Ning Rongrong's Father, a Father-Daughter Standoff at the Auction
As Lin Qingmo and the other three chatted and laughed, the silver masks were already fitted onto their faces, their edges gleaming with a cool, metallic texture.
"Four distinguished guests, please come in. I will show you to your seats."
The staff member bowed, gestured with his right hand, and spoke with a well-trained respect.
The four followed him inside.
The heavy, gilded door behind him slowly closed with a muffled "boom," completely shutting out the noise outside.
Instead, a strong aroma fills the air – a base of luxurious sandalwood.
The distinctive metallic scent of Gold Soul Coin mingled within, along with a faint, almost imperceptible, pressure of Soul Power.
It was like a sleeping beast lurking in the shadows.
Lin Qingmo's lips curled slightly. "This auction is quite interesting."
We walked through a long corridor covered with a dark red carpet.
Every three steps along the corridor wall was a luminous pearl, its soft glow casting long shadows.
The staff pushed open a carved wooden door, and the four people's view suddenly opened up.
The entire auction hall was covered with a dark red Swan carpet, which was so soft underfoot that it made no sound when you stepped on it, feeling like you were walking on clouds.
The crystal chandeliers hanging from the dome were ridiculously huge.
Each facet refracted a shimmering, golden light, illuminating the entire venue as bright as day.
You can see even a single hair that has fallen to the ground.
The front row features neatly arranged seats for individual passengers, with upholstered seats so spacious that half a person could sink into them.
On the small mahogany table in front of each seat, the bidding paddles were polished to a gleaming shine.
A cup of hot tea was placed next to it.
The tea soup was clear, and wisps of steam rose gently.
There is a ring of private VIP rooms on the second floor at the back.
You can see the gold-plated number plaques hanging at the entrance of the private rooms; they are a symbol of prestige.
The staff led the four to a four-person table at the front edge, bowing deeply and adopting an extremely humble posture.
"Four distinguished guests, these are your seats."
"Just ring the bell to call me anytime if you need anything."
"The auction will begin in fifteen minutes. Please wait a moment."
After saying that, he bowed, took three steps back, and then turned and left, very decisively, without uttering a single unnecessary word.
Xiao Wu plopped down in the seat, sinking into the soft cushions and swinging her legs comfortably.
Her gaze swept across the entire venue, as if she had entered a grand garden. "Wow! This place is huge! Look at the private rooms upstairs, there are so many!"
"That's natural."
Ning Rongrong sat next to her, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and raised her chin slightly, displaying the air of a well-traveled young lady.
"The Heaven Dou Auction House is the largest auction house in the entire Heaven Dou Empire, without exception."
"Not to mention the nobles and Soul Master of Heaven Dou City, even people from the surrounding kingdoms will be rushing over to participate in the auction."
She put down her teacup, pointed towards the private rooms on the second floor, and said with a hint of disdain, "The VIP rooms upstairs aren't something you can just get into with money."
"They're either royalty, members of a sect, or powerful individuals."
"Ordinary wealthy businessmen can't even get close to them; the threshold is higher than their heads."
Zhu Zhuqing sat in a seat towards the inside.
His back was ramrod straight, like a short sword drawn from its sheath.
Lin Qingmo in the outermost seat, his movements quite casual as he took his place.
In his perception, at least three VIP rooms housed powerful individuals with unfathomable Soul Power.
He glanced at Ning Rongrong, who was looking around beside him, out of the corner of his eye.
Just then, Ning Rongrong suddenly nudged Lin Qingmo's arm with her elbow.
She tugged at his sleeve with her fingertips, her voice barely audible, tinged with surprise and barely concealed guilt. "Qingmo! Look, the third private room from the top on the second floor, that's my dad and Sword Grandpa!"
Lin Qingmo looked up at her gesture, her gaze falling on the direction of the private room.
Two figures were sitting there.
A gentle and refined demeanor, like a piece of warm jade.
A sharp and imposing aura, like a sword drawn from its sheath.
Are they Ning Fengzhi's father and Sword Grandpa?
Lin Qingmo realized: That's Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin!
Ning Rongrong had just raised her hand halfway in the air when she quickly pulled it back as if she had been stung by a scorpion.
Her cheeks puffed out, and she shrank further into the seat.
I wish I could crumple myself up and squeeze myself into the seat crevice, afraid of being caught by the people in the opposite room.
"What's wrong, Ning Rongrong?"
Xiao Wu leaned closer curiously, tilted her head, and asked softly, "Why do you look so uncomfortable?"
Ning Rongrong made a face, lowering her voice even further, like a thief. "It's nothing, I just saw... someone I know."
Xiao Wu suddenly realized, and covered her mouth to chuckle, "It's okay. We're wearing masks, after all."
"..."
Ning Rongrong didn't say anything.
What is the purpose of this mask?
She didn't think this little mask could fool her father and Sword Grandpa Jian.
But she couldn't help glancing towards the private room, and only breathed a sigh of relief when she made sure no one was looking at her.
Lin Qingmo listened to their conversation, a faint, ambiguous smile appeared on his lips.
He had already noticed the gazes that Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo were giving him.
If all goes as expected, Ning Rongrong has already been recognized.
In the VIP room on the second floor.
Chen Xin held a white jade wine cup.
My fingertips traced the cool rim of the glass.
The amber-colored liquor in the glass swayed gently, refracting tiny fragments of light.
His gaze fell on Ning Rongrong downstairs.
He asked casually, "Fengzhi, should we bring Ning Rongrong along?"
"This girl is getting bolder and bolder. Not only did she run away from Shrek, but she also dared to sneak into the auction house."
Ning Fengzhi held a cup of warm tea, his posture relaxed.
His gaze fell on Ning Rongrong, his eyes filled with unyielding doting affection, as if he were looking at a treasured gem that he had kept for many years.
He gently shook his head. "No need."
The sound was gentle and warm, like a clear spring flowing over a stone surface.
"This girl has been wild for so long, it's rare for her to be willing to stay quiet. Let her be."
"We'll have to meet sooner or later anyway, so there's no rush."
He was dressed in a moon-white robe, gentle and refined, and even when he was just sitting there quietly, he exuded the composure of a person in a high position.
The sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, and the richest person on the entire continent...
Despite these identities, he possessed no imposing aura whatsoever.
He only gives people a feeling of gentleness and approachability, like an ordinary, refined scholar.
In reality, all the scheming is done inside; otherwise, he wouldn't be called an old fox.
Just the next second.
His gaze slowly shifted and landed on the boy wearing a silver mask next to Ning Rongrong.
His eyes, which had been smiling, narrowed slightly.
According to the information brought back by Bone Douluo Gu Rong, Ning Rongrong dropped out of Shrek Academy and transferred to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
She has toned down her spoiled and domineering nature considerably and no longer acts recklessly because of her status.
All the turning points are inextricably linked to a boy named Lin Qingmo.
What abilities does this unknown young man possess that allow him to so thoroughly change his pampered daughter, whom he has spoiled for over a decade?