Chapter 037 I Want to Be an Internet Celebrity

"Why do you say that?" Lu Yuan asked curiously.

"Because someone else is determined to acquire this courtyard house too," Yu Feihong replied, her voice laced with bitterness.

"Oh?" Lu Yuan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Care to elaborate?"

Yu Feihong fell silent for a moment before sighing softly. "There's nothing to hide, really. The other person who wants this property is my fiancé, Zou Tianlei."

"Your fiancé?" Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't that be…?"

"A good thing, right?" Yu Feihong's smile turned icy. "If Zou Tianlei were a decent man, I'd gladly let him inherit my grandfather's home. But…" Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper, "He's scum. The kind of scum I'd kill with my own hands if I could."

Lu Yuan studied her clenched fists but didn't press further. Instead, he reassured her, "Don't worry, Ms. Yu. If Zou Tianlei plans to win this bid purely with money, you can rest easy."

Yu Feihong blinked in surprise.

Lu Yuan's meaning was clear: he wasn't short on funds. In Beijing—a city where land was more precious than gold—few could casually produce 230 million yuan in cash, let alone someone as young as Lu Yuan. Who exactly is this man? she wondered, though she kept the question to herself.

After a beat, Yu Feihong nodded. "The Zous have some political influence, but Tianlei's just a spoiled second-generation heir. This… vendetta against me won't mobilize real power. You'll be safe."

Lu Yuan accepted her assessment. Not that he needed it—his true confidence lay in the Nightmare Talisman hidden in his inventory. If Zou Tianlei dared move against him, Lu Yuan would strike first. And with the courtyard's purchase promising more system rewards? Let the fool try.

After parting ways with Yu Feihong, Lu Yuan and Cheng Xiao resumed their shopping spree.

"I can't believe Jinyan Cosmetics collapsed so fast," Cheng Xiao marveled, scrolling through news about Yu Feihong's former company. Once a rising star in China's beauty industry with a 2-billion-yuan valuation, Jinyan had mysteriously imploded six months prior.

"My guess? Zou Tianlei's fingerprints are all over this." Lu Yuan pulled up corporate records. "Look—his Skyline Investments took a 10% stake in Jinyan three years ago, right after her grandfather died. Now? They control 53%."

Cheng Xiao gasped. "So when Ms. Yu said she 'sacrificed the company's future' to keep the courtyard…?"

"She walked into a trap," Lu Yuan confirmed.

"Ugh, corporate warfare sounds terrifying." Cheng Xiao clung to his arm, her curves pressing against him. "I'd rather stay your pampered songbird. No boardroom battles—just makeup and pretty dresses!"

Lu Yuan chuckled at her lack of ambition.

That evening at the Waldorf Astoria, Liu Feiyan did a double-take upon seeing Cheng Xiao. Another beauty? Does this man collect women like Pokémon cards?

Lu Yuan ignored her raised eyebrows.

Later, nestled in the presidential suite's sprawling bed, Cheng Xiao nuzzled Lu Yuan's shoulder. "Brother Lu… school starts tomorrow. I don't want to go."

"It's just five days," he soothed, playing with a strand of her silky hair.

"Five eternities." She pouted, doe eyes glistening. "Will you miss me?"

"How could I not?" He tweaked her earlobe. "My Xiao's too adorable to forget."

Satisfied, she sighed. "But those classmates… their whispers still itch under my skin."

"Anyone bullies you, call me immediately." His voice hardened. "I'll handle it."

"It's not that bad now." She traced circles on his chest. "Just… what if I quit school? My grades are hopeless anyway. Even a degree won't earn me more than nightclub tips."

"And do what?"

Her eyes lit up. "Be a streamer! All those influencers just shake their assets on camera. I can do that way better!"

Lu Yuan hesitated. "Knowledge is still—"

"Hear me out!" She sat up, sheets pooling at her waist. "If I fail, I'll crawl back to your golden cage. No loss!"

He relented. "If that's your dream… I'll support it."

"Thank you, thank you!" She peppered his face with kisses.

"But—" He caught her chin. "You're attending class this week. Use the time to think carefully."

"Promise!" She crossed her heart.

The next morning, as Lu Yuan watched Cheng Xiao disappear into her school gates, a gruff voice barked behind him:

"Hey, punk! What's your deal with my daughter?"