"Where are you going?"
The man's eyes instantly turned profound and dark. He leaned down again, propping up only half his body, his cool breath washing over her cheek. "What do you think?"
His voice was husky as he pressed down a little more.
Mei Ran's face flushed red repeatedly. Her gaze inadvertently swept over a certain place, and her whole body nearly caught fire. "You, you… I…"
Wasn't it him who didn't continue? How did it come around to being her fault now?
She looked up shyly. In the next second, the man's kiss fell heavily upon her again, this time carrying a sense of punishment. Every trace of teasing seemed laced with resentment, regret, and a certain discontent.
A long while later, he finally released her. He picked up the nightgown that had fallen on the floor and put it back on, then cast her a deep look, sweeping from her rosy cheeks to her fair neck, down, down… stopping at a certain spot, a meaningful smile touching his lips.
His gaze was like he was appreciating a rare, exquisite treasure; even through the air, you could feel its scorching heat.
Realizing belatedly that his eyes were locked on a certain place, Mei Ran hurriedly used her hands to cover the large part exposed to the air, glaring at him, both embarrassed and annoyed.
His smile deepened. He turned and walked straight out.
Suddenly remembering something, Mei Ran immediately reminded him, "Your current physical condition won't allow you to take a cold shower!"
Fu Shijin turned back, his figure looking even more tall and slender under the light. The corners of his lips lifted slightly; he sounded like he was actually in a good mood. "Is there a head doctor like you? Not only not providing a solution, but actively trapping your own patient in a dilemma."
This man didn't usually talk much, but words that could make her blush and burn came naturally to him. Mei Ran clutched the edge of the quilt; her heart was in turmoil and swelling, like a pot of boiling water.
She didn't know how much time had passed. Mei Ran lay on the bed and couldn't hold out against sleep any longer, dozing off. Hazily, she felt the bed dip beside her. She opened her eyes, met the man's handsome face magnified before her, and couldn't react for a moment.
Her slightly opened dark eyes held a look of confusion and innocence, like a child's. Fu Shijin found it amusing. He touched her forehead and said softly, "We'll have plenty of time to look later. For now, just sleep, okay?"
He lay down and casually pulled her into his arms.
Now thoroughly stirred, Mei Ran lost most of her drowsiness. Hugging his arm, she asked in a soft, gentle voice, "Why were you gone for so long?"
Fu Shijin's whole body stiffened again, even his breath grew a bit hotter. He took a few deep breaths, striving to calm down. She didn't get a response and insistently clung to him even tighter.
"No more teasing," he whispered, biting her earlobe as a threat. "Otherwise, I won't give you another chance to escape."
Ranran, I'm only giving you one chance, so… there won't be a next time!
Mei Ran heard him clearly. She nodded, then buried her face in his chest, chuckling in a muffled manner.
The rain fell all night, not stopping by daybreak. Mei Ran felt something different and slowly opened her eyes. In her gradually clearing vision, the man was…
"Awake?"
A faint blush colored his handsome, fair face; his lips still glistened with moisture. Mei Ran looked down. The plum blossom tattoo seemed to have bathed in a fine rain.
In this early autumn morning, she seemed to feel the heat of midsummer rising from the soles of her feet, quickly spreading throughout her body.
"Ranran, you are truly beautiful."
Fu Shijin absolutely loved that red plum blossom blooming out of snow-white skin. He had glimpsed hints of winding red vines before, assuming they were part of some red lace—he remembered it was her zodiac year, and he vividly recalled the delightful view he'd seen back then, unforgettable.
He hadn't expected such a big surprise hidden within. Unable to resist, he planted another kiss, causing the tree of red plums to sway their branches as if in the breeze, looking charming and alluring.
It was almost past nine o'clock by the time they got up. After breakfast, Fu Shijin's assistant delivered their formal attire. He had prepared a white one-shouldered gown for Mei Ran.
The autumn auction started at three in the afternoon, so they still had ample time. Mei Ran leisurely took a shower. After coming out, she sat by the bed, blow-drying her long hair meticulously.
Fu Shijin took advantage of this break to enter the bathroom. Before long, the sound of rushing water echoed.
Having finished drying her hair, Mei Ran casually picked up her phone to check the time. As soon as she unlocked the screen, several private messages from the same Weibo username popped up:
Late Night Breeze: You have a good think. The person I saw today in Hong Kong was you, right?
