TGA Chapter 80

In the villa’s living room, Chu Qianli was excitedly gathering information about G City. Although she had seen its scenery in many films before, the feeling of visiting it in person for the first time was entirely different.

He Zhenghe sat on the sofa, sipping tea. Hearing his daughter humming a tune and sensing her cheerful mood, he chuckled and said, “Qianli, you haven’t really traveled much before, have you? How about I take a leave from work and go with you?”

Chu Qianli shook her head obediently. “No need. Dad, don’t take time off—focus on working hard and making money.”

“Alright, alright, no time off…” He Zhenghe couldn’t help but laugh. “Then how about letting Mom go with you?”

Chu Qianli’s eyes lit up. She looked toward Yu Shen and tentatively asked, “Mom, can I bring a suitcase full of gold bars? Or maybe a suitcase full of cash?”

Yu Shen asked in confusion, “Why do you suddenly want to bring gold bars?”

“In movies, transactions are always done by stacking a whole suitcase of cash on the table, or lining up rows of gold bars!”

Thinking of scenes from gangster films, Yu Shen found it amusing and said, “That’s just an exaggerated cinematic effect. Nowadays, people use credit cards or mobile payments.”

Chu Qianli asked, “But if I’m bidding against someone, do I just swipe my card?”

Yu Shen nodded. “Yes. But what exactly do you want to buy that requires bidding?”

“I don’t know, but if I see something there, I might need to buy out the entire auction house,” Chu Qianli said as an example. “Isn’t that a common trope in TV shows? The protagonist wants to buy something but gets looked down upon, so they turn the tables and purchase the whole store!”

Yu Shen was instantly amused by Chu Qianli. She couldn’t understand the bizarre thoughts in her daughter’s little head and asked, “You want to buy an auction house?”

“Yes! Maybe I’ll need to buy something like Christie’s or Sotheby’s?” Chu Qianli didn’t know many famous auction houses, only remembering the names Tan Muxing had once mentioned.

He Zhenghe clapped his hands in admiration. “That’s impressive! Qianli has grand ambitions—going straight for acquiring the most famous auction houses!”

Yu Shen didn’t discourage her daughter’s whimsical ideas; she simply found them amusing. She coaxed, “Telling me won’t help—Mom can’t afford to buy an auction house. You might want to ask your brother instead.”

He Shichen, who was reading financial news: “?”

Yu Shen continued, “Honestly, I don’t think it’s great that the family has bought so much astronomy equipment, but since you’ve all earned your own money, I just let it be.”

Yu Shen gave her children a regular allowance but had sometimes wondered if their obsession with buying gold was a bit excessive. However, since it was their own money, she saw no reason to criticize Chu Qianli and He Shichen.

“You’re about to travel to G City, so I’ll go to the bank soon to exchange some money for you. But Mom really doesn’t have the funds to buy an auction house. If you insist, your brother will have to cover it,” Yu Shen said with a smile.

He Shichen: “……”

Hearing this, He Shichen strongly suspected that his mother was taking out her frustration over their gold-buying spree on him. He muttered in resignation, “Mom, you… aren’t you being a little too sly?”

Chu Qianli, however, was immediately distracted and decisively declared, “Alright, then! That means my brother still owes me an auction house. Just find time to make up for it!”

He Shichen gritted his teeth. “When did I ever owe you that?!”

Chu Qianli was like someone from a rural village visiting Starbucks for the first time—she had no idea how expensive fancy city coffee could be. So, she planned to bring enough money to buy the entire Starbucks (?). Even though those around her tried to persuade her that Starbucks wasn’t exactly high-end, she insisted on being prepared.

After some playful crying, complaining, and rolling around, Chu Qianli finally got the travel funds she was happy with, letting go of the overworked “money-printing machine” that was He Shichen.

In the living room, He Shichen transferred the money at last, buying himself some peace and quiet. His face was dark as he returned to reading the news.

He Zhenghe idly struck up a conversation. “Shichen, what are you reading? Finance again?”

“No, government policies,” He Shichen replied coldly. “Experts are still encouraging childbirth. These people have obviously never raised kids.”

“Haha, well, isn’t Qianli a little expert now? Someone even sent me a local news report about her the other day.” He Zhenghe pulled out his phone to show him. “I looked at the picture, and sure enough, there she was.”

“Dad, the moment you called her an expert, I suddenly understood exactly how those so-called experts think.”

Not long after, Tan Muxing and Chu Qianli met up as planned. She had brought along plenty of luggage, looking very eager for the trip.

Tan Muxing had already heard about the dramatic scene at her house. Now, seeing her with all her bags, he sighed with a wry smile. “I thought we were just flying over to buy something?”

He assumed they were simply going to find the missing Red Crystal Tarot cards, but Chu Qianli was carrying herself like she was going to buy out the entire auction house.

Chu Qianli quickly explained, “But it’s G City! A luxurious and decadent metropolis!”

Though she had traveled to other places before, it had never been for leisure. This time, the excitement was different.

Tan Muxing hesitantly said, “Ah, but actually… my family usually only stays in G City for two or three days at most. To be honest, there’s not much to do—it’s just some shopping. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed…”

“Your family visits G City often?”

“Yes, my mom usually flies there in the morning, finishes shopping, and comes back the same day—sometimes without even staying overnight.”

“Isn’t that way too rushed?”

“She says it’s just the right amount of time.”

The chauffeur, Uncle Qi, got out of the car, helped load Chu Qianli’s luggage, and then opened the door for the two of them.

Chu Qianli quickly thanked him, then suddenly realized she hadn’t seen Tan Muxing’s luggage. Curious, she asked, “Where’s your stuff?”

