Chapter 1: The Auction

10:00 AM.

Sky Dome Port Land Trading Center.

The air in the auction hall was taut as a drawn bowstring. He Qiuting sat in the front row, his slender fingers resting on the bidding paddle as his gaze swept over the plot information displayed on the screen.

[Ripple Capital Plot X, starting bid: 8.5 billion.]

This land parcel was the core hub of the entire Ripple Capital area and a crucial component of He Qiuting’s long-term strategy. Even at a steep premium, he had to secure it today.

As the auction began, the auctioneer stepped onto the stage. “Bidding increments of 50 million. Please bid with your numbered paddles.”

A representative from Zhouhai Group was the first to raise their paddle. “9 billion.”

A hushed murmur rippled through the venue. A 500-million jump was a typical move for state-owned enterprises it demonstrated strength without prematurely revealing their bottom line.

“Ansheng Properties, 9.2 billion.”

9.5 billion.

9.8 billion.

“10 billion,” another bidder continued.

The soft clicking of keyboards filled the auction hall…

He Qiuting calmly reviewed the analytical data his assistant handed him, giving a slight nod. Then, from the row behind and slightly to his left, a lazy, magnetic voice cut through the tension.

“11 billion.”

The hall fell into abrupt silence.

The 1-billion jump was like a blade slicing through the sluggish bidding pace. Several representatives from small and medium-sized real estate companies quietly lowered their paddles.

All eyes turned to the second row. Among the mostly older executives, a young man sat at the far end, wearing a gray suit without a tie, casually raising his paddle.

His silver-gray short hair stood out sharply, meticulously styled to reveal his forehead and sharp, almost aggressive eyebrows. Though his posture was relaxed and somewhat improper, his every movement exuded an innate nobility that required no affectation.

He was the only person in the room without a team of analysts.

More startling than his looks or age was the number on his paddle 99 which at that moment carried the intimidation of a loaded gun.

Paddle 99 meant CL Capital.

It also meant the financial world’s youngest genius, the Touch of Gold: Lu Shun.

He Qiuting glanced sideways, briefly meeting the gaze of the audacious young man before looking down with a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

If he had to describe Lu Shun’s professional prowess in one phrase, it would be: Heaven-sent talent.

Not just talent it was as if the heavens had decided to serve him all the finest meals in the world, blatantly playing favorites.

The second son of the financial dynasty, the Lu Consortium.

At 18, he earned his first hundred million trading Bitcoin.

At 20, he graduated early from a top U.S. business school.

At 23, he shorted American pension funds, earning him the title “financial terrorist” from local newspapers.

After returning to China, he renounced his inheritance of the family empire and founded CL Hedge Fund, chasing high-risk, high-reward thrills with an almost inhuman acuity. The returns on his investments were staggering.

Each of his exploits read like legend. Who would have thought that at just 26, he had already become a bellwether moving capital markets?

Lu Shun’s high-profile entry amplified market confidence, convincing everyone that this land held hidden value beyond conventional metrics.

A representative from a Hong Kong-funded company decisively raised their paddle, eyes filled with unwavering determination. “12.8 billion.”

The price had far exceeded the valuation of the land plot, once again sparking heated discussions in the auction hall.

This was like flour becoming more expensive than bread clearly, no one would continue bidding further, as everyone believed the price was already a foregone conclusion.

Just then, Lu Shun leisurely raised his bid placard.

12.85 billion.

The smallest possible increment, a precise snipe.

Simultaneously, his fingers glided across his tablet, directing the trading room to sell off Hong Kong capital-linked stocks, applying heavy pressure on the opponent’s funding chain.

The Hong Kong capital representative wiped sweat from his brow, already understanding what this bid meant.

They had thought the figure of 12.8 billion was enough to intimidate any competitor, never expecting Lu Shun had seen through their hand and knew 12.8 billion was their psychological limit.

If they matched the bid now, it could expose the strain on their funding chain. Failing to secure the land ultimately meant only missing out on some profits, but if Lu Shun publicly dissected their funding chain, the consequences would be unthinkable…

The air hung silent for a few seconds before He Qiuting, seated in the front row, finally stirred.

“14 billion.”

The moment his voice rang out, the entire auction hall erupted in an uproar.