Late Night Breeze: It has to be you, right!? Who else could be the woman by my idol's side besides you?
Late Night Breeze: Please, please tell me! Otherwise, I'm going to be tearing my hair out and unable to sleep for three days and nights! You're so beautiful; your heart must be very kind too! Please, pretty please!
Mei Ran couldn't help but laugh. Unhurried, she replied with one message: "Sorry for stepping on your foot."
An almost instantaneous reply came from the other side: "Ahhhhhhh! I knew it was you!"
"So regretful you didn't step on me a few more times! Wuwu, you and my idol look so perfectly matched, I'm crying with envy!"
"Are you two really together? You must be! Wishing you eternal happiness!"
Mei Ran patiently read through them one by one. Shortly after, the bathroom door opened. The two words "thank you" she had just typed under her fingertip, as if startled, suddenly slipped out.
The man had walked over. He wore only a robe loosely draped over him, revealing most of his chest. His just-washed hair was still a bit damp, hanging wetly over his forehead. He crouched down before her. His deep eyes were bright, his voice gentle and smooth. "Ranran, help me dry my hair."
Mei Ran suppressed the urge to sneak peeks and coughed lightly to cover it up. Picking up the hair dryer, she started blowing.
His hair had a moderate texture, soft but with good body, feeling excellent to the touch. Her fair fingers moved through his hair; the contrast of black and white created an unspeakably ambiguous feeling.
Her soft fingertips gently brushed against his scalp, her pressure perfectly measured. The hair dryer blew her warm, fragrant scent towards his nose. Fu Shijin closed his eyes contentedly, savoring this rare moment.
Time passed quickly. Unnoticed, it was already past one in the afternoon. Mei Ran changed in the walk-in closet and walked out. Fu Shijin stood in full formal wear before the floor-to-ceiling window, talking to someone on the phone. Hearing footsteps, he turned and looked, his gaze abruptly halting.
Hearing no response for a long while, the other end spoke hesitantly, "Mr. Fu?"
"My assistant will discuss the details with you."
Fu Shijin hung up and strode towards the figure not far away.
Mei Ran met his eyes. "Does it look good?"
"Breathtakingly beautiful," he said, his gaze meticulously sweeping over every inch of her, then tugging the fabric at her chest up a little. "It's as if I see an immortal maiden descended to the mortal world."
"How can you exaggerate like that?" Mei Ran's face looked as if dusted with rouge.
Fu Shijin pinned a blue-black rose to her shoulder. His warm fingertip lightly caressed the spot. His voice was low and husky. "Believe me, I have the best eye for this—in every aspect."
Indeed, as soon as they entered the auction hall, many astonished looks, from men and women alike, converged upon them. Mei Ran, holding the man's arm beside her, met their gaze openly and confidently.
As Mei Hongyuan's daughter, though she usually disliked socializing, she wasn't the type to feel stage fright on such an occasion.
After everyone was seated, the host announced the start of the auction. Each year's first lot was, without a doubt, won by Fu Shijin.
This was a standing tradition. Mei Ran recalled that the article had mentioned his grandfather, Old Master Fu, was a key promoter for auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's in expanding into the mainland and Hong Kong markets. Fu Shijin himself had inherited the old gentleman's ambition and had done much to repatriate cultural artifacts from overseas.
The few hundred words she had read back then couldn't compare to the intense sensation of being here live. Judging from the respect others showed him, in this field, he could be considered a figure standing at the very pinnacle.
Waves of astonishment washed over her heart. The burgeoning pride, combined with the fact that this man was hers, thrilled Mei Ran beyond measure.
She wanted to become a better person, worthy of him.
"What's wrong?" Sensing her mood, Fu Shijin squeezed her hand. "No need to be nervous."
Mei Ran nodded. Flipping open the auction catalog, she saw the next item was the "White Jade Ice Silkworm" she had her eye on—the real purpose of her trip here. She couldn't help but sit up straighter, holding her breath and listening intently to the host's introduction.
"This is a work by the Ming Dynasty jade carving master, Zheng Yimin… starting bid, two million…"
Soon, someone raised a paddle, followed by others in succession. The price quickly climbed to four million.
Seeing the paddle he handed over, Mei Ran blinked, perplexed. He had already seen through her thoughts. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "You do it."
