The Disgraced Heir of the Wealthy Family Has Gone Mad - Chapter 9

Shen Muyun felt an immediate sense of unease. Doesn’t this mean I am being manipulated? And I am supposed to be the “male lead”? This feels like the precursor to a disaster. He could not afford this. He needed to find a way to repay this favor quickly and extricate himself.

Lu Huainan set down his teacup, leaned back against the bamboo chair, and looked up at the moon. The surroundings were silent. Even the crickets that had been chirping just a moment ago had suddenly fallen quiet.

“So, you are not thinking about anything immoral, are you? Because that, I simply cannot accept.”

Lu Huainan paused, looking at the fresh flowers on the table with a thoughtful expression. He picked up a bouquet. “Things happened so suddenly that I have not thought of any reasonable terms of exchange yet. How about this? I will let you know once I have decided.”

Shen Muyun squinted, idly fiddling with the champagne roses on the table, trying to imitate how florists awaken flowers. With a few “slap, slap, slap” sounds, quite a few rose petals fell off. The roses did not look any more beautiful; far from it. The fragrance was gone, and they looked even more wilted.

Lu Huainan simply plucked a single petal and rubbed it between his fingers.

I just offended Lu Luozhi, and now I have provoked Lu Huainan. What kind of luck is this? Why is it hitting me all at once?

“Um, I do not think I have your WeChat or phone number.”

Lu Huainan took out his phone and waved it toward Shen Muyun. “QR code.”

System, oh System, look at this. This is what you call transforming from “universally hated” to “universally loved.” Talent is talent. Mission accomplished with ease.

But… this Lu Huainan probably was not as simple as he appeared. In the future, there would surely be an inextricable connection between them.

“When a businessman makes a concession, there is always a price to be paid. However, I will not make things difficult for you. You can choose to complete my requests, or refuse them, and I will just change to another one.”

The task is just like that? So simple? Shen Muyun’s eyes widened. Well, it was almost too simple. But there are three tasks total. Who knows what kind of bizarre things will come next?

“Um, do we need to sign a contract?”

“No need. The Shen family never goes back on their word.”

The clock outside chimed exactly ten times. The banquet was drawing to a close. Lu Huainan nodded in acknowledgment. “As the host of the banquet, I must return. However, Master Shen, if you intend to bid for that gemstone, we should head back together.”

Shen Muyun let out a sigh of relief and decided to voice his thoughts. “Look, could you help me all the way? I have recently invested in the stock market, and I am temporarily short on funds. 50 million is really…”

Lu Huainan was somewhat surprised. He remembered the arrogant, haughty look Shen Muyun had on the cruise ship the other day; he had truly never seen him like this. He did not expect the young master of the Shen family to be worried about money. Is this a split personality? Interesting.

Lu Huainan directly took out a checkbook, scribbled down an amount, and handed it to Shen Muyun. “50 million. The banquet is about to end. We should go back and check. I doubt many people will bid. If it is not enough, I can increase the offer. But Master Shen, your posture looks determined. Are you moved by the gemstone’s love story, or is it purely for collection?”

Shen Muyun walked out of the small garden with Lu Huainan. The moonlight was not very bright, but he could see the small stones beneath his feet. On a whim, he gave one a kick. “Plop.” The pebble landed in the water.

A faint, imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Lu Huainan’s mouth. “Master Shen is truly interesting.”

“Well, let us call it a collection. I do not really have many hobbies. Things like glowing little stones or out-of-print CDs are what I like. And there is no need to be so formal. Just call me Shen Muyun.”

“Hmm? How so? You are older than me; it is only right that I call you Brother Yun.”

Shen Muyun’s brain stalled for a second. It actually seemed quite appropriate. “Ah, that… hmm, fine, whatever you like. You can call me whatever you want.”

Lu Huainan did not say anything more as he walked ahead.

Shen Muyun deliberately slowed his pace, but Lu Huainan did not mind, signaling that he would go on ahead.

“Wow! Host, what is going on? Don’t tell me… you have already hooked up with the Lu family heir so early? That is huge news!”

“System, when did you pop up? No, that is impossible. Don’t overthink it. It is purely a financial relationship. Can’t you tell?”

“I really cannot tell…” the System muttered.

“You are a cold machine. How could you have human emotions?”

“Who says I don’t? After several hundred years, I have managed to cultivate the ability to read situations. I do have them!”

Shen Muyun pinched the System’s two little wings. Yep, definitely fun.

“Fine, fine. But what does that matter? A little cabbage with no one to love or care for it, rotting in the dirt. By the way, a very boring system has been launched. It is an improved version of the Affection Level system.”

“You already said it was useless, so leave it.”

“It might actually work this time. Currently, Lu Huainan’s affection level is 20. Not bad. Host, please keep up the good work!”

Shen Muyun shook his head.

“Didn’t you say the affection level was not important and that the system was trash? Besides, Lu Huainan is only the second male lead; I am the first. This book should revolve around me.”

