for private sales. She hoped to find a treasure or two and wanted to impress Shen Youlin with magical artifacts—perhaps even tempt her to trade the jade plate from the Shen family.

The venue was heavily guarded, with four martial artists at the entrance, each possessing internal strength.

After Zhao Lan registered and paid an entrance fee, they were let in. The Realman profited from such events; whether buying, selling, or simply browsing, everyone paid to enter. The tight security was to prevent trouble, as transactions often involved large sums, and successful deals incurred a commission.

The setup resembled a marketplace: sellers displayed their goods, and buyers browsed at will.

Inside, the CEO of an underwear company—close to Shen Zhujun—was inspecting a jade pendant at a stall, accompanied by an elder with an air of wisdom.

Across from her stood a middle-aged Taoist priest, presumably the owner of the pendant.

“Zhao Lan, just in time! Help me decide!” the CEO called out.

Zhao Lan approached. “So you’re here, Liang Bingyan. What caught your eye?”

“Master Sun is a feng shui expert I know. He says no magical artifact, Buddha relic, or Taoist charm escapes his gaze. He claims this jade pendant is auspicious, brings prosperity, and changes feng shui. I want to buy it, but I’m unsure. Can you give me your opinion?”

Liang Bingyan handed the pendant to Zhao Lan.

Mr. He took it, felt it, and exclaimed, “It truly is an auspicious item!”

Shen Youlin blinked curiously. “What’s an auspicious item?”

Mr. He explained, “Such items bring luck, fortune, and good things. Kept at home, they protect the feng shui and ward off misfortune.”

His words made Shen Youlin’s big eyes sparkle. She’d never encountered such things—skeptical yet intrigued.

Zhao Lan nodded; Mr. He had served her family for years and his expertise was trustworthy.

“Zhao Bingyan, since Mr. He says so, you should buy it.”

Master Sun, the feng shui expert, seemed displeased. “Miss Liang, do you doubt my judgment? Now even outsiders see the value in this jade pendant.”

“Of course not, Master Sun. I trust your expertise, but wanted a second opinion,” Liang Bingyan replied apologetically.

Suddenly, someone behind Liang Bingyan called out, “I’ll pay five million for the pendant!”

She paused, frowning. The priest had only asked for three million. She turned to the newcomer. “I saw it first.”

He smiled. “What does ‘first’ mean? The highest bid wins, Miss. Don’t you know the rules here?”

He looked to the priest. “Isn’t that right, Master?”

The Taoist nodded, smiling at Liang Bingyan. “Indeed, Miss. If you want the pendant, you must outbid him.”

Liang Bingyan nodded, “Ten million!”

“Impressive!” the bidder praised. “You doubled the price in one go. I can’t be outdone. Twenty million!”

Shen Youlin gaped. A jade pendant fetching twenty million was unimaginable.

Zhao Lan was moved as well; had Liang Bingyan not been interested, she’d have jumped in, but decided to wait for her reaction.

Liang Bingyan’s brow arched. She wouldn’t give up easily; her company was large and she believed in feng shui, so the pendant was worth it. “Fifty million!”

Everyone was stunned.

Shen Youlin was speechless.

The bidder shrugged. “With such a high bid, how can I compete?” He shook his head and wandered off.

Zhao Lan admired Liang Bingyan’s decisiveness; she herself couldn’t have matched it.

The Taoist nodded repeatedly. “Miss, it seems no one else is bidding. The pendant is yours—please settle the payment.”

“Wait, I haven’t placed my bid yet!” Suddenly, Chen Yuyi spoke up.

Everyone was taken aback and turned to him.