Xiao Hailong had planned to seize this opportunity to curry favor with Bao Fugui, but to his utter shock, Bao Fugui suddenly kicked him flying instead.


He rolled on the ground several times before barely managing to sit up. Stunned and panicked, he stammered—


“Master Bao, what’s going on? There must be some misunderstanding…”


The crowd around them was equally dumbfounded.


“Isn’t this guy from the Xiao family? How did he end up offending Master Bao?”


“The Xiao family is already struggling in Jinling. Now that they’ve angered Master Bao, they’ll have an even harder time surviving!”


Whispers and murmurs spread, with many watching eagerly, enjoying the spectacle of Bao Fugui beating down Xiao Hailong.


Bao Fugui glared down at him, snorted, and spat—


“Misunderstanding? Misunderstand my ass!”


Then, with another vicious kick, he sent Xiao Hailong howling in pain.


Still unsatisfied, he stepped onto Xiao Hailong’s chest, his face filled with fury—


“You idiot, do you even know who you’ve offended?”


Xiao Hailong was completely bewildered—


“I… I didn’t offend anyone, Master Bao! I swear, I’m being framed—”


SMACK! SMACK!


Bao Fugui slapped him twice, his voice booming with rage—


“You bastard! The two people you dared to offend were our Miss Song’s distinguished guests! Even if I kill you, it won’t be enough!”


Turning to his staff, he roared—


“Drag this bastard out and beat the hell out of him! From today onwards, the entire Xiao family is banned from stepping foot in Zhenbao Pavilion! If any of them try to enter—break their legs!”


Xiao Hailong was immediately swarmed by security, who rained down punches and kicks on him.


After a savage beating, they grabbed him by the arms and threw him out of Zhenbao Pavilion like garbage.


He lay bruised and bloodied, shivering in fear, unable to even speak.


He had completely ruined everything for the Xiao family.


He never imagined that Ye Chen was actually Song Wanting’s guest!


How could that useless piece of trash possibly know the eldest daughter of the Song family?!


Why… why would she treat him with such respect?!


Ye Chen Leaves—Only to Be Stopped


After leaving the venue, Ye Chen drove his father-in-law Xiao Changkun home.


But in the car, Xiao Changkun kept sighing and shaking his head.


“Ye Chen… I have to say, if you couldn’t get an invitation, that’s fine, but why steal someone else’s?”


Ye Chen frowned.


“Dad, the invitation was real. Those people just looked down on us.”


Xiao Changkun scoffed, clearly frustrated—


“If you had any real ability, they wouldn’t have dared to treat us like that! At the end of the day, it’s because you’re too weak, too useless!”


Ye Chen sighed, shaking his head, choosing not to argue.


Just then, a Rolls-Royce came speeding up from behind, overtaking them before slowing down and stopping by the roadside.


Ye Chen knew that whoever was in that car was here for him, so he pulled over as well.


As the door of the luxurious Rolls-Royce swung open, a pair of graceful, long legs stepped out—


Song Wanting.


She approached, her expression filled with apology, and said—


“Mr. Ye, I deeply regret what happened at the auction just now. It was my mistake in handling things. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”


Ye Chen shook his head—


“It wasn’t your fault. Zhenbao Pavilion just needs to discipline their employees better.”


Song Wanting immediately said—


“Mr. Ye, I’ve already dismissed the manager involved. Please, let’s return and continue the auction. What do you think?”


But Ye Chen declined without hesitation—


“No need, Miss Song. My mood was ruined by a few pesky flies. I won’t be attending today’s auction. Perhaps next time.”


Song Wanting felt even more guilty—


“I truly apologize, Mr. Ye.”


Then, she retrieved a small wooden box from the car and handed it to Ye Chen.


“This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it as an apology.”


The moment Ye Chen took the box, he felt a surge of spiritual energy from within.


His eyes flickered—this was no ordinary item.


Since he could sense its value, he decided not to refuse.


Seeing Ye Chen accept the gift, Song Wanting continued—


“To make up for today’s incident, I will postpone the auction. I’ll have Bao Fugui thoroughly reorganize Zhenbao Pavilion’s team and host a new auction. When that time comes, I sincerely hope Mr. Ye and Uncle Xiao will attend.”


Xiao Changkun was completely stunned.


He finally recognized this woman—


She was the Song family’s eldest daughter, the same person who had intervened at Jiqingtang the last time he accidentally broke a priceless antique.


But… why was she treating Ye Chen with such immense respect?


She even paused the entire auction just for him?


Was it really just because he repaired her antique?


Xiao Changkun’s entire view of Ye Chen began to shift.


Could his son-in-law be more than he seemed?


Ye Chen could tell that Song Wanting was truly sincere, so he nodded lightly—


“Alright, when the new auction is scheduled, we’ll come and support it.”


Xiao Changkun quickly echoed—


“Yes, yes! We’ll definitely be there!”


Song Wanting smiled—


“Then I won’t keep you any longer. Again, I sincerely apologize for today.”


After a final apology, she bid them farewell and left.


A Mysterious Gift—What’s in the Box?


As soon as she drove away, Xiao Changkun pointed at the wooden box in Ye Chen’s hands, excitedly saying—


“Ye Chen! What did Miss Song give you? Open it up and let’s see!”


Ye Chen nodded and lifted the lid.


Instantly, a wave of rich spiritual energy poured out.


It was so potent that even Xiao Changkun felt slightly energized just by standing near it.


“Huh? What is that?”


Xiao Changkun leaned in and stared at the object inside.


It was a chunk of blackened wood, about the size of a fist, rough-textured, still coated with bits of dirt.


At first glance, it looked like a piece of charcoal.


But the moment Ye Chen saw it, his heart trembled in astonishment.


Song Wanting really went all out this time!


Xiao Changkun examined the wood for a moment before frowning—


“I thought it was some kind of treasure, but it’s just a piece of wood?”


Ye Chen chuckled—


“Dad, it may look ordinary, but it’s incredibly rare.”


Xiao Changkun, still skeptical, asked—


“What exactly is it?”


Ye Chen explained—


“This is Lightning-Struck Wood.”


Xiao Changkun nodded—


“Oh, the kind of tree that gets hit by lightning? I’ve heard of that before. But isn’t that pretty common in the mountains? What makes this one so special?”


Ye Chen smiled—


“Ordinary trees struck by lightning are common, yes. But this particular piece is different—it has turned charred and gem-like, meaning it was hit by an extraordinarily powerful heavenly thunderbolt, something that happens maybe once in centuries.”


“Moreover, this isn’t just any tree—it’s from the heartwood of a ‘Blood Dragon Tree,’ the king of trees.”


Xiao Changkun waved him off, unimpressed—


“I don’t believe it. Who would pay good money for a burnt piece of wood?”


Ye Chen simply smiled.


This wasn’t just valuable—according to The Nine Heavens Scripture, it could even be refined.


But Xiao Changkun wouldn’t understand that.


So, Ye Chen quietly closed the box and put it away.