The Mysterious Card Maker: Starting with Zhang Jiao's Deification

Lin Fan and his companion turned to look. Su Wanqing was wearing a long black dress with a side slit that revealed her fair legs. She was holding a glass of red wine and slowly walking towards them.

"Sure enough, it's here. Security said Mr. Xiao Hei brought Miss Qin this way."

She first glanced at Lin Fan, then her gaze fell on Qin Muyao, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"I came to see if Miss Qin needs any help."

"No," Qin Muyao said calmly. "I just need to talk to Xiao Hei about something."

The two of them tacitly refrained from calling out Lin Fan's name, clearly unaware that the other already knew Lin Fan's identity.

"Are you done chatting?" Su Wanqing gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and said with a smile, "If you're done, let's go inside the hall. The auction will start soon."

"Okay!" Lin Fan nodded. "Miss Qin, please come along!"

As Lin Fan turned to leave after saying this, Qin Muyao's voice suddenly came from behind him, "You two have a good relationship?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Fan froze in his tracks. Why was this young lady saying this?

Su Wanqing was slightly taken aback, then a smile flashed in her eyes. "Hmm? Why do you say that, Miss Qin?"

Qin Muyao gave a soft snort, "Even if they are distinguished guests, it wouldn't warrant you coming out to find them yourself."

Su Wanqing glanced at Qin Muyao, then at Lin Fan beside her, and said, "Ever since Mr. Hei arrived here, I have been in charge of his daily life."

"I didn't see him in the hall, so it's normal for me to come out to look for him!" As she spoke, she unconsciously moved closer to Lin Fan, almost pressing herself against him.

Seeing this, Qin Muyao, not to be outdone, grabbed Lin Fan's hand and said, "Really? You two have a pretty good relationship!"

Lin Fan: "..."

Lin Fan noticed that both of their gazes were fixed on him, and immediately sensed that something was amiss.

He suddenly felt that the air around him had become somewhat subtle. He glanced back and forth between the two of them, then chuckled dryly.

"Let's hurry inside. Da Niu should be waiting for me outside. He can't get in without an invitation."

However, the two of them acted as if they hadn't heard anything at all, and neither of them moved.

"Mr. Xiao Hei!" Just then, a loud voice suddenly came from afar.

Da Niu straightened his suit, which was obviously a size too big and he didn't know where he got it from, and jogged towards Lin Fan.

"I've finally found you!"

The two women noticed someone approaching and almost simultaneously distanced themselves from Lin Fan.

After freeing himself from the two women's grasp, Lin Fan walked towards Da Niu.

"Da Niu, why are you so late!"

"What? I've been waiting for you in the Radiant Hall for ages! I only realized you weren't here when I saw you..."

"It's okay, I don't blame you. Let's go now!"

"Huh?" Da Niu looked at Lin Fan's retreating figure with a puzzled expression, even more confused. "Wait for me!"

......

Led by Su Wanqing, the group went directly into the Flowing Light Hall without even checking their invitations.

After all, everyone in the manor knows Su Wanqing; she is the most influential person after Zhao Zhong.

As soon as they entered the hall, Da Niu immediately pulled Lin Fan towards the dining area.

"Hurry, hurry! When I came out to look for you, the security guard said the auction was about to start! If you don't eat now, you'll go hungry!"

As he spoke, he picked up his plate and stuffed several pieces of pastry into it. "Mr. Lin... Mr. Xiao Hei, you should eat too! The food here is much better than the previous ones!"

Lin Fan watched Da Niu wolfing down his food and was just about to speak.

"Clatter, clatter"

A deep, mechanical sound came from underground.

The circular area enclosed in the center of the hall slowly opened up, revealing an arched staircase leading underground.

Lights gradually illuminated the lower levels of the staircase, revealing a vast space beneath.

Security personnel stepped forward and addressed the crowd, "The auction is about to begin. Please enter in an orderly manner."

There was no noise in the hall. Everyone put down their plates and walked downstairs.

Da Niu, with half a cake still in his mouth, suddenly widened his eyes. "Huh? It's starting already? I haven't even eaten much yet!"

After saying this, Lin Fan saw Da Niu pick up the tongs at lightning speed, and in less than a few seconds, the plates in his hands were piled up like a small mountain.

Standing next to him, Lin Fan's lips twitched. Fortunately, he was wearing a mask so he didn't have to worry about being recognized. No matter how embarrassing it was, it was 'Little Black's' people who were embarrassed.

But before Da Niu could take two steps, a security guard stopped him, saying, "Excuse me, food is not allowed in the auction hall. It might soil the clothes of other guests. Please understand."

Da Niu looked down at the "mountain of pastries" in his hand and froze. "Then all of this is going to waste!"

Seeing that the security personnel showed no intention of making an exception, Da Niu paused for a few seconds, then reluctantly handed over the tray.

The group went down the stairs.

As they went deeper, the cold metal walls around them gradually disappeared, and were then replaced by a glass partition.

When he finally reached the bottom, Lin Fan was instantly stunned.

Before me was a huge circular venue, with dazzling white lights overhead illuminating the entire underground space as if it were daytime.

Su Wanqing led the group to sit in the front row. Da Niu sank into the seat comfortably as soon as his butt touched it.

"My goodness, this chair is more comfortable than my bed!"

Lin Fan glanced around and, seeing that there were still many empty seats, couldn't help but ask, "Strange, why are there only people from our hall? Where are the people from the Starlight Hall?"

Su Wanqing, who was standing to the side, explained, "These seats were originally prepared for people in the two halls, but the items being auctioned this time are different from those in the past."

Su Wanqing paused for a moment, then continued, "Those who can enter here either have status or strength. To avoid unnecessary trouble, we didn't let the people from the Starlight Hall in."

"What about them? Aren't they going to participate in the auction?" Lin Fan asked.

Su Wanqing pointed to the ceiling, "They're still up there. The auction will be synchronized via live projection, so they can see everything here and participate in the bidding, but..."

"Thump"

Before Su Wanqing could finish speaking, a clear bell rang out, and the lights in the entire auction hall slowly dimmed.

A beam of light shone on the central circular stage of the hall, and an auctioneer in a formal suit walked up with a smile.

"Welcome, distinguished guests, to the New World Foundation Auction. The auction is now officially open."