The System gave a cold laugh. “Oh, honorable Host, it seems I forgot to tell you. Because the main storyline has mutated and the worldview is a mess, Lu Huainan is now also a first male lead. So, looking at the direction this book is heading…”

The System flickered with various lights, emitting “beep, beep, beep” sounds from time to time, seemingly searching for data.

“Hmm, it is a dual male lead power-fantasy plot. Wow, Host! You have opened up a whole new track! Although I am a new System, I have worked with several hosts before, and they were all no-CP tracks. Congratulations on unlocking an unknown path! Sending you flowers and applause!”

“Shipping them! Shipping them! The System has been around for a century and has not seen such a grand event!”

Shen Muyun frowned, looking at the rose icon on the System’s screen. Tch, does everyone in this world like roses? Or does the rose have some other meaning?

“System, I have to say, you have picked up some great sass. I only have three years of life left. In your worldview, I am just like a shooting star.”

Shen Muyun walked through the darkness, the gravel path under his feet uneven. As he walked further, he reached the main area of the banquet, where many people had already emerged.

Everyone was buzzing with discussion, talking about the prize of the day. That gemstone had remained unbidding until now.

“Exactly. That thing is cursed.”

“Look at the Bai family in Beijing; that proved it. Whoever takes it has bad luck. Who would want to touch that disaster?”

“The bid last year was only 30 million. The Lu family is price-gouging; they will make a clear 20 million profit. Isn’t whoever buys this just a complete sucker?”

Shen Muyun did not think much of it. No matter the price, since no one was competing with him, 50 million was a manageable sum. With his own remaining funds combined with Lu Huainan’s check, the matter was settled.

This time, Shen Muyun did not go to the corner but walked straight to the front row.

“Muyun, where did you go?”

Shen Liuyun’s voice came from behind him.

“Brother, I told you I was going for a walk. I did not realize it got so late. You are not mad at me, right?”

“Of course not.”

Shen Liuyun affectionately ruffled Shen Muyun’s soft hair. It felt different from before, but Shen Muyun could not quite put his finger on it.

“I thought you had already left. This is the first time we brothers have attended such a banquet together. You seem to be in much better spirits, and you have stopped saying those strange things. Are you not used to this?”

“Yeah, I am not really used to it.”

Shen Liuyun seemed more like the villain, especially with those gold-rimmed glasses. Who knew what secrets were hidden behind them?

Shen Muyun pointed to the Kashmir sapphire on the stage. “Brother, since the Shen family is a prominent family in Jiangcheng, doing some charity is perfectly fine. I want this stone.”

Shen Liuyun frowned. He felt that Shen Muyun had undergone a complete personality change after falling into the water, and now this just cemented his suspicion.

“Muyun, you never cared for these things before. Does this stone have some sort of sentimental value?”

“Hmm, I just think it looks nice. People always have a desire to pursue beautiful things, and I am no exception. Brother, do not overthink it.”

Shen Muyun took the bidding paddle and walked directly onto the stage, placing a bid of 50 million. As expected, no one in the audience followed suit.

“Tch, the Shen family really is wealthy and arrogant. Spending such a high price on a broken stone; even if it is precious, it is not that much.”

“Didn’t you hear? That thing is cursed. They say those who get it do not have a good end. The second young master of the Shen family must be a madman to like something like that. I tell you, perhaps the Lu family is having bad luck because of it, which is why they auctioned it off after only a year.”

“Curse or not, can’t you think positively? Ten percent of the proceeds are going to help stray cats and dogs and build them new homes. The Shen family is just showing off their wealth and trying to build a persona by entering a different field.”

Shen Muyun completely ignored the discussions below. He walked straight to the display cabinet, took out the box, and showed it to everyone. “It is mine!”

Shen Muyun looked contentedly at Zhou Shiqing in the audience. All of his little schemes have been neutralized just like that.

“Ding-dong! Congratulations to Host for completing the mission. You have received 5,000 tokens. Tokens are hard-earned, so spend them wisely.”

Shen Muyun saw the notification; it was a real-time deposit, which was nice. But wasn’t this gemstone supposed to be an important token of trust? How was it worth so little? Don’t tell me I have to lose an arm or a leg to earn a large amount of points?

Zhou Shiqing’s expression turned gloomy. He never expected that this Shen Muyun would actually be able to buy the stone. Didn’t reports say he lost a huge sum of money investing in stocks and futures recently? Damn it, who provided that fake intelligence?

Shen Muyun stepped off the stage and deliberately bumped into Zhou Shiqing’s shoulder, smiling coldly. “A mere 50 million, Zhou Shiqing. You lost this game. Don’t you think the loser should do something?”

“Shen Muyun, you just bought a useless stone. Why are you acting so smug?”

“I am not smug. Oh, I just like watching the look on your face when you cannot beat me. It is quite comical, like a dog jumping over a wall in desperation. Zhou Shiqing, the Zhou family’s reputation is mediocre to begin with. I suggest you retract your little claws and hide in a corner. Besides, our families are preparing a new contract; do you really want to pick a fight with me at this juncture?”

“You! Shen Muyun, do not get arrogant! Do not forget we have a horse race on Saturday. It is not decided yet who will win!”

“Then, I look forward to Young Master Zhou’s triumphant success.”