Chapter 035: The Court-Seized Siheyuan

"What's the catch?" Lu Yuan handed Liu Feiyan a sparkling water, grinning. "You mentioned liking these last time."

"...Thanks." She stiffened, caught off guard by his memory, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Once seated, Liu Feiyan straightened her tablet. "This siheyuan is a court-seized property."

"Court-seized?" Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Foreclosure?"

"Yes. Originally owned by Yu Feihong, founder of Jinyan Cosmetics. Debt defaults forced liquidation."

"Any other red flags?"

"Just higher transaction fees. Starting bid: 230 million."

"Only 230 million?" Lu Yuan scoffed. "I thought these courtyards went for billions."

Liu Feiyan's eyelid twitched. 'Only'?

"Auction's in two days," she said tightly. "A 50-million deposit allows preview access."

"Where do I wire it?"

One Hour Later

"50 million just to look?!" Cheng Xiao clung to Lu Yuan's arm as their Rolls navigated Beijing's labyrinthine alleyways.

"It weeds out clowns who'd bid 10 billion for laughs," Lu Yuan said, nodding at the Guangliang Gate ahead—a vermilion monstrosity fit for Qing dynasty royalty. Twin drum stones flanked the entrance, carved with five lions symbolizing "five generations under one roof."

"It's...magnificent," Cheng Xiao whispered, tracing the gate's gold-trimmed "auspicious blessings" door plaques. Winter-bare wisteria vines skeletonized the entrance corridor.

A staff member emerged, skepticism melting into deference at Lu Yuan's name. 50-million deposits buy smiles.

Courtyard Chronicles

Beyond the marble lotus screen wall, the first courtyard unfolded: flagstone paths weaving between jujube trees, their naked branches clawing at grey skies. Cheng Xiao's gasp echoed through the moon gate leading to the main quadrangle—a symphony of carved railings and corridor frescoes depicting pine-bamboo-plum "Three Friends of Winter."

"Brother Lu, look!" She dragged him to the west wing, where three rooms had been gutted to create a 25-meter indoor pool, its empty basin gleaming like a dragon's sarcophagus.

"Now this," Lu Yuan smirked, "beats any penthouse."

The east wing juxtaposed tradition and modernity—a Michelin-star-worthy kitchen beside Ming-style lattice windows. But the crown jewel lay beyond the main hall: a koi-stocked lagoon encircling an octagonal pavilion, its reflection rippling across carp-dotted waters.

"Interested in the property?"

They turned. A woman in a camel cashmere coat stood framed by the moon gate, her smile sharp enough to slice jade.

System Note: Court auctions often attract vultures—developers, heiresses, and speculators who smell blood in distressed assets.

Lu Yuan's grin turned feral. "Depends. Are you here to bid or waste my time?"

To Be Continued...