Chapter 58: Auction

How do you judge a person? The first impression they give you is very important.

Su Bingren stood at the entrance of Yunshan, looking toward the road.

“Mr. Su, why don’t we wait inside the box room? The temperature has dropped lately, and it’s a bit cold out here,” Song Li said, standing behind him.

“No, I want to see the young man as soon as possible,” Su Bingren said with a smile.

He habitually rubbed the top of his cane.

What kind of person would this Lin Luan be? Based on his daughter’s taste, he should be some wealthy young master from a large corporation.

After all, his daughter had always judged people through the lens of business.

In Su Bingren’s mind, a picture of what he was about to see had already formed.

It would likely go like this:

A black luxury sedan would stop smoothly in front of the door. A well-dressed Lin Luan would be the first to step out, then politely walk to the other side to open the door for Su Jin.

His movements would be elegant, his smile perfectly measured—the picture of a well-trained gentleman.

Just like many of the young men he had met before.

But Su Bingren knew very well that many people with such manners were two-faced, hiding their true selves deep within.

However, with him there, he would not let his daughter be deceived by such a man.

Just then, the faint sound of tires rubbing against the pavement reached them, mixed with a slight squeaking noise that grew louder as it approached.

Su Bingren’s gaze instinctively followed the sound.

A second later, the composed smile on his face froze.

He saw a young man riding toward them, and his vehicle was…

A blue shared bicycle.

Behind him sat a girl, one hand tightly clutching the man’s waist and her head resting against his back.

This…

Wasn’t this his usually cold and proud daughter, Su Jin?!

The cool early autumn breeze had messed up Su Jin’s meticulously styled hair. She simply lowered her head awkwardly, trying to use her other hand to press down the hem of her clothes that was fluttering in the wind.

As for Lin Luan, who was pedaling, his forehead was covered in beads of sweat, and his breathing was slightly hurried.

He squeezed the brakes in front of the grand entrance of Yunshan.

*Squeak—*

The bicycle came to a steady stop.

Lin Luan propped a long leg down, hopped off the bike nimbly, and then naturally turned around to hold his hand out to Su Jin. “General manager Su, we’re here. You can get off now; we didn’t go over the time limit.”

Su Jin took his hand and jumped down, her cheeks slightly flushed.

She quickly tidied her wind-blown hair and clothes. When she looked up, she bumped right into the gaze of her father standing at the shop entrance.

The expression on Su Bingren’s face was beyond description.

Su Jin: “!!!”

Lin Luan followed Su Jin’s gaze and saw the elderly man with an extraordinary aura.

He recognized who the old man was at a single glance.

Lin Luan naturally interlaced his fingers with Su Jin’s and led her forward.

“Hello, Uncle,” he said with a slight bow. “I am Lin Luan.”

Su Bingren’s gaze lingered on their joined hands for a moment before sweeping over the out-of-place shared bicycle.

“This is…?” Su Bingren spoke slowly, his cane lightly tapping the ground.

Lin Luan gave an embarrassed smile. “I couldn’t find a car on short notice. Please don’t take offense.”

Su Jin’s palms were sweating from nervousness, but she suddenly heard her father let out an undecipherable chuckle.

“Interesting.” Su Bingren sized up Lin Luan’s wind-tossed hair. “I’ve seen many people put on an act, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone dare to ride a shared bicycle to a meal at Yunshan.”

“I hope I didn’t make a fool of myself,” Lin Luan replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

Su Bingren laughed and turned to walk into the restaurant.

When he reached the door, he suddenly looked back at the two who were still dazed.

“What are you standing there for? The food here should be eaten while it’s hot.”

“Yes!”

Lin Luan held Su Jin’s hand and strode into the restaurant.

The design of the box room was very minimalist, with a large hanging painting behind the main seat and several plants placed in the four corners of the room.

Lin Luan couldn’t identify the plants; he only knew that their large leaves looked quite elegant and certainly weren’t cheap.

“Su Jin, have a seat.” Lin Luan leaned over to pull out the chair for her.

“Ah, okay.” Su Jin sat down silently.

Su Bingren sat in the main seat, slowly pouring tea, his gaze occasionally drifting toward Su Jin.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve seen my daughter looking this shy.’

He set down his teacup and spoke slowly to Lin Luan. “Why did you ride a shared bicycle here?”

