030. Ruan Yan's Temptation

She had noticed Lin Shan the moment he started bidding. When she saw him spend two hundred thousand on a single flower, she had almost burst out laughing, but now, she could not manage a smile.

Judging by Zhou Qing's reaction, the flower was undoubtedly precious; it was just that no one else in the auction hall had the discernment to see its true value.

"That bastard. How did I not notice you had this kind of eye for things when you were with me..."

Zhang Wan suddenly felt a sense of panic. She realized, albeit vaguely, that divorcing Lin Shan might not have been a very smart move.

After winning the bid, Lin Shan said nothing more. He did not participate in the subsequent lots, and once the auction concluded, he went backstage with Zhang Zhi.

Luo Bing was there, as was Zhang Wan, who stood to the side with a complex expression. Upon seeing Zhang Wan, Zhang Zhi greeted her with a smirk: "Oh, you're here too? Heh, I've made a killing this time."

Seeing Zhang Zhi’s mocking expression, Zhang Wan understood immediately that he was ridiculing her lack of foresight. Furious, she couldn't help but snap, "Be careful that you live long enough to spend the money you've made. Watch out for cars when you leave."

This level of attack had absolutely no effect on Zhang Zhi.

"If there were truly karma in this world, it would strike down the cheating scum in marriages first. Wouldn't you agree, my former sister-in-law?"

Zhang Wan was livid and turned away, refusing to argue further with Zhang Zhi.

Luo Bing watched this scene with an embarrassed expression. Once their bickering ended, she handed a statement to Zhang Zhi. "Mr. Zhang, the transaction amount is 4.3 million. We are charging a service fee of 215,000, leaving a balance of 4.085 million. If there are no issues, please sign, and we will transfer the funds to your bank account."

Zhang Zhi glanced at it and handed the document to Lin Shan. After Lin Shan confirmed it, Zhang Zhi signed his name.

Luo Bing then brought out a transparent glass box containing the Vermilion Fruit that Lin Shan had been longing for.

"For this flower, the amount is 205,000, Mr. Lin. Please make the payment," Luo Bing said.

Zhang Zhi casually took out his phone and said, "I've got it!"

He settled the payment, and Luo Bing personally handed the flower to Lin Shan.

This auction had not only yielded four million but also secured a Vermilion Fruit—a massive success. Seeing the expression on Zhang Wan's face nearby made Lin Shan feel an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

He smiled at Luo Bing and said, "Thank you, junior."

Luo Bing replied slowly, "Senior, if you have any good items next time, remember to come find me."

Lin Shan nodded in agreement, then left the auction house with Zhang Zhi.

As the two reached the underground parking garage and were about to leave, a voice called out from behind them.

"Lin Shan!"

They both paused. Lin Shan looked back and saw Ruan Yan.

Zhang Zhi looked at Ruan Yan, then at Lin Shan, and chuckled, "Heh, looks like your romantic luck is blooming. I won't stick around to be a nuisance. Shan, I'm heading off!"

Without giving Lin Shan a chance to explain, he hopped into his car and drove off, leaving Lin Shan holding the flower.

Ruan Yan’s face flushed as she walked over slowly. Lin Shan didn't know what she was up to, so he asked, "Is something the matter?"

Ruan Yan looked shy, radiating a sense of purity. If Lin Shan hadn't known her true colors—having seen the live broadcast—he might have been fooled by her act.

"Lin Shan," Ruan Yan said, "what happened at the hospital was entirely a misunderstanding. I was actually a victim as well. Director Hua forced me to recommend those drugs to the patients."

Her expression became one of extreme grievance, laced with indignation: "He holds the power over personnel transfers. He used that to threaten me. I had no other choice..."

Lin Shan chuckled inwardly and played along, "Yes, that Hua Xiong is truly a piece of work. He only knows how to bully small doctors like you who have no power or connections."

Ruan Yan nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, it's truly tragic. Lin Shan, could you give me a ride home?"

Lin Shan looked around and asked, "What about your boyfriend?"

Ruan Yan quickly explained, "No, no, he's not my boyfriend... We just... came to this auction together. He said he had some business to attend to and left early."

In reality, she had found an excuse to get rid of Xu Wang. She was intensely curious about Lin Shan now and, following her principle of casting a wide net, wanted to leave an impression on him and reel him in.

However, Lin Shan didn't fall for it at all. He shrugged and said, "Sorry, I don't think we're heading in the same direction. I have some errands to run, so I'll be going!"

Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned and walked away.

For a woman like that, wasting even one more word was a waste of time; it was better to just leave.

Ruan Yan stood frozen, only snapping out of it when Lin Shan’s back disappeared from view. She touched her face suspiciously and pulled a mirror from her bag. The face looking back was still beautiful—enough to make a second-generation heir like Xu Wang lose his mind.

Why, then, was Lin Shan's reaction like this?

"You dog! Who do you think you are!"

Ruan Yan cursed in frustration, then stomped away in her high heels, leaving the parking garage on her own.

After leaving the auction, Lin Shan headed straight home and entered the Otherworld.

He found himself back in his small courtyard. Last time, after agreeing to become a consultant for the Xiao family, he had told Xiao Qiang that he might be away for a long time and instructed him to slip notes under the door crack if anything urgent arose.

Lin Shan checked the threshold and found a note. Picking it up, he saw that it was an invitation from Xiao Qiang to come to the Xiao residence for a discussion.

They needed to plan the attack on Qingfeng Stronghold.

This was the very stronghold that had injured Xiao Xiao, and it had been entrenched in the surrounding area for some time.

This time, the county magistrate had united with several prominent local families. Those with money contributed funds, and those with connections provided men, all in an attempt to wipe out the stronghold in one stroke. Most importantly, the Xuanjian Sect, where Xiao Xiao trained, had also sent reinforcements—which was the key factor in the magistrate's resolve.

After reading the note, Lin Shan set off for the Xiao residence immediately.

From a distance, he spotted Yin Ziwei, who jumped up the moment he saw him.

"Consultant Lin!"

Xiao Qiang had already informed the entire household of Lin Shan's new status, and as a result, Yin Ziwei’s attitude toward him was now even more deferential.

Before Lin Shan could even get close, Yin Ziwei eagerly opened the gates to welcome him. They walked to the main hall, and Yin Ziwei sent a maid to announce his arrival. Soon, Lin Shan heard footsteps, and Xiao Qiang strode into the hall. He looked at Lin Shan and exclaimed, "Lin Shan, I’ve missed you dearly! It has been several days!"