After the Wealthy Family's Favorite Was Mistaken for a Fake Young Master - Chapter 1

“Starting the auction now is the Moonlight Blue Diamond. The rough stone weighs 23.72 carats with a perfect hue. The starting bid is 30 million.”

In Xihai City’s top auction house, the dense crowd below was composed almost entirely of people who had come for this legendary Moonlight Blue Diamond. As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, the price skyrocketed, quickly breaking 80 million. Bids rose one after another, and the atmosphere reached a pitch of white heat.

“One hundred million!”

An arrogant, unbridled voice dropped from the second-floor VIP seats, carrying an unquestionable sense of determination. The speaker was Zhang Zhen, the sixth son of the Zhang Group. He leaned lazily against the screen of his box, an unlit cigar dangling from the corner of his mouth, his eyes sweeping disdainfully over the crowd below.

The entire venue suddenly went silent; whispers receded like a tide. Who in Xihai City didn’t know Zhang Zhen? He was a notorious troublemaker involved in all sorts of vices. Despite being arrested several times, his father always bailed him out. He remained eccentric and incredibly petty. Fearing his retaliation, no one dared to compete once he placed a bid.

As the auctioneer prepared to drop the gavel, everyone assumed the matter was settled. Then, a voice drifted down lightly from an even higher vantage point—the third floor.

“Three hundred million.”

The voice wasn’t loud; it was clear and pleasant, yet carried a hint of coldness that instantly washed away the restlessness in the room.

For a moment, there was deathly silence. The auctioneer was visibly stunned before reacting sharply, his voice rising with excitement: “Three—the gentleman on the third floor bids 300 million! 300 million once! 300 million twice! 300 million thrice! Sold!”

A collective gasp echoed through the hall. It was him again! It was no wonder people were shocked; the person on the third floor today had practically bought every treasure offered. He spent money as if it were just an insignificant number. Countless gazes shot toward the third floor, hoping to see which power player it was, but only a landscape screen blocked their view. They could just barely make out a blurry figure—long hair reaching the waist, sitting upright while sipping tea.

“Damn it!” Zhang Zhen bit off the end of his cigar. He squinted, his sinister gaze fixed on that blurry shadow. “Who is this androgynous idiot? Find out for me!”

The second-floor box he occupied was foul with smoke. A group of like-minded rich heirs were drinking heavily, the scent of expensive perfume mixing with the haze. They held various partners in their arms, laughing incessantly. Only the girl sitting next to Zhang Zhen seemed out of place. She was Qin Qin, a rising starlet from a recent hit drama. At this moment, she was nervously wringing her fingers, a forced smile on her delicate face.

Zhang Zhen had brought her today to flaunt his wealth and win her over, intending to gift her the Moonlight Blue Diamond so she would follow him willingly. Instead, all the glory had been snatched away!

“Brother Zhen, that seems to be the young master of the Huo family, what’s his name? Huo Kairan!” A young man, flushed from drinking, sprawled on the sofa while enjoying grapes fed to him by a boy. He leaked the gossip: “I heard he’s sickly. Old Madam Huo is a devout Buddhist and followed a master’s advice that keeping his hair long would ensure he lives a long life.”

He continued, “I heard his 22nd birthday is in a few days. The Huo family treasures him immensely and is planning a huge banquet. He doesn’t go out much, so none of us have seen his true face, but they say he’s quite good-looking.”

The more mysterious someone is, the more attractive they become. Hearing “good-looking,” the group looked up toward the third floor again, their curiosity piqued.

Zhang Zhen clicked his tongue dismissively. A man was just a man, no matter how good-looking. Seeing the others so interested, he slapped the shoulder of a timid young man nearby: “Huo Feng! Go, invite your young master over. Since everyone is interested, let’s get acquainted.”

Huo Feng, originally named Chen Feng, was a distant relative of the Huo family who had come to seek refuge after the Huos became successful in Xihai. He had always been on the fringes of this circle. Hearing this, he looked troubled: “Brother Zhen, the Young Master doesn’t like interacting with strangers.”

Zhang Zhen interrupted impatiently: “Enough! I know your old man is fighting for that plot of land in the west. Bring Huo Kairan here, and I’ll give that land the green light.”

Huo Feng struggled for a moment but eventually succumbed to the temptation. He silently took out his phone and sent a message. Surprisingly, after a moment, the figure behind the screen on the third floor actually stood up and walked toward the second-floor box.

The auction continued, but the main treasure was gone, and the remaining items were uninteresting trifles. The door to the second-floor box was pushed open by a waiter, and the noise inside ceased. Four bodyguards in black stood by the door as a slender, elegant figure stepped inside.

The young heirs who had been crowding forward to get a look were instantly frozen in place. Their faces flushed, and for a moment, no one could make a sound.

The newcomer had long hair like top-grade silk. His face was like a bright moon—delicate yet sharp. Beneath his eyes were two tiny crimson moles, adding a breathtaking touch of beauty. He walked calmly, and as he moved, a bitter scent of medicinal herbs dissipated through the smoky room. Upon closer inspection, one could see a slight limp in his right leg.

