Chapter 88: The Auction

The System never did figure out what Tang Chen was planning. But the very next day, it fully grasped just how ruthless Tang Chen could be.

The reason? The night before, Tang Chen had used Huang Tao’s Weibo account to upload a video. Huang Tao’s fans eagerly clicked on it, expecting a message from their idol. Instead, the video opened with unmistakable moaning sounds. Then it showed a man and woman enthusiastically performing a love scene.

The fans were stunned. Spectators were shocked. Oh my, was Huang Tao sharing this kind of video openly on his public Weibo? He was working in Korea, not Japan. Why do something so explicitly vulgar?

But attentive netizens soon spotted something wrong. Wait—wasn’t the diligent male lead in the video none other than their Tao? And…wasn’t that woman whose cries rivaled a legendary Japanese AV actress, that Zheng Xiaoshuang?

Holy crap! What the hell’s going on? Huang Tao was cheating with Zheng Xiaoshuang? Fine, maybe they were having an affair, but how could they possibly upload such a video publicly? People share romantic moments, but never this kind!

Comments immediately flooded in. Huang Tao’s Weibo became completely overrun by fans and onlookers.

“Holy crap! What’s happening? Did that Zheng Xiaoshuang cheat on someone with Huang Tao?”

“No! Tao Prince! You can’t do this to us!”

“So jealous of Zheng Xiaoshuang. To be favored by the Tao Prince…and wow, the Tao Prince is strong! He lasted a whole ten minutes.”

“Hey comment above, you must be a hater! Don’t bash him like that.”

“Damn it! I always suspected something between Zheng Xiaoshuang and Huang Tao. It’s true!”

“I can practically see the green glow shining from Hu Xiaobing’s head!”

Huang Tao and Zheng Xiaoshuang instantly became internet celebrities. Their scandal dominated online discussions the entire day, easily claiming the top spot on Haosou’s hot searches—achieving the level of fame even Wang Feng himself always struggled to reach.

Needless to say, their management companies were frantic. Mentally cursing the pair half to death, they raged: Damn it! If you want to cheat and carry on secret affairs, that’s one thing! But to brazenly upload that online? That’s just wrong! You might not care about shame, but our company does!

Sure, some staff suspected foul play. But what good was that theory? Who would believe them? The video clearly showed the pair enthusiastically “fighting.” To call it a setup was like slapping their own faces; no “set up” pair would be that cooperative!

As for Huang Tao and Zheng Xiaoshuang, they remained blissfully unaware, wrapped together asleep in bed. Their ringing phones failed to wake them. The incident led to Huang Tao being frozen out by his agency, SM. Zheng Xiaoshuang was fired. Forced by necessity, she later resorted to…less prestigious film roles…

“Hahaha!” Tang Chen sat before his computer, roaring with laughter as he watched Weibo explode. Awesome. This was true satisfaction. Killing those fools would have been too quick. Ruining their reputation—this was real revenge.

“Esteemed Host,” the System cut in, unable to bear Tang Chen’s smug, gloating expression any longer.

“What? Spit it out.” Tang Chen was in an amazing mood, even sipping coffee—something he never drank before.

“Esteemed Host, this System must remark… you really are wicked.” Truly, the System hadn’t imagined the Host ordering it to hack Huang Tao’s Weibo for this purpose.

It also had to applaud Tang Chen’s cunning. Though often foolish, the Host had shown genuine smarts here. He didn’t post it through his own account. Using Huang Tao’s made it look like Huang Tao himself had shared the video—a deliberate, perverse act.

That move… was brutal.

“Wicked your sister! The Young Master was just letting off steam! Not killing that loser was already generous! Besides,” Tang Chen retorted with eyes shining, completely unashamed of his shamelessness, “The Young Master practically helped them make the headlines.”

“Tang Chen! What are you laughing about so early?” Yang Mi emerged from a room wearing pajamas, stretching her body with a seductive look.

Tang Chen grinned, turning the computer screen towards her and recounting the story. Yang Mi giggled too, giving him a knowing glance. “Tang Chen… you didn’t do this, did you?”

