Many big shots and scions of prominent families looked down on the nouveau riche, but this was their first time seeing one so young.
He attended a charity auction as though he were sweeping through every floor of a shopping mall, spending without the slightest pang.
Luo Beishi sat right at the front, so anyone scrutinizing or sizing him up could only look at his back. When everyone finally dispersed, his gaze lingered on no one, and he had no desire to strike up a conversation with any of them.
As far as Luo Beishi was concerned, he did not depend on these people in the Capital. Why flatter them and invite a snub? Besides, he did not like socializing.
So no matter who looked his way, he paid them no mind. Plenty of people watched him in class every day anyway. He was used to it.
Ever since acquiring shares in Huo Corporation, his standing had risen along with them, which he could not help finding somewhat amusing.
"Let's go backstage." Those few words from Luo Beishi made Ling Kai so happy that he looked nothing like Huo Corporation's CEO.
The people around them were still somewhat disappointed that they had not managed to speak to Luo Beishi.
"What a beautiful youngster." Feng Weiyu, the head of the Feng Family, smiled as he watched him leave.
"Sir, even if he catches your eye, you can't snatch him and bring him home. He's the wife of the Huo Family's eldest young master." His male secretary frowned and spoke with utter seriousness. There was no other reason; he simply feared that once Huo Cixiao woke up, the Feng Family would be finished before Huo Cixiao had even toyed with them for a few rounds.
The Huo Family was a behemoth that none of those present could afford to provoke.
They had never expected Huo Cixiao and Luo Beishi's marriage to be a true alliance, with Luo Beishi even providing help when Huo Cixiao needed it.
Rumor had it that apart from attending school, Luo Beishi spent all his time by Huo Cixiao's side. Clearly, there was more to this than met the eye.
Either Luo Beishi had greater ambitions, or he was hopelessly in love with Huo Cixiao.
But whether any of that was true or not, Luo Beishi had the capital to stand and speak as an equal to everyone here.
Because he had mines!
Ling Kai took an aurora-green piece, which had cost thirty-five million at auction.
Luo Beishi said, "Have someone deliver everything else to the villa. Take your piece with you. I have something to do elsewhere."
Luo Beishi casually carried the meteorite worth over a hundred million, along with its invoice, certificate, quality inspection report, and other documentation.
Ling Kai was still a little worried when he heard that. "Sister-in-law, you're going to see someone? Why don't I come with you?"
Luo Beishi shook his head. It would not be good to bring too many people. Besides, that professor was no savage beast. There was no need to bring such a crowd.
Luo Beishi said, "No need. Go back to the office. Thanks for your hard work today. When I host a gathering at the villa another day, I'll invite you all."
Ling Kai looked at the sister-in-law before him, who did not even reach his chin, yet spoke with a steady authority that was no less than their boss's. He was far too composed to seem like a student who had just started university.
"All right, Sister-in-law. I added you on WeChat earlier. Let me know if you need any help." Ling Kai and Luo Beishi parted ways after walking out through the main entrance.
Backstage at the auction
Manager Liu, who oversaw the auction, was very surprised. Fortunately, he had sent an invitation to President Huo Cixiao's residence as usual for every event. President Huo had not come this time, but his young wife had.
The young madam alone had spent over two billion at today's auction.
"Manager, are you all right?" Xiao Zhao asked quietly, looking at Manager Liu's sweat-covered forehead.
"I'm fine. Have professionals pack these things properly. Nothing can go wrong. Send twenty bodyguards to escort the delivery. Make the arrangements."
"Yes, Manager."
Word of the auction soon reached the Huo Family, and the second branch of the family could not even stomach their meals.
"I heard from a friend that Luo Beishi didn't even blink when he spent that money." Huo Cihai sounded indignant, as though Luo Beishi had spent his money.
"What about the people you sent? How are they doing?" asked Huo Cihai's mother, Mo Baili.
"Some are farming, and some are handing out flyers..." Huo Cihai was too embarrassed to say more.
Although Mo Baili had heard things about Luo Beishi lately, she did not believe what others said was true. How could a mere Luo Beishi have so much money?
Damn it. Huo Cixiao had better die soon, or Luo Beishi will only get more in the future.
"Then can't you arrange for more people to get close to him?" Mo Baili looked at Huo Cihai's face, puffy from prolonged indulgence, her voice full of venomous resentment.
"Security is even tighter now than before Luo Beishi arrived. Even the walls are electrified. To work there, you need proof of identity, personal records, and a family background check. It's so complicated I almost thought Luo Beishi was selecting government officials..." Huo Cihai had never expected things to reach this point. Everyone he planted there was like money thrown down the drain.
Mo Baili nearly had a heart attack listening to him. She had truly underestimated this new daughter-in-law, thinking he would be easy to bully. As it turned out, not only did he have a few tricks up his sleeve, but he also spared no one's feelings when he spoke.
"I'll go meet him one of these days. I refuse to believe that, as Huo Cixiao's second aunt, I can't even get his wife to see an elder! If he dares stop me, he'll be disrespecting his elders! Hmph!"
Luo Beishi was now riding to the female professor's home in the relatively low-key Cullinan the bodyguards had chosen to drive that day.
The professor lived in a small, three-story Western-style house within the Capital's Third Ring Road, which showed that her family was reasonably well-off.
Luo Beishi stood at the entrance and rang the doorbell without any hurry.
The bodyguards exchanged looks. It was not as though they did not know the professor who lived here. On the contrary, they knew her quite well, but she never paid them any attention...
Yet in less than two minutes, a middle-aged woman opened the door. She was probably the cook or someone similar.
"Please come in, Mr. Luo."
"Thank you."
Bang. The door closed.
The bodyguards were left looking utterly bewildered. Even their boss could not get a private meeting with this professor, yet she was willing to see his wife. Would telling him this hurt his feelings?
Half an hour later, Luo Beishi came out. The gift box in his hand was gone, replaced by a small carrier bag.
Luo Beishi smiled faintly. "Let's go. We're heading home."
Hmph, a disc that cost over a hundred million. I'm locking this in the safe! I can even use it to make a deal later. I'll keep it simple and sell it to Huo Cixiao for three hundred million.
Fortunately, he had spent over ten million to have the system give him a crash course, making his astronomy knowledge advance by leaps and bounds. He had also gotten Professor Leng's phone number.
Professor Leng had even offered to take him on as her student, which had truly startled him.
When Luo Beishi returned home, he once again felt the freezing chill in the bedroom.
What's this, Big Boss Huo? Are you a refrigeration unit?
Amused, he sat down beside Huo Cixiao. For some reason, he actually wanted to explain to Huo Cixiao where he had been...
Luo Beishi cleared his throat softly and began slowly, "Honey, it wasn't that I didn't want to keep you company today. I went to a gemstone auction with Ling Kai and bought lots of gemstones you like. They've all been put in your display cabinet, around twenty pieces altogether. I gave Ling Kai one as payment for helping me."