The Disgraced Heir of the Wealthy Family Has Gone Mad - Chapter 7

Hearing the System’s chatter, Shen Muyun lost all interest in bickering with Zhou Shiqing. Saying too much would only make him appear low-class, and that was not the persona he wanted to project.

Zhou Shiqing, convinced he had gained the upper hand, looked smug. “You really are just mediocre.”

Leaving that remark behind, he scurried off and disappeared without a trace.

So be it. Currently, the script still framed him as the first male lead of a wealthy, satisfying drama, but regardless, he certainly should not be broke.

Zhou Shiqing walked to the front row. His purpose in attending the banquet was not to argue with that madman. He looked over at Shen Liuyun, who was reviewing documents, and edged closer.

Shen Liuyun shifted uncomfortably, inadvertently leaving an empty space just large enough for Zhou Shiqing. Taking this as an invitation—and possessing a face as thick as a city wall—Zhou Shiqing sat directly beside Shen Liuyun. He glanced at the document in Shen Liuyun’s hand. Tsk, this stone really is charming.

“Brother Liuyun, are you interested in this gemstone too?”

Shen Liuyun did not look up. He continued to scan the document, occasionally circling points that required attention with his pen.

“It is not a matter of interest. This is a charity auction. The proceeds from whatever is auctioned off will be donated to the Tongxin Orphanage. The investment work there has always been under the jurisdiction of the Lu family. You should know that.”

Shen Liuyun replied politely, but he felt an inexplicable annoyance toward the person before him.

“Well, Brother Liuyun, there is something I want to discuss with you. About the contract between the Zhou Corporation and the Shen Corporation. Could you give us another chance? After all, our families have had a decent relationship and have collaborated for many years.”

Shen Liuyun froze for a moment, then pulled a professional, official smile.

“This is not work time. We can discuss the contract later. The auction is about to begin, and I do not want to miss the highlights.”

Zhou Shiqing was rendered speechless.

Shen Muyun, meanwhile, was content to find a quiet place to sit. The back row had its perks; it provided a clear view of the surrounding activity and a good look at the display cabinets.

The moment the gemstone appeared, the eyes of everyone in the banquet hall focused on the magnificent jewel. The crowd erupted in murmurs of praise and admiration. The deep blue stone lay silently in its velvet box. It was said that this exquisite blue was known as “cornflower blue,” resembling cornflower petals covered in morning dew; hazy and dreamlike.

The System marveled at the perfection of the gem, its blue wings flickering as it fluttered around Shen Muyun.

“System, tell me, what is so unique about this stone? But I have to admit, this rock looks like something I could never afford.”

“Host, do not say that. You can always try! What if it works out?”

Beep, beep, beep…

His phone sounded, indicating a data transfer.

“Something this expensive; what kind of impact does it have on the plot? You must know that much.”

“Well, about that… to be honest, the follow-up tasks require it, but currently, the System does not know exactly where the tasks will need it. However, the mission log indicates that without it, your mission progress will be hindered. And that is not even the most important part. This thing can save your life. I have not told anyone else; you are the first.”

“You should put it this way: no one has pushed the mission this far before. Host, you are a total sucker. My store does not have a single useful item, and even if I could use them, I have to save up tokens. Tokens are your life.”

“Says who!”

The System shimmered with golden light, brandishing its signature golden cudgel.

Shen Muyun swiped through the interface. “Just tell me what I can actually use.”

The System screen displayed the “Straight Guy Flattery Stick.”

“This, this is a great investment! You were just dumped by Miss Lu; what an unfortunate event! To satisfy your physiological and psychological needs, this thing is most suitable for you right now.”

“System, if you are looking for trouble or want to fight, that is fine. But with that tiny frame of yours, I fear you will be split in two. Do you really only have this little round form? Do you not have any other shapes?”

The System immediately vanished into thin air. “Even if I did, you could not afford it! Fifty tokens cannot exchange for anything! I am a system; I can turn into whatever I want! I could even become a handsome man!”

“System!”

Shen Muyun shook his head helplessly and looked at the description for “Amber’s Tears”:

Discovered in 1881 in the ancient Cambrian metamorphic rock formations of Kashmir, this blue-violet jewel is a leader in the jewelry world. Most famous are the 33 cornflower blue sapphires on the Dutch royal crown, which witnessed three centuries of glory for the Dutch monarchy. Currently, Kashmir sapphire mines are depleted. As the representative mineral of September, it symbolizes eternity and truth.