He was like a waning moon—flawed, yet the imperfection did not diminish his beauty. Instead, it created a unique charm that made one want to either destroy or possess him. Every gaze in the room, regardless of gender, was drawn to him like a magnet.

Zhang Zhen was completely stunned. How could a man look this good?

Huo Kairan’s expression was indifferent. He walked straight past Zhang Zhen, his eyes landing on Huo Feng. His voice was steady: “Where is the item?”

Huo Feng snapped out of his daze and hurried to a corner where a specialized thermal box was kept. He carefully brought it to Huo Kairan and lifted the red velvet cover. Inside, a vibrant blue snake with a sharp black line running down its back was coiled. Its red tongue flicked out—beautiful and dangerous.

Gasps filled the room. A few timid companions shrank into the arms of their partners.

“A competition-grade Blue Baron, a new breed cultivated for a long time. Happy birthday, Young Master.” Huo Feng spoke sincerely.

Huo Kairan did indeed like it. The corners of his mouth curved slightly as he greeted the little snake. Huo Feng was able to stay in Huo Kairan’s good graces precisely because he knew how to give gifts. Unlike others who kept cats or dogs, the supposedly frail Young Master Huo preferred snakes, lizards, and geckos. His most prized possession was a “Blizzard” corn snake, pure white without a single impurity.

The people in the box were shocked. Zhang Zhen, in particular, was terrified of snakes, despite his lawless reputation in Xihai. However, looking at Huo Kairan’s stunning face, his desire overcame his fear. He forced a “chivalrous” smile: “Xiao Ran, right? Meeting you is truly better than just hearing about you! Come, don’t just stand there, sit! We’re all young, let’s hang out and be friends!”

Huo Kairan looked away from the blue snake and scanned the room. His elegant brows furrowed slightly at the foul air, and he coughed twice. His already pale cheeks turned even whiter.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhen hurriedly put out his cigarette and barked at the others: “Put out your damn cigarettes! Anyone who smokes can get the hell out!”

For a moment, everyone was busy putting out smokes and opening windows. The air improved, but Huo Kairan had no intention of staying. He turned to leave.

“Hey, don’t be in such a hurry!” Zhang Zhen stepped forward and pressed his hand firmly onto Huo Kairan’s thin shoulder. He could feel the clear structure of the bone through the fabric. The scent of medicinal herbs wafted into his nose, making his heart race. He swallowed and increased his strength, forcing the younger man back into a nearby armchair.

It wasn’t until Huo Kairan frowned again at the uncomfortable touch that Zhang Zhen pulled his hand away as if burned. He returned to his seat, staring at his fingertips as if the cool sensation and the scent of herbs still lingered.

A friend leaned in, winking: “Brother Zhen, I thought you were only interested in women. How come you look like you’ve lost your soul after seeing Huo Kairan? Love at first sight?” He glanced at the neglected starlet, Qin Qin.

Zhang Zhen waved him off without denying it.

Moonlight. It really suited him better.

The conversation among the rich heirs was shallow. Because the Huo Young Master was present, they held back slightly, trying to draw him into the conversation. But Huo Kairan seemed uninterested, resting his chin on his hand and staring blankly into space. He was like a white jade statue misplaced in a noisy world.

Eventually, the topic turned to Qin Qin. “Dance! Dance!” someone shouted. Since Zhang Zhen had clearly lost interest in her, the others felt no restraint. Hearing she was a dance academy graduate, the shouting grew louder. They ignored her five-inch heels and her short skirt, caring only for their own amusement.

Qin Qin turned pale and looked to Zhang Zhen for help. Zhang Zhen, whose mind was still on Huo Kairan, snapped back to reality and waved dismissively: “Perform a dance for Young Master Huo. If you make him happy, that lead role in the S+ production you want is yours.”

With those casual words, she was reduced to a plaything. Qin Qin’s face was filled with humiliation, but she knew there was no way out. The price of refusal was far more than just losing a role. Fine, she thought, at least it’s just dancing. She bit her lip and stood up, about to take off her shoes.

“You want to see a dance?”

A voice like ice pearls falling on a jade plate cut through the noise. Everyone looked over to see Huo Kairan with his chin in his hand. The snake box had been opened at some point. The Blue Baron was slowly winding around his pale wrist, its red tongue almost touching his faint blue veins. He tilted his head, his long hair sliding over his shoulder, a playful yet cold smile on his face.

“A plain dance is boring,” he said clearly. “Why not have a dance with a snake?”

Time seemed to freeze for a second before the room erupted in wild cheers and whistles!

“Holy crap! Awesome!!” “So Young Master Huo plays even harder than we do!” “Dance! Dance!”

Qin Qin turned deathly pale. Amidst the cheers, Huo Kairan rose leisurely. His steps were small, and that slight limp added a unique grace as he walked toward the center of the room. Qin Qin was trembling so hard her legs were about to give out, but as he reached her—he walked right past her. A gust of wind carrying the bitter medicinal scent followed him.

