My Ares Son-in-Law

Xiao Chen wore an exquisite silver tie at her neckline today, which shimmered softly in the sunlight, adding a touch of elegance and nobility to her overall look.

He certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to wear those old, worn-out everyday clothes to this occasion. This was a gathering place for celebrities from all walks of life in the ancient city. If he dressed too casually, he would probably attract a lot of trouble and contemptuous looks wherever he went, becoming a laughing stock in everyone's eyes.

"Dressed up like this today, I hope it will save me from some unnecessary trouble."

Xiao Chen lowered his head slightly and muttered something to himself. Although his voice was soft, it conveyed a sense of confidence and certainty.

He raised his hand and gently adjusted his cuffs, his movements elegant and composed, as if he were accomplishing something of utmost importance.

Then, with steady and powerful steps, he walked towards the dazzling entrance of the clubhouse.

He took each step firmly, as if he possessed an innate aura that drew the attention of those around him.

As soon as he arrived at the entrance, Xiao Chen spotted Qin Lingling standing alone by the pillar.

She looked worried, staring blankly ahead, as if lost in endless thoughts, appearing somewhat absent-minded.

Today, Qin Lingling was dressed quite simply, which contrasted sharply with the ladies around her who were adorned with jewels and heavy makeup.

She wore a simple white dress, without much decoration, yet she looked clean and pure.

Her face, devoid of makeup, was adorned with heavy dark circles under her eyes, like two lingering gloomy clouds, making her eyes appear somewhat dull and lifeless.

He looked utterly haggard and exhausted, as if he was being suffocated by the burdens of life.

Xiao Chen walked straight over, his footsteps sounding particularly clear in the quiet atmosphere.

Qin Lingling, however, seemed to be immersed in her own world and was completely unaware of his arrival.

Xiao Chen frowned and interrupted her daze, "What are you daydreaming about here for?"

"It's almost time, let's go in."

His voice was deep and powerful, like a thunderclap, pulling Qin Lingling back from her thoughts.

Qin Lingling suddenly looked up and saw that it was Xiao Chen. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her worried expression.

She forced a smile and said, "Mr. Xiao, you've arrived."

"I...I was just thinking about things at home."

As she spoke, she sighed softly, her eyes revealing endless helplessness.

Looking at her, Xiao Chen felt a pang of pity and said, "Don't think about it too much, let's go inside first."

After saying that, he took the lead and walked into the club. Qin Lingling hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed.

Qin Lingling was startled awake by the sound, as if she had been suddenly pulled out of a long and chaotic dream.

She quickly composed herself, her previously wandering gaze instantly becoming focused and respectful. She bowed slightly and said in a soft, reverent voice, "Mr. Xiao, you have arrived..."

"I'm so sorry, I was just spacing out."

Having experienced what happened before, all those things related to Xiao Chen were like deep imprints etched into her memory.

In addition, her grandfather and master's repeated and stern admonitions struck her heart like heavy hammers, making her no longer dare to show the slightest disrespect to Xiao Chen.

From the extremely solemn tone of her elders, she vaguely understood how terrifying Xiao Chen was—a power that was unfathomable and awe-inspiring.

In addition, the recent series of misfortunes that befell her family were like a sudden storm that turned her peaceful life upside down. This forced her to quickly shed her former arrogance and learn to be more restrained and low-key, no longer acting as recklessly as before.

Xiao Chen nodded slightly, looking calmly at Qin Lingling, without saying anything more.

Then, he and Qin Lingling took the invitation and walked to the security guards at the entrance, who were dressed in uniforms and had solemn expressions.

The security guard stood tall and straight, with sharp eyes, like a sharp sword scrutinizing everyone who entered the club.

He took the invitation, carefully examined the information on it, checked it against the list, and after confirming that everything was correct, he turned slightly to the side and made an inviting gesture, indicating that they could enter.

Xiao Chen and Qin Lingling successfully entered the clubhouse.

Unlike ordinary clubs, the interior of Qinren Club is like stepping back in time into a world full of ancient charm. It is more like a highly private, top-tier Chinese-style club, with an overall design inspired by the gardens of Jiangnan.

Upon entering, the first thing that catches the eye is an exquisite artificial mountain, with strangely shaped rocks that look like a work of art carefully sculpted by nature.

The artificial hill is surrounded by a clear lake, its surface shimmering and sparkling with golden light under the sun.

