Chapter 29: You Deserve the Very Best the World Has to Offer
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Luxury cars and BMWs were everywhere. In this case, “BMW” did not refer to automobiles, but to horses in the literal sense. These horses were carefully tended, maintained, and pampered; they were purebred thoroughbreds with the strength to compete at professional racing levels, and were worth far more than ordinary luxury cars.
The buildings here were magnificent and exquisite, resembling palaces. Majestic golden lions stood proudly at every entrance, while carved beams and painted rafters adorned the interiors. Handmade carpets stretched into every corner, and enormous crystal chandeliers descended through multiple floors from above. There were galaxy fountains, diamond staircases rising one after another, rare treasures displayed in glass cases, and an artificial sky across the ceilings. Every detail embodied luxury to the fullest.
The artificial sky forever remained a vision of blue skies and white clouds—dreamlike and breathtaking, enough to intoxicate anyone and make them forget all their troubles, day or night. That was why the underground city was also known as the City in the Sky. It was an entertainment kingdom in the truest sense, a genuine den of extravagance.
Jiang Liwu’s gaze was drawn to a huge yellow diamond in one of the gemstone display cases. Its dazzling golden surface refracted countless radiant halos. The light it cast seemed to break through the haze into the dawn beyond, while the exquisite yellow diamond itself resembled the brilliant sun rising with the morning light.
A look of astonishment blossomed in Jiang Liwu’s eyes. Seeing this, Wei Xifeng immediately said, “Do you like it? I’ll have someone turn it into a necklace. It would look especially beautiful on you, Teacher.”
“Huh?” Jiang Liwu had not failed to notice the warning sign beside the display case. Three large red words were printed on it: Not for Sale.
At some point, one of the underground city’s senior executives had arrived beside Wei Xifeng with a group of managers. They bowed respectfully and addressed him, “Head of the Family, your orders?”
Jiang Liwu raised an eyebrow, finally realizing that the underground city was one of Wei Xifeng’s businesses—and that he was its true master.
Wei Xifeng said, “This yellow diamond already has an owner. It will no longer be displayed. Give it to the finest designer and have it made into a necklace, then send it to the Wei residence.”
The executive hurriedly replied, “Yes, sir.”
His gaze instinctively fell upon Jiang Liwu. He was stunned by her beauty and curious about her identity. In the past, the woman accompanying the family head had always been Qiao Yiran, yet even Qiao Yiran had never caused him to bring out the underground city’s priceless treasures.
Soon, the display case containing the yellow diamond was removed and escorted away by senior management and security personnel.
Jiang Liwu could not help saying, “I was only looking at it.”
Wei Xifeng replied as though it were perfectly natural, “It is its honor to make you stop and look, Teacher. The fact that you like it proves it is not without purpose. It ought to belong to you.”
Delighted, Jiang Liwu reached out and pinched Wei Xifeng’s cheek. “Oh, our Little Feng really knows how to talk. Why is your mouth so sweet? Have you been eating too much sugar?”
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Wei Xifeng’s handsome face was pulled into an adorable curve. Looking at Jiang Liwu, whose mood had brightened considerably, he continued with reddening ears, “It’s only the truth. You deserve to possess every finest thing in the world, Teacher.”
The smile at the corners of Jiang Liwu’s lips could not be restrained. She found Wei Xifeng more and more endearing and reached out to ruffle his hair. “You little rascal.”
Masks were required upon entering the auction hall, and everyone was identified by a number.
Servers carrying wine moved throughout the hall, while champagne bottles were stacked into pyramids. Tables overflowed with an array of delicacies. Mysterious influential figures gathered from all directions, dressed in immaculate suits and surrounded by elegant, perfumed company. Groups of two or three mingled together, clinking glasses and chatting merrily.
It felt more like a masquerade banquet than an auction.
Jiang Liwu, however, had not come for the auction in the first place.
She pulled Wei Xifeng to the buffet table and began eating. She took one bite-sized piece of beef after another, each tender and savory. The spherical clay-pot rice was crisp and fragrant; the sliced bread was soft, with each little layer of filling creating a wonderfully satisfying blend of flavors. The cube-shaped mapo tofu was tender and springy, melting in her mouth. The boneless chicken wings were fragrant, spicy, and juicy. The seaweed salad, tied into lucky-knot shapes, was smooth and refreshing, cool and cleansing.
Alongside the savory dishes were all kinds of colorful Western pastries and desserts. Jiang Liwu swallowed a carefully plated piece of mango pomelo sago in a single spoonful. She bit the head off an adorable pudding shaped like a hopping rabbit. A strawberry chocolate cake had been sculpted into the form of a rose, so finely crafted that it could easily be mistaken for the real thing. Jiang Liwu did not forget to take a bite of ice cream as well. It left her refreshed and delighted, and every dish here was difficult to resist.
Jiang Liwu decided to share her good fortune. Whenever she tasted something that impressed her, she fed some to Wei Xifeng so that he could try it too.
The two of them did not forget to keep an eye out for Fu Siyue.
Yet Fu Siyue was the first to spot them.
When Fu Siyue entered the hall with Lin Feng, he immediately saw Wei Xifeng. Wei Xifeng was tall and powerfully built, yet he was carrying an assortment of delicate pastries in his hands—a striking contrast to his appearance that made him especially conspicuous.
Though both men wore masks, they were brothers and knew each other exceptionally well. Fu Siyue was certain that it was Wei Xifeng.
Since when had Wei Xifeng developed such a sweet tooth? He seemed to have changed somewhat after the candied hawthorn incident.
Was it because of that substitute?
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Fu Siyue’s sharp, icy gaze fixed on Jiang Liwu.
Sensing an appraising stare laced with coldness, Jiang Liwu raised her head, still stuffing a piece of crab-and-potato pastry into her mouth.
She saw a tall and imposing man with a deep gaze. The lower half of his masked face revealed a sharply defined jaw, and his presence was as frigid as a mountain of dark ice.
The instant Jiang Liwu looked up at him, Fu Siyue’s entire body shuddered. He pulled the hand from his suit pocket and strode toward her. He found Jiang Liwu strangely familiar, as though she resembled someone buried deep within his memories.
Before he could even approach, however, Lin Feng handed him his phone and said in a low voice, “It’s Miss Jinwei calling.”
Fu Siyue stopped in his tracks at once, as though waking from a dream. He calmed the turbulent emotions surging within him, and his expression turned cold and stern.
It was impossible for her to be the person from his memories. A substitute was only a substitute—how could she possibly be compared with his stepmother? Besides, his stepmother had died twenty years ago, right before his eyes.
Fu Siyue answered Song Jinwei’s call and held the phone to his ear. Her sharp, willful voice came through, stabbing at his mind and causing a faint ache.
The call ended within seconds. Fu Siyue frowned. After taking one long look at Jiang Liwu, he turned and walked away. “We’re leaving.”
Lin Feng followed close behind.
“Was that Little Yue?” Jiang Liwu asked, half certain and half doubtful. Fu Siyue had changed far too much. He seemed utterly devoid of human warmth, exceedingly cold and aloof.
When Fu Siyue was a child, he had looked cool as well, but he had also been extremely adorable.
Wei Xifeng tugged unhappily at the corner of his lips as he watched Fu Siyue leave. “Yes. That was him.”
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