CHAPTER 5: AN EVENING OUT

The exclusive auction house of the Chen Family occupied the entire top floor of an eye-catching tower in T City's financial district.

From the outside, the building looked like an impregnable fortress, one that could stand and shield against anything.

As for the inside, it was indeed worthy of being the place where the ultra-wealthy came to flex their financial muscles.

Tang Lin stepped out of the private elevator, her pencil heels clicking softly against the marble floor, barely audible.

"Good evening", the elevator staff greeted cautiously as he watched her step out.

"Hello," she gave a curt nod and walked forward with a slight sway to her hips.

She had almost forgotten about this event for which she had been invited some four months ago, until Zhou Qing reminded her.

If it were any other regular engagement, she would have sent back a simple apology, saying it was unfortunate that she could not attend or there was some inconvenience.

However, this was the Chen house invitation and not going would mean not giving Mr. Chen any face and that was definitely not her style.

So, she had swiftly rummaged through her wardrobe in search of suitable outfits, and matching accessories.

She had to show up.

"I can get in touch with Blissful and have something ready for you in an hour," Zhou Qing, her assistant who stood by witnessing her dilemma, spoke up.

Tang Lin thought about it briefly and agreed. After all, if anyone could get her dressed to perfection for the occasion, it would be Blissful.

They were not one of the best fashion stylists in the industry for nothing.

Her pockets would feel the pinch of having them dress her, but it would totally be worth it.

"Okay. You make the arrangements."

"Of course," Zhou Qing responded with a smile and got to it.

The result of hours of Blissful's elite stylist's grooming plus the hole burnt in her pocket was now evident.

She was quite the sight and could easily stand out in a sea of people.

When she got to the door, the security men offered a polite, detached smile of welcome, then proceeded to ask to see her invite.

"We would like to have a look at your invitation card, please."

Tang Lin could hear a few exaggerated gasps and whispers from the people close by.

She paid them no mind. She had existed in this circle long enough to know that they were just looking for the next exciting thing to hehe and hawhaw about.

"Not a problem. Here."

She calmly handed the invitation card that was mostly black with her name and the Chen Family logo embossed in gold on it.

Immediately, the hum died down significantly as the people hanging around the door of the auction house threw curious glances at the security.

Necks stretched and eyes strained, trying to get a glimpse of Tang Lin's invite which looked significantly different from the regular ones they had seen earlier.

The security guard's eye flickered with surprise and light shock, then recognition before he handed the card back to her, bowing respectfully.

"So it's an esteemed guest of Mr. Chen. Miss Tang, please go ahead."

He even made sure to step aside to let her pass.

"Do enjoy your evening."

Up until Tang Lin took back her invitation card and stepped into the hall, the gossipy people had yet to come to their senses.

They were so stunned that the uproar the encounter should have elicited from them failed to come.

Perhaps only happening in their minds.

When they could finally react, they only caught a glimpse of her straight and slender back as she headed deeper into the hall.

Sigh.

"It must really be nice to be so outstanding at such a young age. Even the invitation card is different from that of ordinary people".

These were the thoughts that filled the minds of most of the fifteen or so people standing in the lobby area of the auction hall.

Unfortunately, Tang Lin could not hear their thoughts, neither could she be bothered to pay them any mind.

All that she had laid out for tonight, was to get through the night in one piece.

Basically, she needed to make sure to greet everyone she was supposed to, check out some antiques, join a few other antique lovers to exchange information and appreciate some pieces.

Then she would be done. And she would immediately head home.

Hopefully.

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. You know you can always do this.

She reached out to adjust the high collar of her qipao-themed evening dress.

It was a modern interpretation in deep caramel silk with very complicated black embroidery that highlighted her slender, lithe frame.

At a glance, it was easy to tell that the dress was perfectly tailored. It had subtle slits that stopped a few inches away from her mid-thigh, allowing her to move freely.

The slits were high up her thighs enough to be almost decadent, but low down enough to let her maintain an air of elegance.

Holding her hair up in a tight and sophisticated updo was a vintage bronze hairpin that looked striking against her hair.

Surprisingly, it was one of the very few genuine antiques she owned personally despite having very frequent and constant contact with all kinds of antiques pieces from different times periods.

The event tonight was the Summer Solstice Auction Preview, easily one of the most anticipated events in T City's high society calendar

And it was not without good reason.

It was a tradition that started nearly four decades ago by old Mr. Chen and was being currently run by his only son, Chen Weiming for the past twenty years.

Only a few hundred people got invited yearly, with the special black and gold VIP cards like the one Tang Lin had being quite rare.

Getting one wasn't just a matter of money. One had to have strong roots and stronger influence to qualify since this was where all the most valuable antique pieces were shown off before the main auction - some being displayed for the first time ever.

This year was said to be extra special because Chen Weiming was rumored to have secured something exceptional, maybe even on the level of a national treasure.

The main hall was meticulously decked out with all kinds of antiques and decorative pieces. It was clear that the Chen Family had gone all out at a glance.

There were crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, throwing warm light over the creme of T City's crop.

Waiters in crisp black uniforms moved about efficiently between guests, handing out flutes of champagne and delicately done fruit desserts.

Subtle hints of sandalwood incense, a Chen Family signature fragrance floated in the air.

Apparently, the aim for it was to evoke a sense of ancient tradition among the invitees.

Tang Lin moved through the private viewing room with the practiced ease of one who had been in such settings one too many times.

"Pleasure to see you."

"Good evening."

"Pleasant evening."

"Good to see you…"

Tang Lin would smile and nod politely, offer a few words and keep it moving.

She was careful to interact a bit with every acquaintance she saw but subtly avoided extended conversations.

Her reputation afforded her this luxury, after all everyone knew how highly and steadily she was rising through the ranks due to her exceptional skills and being a stickler for her bottomline.

Giving her space if she did not want to engage did not seem too much.

It was a matter of giving her face as much as it was doing their best to avoid getting in her bad books.

Close to the floor to ceiling window on the east side of the room, a few young heirs to various sizable fortunes gathered, talking and laughing a bit too loudly.

Their outfits looked expensive, but somehow turned out gaudy, their limited edition watches constantly catching the light as they gestured.

They were very likely the nouveau riche, second or third generation wealth who had most likely never experienced hardship.

They were clearly not very familiar with these kinds of scenes which explained their somewhat awkward behaviors.

Tang Lin observed how the older guests actively kept their distance to avoid any bad press… their judgment was evident in the tight furrow of their brows.

"Miss Tang!"

A woman in her fifties approached and called out, successfully grabbing her attention.

The woman's smile was genuine beneath her exquisitely done makeup.

Tang Lin did a quick scan of her memory and remembered that she was Ma Qi, the widow of a popular real estate developer and a prominent collector of Ming Dynasty pieces.

"What a delight it is to see you here. I heard about your assessment saving Yang Corporation from an eleven-million-yuan embarrassment the other day. You sure are impressive".

Tang Lin arched her brow politely. "Mrs. Ma. It seems like news travels fast in our circles."