Lin Feng glanced at the neatly folded note in the server's hand, his fingers tapping idly against his wine glass. The room was still buzzing—people whispering about his insane spending, Su Lian's interest, and the sheer mystery surrounding him. But this? A private message, delivered like some underground deal?
That was new.
With a slight nod, he took the paper, unfolding it casually. The handwriting was neat, almost too precise.
"Meet me on the balcony. No names. No questions."
His eyebrow twitched. Dramatic.
Shen Xinya leaned in from the side, eyeing the note like it might explode. "That looks sketchy."
Lin Feng smirked. "You think?"
Yan Xiaoyu, still clutching the key fob of the absurdly expensive hypercar he had handed her earlier, frowned. "You sure it's safe?"
He took a sip of his wine, unconcerned. "If it's dangerous, then it's interesting."
That answer didn't sit well with either of them, but Lin Feng was already standing up, stretching slightly before making his way toward the balcony doors.
The cool night air hit him as he stepped outside. The city stretched below—glittering lights, the distant hum of traffic. The auction house's balcony was secluded, away from the prying eyes of the elite inside.
Leaning casually against the railing was a man dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, his face partially obscured by the shadows. He didn't turn immediately, just exhaled a slow breath of smoke before speaking.
"You're causing quite a stir in there."
Lin Feng tilted his head, unimpressed. "And you are?"
The man chuckled, finally turning. His face was sharp—high cheekbones, calculating eyes, the kind of expression that belonged to someone used to being in control.
"Someone who doesn't like unexpected variables."
Lin Feng smirked. "Sounds like a personal problem."
A flicker of amusement crossed the man's face. "Depends on how you look at it. People like Luo Zixuan? They're just rich idiots playing pretend. But you… You don't just throw money around. You make statements."
Lin Feng shrugged. "I was just in the mood to shop."
The man ignored that. "You're disrupting the balance."
Ah. There it was.
Lin Feng sighed dramatically. "Let me guess. Some group of old money elites thinks I'm stepping on their toes?"
The man's silence was answer enough.
Lin Feng chuckled. "And what? They sent you to 'warn' me? Maybe offer me a friendly deal to step aside?"
The man took another drag from his cigarette, then exhaled. "Something like that. There are certain… expectations in our circles. You weren't on the map before. Now you are. And that makes people nervous."
Lin Feng let that sink in for a second before smirking. "Well, I do enjoy making people uncomfortable."
The man studied him for a long moment, then flicked the cigarette away. "Then I suppose we'll see what happens next."
Without another word, he turned and disappeared through a side entrance, leaving Lin Feng alone with the night.
By the time Lin Feng strolled back in, the energy of the room had shifted. A few notable figures were missing. Conversations were quieter, more calculated.
Shen Xinya arched an eyebrow as he slid back into his seat. "Well?"
Lin Feng swirled his wine. "Nothing interesting."
Yan Xiaoyu, ever perceptive, frowned. "You're lying."
He grinned. "Maybe."
Before either of them could push further, a new announcement echoed through the hall.
Auctioneer: "Ladies and gentlemen, before we conclude tonight's event, we have one last surprise item—an invitation-only, undisclosed bidding event."
Now that was interesting.
The room murmured in excitement, but Lin Feng just leaned back, a slow grin forming.
Whatever this was… he was going to win.
Next: The Hidden Auction – What's Really at Stake?