Hmm, the data is fine, but it lacks the main point. Why is it so important? The recent owner was the Bai family of Jing City, but twenty-five years ago, the head of the Bai family was killed in the Jing City port explosion, leaving behind only the young heir.

Tsk, it is just a curse, right? What is there to be afraid of?

Shen Muyun glanced at the gemstone. Much of his earlier fascination had faded, replaced by an inexplicable sense of oppression. Suddenly, his heart gave a sharp squeeze. Something is wrong. This feeling is exactly like the one I had in the laboratory that day. No way. It cannot be…

He exhaled softly, slowly calming his mood. I am tough; I will live one day at a time. It is definitely a worthy investment.

The lighting in the back row was dim. He swirled the wine glass in his hand; the scarlet liquid looked even more alluring under the refraction of the lights. The gemstone emitted a brilliant blue luster, seemingly holding a profound significance.

Lu Huainan, as the host of the banquet, sat in the front row next to Shen Liuyun, but his mind had long since drifted to Shen Muyun, who was sitting in the corner.

“Huainan, how could you bear to part with this? You won this at the Sotheby’s auction last year. Why are you offloading it so quickly? I have not heard of any capital difficulties at the Lu Corporation.”

Lu Huainan waved his hand helplessly.

“It is not that. It has nothing to do with the Lu Corporation. It is just that I heard whoever possesses this gem will not have a smooth life in love or business. So, what can I do? I might as well use it for charity.”

“Huainan, since when did you start believing in such nonsense? It is just a rock. Being happy is more important than anything else.”

“When have you ever seen me be superstitious? This is the old man’s idea. He always feels there is no smoke without fire. So, forget it. I cannot make him unhappy. Selling it as a lucky prize can be considered utilizing the full value of this stone, don’t you think? It is a two-birds-one-stone deal: charity work and offloading it. Although I like it, there will be others in the future.”

Shen Muyun watched the gemstone on the stage. Hmm, I must have it.

Lu Huainan glanced at Shen Muyun in the corner.

“Liuyun, it seems the breakup did not affect your brother much.”

Shen Liuyun set his documents aside. “Not affected? Your sister specifically said she wanted you to teach Muyun a lesson.”

“Hmm, she came back crying quite hard, saying Shen Muyun bullied her. But this was her choice. As a brother, of course, I hope my sister finds a good home. There are many wealthy families in Jiangcheng; I have advised her.”

“You are certainly biased toward the outsider.”

“Am I? One should not believe everything one hears. Besides, Liuyun, aren’t you also very protective of Shen Muyun?”

Shen Liuyun smiled, his peripheral vision catching Shen Muyun sitting in the back row, calmly watching the exhibits on stage.

The auctioneer on stage held a gavel, looking at the audience with enthusiasm.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the starting bid for this gemstone is 50 million. Given the high price, anyone interested can try their hand until the end of the banquet.”

Shen Muyun’s complexion immediately turned ashen. He checked his account balance and stood frozen. Am I not a wealthy second generation? Why is the account empty? Did the original host squander all the money and leave me with this mess?

He sought help from the System. Thinking of the exorbitant price, he checked the store again. Currency exchange; top level; 50 billion yuan. Hmm, it required 50 billion tokens. Where could he exchange for that?

“Sigh…”

“Eh? Host, you have moments of sorrow too? Why not get a Flattery Stick? I guarantee you will feel happy in body and mind.”

“Little degenerate. How much RMB can I exchange for 50 tokens?”

“50 yuan, Host. Can you not even calculate that? Wait, could it be that you really damaged your brain when you fell into the water?”

“Stop talking nonsense. I did not.”

“Well, actually, I have another way. You could sell your beauty. With that body, those abs, those pectorals, that collarbone… who wouldn’t be fascinated?”

“System, is your brain filled with nothing but smut all day long? Can I buy things in the store on credit? I can always complete the mission later.”

The System paused, its little wings fluttering a few times. “Host, did I not say that already? This store is a small business; we do not offer credit. If the tokens are not enough, you have to find a way yourself. Why not ask the audience for help? Actually, selling yourself is the fastest way! That is how you make money the quickest!”

“System, that is impossible. Don’t even think about it!”

Shen Muyun calculated in his heart. Since the System could not be relied upon, he had better rely on himself. Who knows where he might stumble upon a stroke of good luck?