"Why?" Mei Ran was confused.
Fu Shijin smiled. "If I join the bidding, the final transaction price for this piece will end up much higher than its intended value."
Mei Ran understood immediately. Right, this man was the indicator within the hall. If he personally stepped in, others would assume it was some unparalleled rare treasure. It would be a miracle if the price didn't soar.
Her fondness for the "White Jade Ice Silkworm" wasn't without reason. Old Master Yu's ancestors had made their fortune in the silk trade. The old man himself was also the foremost tailor in Binnan. However, he had an eccentric quirk: he refused ordinary cheongsam dresses and insisted on making only big red wedding gowns. In the old days, a bride who wore a red gown personally tailored by him could have her story spread across every corner of Binnan—a source of immense pride.
Now, due to his age, he had handed the business over to his son and hadn't tailored clothes for years. Still, Mei Ran knew that in his heart, this old man deeply loved the silk craft that had captivated him for most of his life.
Thus, this "White Jade Ice Silkworm" held unique significance for him.
The host on the stage had already started calling the final count. "Six million going once, six million going twice…"
Mei Ran slowly raised her paddle.
"…six million two hundred thousand going thrice, sold!"
Her heart eased. Looking at the man beside her, there was a hint of triumphant delight in her eyes, as if inviting his praise.
Fu Shijin lightly scratched her palm a few times, like a feather brushing over it, sending an inexplicable, numbing tingle throughout her body. Mei Ran's legs nearly gave way. He smoothly took the opportunity to put his arm around her shoulder and pull her into his embrace.
This was the special main session of the autumn auction, so the items became increasingly valuable as it progressed. However, Fu Shijin didn't seem particularly interested. Besides accompanying Mei Ran, his attendance today was more about fulfilling his duty of securing the opening lot.
The auction continued. The host began introducing, "Next, this treasure is by the master…"
"Are you interested in that?" Mei Ran asked.
"Not until last night," the man turned his head to look at her, a smile playing on his lips. "But now, I am."
Mei Ran looked bewilderedly towards the stage. Her face instantly heated up again.
It turned out the item currently being auctioned was a "Smoky Quartz Plum Blossom Vase," and thus the deeper meaning behind his words became crystal clear. His interest in the vase was purely due to the red plum blossom tattoo on her chest.
She cleared her throat. "Then… shall I take charge this time as well?"
He shook his head. "No, I'll do it." His tone paused briefly. "I must have it."
The current highest bid was twenty million, with only a few paddles in play. Most people obviously weren't very interested in this piece. However, the moment a paddle was raised from a certain corner, the situation instantly shifted.
Many people were already whispering discussions:
"Isn't that Fu Shijin?"
"Yes! He's joined the bidding. Could it be this 'Plum Blossom Vase'…"
"Who is Fu Shijin? He's famously discerning. Can something that catches his eye ever be wrong? Listen to me, hurry and follow. Definitely no mistake!"
It was like a bomb dropped into water. The auction was pushed to its climax. The lot's price followed suit, skyrocketing towards a wildly "absurd" figure, until finally only two bidders remained locked in fierce combat.
Paddles from both sides were raised time and again, battling it out, then falling once more…
The host's voice began to tremble. "Ninety-nine million going once… ninety-nine million going thrice, sold!"
Oh my god! He had witnessed the most miraculous moment in his auction career—an item sold at dozens of times its base price, almost setting a new record!
"Didn't you see who that was? How could anyone compete with him? That's the esteemed proprietor of the Curio Boutique, the renowned antique collector Fu Shijin…"
Sitting in the very last corner row, Mei Mengran was fully occupied fending off the groping hands reaching over from beside her. She originally planned to find Fu Shijin for a "chance encounter" after the auction.
Hearing the discussions around her, she immediately craned her neck forward. When she clearly saw the two people, her gaze instantly chilled to an icy point.
Wasn't that woman in the white one-shouldered gown none other than Mei Ran?
The man sitting beside her… could it be Fu Shijin?!
How did they get together?!
What was she saying, that he was smiling so tenderly while ruffling her hair?
Normally such an aloof, hard-to-approach man, but now his features were relaxed, looking as if he were happily leaning over to whisper to her. She leaned closer as well, her full chest brushing against his arm…
Watching them get intimate as if nobody else was around, Mei Mengran felt like her eyeballs were about to pop out.