Tang Chen stiffened slightly, adopting a serious face. “How could that be? Does the Young Master seem like that sort of person? Huang Tao must have had a habit of recording such videos! Pretty wild, though, broadcasting his own… inadequacy… online. Now everyone knows Huang Tao is just a ten-minute man.”

Yang Mi flushed crimson at Tang Chen’s crude talk and shot him an exasperated glare. “Tang Chen! Could you please speak more politely? You’re such a pervert!”

Tang Chen shrugged nonchalantly. “Bad boys are more attractive,” he quipped.

After breakfast, they headed out for school. Yang Mi asked inquisitively about his car. Tang Chen lied that it was in the shop for repairs, which she accepted readily.

Students in the class were already used to Tang Chen’s daily tardiness. Having zero interest in lectures today, Tang Chen kissed Yang Mi openly in front of everyone… and then promptly skipped class right under everyone’s gaze.

Tang Chen sought out Fang Wenxin to get an update on the gang. Fang Wenxin reported everything was quiet; even the mysterious third gang showed no movement. Tang Chen was puzzled. Were they truly indifferent to Zhongmen Society absorbing the Small Knife Society? Or…did they have other plans?

Unable to figure it out, Tang Chen pushed the thought aside. He left the school. Third Master Chen called, reporting the Bar had been renovated and asking if Tang Chen wanted to inspect it. Tang Chen said he’d come later, and Third Master Chen readily agreed.

“Where to now?” Tang Chen mumbled. Without drama, life was truly boring.

Perhaps Old Man Heaven sensed Tang Chen’s boredom, because his phone rang. Pulling it out, Tang Chen saw it was Boss Pang.

“Hey, Old Pang? What’s up?” Knowing Boss Pang wouldn’t call without reason, Tang Chen got straight to the point.

“Young Master Tang! There’s an auction today. Would you care to join me?” Boss Pang asked cautiously.

“An auction? Selling what? Your underwear?” Tang Chen quipped casually, nearly causing Boss Pang mental anguish over the line.

Boss Pang explained hurriedly, “It’s like this, Young Master Tang—didn’t I mention wanting to buy land for a branch store? There’s a prime location up for auction today. It’s likely to be expensive though. So… I thought I’d invite you along. Are you free?”

Tang Chen recalled the conversation. “Fine. The Young Master is bored anyway. And… come pick me up.”

Boss Pang sounded confused. “Young Master Tang? Don’t you have your own car? Last time I offered, you said my ride was shabby…”

The corner of Tang Chen’s mouth twitched. “The Young Master prefers a low profile. You get it. Hurry up. I’ll be at the school gate.” He hung up.

Boss Pang was speechless. Low profile? You’re about as subtle as a firecracker in a library, Young Master! Seriously! But he dared only to grumble inwardly. He obediently went to drive himself. When his chauffeur offered, Boss Pang scolded him: Driving Young Master Tang was a personal duty! A mere chauffeur wasn’t worthy enough for Young Master Tang’s status and… flair.

Boss Pang arrived quickly, clearly not wanting Tang Chen to wait. Stopping the car in front of Tang Chen, he got out. “Young Master Tang, sorry for the wait.”

Tang Chen waved it off with a smile. “No problem, let’s go.” He slid straight into the front passenger seat.

On the road, Tang Chen asked, “So, Old Pang. This piece of land is really good?”

Driving, Boss Pang nodded. “Yes, Young Master Tang. It’s in Scenic Garden. It’s a large plot, beautiful surroundings all around. I’ve been scouting for ages. Because it’s prime real estate, though, there will be fierce bidding. It’ll be tough.”

Tang Chen gave an indifferent “Oh.” He didn’t fully grasp it all. “Just as long as it’s prime territory,” he declared grandly. “Price? No issue. No matter how many bidders there are, the Young Master will crush them all with cash until they back down!”

Boss Pang looked utterly stunned. Such a blusteringly lavish statement? Only Young Master Tang could make it. And only Young Master Tang actually had the means to back it up.