He stopped three steps away, directly facing Zhang Zhen. He raised his wrist, bringing the flicking tongue of the blue snake right in front of Zhang Zhen’s face.

Huo Kairan tilted his head with a touch of innocent cruelty and chuckled: “Zhang Zhen, how about you dance?”

Instantly, the room fell silent. All movement and expressions were paused. The box plummeted from extreme noise into extreme silence, leaving only the sound of suppressed breathing and the terrifying hiss of the snake.

These lawless brats looked on in disbelief. They followed Zhang Zhen not just for his family, but because he was a vengeful madman. Someone nudged Huo Feng, whispering urgently: “Huo Feng, is your young master out of his mind? Stop him!”

Huo Feng didn’t move, only sighing: “I told you not to call him over.” This one was a truly lawless little ancestor.

The corners of Huo Kairan’s mouth lifted. The blue snake, sensing its master’s mood, climbed onto his shoulder and stood tall, its tongue flicking faster as if targeting its prey.

Zhang Zhen was pinned in place by that gaze. His innate fear of snakes made it impossible for him to move. His previous arrogance vanished, and he stammered: “You, what the hell kind of joke is this? Take that thing away!”

“Make me happy,” Huo Kairan said with a smile, lightly raising his arm. As if receiving a command, the blue snake lunged like a streak of cold lightning, landing on Zhang Zhen. “And I’ll let you go today.”

He returned Zhang Zhen’s own words back to him.

“AH! GET IT OFF! GET IT AWAY!” Zhang Zhen screamed like a dying pig, completely losing his mind. The cold scales brushed his skin, and the slick body wrapped around his neck like a noose, slowly tightening. In his extreme terror, he collapsed and rolled on the floor, twitching and thrashing without any dignity.

“Hahaha,” Huo Kairan laughed until he leaned back and forth, clapping his hands. “Beautiful, beautiful. This dance is truly wonderful!”

His crisp laughter in this eerie situation made everyone’s skin crawl. The men who had been lusting after him moments ago now backed away in unison, their eyes filled with unavoidable horror. What “White Jade Bodhisattva”? This was a “Jade-Faced Asura!”

“Nice dance. I’ll let you go.”

After a long while, Huo Kairan slowly bent down to retrieve the snake. He turned to leave this filthy place with his new pet. Zhang Zhen lay on the ground gasping—he had never suffered such humiliation in his life! His “love at first sight” was gone, replaced by a murderous intent.

He stared at the retreating back and roared in fury: “F*ck! He’s just a cripple after all! Who does he think he is?”

Huo Kairan stopped in his tracks. He turned around, his gaze pinning Zhang Zhen, and spoke softly: “Slap his mouth until it’s ruined.”

The room gasped again. Before the words finished echoing, the bodyguards at the door moved. Two of them hoisted Zhang Zhen up, forcing him to kneel before Huo Kairan, while another raised a hand and delivered a crisp, clean slap.

Zhang Zhen’s head was knocked aside. He was in disbelief: “Huo Kairan, you dare touch me! Do you know who I am? My father is—”

Huo Kairan looked down at him: “Your father has to bow and smile when he sees me. What are you?”

The bodyguards understood and delivered a succession of heavy slaps.

“Huo Kairan! You, you wicked dead cripple,” Zhang Zhen cursed through his swollen face.

Hearing those two words again, Huo Kairan tilted his head slightly, his voice dropping lightly: “Break his legs too, and dump him at the gates of the Zhang residence.”

Zhang Zhen’s pupils shrank. Before he could react, a bodyguard kicked the back of his knee, followed by the clear sound of bone snapping.

“Huo Kairan, you’re a bully, you’re insane.” The intense pain left Zhang Zhen drenched in cold sweat, his curses becoming incoherent.

“So what?” Huo Kairan smiled. “I am bullying you. What are you going to do about it?”

When he smiled, his eyes curved beautifully, making him look pure and innocent, but his words were like those of a ghost: “Your Zhang family is nothing but a dog begging for scraps in front of my Huo family. Even if I killed you now to feed my snake, your father would have to praise me for doing a good job.”

Zhang Zhen, who had used his own family status to bully the weak, never thought this day would come. But now that the roles were reversed, he couldn’t accept it; he only felt that Huo Kairan was extremely wicked.

His chest heaved, and his bloodshot eyes were filled with rage: “You think the Huo family can protect you forever? The real person in power is Huo Lin, not you!”

The smile on Huo Kairan’s lips faltered for a fraction of a second.

Thinking he had found a weakness, Zhang Zhen attacked further: “You’re in the same position as me! You’re just a brainless, useless invalid! Without Huo Lin, you’re nothing! One day you’ll fall and become a stray dog! You think you can be lawless in Xihai just by kicking me? Dream on! You don’t get to set the rules!”

“Unfortunately,” Huo Kairan remained in his superior stance, looking down at him like an ant, “you won’t live to see that day.”

Behind him were the bloody wails of pain.

“In Xihai, I am the rule.”