The scene rewinds to the evening at the only seven-star hotel in Kyoto.
Liu Ritian: "Ruxue, tonight's auction banquet is of the highest caliber. Since your uncle is ill, we are representing his company today, so we must be mindful of our behavior and manners."
Liu Ruxue nodded gracefully, glancing at Lin Jian, who was standing beside Liu Yuemei.
Brother Lin Jian doesn't seem too happy.
Liu Ritian never imagined he would one day attend such a high-profile auction banquet.
Lin Tianba was hospitalized and unable to attend personally, but he knew that during such times, it was even more important to show up at significant events to demonstrate the normalcy of the Suran Group.
Thus, he handed the invitation to Liu Yuemei, asking her to bring Lin Jian to represent the Suran Group and, by extension, the Lin family.
Liu Yuemei not only brought Lin Jian but also invited her own brother, Liu Ritian.
Liu Ruxue was brought along by Liu Ritian.
The four of them, a whole family entourage, arrived at the entrance of the Pangu Hotel.
Liu Yuemei was decked out in glittering jewels, flaunting her status as Mrs. Lin. Lin Jian was dressed in a sharp suit, looking quite dashing.
Liu Ritian sported a slicked-back hairstyle, shiny as if a calf had licked it. Liu Ruxue, on the other hand, opted for a pure and innocent look, exuding a girl-next-door vibe.
Just as Liu Ruxue and Lin Jian were discussing the identities of various wealthy heirs, a dazzling red Ferrari LaFerrari pulled up to the hotel in grand style.
"Wow! A Ferrari LaFerrari! Ruxue, do you know? This car has long been discontinued and is worth 25 million! I wonder who could drive such a sports car out in public."
"If it were mine, I'd definitely take you for a spin up the mountain."
A mountain drive?
As if recalling something, Liu Ruxue's face turned red.
"Brother Lin Jian, you're so annoying."
While she spoke to Lin Jian, her eyes were glued to the Ferrari, her envy impossible to hide.
Liu Ritian: "Ruxue, you must find a boyfriend of this caliber in the future."
Liu Ruxue: "Dad, what are you talking about? Love can't be measured by cars!"
Liu Yuemei, however, remained silent, frowning. She felt that the person in the car looked somewhat familiar.
Yet, when they saw who stepped out of the car, their eyes widened in shock.
Lin Ran arrived at the Pangu Hotel with Uncle Fu and his friend Wu Zhishang.
Today, Lin Ran was driving a red Ferrari LaFerrari, his entire outfit exuding flamboyance.
Wu Zhishang, sitting in the passenger seat, asked awkwardly, "Should I have worn black stockings?"
Lin Ran shot him a sidelong glance and said, "Don't be gross. My stomach isn't great, and I might throw up."
Wu Zhishang: "A weak stomach not only makes you prone to vomiting but also requires soft foods to nourish it."
Outside the hotel, the stunning red supercar came to a stop, and the doorman rushed to open the door.
Lin Ran tossed him the keys and pulled out a few bills. "Take good care of the car, or I won't tip you next time."
The doorman quickly nodded. "Don't worry, young master."
Wu Zhishang, standing beside him, looked shocked, while Lin Ran felt a rush of satisfaction—this was the confidence of being wealthy.
Uncle Fu also got out of the car and, along with Wu Zhishang, followed Lin Ran into the hotel.
The entire time, no one paid any attention to the dumbfounded Liu Ruxue and the others.
Wu Zhishang: "Brother Lin, Liu Ruxue and the others are here. What should we do?"
Lin Ran: "What does that have to do with me? If they dare to provoke me, I'll lie down on the spot and make them pay me a million for car repairs."
Wu Zhishang gave him a thumbs-up.
Just as Liu Yuemei and Liu Ritian were about to approach and greet him, they were stopped by Lin Ran's bodyguards. Lin Ran and his group walked into the hotel without a second glance.
Liu Yuemei, barely containing her anger, said, "I'm his mother. Why are you stopping me?"
The bodyguards exchanged glances, and the leader spoke up.
"Sorry! Our Mr. Lin has said that his mother passed away long ago. If you continue to cause trouble by pretending to be his mother, we won't hesitate to take you away for a chat."
Liu Yuemei nearly choked on her breath. It took her a while to recover, and by the time she looked up to explain, the bodyguards were already gone.
Liu Ritian: "Was that really Lin Ran, that little brat? How could he afford a Ferrari? And with so many bodyguards?"
Liu Yuemei was seething with anger. She knew Lin Ran had money now.
Three billion! Spending a few million on a car was entirely possible.
Another issue was that when she had visited Lin Ran at school recently, his attire had clearly been high-end. It seemed he had been embezzling money from the Lin family over the years.
That money should have been hers, Liu Yuemei's. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
"Let's go in!"
Liu Yuemei, adorned in her clinking and clanking accessories, led the way. Liu Ritian, with his shiny, slicked-back hair, followed. Lin Jian and Liu Ruxue, the slightly more presentable ones, brought up the rear.
Taking the elevator to the venue, even Liu Yuemei, who was "used to" luxury, was stunned by the opulent, golden decor.
Presenting the invitation card, they were about to enter when a staff member stopped them.
"Madam, one invitation card only admits two people. You cannot all enter with four."
Liu Yuemei's anger flared. She had already endured too much frustration today, and now being stopped by a staff member pushed her to the brink of explosion.
"The group ahead went in with three people. Why can't I?" She was referring to Lin Ran.
The staff member politely replied, "They are from the Luo Corporation. Naturally, it's different for them."
The staff member thought mentioning the "Luo Corporation" would suffice, but the woman before her wasn't having it.
Liu Yuemei had no idea what the Luo Corporation was and angrily retorted, "What the hell is the Luo Corporation? I've never heard of it. If they're invited, isn't the Suran Group invited too? This is discrimination. I'm going to file a complaint."
The staff member raised an eyebrow but quickly regained her composure.
"I'm sorry, but these are the rules."
Just as Liu Yuemei was about to explode, Liu Ritian stopped her, whispering in her ear, "Sister, the Luo Corporation is the world's top financial group. Our Suran Group can't compare to them. It's like dust next to a skyscraper."
"Besides, I've heard that tonight's auction banquet has deep connections. Even as the Suran Group, it's best not to cause trouble."
Liu Yuemei was shocked.
The world's top financial group? Really?
So Lin Ran had entered with that kind of status?
Liu Yuemei took a deep breath, suppressing her temper.
"So only two people can really enter? Can't you make an exception?"
The staff member thought to herself, "Do you think this is some random place? Make an exception? Look at how you're dressed—like four walking disasters. The fact that I haven't called security yet is a testament to my patience."
"Yes, only two people are allowed."
Liu Yuemei sighed and said, "Then my son and I will go in."