A Plausible Coincidence

"Going on a spontaneous trip, I'll be back soon, don't worry."

While busy reviewing manuscripts, Ren Ziling glanced at the message on her phone. She was stunned at first, then slammed her hands on the desk and stood up angrily, "You brat, pulling this stunt on me again! Are your wings finally strong enough to fly away?!"

Ren Ziling quickly called him.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off..."

"Me!!!!!"

Ren Ziling finally sat down in frustration. Having worked in the industry for many years, her temper had mellowed considerably, so she refrained from uttering curses like 'Go to hell' or 'Damn it'.

Luo Qiu, guided by the flight attendant, also took his seat. Of course, You Ye accompanied him.

You Ye had changed out of the maid outfit she wore at the Club. Now, she was wearing a white sun-protective shirt with a light green knitted cardigan, white casual jeans, and silver flat shoes with small cutouts.

It was, naturally, a different kind of feeling.

Although he had never expressed a desire to see You Ye's room, he imagined her wardrobe must be overflowing.

With a female companion, the flight attendant didn't display any more enthusiasm than her professional duties required. However, the business class and first class seats, separated by curtains, were clearly more refined.

The art catalog brought back from Gu Yue Zhai indicated the auction venue—it wasn't in Luo Qiu's city but several cities away, even crossing provincial borders.

This was beyond Luo Qiu's usual travel range. If he wanted to go, he would have to take transportation. To be able to travel there and back within a day and get sufficient rest, after understanding the Club's financial situation and considering Zhong Luochen's fastest travel time, Luo Qiu directly chose to fly.

He had entrusted this matter to You Ye. He figured that in her many years of social activities, You Ye must have handled many such tasks.

In any case, when Luo Qiu sat in first class, he basically didn't have to worry about anything.

"Luo Qiu?"

Just as Luo Qiu was about to close his eyes and rest, he unexpectedly heard someone call his name. He felt awkward that he would run into an acquaintance at such a time.

It was the eldest daughter from Gu Yue Zhai.

Zhang Qingrui was alone, holding her handbag, phone, and flight ticket. She looked over curiously. She frowned and then asked, "Are you planning to go to the auction?"

He wasn't particularly surprised that she guessed.

After all, the art catalog and information had only been obtained from Gu Yue Zhai yesterday, and today he was already on a plane heading to the destination. Therefore, it was natural for the eldest daughter of Gu Yue Zhai, who likely had the same purpose, to think in that direction.

Luo Qiu could only nod.

Perhaps due to being born into a merchant family, Zhang Qingrui maintained a basic level of politeness. "And this is... your companion?"

"You Ye..." Luo Qiu nodded and introduced her, then added, "Yes... a companion who will accompany me for a long time."

"What a beautiful person," Zhang Qingrui smiled faintly.

To some extent, all women possess a comparative mindset, whether it's strong or weak, intentional or unintentional, it always exists. But Zhang Qingrui was genuinely amazed by You Ye, a woman who seemed to possess all the best qualities of both Eastern and Western women.

She was like a rose on a high mountain, a very special feeling, causing Zhang Qingrui to look at her a couple of times more. Hearing Luo Qiu's peculiar answer, the eldest daughter of Gu Yue Zhai, accustomed to deciphering veiled meanings, chuckled knowingly, "In that case, I won't disturb you further. However, Luo Qiu, if you're planning to attend the auction, why don't I give you a ride? I'm one of the organizers, and traveling together might save you some trouble."

She didn't consider whether Luo Qiu had the purchasing power—in fact, at many auctions, there are always more spectators than buyers, and some people just go for the excitement. Besides, as classmates, Zhang Qingrui didn't want to give the impression of being arrogant.

Luo Qiu thought for a moment and said, "Alright."

Zhang Qingrui returned to her seat.

At this moment, You Ye leaned close to Luo Qiu's ear and whispered, "Master, this young lady's soul is very beautiful."

Luo Qiu was startled, but then he didn't say anything—You Ye was hinting that Luo Qiu could develop Zhang Qingrui into a Club guest. However, he didn't have that intention for now.

Zhang Qingrui wasn't the only person in the world with a beautiful soul, but among his limited acquaintances, and those who knew Ren Ziling, Zhang Qingrui fit both criteria. Therefore, he really didn't wish to interact with her in his capacity as the Club's owner.

"Besides,"

Luo Qiu closed his eyes to rest again.

But this seemingly intimate gesture was well-noticed by the flight attendant and Zhang Qingrui—while they marveled again at You Ye's dreamlike beauty, each had their own thoughts.

The flight attendant hoped for a beautiful encounter in these affluent circles but felt inadequate in comparison. Zhang Qingrui, on the other hand, was curious how anyone could fall for someone like Luo Qiu, who seemed so distant and unapproachable.

Perhaps it was true love?

Women who harbored fantasies about romance silently offered their blessings.

The journey was uneventful, and the plane landed smoothly at its destination. Afterward, accompanied by Zhang Qingrui, Luo Qiu boarded the organizer's shuttle car to the auction venue.

As their car pulled away, another car had already stopped.

The same time, but a different place.

Already thousands of miles away in the Capital City—before them stood what could be called a mansion, but more accurately, a villa.

It was a villa owned by the Zhong Family, where the direct descendants of the Zhong family resided.

"Chengyun, get everything ready immediately and wait for me here," Zhong Luochen instructed, then hurried into the villa.

Chengyun dared not delay. While pulling out his phone to make arrangements, he also looked longingly at the interior of the villa—even now, he still didn't have the qualifications to enter.

He heard that the old patriarch living in the villa was in a more critical condition, which was why Zhong Luochen had rushed back.

Within this villa, the situation was volatile, and the atmosphere could change at any moment. Chengyun couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Although it wasn't outright internal strife within the Zhong family, there were undercurrents of tension. The old patriarch had not designated an heir, and the two young masters and one young lady of the current generation were all exceptionally capable. If the old patriarch truly couldn't overcome this hurdle, things would become quite interesting then.

It was only when they returned that Zhong Luochen also gave instructions to purchase return flight tickets... not just one or two seats, but an entire first-class cabin. This detail made Cheng Yun feel puzzled.

At this moment, a car sped into the villa. Cheng Yun knew this was the private car of another young master from the Zhong family.

At this point, besides the lady who had been accompanying them all along, three of the current generation of the Zhong family had already gathered.

Of course, some influential figures from within the Zhong family had also arrived earlier.

"Could it be... that things are really about to change?"

Cheng Yun looked up at the sky, muttering agitatedly, "This damned smog!"