Chapter 241: Ning Rongrong's Dad, the Father-Daughter Encounter at the Auction
As Lin Qingmo and the other three chatted and laughed, the silver masks had already settled against their faces, with the edges carrying a cool metallic touch.
"Four honored guests, this way, please. I'll take you to your seats."
The staff member bowed slightly and extended his right hand in invitation, his tone conveying a well-trained respect.
The four followed him inside.
Behind them, the heavy gilded doors slowly closed shut. With a dull boom, all the noise outside was completely isolated.
Replacing it was a wafting scent—a base of luxurious sandalwood.
Mixed within was the unique metallic scent of gold soul coins, along with a faint trace of soul power pressure.
Like some sleeping beast lurking in the shadows.
The corners of Lin Qingmo's lips curved slightly. "This auction house is pretty interesting."
…
They passed through a long corridor covered with a dark red carpet.
A luminous pearl was embedded into the walls every three steps, the soft glow stretching the shadows long behind them.
The staff member pushed open a carved wooden door, and the four suddenly had an unobstructed view before them.
The entire auction hall was covered in dark red velvet carpeting. Walking on it made no sound at all, and it felt so soft underfoot that it was like stepping on clouds.
The crystal chandelier hanging from the dome was absurdly enormous.
Every prism reflected light like shattered gold, illuminating the entire hall as brightly as daytime.
You could probably see even a single strand of hair on the floor clearly.
The front rows were neatly arranged public seats, the cushioned chairs so wide that a person could sink halfway into them.
On each redwood table before the seats sat a polished bidding plaque.
Beside it was a cup of hot tea.
The tea was crystal clear, steam slowly rising from it.
The rear second floor circled around with independent VIP rooms.
One could see the gilded numbered plaques hanging at the entrances, symbols of status and prestige.
The staff member led the four to a four-person seat near the edge of the front rows, bowing respectfully with an extremely humble posture.
"Four honored guests, these are your seats."
"If you need anything, simply ring the bell at any time."
"The auction will begin in a quarter of an hour. Please wait patiently."
After speaking, he stepped backward three steps, bowed once more, then turned around and left—clean and efficient, without a single unnecessary word.
Xiao Wu plopped heavily into the chair, her whole body sinking into the soft cushioning as she comfortably swung her legs.
Her gaze swept across the entire hall like someone entering the Grand View Garden for the first time. "Wow! This place is huge! Look at all the rooms upstairs!"
"That's only natural."
Ning Rongrong sat beside her, taking a sip from her teacup. Her chin lifted slightly, carrying the demeanor of a well-traveled young miss.
"The Heaven Dou Auction House is the largest auction house in the entire Heaven Dou Empire. There's no second one."
"Not only nobles and soul masters of Heaven Dou City, but even people from the surrounding kingdoms carefully time their visits just to participate."
She set down the teacup and pointed toward the VIP rooms upstairs, her tone carrying a trace of disdain.
"The VIP rooms upstairs aren't something you can enter just because you have money."
"You either have royal blood, belong to a sect, or are a powerful expert."
"Ordinary wealthy merchants can't even get close; the threshold is higher than their heads."
Zhu Zhuqing sat in the inner seat.
Her back was perfectly straight, like a drawn short sword.
Lin Qingmo sat on the outermost seat, his movements casual as he settled down.
Within his perception, at least three VIP rooms hid experts whose soul power depths were impossible to measure.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him, who was currently looking around everywhere.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong suddenly nudged Lin Qingmo's arm lightly with her elbow.
Her fingers tugged on his sleeve as she whispered in a very low voice, filled with shock and unconcealed guilt, "Brother Qingmo! Look at the third VIP room from the front on the second floor. That's my dad and Grandpa Sword!"
Lin Qingmo followed her indication and lifted his gaze toward the room.
Two figures sat there.
One was refined and gentle, like a warm piece of jade.
The other carried a sharp aura, like an unsheathed sword.
Her dad and Grandpa Sword?
Lin Qingmo immediately realized it. Wasn't that Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin?
Ning Rongrong's hand had just lifted halfway when it suddenly withdrew as if she'd been stung by a scorpion.
Her cheeks puffed up as she shrank into the seat.
She practically wanted to curl herself into a ball and stuff herself into the crack of the chair, terrified of being caught by the people in the opposite VIP room.
"What's wrong, Rongrong?"
Xiao Wu leaned over curiously, tilting her head as she whispered, "Why do you suddenly look so uncomfortable?"
Ning Rongrong wore a bitter expression, lowering her voice even further, like a thief. "Nothing, I just saw… acquaintances."
Xiao Wu suddenly understood and covered her mouth, giggling. "It's fine. We're wearing masks anyway."
"..."
Ning Rongrong said nothing.
What use was this mask?
She absolutely didn't think such a tiny mask could fool her father's and Grandpa Sword's eyes.
Still, she couldn't resist sneaking another glance toward the VIP room, only relaxing after confirming nobody was looking.
Listening to the two girls' conversation, the corners of Lin Qingmo's lips curled into a half-smile.
He had already noticed Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo's gazes sweeping over.
If nothing unexpected happened, Rongrong would have already been recognized.
…
Inside the VIP room on the second floor.
Chen Xin held a white jade wine cup.
His fingers lightly rubbed the icy cup wall.
The amber-colored liquor inside gently swayed, reflecting fragmented light.
His gaze rested on Ning Rongrong downstairs.
Casually, he said, "Fengzhi, should we bring that girl Rongrong over?"
"This girl is getting bolder and bolder. Not only did she run out from Shrek, but she even dared sneak into the auction house herself."
Ning Fengzhi held a cup of warm tea, his posture relaxed.
His gaze rested on Ning Rongrong, his eyes filled with unconcealed affection, as if he were looking at a treasured jewel he had cherished for many years.
He gently shook his head. "No need."
His voice was gentle, like spring water flowing over stone.
"This girl has been running wild for so long. It's rare for her to sit quietly and behave herself. Let her be."
"We'll meet sooner or later anyway. There's no rush."
Dressed in moon-white robes, he appeared elegant as jade. Even merely sitting there quietly, he exuded the calm bearing of someone long in a position of authority.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master, the Heaven Dou Empire Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, the richest man on the continent…
All these identities rested upon him, yet not a trace of oppressive sharpness could be felt.
He only gave others the impression of warmth and refinement, like an ordinary scholarly gentleman.
Yet all his calculations were hidden beneath the surface. Otherwise, he wouldn't have earned the title of old fox.
But the next second—
His gaze slowly shifted and landed upon the silver-masked youth beside Ning Rongrong.
His originally smiling eyes narrowed slightly.
According to the information Bone Douluo Gu Rong had brought back, Rongrong had withdrawn from Shrek and transferred into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Even her formerly spoiled and arrogant personality had been restrained considerably. She no longer relied on her status to act recklessly like before.
Every turning point was inseparable from a youth named Lin Qingmo.
An unknown young man... What kind of ability did he possess to change the treasured daughter he had pampered for over ten years so completely?
End of Chapter
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