Chapter 72: A Foolish Dog That Doesn’t Know Its Place

Chen Xian paid no heed to the security guards eyeing him with hostility and answered the phone. “Hello, Mr. Mo.”

“Mr. Chen, have you arrived? Shall I come out to meet you?”

“I’m here, at the entrance of the villa. However, someone isn’t letting me into Baishan Manor. It seems I’ll have to turn around and go home.”

“Mr. Chen, what’s going on?”

…

Mo Shaocong, hearing Chen Xian’s reply, assumed he was just putting on airs. He barked coldly at the group of security guards, “What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and throw him out!”

At that command, the security guards prepared to act.

“Stand down, all of you!” came an aged yet vigorous voice.

Hearing this, the guards immediately halted and looked toward the interior of the villa’s entrance.

An old man in a black martial arts tunic, sunglasses perched on his nose, energetic and upright, strode out, flanked by several bodyguards in black suits.

This elder was none other than Mo Baishan, chairman of Baishan Group and master of Baishan Manor.

“Good day, Chairman Mo!”

...

As Mo Baishan walked past, those nearby greeted him respectfully.

He nodded in acknowledgment, striding swiftly to the entrance.

“Grandfather, why have you come out yourself? I can handle welcoming the guests out here,” Mo Shaocong said with a respectful smile.

Slap!

Mo Baishan’s response was a resounding slap across Mo Shaocong’s face.

Immediately, a bright red handprint blossomed on his cheek, burning with pain and leaving him dazed. He could not fathom why his grandfather had struck him.

The onlookers around widened their eyes in shock, unable to comprehend the scene.

What was wrong with Chairman Mo? Why hit Mo Shaocong?

“Grandfather, why… why did you hit me?” Mo Shaocong asked, feeling both baffled and wronged.

Mo Baishan jabbed a finger at his grandson’s nose and unleashed a torrent of scolding: “You blind fool, you ask why I hit you? I’ll tell you why—you offended my honored guest, Mr. Chen. Apologize to him at once!”

As he left the villa just now, he’d overheard his grandson trying to throw Chen Xian out.

Mo Baishan valued Chen Xian greatly. He knew this young man was by no means ordinary; befriending him was absolutely worthwhile, perhaps even an opportunity for himself. Having spent a lifetime navigating the business world, Mo Baishan prided himself on his keen judgment of people, and he was certain he wasn’t mistaken.

So, upon hearing his grandson attempt to expel Chen Xian, his anger flared, and he didn’t hesitate to slap him in front of everyone.

The assembled crowd stared in astonishment, murmuring in disbelief. This unremarkable, buzz-cut young man was truly Mo Baishan’s distinguished guest, and Mo Baishan had personally come out to greet him, even striking his own grandson.

Who was this young man, really? How had no one in H City ever heard of him before?

The beautiful Lin Meiqi’s eyes were wide with surprise, her mind racing: This Chen Xian is clearly not as simple as he seems. He must have secrets—no wonder Zhang Xin favors him so much!

Mr. Chen?

Mo Shaocong looked at Chen Xian, his emotions in turmoil. He had no desire to apologize, especially after having just lost his temper in front of everyone and tried to throw Chen Xian out. To apologize now would be to eat his own words, a humiliating reversal.

Put bluntly, it was like swallowing something he’d already spat out.

Seeing his grandson still frozen in place, Mo Baishan pushed up his sunglasses and said coldly, “If you don’t apologize to Mr. Chen within ten seconds, I’ll have your father freeze your bank accounts and expel you from the family!”

“I… I’ll apologize!” Mo Shaocong knew his grandfather’s word was law in the family, his iron hand unyielding. If he truly lost access to his accounts and was cast out, his comfortable days would be over.

He immediately walked up to Chen Xian, bowed at a ninety-degree angle, and said, “Mr. Chen, I… failed to recognize your status just now. I sincerely apologize. Please, be magnanimous and forgive me!”

Though he spoke these words, inwardly he seethed with resentment toward Chen Xian, but under his grandfather’s pressure, he dared not show it.

Chen Xian merely curled his lips in a slight smile, saying nothing as he watched Mo Shaocong maintain his deep bow.

Seeing this, Mo Baishan hurried forward, smiling apologetically. “Mr. Chen, it was my poor upbringing that resulted in such a disgraceful child. On my account, please forgive him this once.”

Since Mr. Mo was being so courteous, Chen Xian naturally relented. He patted Mo Shaocong’s head as an elder would scold a junior. “He’s just a foolish youngster. Let’s leave it at that today.”

With his strength greatly increased, having crushed the Xiong family with thunderous force and weathered a series of ordeals, Chen Xian’s heart had subtly changed, his character now tinged with a newfound dominance.

Mo Shaocong, still bowing, flushed bright red with humiliation but dared not protest.

Furthermore, he forced himself to say, “Thank you, Mr. Chen, for your forgiveness!”

“Haha, Mr. Chen, please come with me into the manor!” Mo Baishan beamed.

Chen Xian nodded, glancing at Zhang Xin and Old Master Zhang.

They understood and followed Chen Xian into Baishan Manor.

Zhang Xin walked beside him, her beautiful eyes sparkling with an unreadable emotion.

Only then did Mo Shaocong straighten up, watching Chen Xian’s departing figure, his expression growing ever more sullen and grim.

Lin Feng, Lin Meiqi, and Lan Chao came over to his side.

“Are you alright, Shao Mo?” Lin Feng asked.

Mo Shaocong said nothing.

Lin Feng, seeing his friend so deeply humiliated, tried to console him in a low voice. “Shao Mo, at the auction later, if you want, I can help you teach this Mr. Chen a lesson.”

Mo Shaocong nodded in agreement, unable to swallow the humiliation he’d just endured.

...

At 1:30 in the afternoon, Baishan Manor’s antique-style great hall was filled with distinguished guests and a lively buzz.

Just then, a glamorous woman in a peony-patterned cheongsam, slit high to her waist to reveal her fair, seductive legs, stepped onto the auction stage. Her beauty and poise immediately drew every man’s gaze.

“That’s Guo Xinzi, the four-in-one star of hosting, film, television, and music!”

“Old Mr. Mo actually invited Guo Xinzi to host!”

...

Many of the guests recognized the peony-clad beauty and began to mutter among themselves.

Her eyes swept over the guests with a charming smile, and in a voice as soft and sweet as silk, she said, “Hello everyone, I am Guo Xinzi. At Chairman Mo’s invitation, I am delighted to host today’s jade auction.”