Before coming to Shengjing, Chen Zhuyue had done her research in detail.
Zhao Linye, the behind-the-scenes controller of the Shengjing Chamber of Commerce, age 28, with mature and seasoned methods.
If she could hook him, all her difficulties would be resolved.
Zhao Linye arrived a bit late.
Three of his friends were already seated in the private room. Zhang Shihan spotted him and immediately called out, "Linye, you're late—the most exciting opening round is already over. The 'Ten Thousand Horses Galloping' painting that the old master at home likes has already been bid on."
The young woman on stage hadn't left yet—tall and slender, with a face like a peach blossom, wearing a proper, warm smile. Pretty, obedient, but somehow missing something.
Like she'd been trained to be identical to everyone else, like a machine rather than a living person. Not much appeal.
Zhao Linye withdrew his gaze.
Chan Gong auctions were held once every three months, and each time, they were nothing short of top-tier.
Those who could come were either wealthy or noble.
Those who could work here were also carefully selected.
Chan Gong never kept idle people, nor foolish ones—that was the established rule.
"Master Lin, see anything you fancy?"
Wang Shengkai glanced toward the stage. "I heard the three new girls at Chan Gong are all quite something. Maybe one of them will catch your eye."
Zhao Linye of the Zhao family was twenty-eight, and he'd had women by his side before—but they were fleeting, nothing more.
The Shengjing Chamber of Commerce had grown strong and prosperous in just a few short years, its reputation soaring with none daring to rival it.
Zhao Linye was young, with wild methods and a sharp, ruthless eye. Over the years, many had tried to stuff women into his orbit, but all had failed without exception.
Some said he was no longer a man. Others said he'd been turned straight. But if Wang Shengkai hadn't seen his impressive endowment during a shared bath, he might have believed those rumors himself.
"I'll see how it goes."
Zhao Linye bit down on his cigarette and replied.
The auction house had no explicit no-smoking rule, but those who came here were all sharp cookies, and most wouldn't lower themselves to such classless behavior.
Zhao Linye certainly wouldn't.
He had a nicotine craving, but he only bit the cigarette.
His gaze swept over the stage intermittently. Most of what was being auctioned didn't interest him. The girls all looked the same—he'd long since seen all the splendor the world had to offer, and nothing caught his eye.
As the final act, Chen Zhuyue had sat alone in the small dark room for two more hours after the auction began.
An assistant knocked and entered: "Chen Zhuyue, get ready. It's your turn."
Chen Zhuyue knew the moment that would decide her fate had finally arrived.
She stood up, stretching her back that had grown stiff from sitting too long, and a solid gold tray was pressed into her hands.
On the tray sat a red velvet box. What was inside, Chen Zhuyue didn't know.
"Chen Zhuyue, once you're on stage, keep your heart steady and your hands steady. Since you've entered Chan Gong, you represent Chan Gong. You cannot show any sign of weakness. Even if you're about to fall, you must get back up gracefully."
Sister Chu personally came to give the reminder. Chen Zhuyue steadied the gold tray: "Understood, Sister Chu."
"Go."
The final lot was the legendary Mermaid's Tears—priceless and unavailable on the open market, sold to the highest bidder.
Chen Zhuyue stood on the auction stage, her qipao exuding charm, her brows and eyes carrying innocence, while the high slit revealed a hint of indulgence. Countless gazes turned toward her—some appraising, some savoring, but most weighing costs and benefits.
Figuring out what price it would take to claim this beautiful woman.
In Chan Gong, "beauty as a curse" was a polarized concept—there was only beauty, never the curse.
A woman's face was a passport, but also a silent game of strategy. Beauty without power or influence was ultimately just chips on the gambling table.
Seeing Chen Zhuyue, Li Lingfeng's eyes lit up. He turned and said, "Master Lin, you didn't fancy any of the earlier ones. What about this one? She's not bad. A young calf that doesn't fear tigers—still a student, isn't she? Does she even know what kind of place this is? Once she's here, she probably won't be able to get out."
Zhao Linye followed the words and looked out, his gaze landing on the woman on stage.
There was appraisal. There was contemplation. There was evaluation.
At their level, women were just a seasoning for the bedroom, a touch of decoration in life.
Having them or not—it didn't matter much.
If they wanted a woman, they didn't even need to wave a hand. A single glance was enough to have one delivered to their door.
Soon, the final lot—the Mermaid's Tears—was also sold. Chen Zhuyue let out a quiet breath, her body still taut as she finally returned backstage.
For her first appearance, her pay wasn't low. For a brief half-hour on stage, Sister Chu gave her thirty thousand yuan as an appearance fee.
"Good performance. Chan Gong is a place that values fairness. If you've got the skill, you earn more."
Thirty thousand in cash in hand, Chen Zhuyue felt somewhat disappointed.
What she wanted wasn't money—it was the chance to meet the powerful, to climb upward, to reach the heights and protect her family.
After changing out of the qipao and into her own clothes, Chen Zhuyue lowered her head and walked out of Chan Gong. It was raining outside. Lost in thought, she didn't notice and was blocked by someone.
"Miss Chen, since you've entered Chan Gong, you should know its rules. I've taken a liking to you. Fifty million—come with me."
A portly man blocked her path. Chen Zhuyue looked up—it was the man who had bid three hundred million for the 'Mermaid's Tears.'
Old enough to be her father.
Chen Zhuyue stepped back. "I'm sorry, I'm only here to work."
"Then you're refusing a toast only to drink a penalty." The man nodded, then said to someone at his side, "I want this woman. Take her to the car."
Chen Zhuyue turned and ran back, only to collide headfirst into a man's chest. The hard impact stung her nose. Before she could recover, her waist was lifted and she was set aside.
A cool, unhurried voice carried the sharp edge of authority: "Forcing a woman into prostitution? Taking her by force? Boss Wang, that's a classic move of yours—but unfortunately, I just witnessed it."
Chen Zhuyue steadied herself, her heart racing beyond control.
It was Zhao Linye.
"Thank you."
Chen Zhuyue said softly, respectful toward Zhao Linye but neither servile nor overbearing. Beneath her composed exterior, her heart pounded wildly.
She and Zhao Linye had finally crossed paths.
"What did you do before entering Chan Gong?"
Zhao Linye asked casually, tilting his head to light a cigarette. The so-called Boss Wang, seeing Zhao Linye appear, immediately changed his expression—bowing and scraping, even his gaze toward Chen Zhuyue now carried wariness.
That was power.
A single word could shift the winds and command everything.
"Veterinary medicine."
Chen Zhuyue stood steady, utterly demure. "I also studied human medicine."