The Hong Kong capital representative turned ashen; this price precisely shattered their 13.8 billion stop-loss line.

Others present also wore expressions of astonishment, unable to believe the land plot could command such a high premium.

A faint smile touched Lu Shun’s lips as he stood and left the venue early, leaving behind a trail of murmurs.

“CL Capital actually conceded?”

“Lu Shun isn’t foolish with such severe overvaluation, there’s no need to force a confrontation. But He Qiuting… securing it at 14 billion means he’ll have his hands full dealing with the aftermath…”

“Could it be related to his father, He Jiyun? I heard it was because he was outmaneuvered in the Ripple Capital project back then that…”

He Qiuting’s fingers trembled almost imperceptibly, dark undercurrents swirling in the depths of his eyes.

At fifteen, his family had fallen from grace. He witnessed his father leap from a building, his body shattered beyond recognition.

The following year, his mother remarried. Before leaving, she told him, “You can either come with me to the new family, or disappear forever like your father.”

He Qiuting chose to stay with his grandmother, guarding a suicide note and a stack of financial documents his father left behind papers he couldn’t understand at the time.

The adults said Old He had snapped due to a broken corporate funding chain, mishandled high leverage, and couldn’t withstand the violent fluctuations…

Back then, He Qiuting didn’t understand their words what funding chains or leverage meant.

He only knew that stack of documents was critically important to his father, the trigger that changed his temperament and led him to death.

His father’s suicide note contained only two lines:

First line: Qiuting, Dad is sorry.

Second line: Losers don’t deserve to live.

【Losers don’t deserve to live.】

This powerless resignation in the face of self-abandonment became He Qiuting’s mantra, a constant reminder that he must win.

Every step must end in victory.

“Cloud Horizon Real Estate, 14 billion for the first time, 14 billion for the second time…”

After the auctioneer’s third call, the gavel fell. “Sold for 14 billion to Cloud Horizon Real Estate.”

…

He Qiuting rose expressionlessly, his dark eyes calm and unreadable, revealing no trace of emotion.

At the auction hall entrance, reporters swarmed forward, countless lenses converging on He Qiuting from all directions.

A face with sharp, defined features appeared so strikingly handsome in the high-definition camera that it seemed almost unreal. His cool, pale complexion accentuated his already exceptional facial features, making them even more dazzling even in the entertainment industry, he wouldn’t lose out in comparison.

“President He, you’ve secured the prime land in Ripple Capital for 14 billion. Could you share your thoughts on this?”

“Aren’t you concerned about the risks associated with this land?”

“President He, the initial land payment requires 4.2 billion. Will Cloud Horizon face financial pressure?”

“Could you reveal the development direction of this project?”

“President He, rumors suggest you bid on this land because of your father. Would you like to comment?”

…

He Qiuting raised a hand to loosen his tie slightly and spoke into the nearest microphone: “Cloud Horizon never engages in loss-making ventures. The true value of this land will become clear in three months.”

After speaking, he politely made his way through the crowd and walked toward the exclusive passage, followed by a flurry of camera flashes.

By the time he had confirmed the details with the auctioneer and signed the transaction agreement, most of the reporters had already dispersed. He exited through the back door and spotted Lu Shun’s sports car parked by the roadside from a distance.

The flashy license plate matched the car’s owner both were undeniably ostentatious.

The car window was half-lowered, and a hand with distinct, well-defined knuckles hung lazily outside, holding a half-smoked cigarette between its fingers.

He Qiuting walked over, his black suit jacket already removed and draped over his arm. Dressed in a shirt and a neatly knotted tie, he maintained an upright posture and dignified demeanor, even with no one around to observe him.

Lu Shun usually detested such rigid, uptight individuals, but when these traits appeared in He Qiuting, he found them irresistibly captivating the more he observed, the more enthralled he became.

He couldn’t help but imagine stripping away all those stifling layers with his gaze.

“Congratulations, President He,” Lu Shun said with a beaming smile as he rolled down the window further. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing the sharp lines of his throat and collarbone.

“Fourteen billion that’s quite the bold move. It’s enough to make Cloud Horizon the talk of the industry.” Lu Shun raised an eyebrow, gazing at him appreciatively. “Our President He looked exceptionally handsome today.”