On the lake, several small and exquisite pavilions are scattered in a well-organized manner, their upturned eaves resembling birds spreading their wings as if about to take flight.

Strolling along the lakeside path, you'll find yourself surrounded by lush trees and colorful flowers. A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of blossoms, creating a truly delightful experience.

The scenery changes with every step, creating an elegant and antique atmosphere, as if you are in a beautiful landscape painting.

The two found a relatively quiet corner in the guest lounge area, where a set of rosewood sofas was placed.

The deep color of the rosewood exudes a noble and elegant aura, and the cushions on the sofa are soft and comfortable.

Xiao Chen and Qin Lingling slowly sat down, as if all their fatigue had been relieved at this moment.

Qin Lingling slightly adjusted her skirt and explained to Xiao Chen in a low voice, "Mr. Xiao, this is the time for guests to enter and socialize freely, which is also known in the industry as 'warming up' or 'socializing'."

"During this period, everyone is free to move around, make new friends, and exchange industry information and insights."

"The actual auction will take place in two hours in the dedicated auction room upstairs."

"That auction hall is meticulously designed with excellent soundproofing and top-notch facilities to ensure the smooth running of the auction."

"We can rest here for a while and have some tea and snacks."

As she spoke, she pointed to the exquisite tea snacks on the table next to her. The snacks were beautifully shaped and harmoniously colored, making them very appetizing.

Her tone was earnest and sincere, as if she were afraid that Xiao Chen might have some dissatisfaction with the arrangements here.

Xiao Chen's gaze casually swept across the entire banquet hall. The spacious and elegant space, illuminated by the warm yellow crystal chandeliers, exuded a luxurious yet solemn atmosphere.

The hall was filled with guests, mostly in small groups of three or five. All the men and women were dressed in bright and beautiful clothes, as if they had been carefully crafted.

They held either crystal-clear champagne glasses or elegantly held glasses of richly colored red wine, chatting and laughing in hushed tones, their voices like the gentle murmur of flowing water, not noisy but clearly audible.

Every one of the men was dressed in a sharp suit, their ties were neatly tied, and their shoes were polished to a shine. Every gesture exuded an air of extraordinary elegance, as if each movement had been meticulously designed, revealing a unique reserve and confidence characteristic of high society.

The ladies were all dressed in various exquisite gowns, some adorned with dazzling diamonds that sparkled brilliantly under the lights; others were made of light silk that swayed gently as they moved, like fairies descending to earth.

They wore expensive jewelry; their earrings, necklaces, and bracelets shimmered under the lights, exuding a dazzling and elegant aura.

Among them were many with alluring figures and beautiful faces. They slightly raised their chins, their eyes revealing an innate sense of superiority, as if this were their home turf.

Xiao Chen had never been particularly fond of these so-called high society social occasions since childhood.

In his view, the enthusiasm and friendliness of these people on the surface are nothing but hypocritical pretense, and behind them may be all sorts of calculations and conflicts of interest.

This fake social interaction made him feel incredibly depressed and exhausted, and even somewhat repulsed.

It was precisely because of this that he developed a quiet and solitary personality, disliked crowds, and was even less willing to cater to others.

At this moment, Qin Lingling, who was standing to the side, noticed that the atmosphere was a bit dull and awkward. She frowned slightly and scanned Xiao Chen and the surrounding crowd, thinking about how to break the deadlock.

Finally, she took the initiative to start a conversation. She turned slightly to the side, a polite smile on her face, and said, "Mr. Xiao, are there any friends of yours in this hall? If you do, you might as well go over and chat with them. You might even meet some interesting people."

Xiao Chen seemed not to have heard her words at all, not even lifting his eyelids, maintaining his indifferent expression, and said lightly, "No need. If you have your own friends here, go find them. There's no need for you to stay here with me. I'm quite fine on my own."

His voice was flat and indifferent, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, as if he were completely unconcerned about everything around him.

After speaking, he slowly leaned back against the sofa, completely relaxing his body and closing his eyes, as if preparing to take a short nap. His posture was leisurely and carefree, as if the noisy banquet hall had nothing to do with him.

Qin Lingling opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, trying to persuade Xiao Chen to fit in.

However, just then, a series of light footsteps approached, followed by a clear voice, interrupting her before she could speak. (End of Chapter)