Chapter 18: Just Talking Nonsense
A-Li and A-Mei let their imaginations run wild following Yang Ning's words, gradually picturing those female celebrities with ultra-short, flat bangs. It really did look as he described—a long-haired eggplant!
In an instant, a chill ran down A-Li and A-Mei's spines!
This wasn’t beauty, nor was it trendy. It was downright disfigurement! They could straight-up play the role of a female ghost in a horror movie!
Just as Yang Ning said, even thinking about it was creepy!
Suddenly, a thought struck A-Li and A-Mei at the same time. Just who was this seventeen- or eighteen-year-old guy? How could he hide his depths so well?
An ordinary person?
What a joke!
Could an ordinary person with no insight say something like this? Could they make the two of them feel inferior?
If that were true, then all their years studying abroad would have been for nothing!
“Also, I recall you mentioned that Chanel is releasing a new perfume. I think it’s definitely not the romantic follow-up type you spoke of. Romantic was a commemorative perfume launched for Chanel’s 100th anniversary. Even if they were to release a follow-up, it would be at a grander, more significant occasion, like the 110th anniversary or something. That’s at least five or six years away, right?”
A-Li and A-Mei exchanged glances, sweat starting to bead on their foreheads.
In their minds, they cursed up a storm. Did Zheng Yukang have a screw loose? Why drag them into this mess as pawns, only to let them make fools of themselves in front of someone with such refined taste?
How embarrassing!
Utterly humiliating!
At this moment, the two women felt like they were sitting on pins and needles, their faces alternating between pale and flushed. They nearly cursed out Zheng Yukang’s entire female lineage.
“And didn’t you say you were going to see some diamond on display at a big exhibition, called the Heart of the Deep Sea, right?” Yang Ning asked with a half-smile.
“Yes, Sir. Are you interested as well? Why not join us and go together?”
A-Mei and A-Li, like obedient students, looked at Yang Ning with awe, unconsciously addressing him with the utmost deference.
“I’m definitely not going. And by the way, I’ll remind you that while the diamond might be real, it’s certainly not the Heart of the Deep Sea. It’s probably just using the name to attract attention and create some buzz and hype.”
Yang Ning shook his head and smiled. “The Heart of the Deep Sea first appeared after the Napoleonic Wars, acquired by Solomon of the Rothschild family. The second time it surfaced was during World War II, after which its whereabouts remained unknown. It wasn’t until a few years ago that Sotheby’s auction house officially auctioned off this diamond, and it was bought by an unknown private buyer abroad. Generally speaking, private buyers don’t publicly display their collections, especially not some foreigner coming all the way to our Huaxia just to show off their wealth. That sounds way too childish.”
Bang!
“Young Master Zheng, we just remembered we have urgent matters to attend to. We’ll be leaving now. Thanks for your hospitality!”
A-Li and A-Mei abruptly stood up. A person needs dignity just as a tree needs bark. They couldn’t stay here any longer—it was too humiliating.
Before leaving, their words didn’t even spare Zheng Yukang a glance, and their tone carried a hint of resentment.
Watching A-Mei and A-Li leave Hailan Celestial Melody without giving him any face, Zheng Yukang’s expression turned extremely ugly. At the same time, he scrutinized Yang Ning with a mix of suspicion and uncertainty, as if trying to see through him.
Not long after A-Mei and A-Li left, Lin Manxuan casually found an excuse to decline Zheng Yukang’s offer to see them off, leaving Hailan Celestial Melody together with Yang Ning.
As the elevator doors closed behind the two, Zheng Yukang’s face gradually twisted into a ferocious grimace. At that moment, a man with a lazy demeanor slowly approached from a distance and plopped down beside Zheng Yukang.
“Find out everything about that guy. If it’s not too much trouble, just take care of him directly,” Zheng Yukang said. It had been a long time since he’d been so humiliated.
The man stretched lazily. “No problem.”
Zheng Yukang only knew that this man had been his grandfather’s bodyguard in life, and after his grandfather’s death, he was tasked with protecting him. As for the man’s background, Zheng Yukang had no clue—not even his real name. All he knew was that the man went by a codename: Poison Fang.
Of course, to Zheng Yukang, none of that mattered. He was only interested in Poison Fang’s abilities.
As for loyalty?
Come on, what era are we in?
Nowadays, a person’s loyalty is measured by whether you can offer a price worth their allegiance. As the sole legitimate heir of the Zheng family, raised with a golden spoon in his mouth, the only thing Zheng Yukang lacked was one thing: safety!
That’s right, safety!
From childhood to adulthood, he had always been the brightest star in his family. But as the saying goes, a tall tree catches the wind. He was well aware of how many people schemed against him behind the scenes.
If he were to die, he was certain many would wake up from their dreams with a smile.
So, ever since he became sensible, he did everything with ruthlessness, just to warn those coveting his family’s wealth or even plotting to harm him that he wasn’t a soft persimmon to be squeezed at will!
“Who did you hear all that from?” In the car, Lin Manxuan asked casually.
“Hear what?” Yang Ning didn’t catch on at first.
“All that stuff about clothes, perfume, hairstyles, and whatnot.”
“Oh, that.” Yang Ning shrugged nonchalantly. “Just talking nonsense.”
Lin Manxuan’s slightly curious expression froze. She looked at Yang Ning seriously and realized he didn’t seem to be lying. She was instantly speechless.
What on earth was this?
Just spouting random nonsense, and yet he managed to turn the other side from confident to insecure?
Could this be the legendary realm of bluffing without a draft, winning without a sword when the opponent has one?
“That gem at the exhibition—you were just making that up too, right?” Lin Manxuan didn’t know how to describe this guy.
“Not that one.” Yang Ning chuckled. “I actually saw the Heart of the Deep Sea not too long ago. Left quite an impression.”
“As if I’d believe you!” Lin Manxuan was even more speechless.
Yang Ning touched his nose, muttering to himself about how people these days were. They believed lies but refused to believe the truth. They always went on about how ancient people were honest and never lied, often saying, ‘The ancients did not deceive me.’
Holy crap, are you sure you haven’t been fooled? Maybe they dug a huge pit for you to fall into long ago, and you’re still happily counting the money after being sold out.
Back at the villa, it was already two in the afternoon. Little Loli was napping on the sofa, while Dongfang Fei’er leaned nearby, watching TV.
“Yo, the little handsome guy is back?”
What a vixen!
Yang Ning grumbled inwardly. He didn’t believe this bombshell of an elegant lady really wanted anything from him. She was just teasing him out of habit.
Lin Manxuan followed him in, seemingly already used to Dongfang Fei’er’s carefree personality, not finding anything amiss.
“Here, I said I’d give this to you.” Lin Manxuan stuffed the Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle into Yang Ning’s hands.
Just like that?
He had originally thought he’d miss out on this valuable snuff bottle, but unexpectedly, things took a turn, and this happiness came way too fast!
“What’s this?” Dongfang Fei’er asked, full of curiosity.
“A snuff bottle. Worth a couple hundred thousand, I guess,” Lin Manxuan replied casually.