“That… haha.” Lin Luan glanced at the oblivious Song Li. “Miss Song Li drove away the only available car from the house, and the other car keys were left inside the Bugatti Veyron.”

“We had no car to drive and couldn’t get a taxi right away, so we could only use the shared bicycle.”

“Is that so?” Su Bingren took a sip of tea.

Song Li was startled and immediately apologized.

“It was an oversight in my work. I am truly sorry.”

“I don’t blame you,” Lin Luan said with a gentle wave of his hand. “We just didn’t plan it well ourselves.”

“Everyone, sit.” Su Bingren motioned for Lin Luan to sit as well.

Only then did Lin Luan take a seat next to Su Jin, his posture natural and relaxed, without the slightest hint of restraint.

The waiters began to serve the food. Exquisite dishes were brought out one by one, all of which Su Bingren had ordered in advance.

“You were the one who saved my daughter before, weren’t you?” Su Bingren picked up a cup of tea.

“You are my daughter’s savior. Logically, I should toast you with a glass of wine, but unfortunately, my health no longer allows me to do that. I can only use tea instead of wine to offer you a toast.”

Su Bingren raised his teacup toward Lin Luan.

“No, no, Uncle. It was only right for me to do so.” Lin Luan waved his hand and hurriedly held up his glass respectfully.

The crisp sound of porcelain clinking was exceptionally clear in the box room.

***

Thirty minutes later.

The meal ended with both the host and guests in high spirits.

The heart hanging in Su Jin’s throat gradually settled. She could feel that her father’s impression of Lin Luan seemed to be quite good.

‘With such a good boyfriend by my side, he probably won’t rush me into marriage for a while. I can finally focus on my career…’

Su Bingren gave Song Li a look. Understanding immediately, Song Li walked over to Su Jin.

“Miss, Mr. Su is returning to Jingshi tomorrow. There are some details I would like to discuss with you.”

“Eh? Is he leaving so soon?” Su Jin was a bit surprised.

Su Bingren nodded with a smile.

“Let’s step outside to discuss,” Song Li said.

Su Jin was somewhat confused, but she still stood up and walked out of the box room.

The door closed softly, leaving only Su Bingren and Lin Luan inside.

The air grew silent for a moment.

Su Bingren leisurely poured another cup of tea and pushed it in front of Lin Luan.

“Lu An,” he suddenly changed the way he addressed him, “there is something I want to ask of you.”

“Please speak, Uncle.” Lin Luan sat up straight and listened intently.

“Xiao Jin has been independent since she was a child; she always wants to be the best in everything.” Su Bingren looked out the window, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

“Her mother and I divorced, and I’ve spent years working away from home. I’ve rarely been able to accompany her. Over these years, I’ve always felt like I owe her a great deal.”

He paused, pulled a deep black bank card from his pocket, placed it gently on the table, and pushed it toward Lin Luan.

“The night after tomorrow, there is a charity auction at the Chang City Arts Center. The final item is a Blue and White Yuhuchun vase from the Qing Dynasty imperial kilns.” Su Bingren’s gaze fell on the card.

“That was her mother’s favorite piece of art. Xiao Jin loves her mother very much, and I have always wanted to buy it for her as a keepsake.”

Lin Luan looked at the card but did not reach for it immediately.

“However,” Su Bingren sighed, “I have to fly back to Jingshi tomorrow morning for an important meeting I can’t postpone. I won’t be able to attend the auction.”

He raised his head and looked directly at Lin Luan. “So, I want to entrust you to go and bid for that vase on my behalf.”

Lin Luan was slightly stunned. “Uncle, such an important matter, I…”

“I trust your judgment,” Su Bingren interrupted him. “There are sufficient funds prepared in the card. The password is six eights. I’ll have Song Li give you the invitation to the auction later.”

“This…”

“Don’t tell Xiao Jin about this for now. I want to give her a surprise,” Su Bingren murmured thoughtfully.

Lin Luan thought for a moment. Finally, he reached out with both hands and solemnly took the card.

“Don’t worry, Uncle.” His voice was steady. “I will definitely bring the vase back intact.”

Seeing his serious expression, Su Bingren’s face broke into a satisfied smile. He patted Lin Luan’s shoulder.

“Good lad. Then I’ll leave it to you.”