He Qiuting lowered his eyes. “Did you ask me to come here just to compliment me?”

Lu Shun chuckled. “Of course not. I wanted to remind you that the bubble valuation for this land is significant. If policies tighten in the second half of the year, your cash flow could look pretty grim.”

He Qiuting replied, “So?”

“So,” Lu Shun stared directly into his eyes, blunt as ever, “if the market crashes, I’ll be the first to dump Cloud Horizon’s bonds.”

Lu Shun was a businessman the kind who showed no mercy when it came to profit.

That was what He Qiuting believed at the time.

“Then you’d better pray I never fall,” He Qiuting leaned in slightly, his breath brushing against Lu Shun’s ear. “Otherwise, your fund would suffer considerable losses from my collapse too.”

As he finished speaking, He Qiuting’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. A sharp pain twisted in his stomach, and he instinctively pressed a hand against it, rubbing slowly.

It was probably due to the cold buffet at the auction house.

He Qiuting had always had a sensitive stomach it ached when he ate cold or spicy food, when his meals were irregular, and often when he was under work pressure or staying up late.

But He Qiuting paid it no mind. He wasn’t the delicate type; aside from occasional stomach pains, he rarely fell ill or felt unwell.

Everyone knew He Qiuting was passionate about two things: work and fitness. But what they didn’t realize was that He Qiuting only truly loved work he exercised solely to maintain the energy and stamina needed to work more effectively.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Shun asked, his nerves tightening as he watched He Qiuting bend over while leaning against his car door. “Stomach pain again?”

“It’s nothing.” He Qiuting waved a hand dismissively, exhaled deeply, and straightened up, instantly regaining his usual upright posture. “I’m fine now.”

“Really… really fine?” Lu Shun eyed him skeptically, one hand already hovering near the glove compartment. “Don’t brush me off.”

Inside the compartment were unopened stomach medicine, heating patches, and an electric kettle all items Lu Shun had prepared long ago.

Yet He Qiuting had never used any of them.

“Really fine,” He Qiuting stated firmly.

Lu Shun’s throat moved slightly as he withdrew his hand and asked quietly, “Coming home for dinner tonight?”

As he spoke, Lu Shun averted his gaze, deliberately feigning nonchalance. “Since your stomach’s been acting up, Aunt Zhang could make you…”

“Not tonight. I have a project to review.”

He Qiuting cut him off, glancing at his watch. “I need to go.”

“Fine. I have things to do too.” Lu Shun curved his lips into a faint smile, gripping the steering wheel as his fingers unconsciously tightened.

It was hard to believe they were lovers sometimes even he struggled to believe it.

They’d known each other since childhood, moved in overlapping social circles, and maintained contact online during their years abroad. But they’d only officially become a couple three years ago.

To be precise, Lu Shun had returned from the United States specifically for He Qiuting.

They were the kind of couple who could share meals, sleep together, and share intimacy yet their business interests forced them to keep their relationship hidden. Just today, Lu Shun had helped He Qiuting secure a land deal. If they were publicly known as partners, it would never have been so straightforward.

In public, when they met, their handshakes never lasted more than three seconds. Only when He Qiuting left the office and returned home could they resume their roles as lovers.

But He Qiuting rarely came home especially since Hong Kong investors had set their sights on the Ripple Capital project. He’d become completely consumed by work, almost obsessively so.

Lu Shun’s mind flashed back to their last shared meal and night at home had that really been a month ago?

Lu Shun had always been a free spirit, but now he cherished the sense of belonging that home represented. More specifically, he loved seeing a softened He Qiuting in loungewear, reading, thinking, or eating fruit by the window in the gentle sunlight.

He loved He Qiuting this was something he’d never doubted.

Yet this love seemed to be fading through their so-called “time apart.” Lu Shun had to admit that this cliché was proving true in their relationship.

Annoyed, Lu Shun slammed the accelerator. The engine roared as he sped past He Qiuting.

Their silhouettes one human, one automotive overlapped and separated like two sharpened blades.

He Quitting paused mid-step, watching the sports car disappear from view before lifting a hand to steady himself against a nearby pillar, slowly bending over once more…