“I already had it packed and sent ahead.”

Chu Qianli found that a little odd. As she looked out the window at the passing scenery, she recalled Tan Muxing mentioning he had arranged their trip. A suspicion formed in her mind. “Are we flying there?”

“Yes, it’s only a little over three hours.”

“What’s our flight number?”

“Uh…” Tan Muxing hesitated, his tone uncertain. “Hold on, let me check.”

Moments later, Chu Qianli realized why the big fluffy bear had no clue about the flight number—he usually traveled by private jet!

When he had been working on an engineering project, he had accompanied Pan Yicheng and Chu Qianli in business class, staying “humble” for once. But now, finally, he didn’t have to act “ordinary” anymore!

Sitting inside the luxurious private jet, Chu Qianli took in the complete set of entertainment facilities around her. The spacious and lavish cabin felt just like home—comfortable and extravagant. She was utterly shocked. “No wonder Auntie can go back the same day. For you guys, flying is just like taking a car ride.”

Even a luxury car had limited space, whereas this private jet was far more open and relaxing.

Chu Qianli suddenly had an epiphany. “I get it now! Rich people make G City trips feel like an afternoon tea outing. The key is to cultivate that leisurely, unhurried vibe—then casually mention they fly back the same day, like it’s nothing!”

Tan Muxing’s face turned slightly red. Feeling flustered, he tried to reassure her, “If you want to stay a few extra days, that’s fine too. I just worry that you might find G City boring…”

“Everything is fun when you have money.” Chu Qianli admired the jet’s interior, then rubbed her chin in thought. “I should’ve asked my brother to buy one of these instead.”

Tan Muxing immediately felt a chill run down his spine and quickly said, “…Don’t.”

“Why not? It seems really convenient.”

Feeling sympathy for the soon-to-be-bankrupt He Shichen, Tan Muxing gently persuaded, “If you ever want to fly, just let me know. You don’t need to buy one just for that.”

He truly feared He Shichen would break down.

—

In G City, rows of skyscrapers lined the coast, forming a modern jungle of steel and concrete. Inside the towering office buildings, countless business elites in suits gathered in spacious conference rooms for video meetings.

Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the vast ocean stretched endlessly, while inside, everything remained silent and orderly.

The snake and apple metal emblem on the wall gleamed under the sunlight, symbolizing the Monderson family.

On the giant screen was a middle-aged man brimming with energy. His features carried a hint of mixed heritage, his hair was flaxen, and he appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties. Though impeccably dressed, he exuded a shrewd air, with eyes sharp as a hawk’s.

This man was named Lin, a member of the renowned Monderson family and one of the few publicly known members. His name had appeared on multiple global wealth rankings.

“The New Era Project is progressing smoothly. I’ll be coming to G City soon. Is Zhuoqu still in A City?”

Shi Zhuoqu was caught off guard by the mention of his name. He quickly adjusted his collar and responded in English, “I just arrived in G City yesterday.”

“Good. Since you’re already there, I have a task for you,” Lin said. “It seems that Rosia has put a sample stone up for auction. Find a way to retrieve it as soon as possible.”

Rosia was another well-known auction house, holding a status in the industry similar to that of JoaGarde.

The others in the meeting were startled. “Has the sample stone been stolen and sold?”

“I don’t know where the leak came from yet,” Lin replied. “But the New Era Project cannot be revealed at this time. Zhuoqu, recover the sample stone as soon as possible. I’ll pick it up when I arrive in G City.”

Shi Zhuoqu immediately agreed. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, “May I ask when you will be arriving in G City?”

Lin cast a sidelong glance at him with his sky-blue eyes—gaze as cold as if it had been forged in ice. He replied calmly, “Why? Do you need a long time for this task?”

Shi Zhuoqu hurriedly answered, “…No, I just wanted to confirm the date to deliver the sample stone to you.”

“Sometime this week. I’ll contact you when I arrive.”

“Understood.”

After the meeting ended, Shi Zhuoqu wasted no time. He immediately dispatched people to check Rosia’s upcoming auctions, determined to complete the task before Lin’s arrival. Since he wasn’t sure of Lin’s exact schedule, he feared being caught off guard.

Meanwhile, Chu Qianli had just landed and was heading to her accommodations.

Inside a luxurious hotel, Chu Qianli followed Tan Muxing into the lobby, where they were immediately met by a rotund, wealthy-looking man. He had thinning hair, a ruddy complexion, and somewhat resembled a jovial Maitreya Buddha.

Jin Xiaoyuan was momentarily stunned upon seeing Tan Muxing. He only recognized him after checking with Qi Shu, then greeted him warmly, “Muxing? You’ve lost weight and look more handsome! You’re not the same as before!”

“I almost didn’t recognize you! You’ve really changed!” Jin Xiaoyuan’s Mandarin had a noticeable accent. He enthusiastically patted Tan Muxing’s shoulder. “I remember last year, you didn’t look like this!”

Tan Muxing felt a little awkward. “Uncle Jin, long time no see…”

“Why are you here alone? Didn’t you come with your grandmother?” Jin Xiaoyuan’s eyes suddenly landed on Chu Qianli, and he immediately showed a look of intrigue before winking. “And who might this be?”

“Ah, my classmate.”

“Oh, oh, oh! A classmate, I see, I see…” Jin Xiaoyuan gave an understanding smile and eagerly extended his hand. “Hello, classmate! Nice to meet you!”

Tan Muxing panicked. “It’s not what you’re thinking…”

Chu Qianli shook hands calmly. “Hello.”

Jin Xiaoyuan took the lead, eagerly offering to help with their luggage, but Qi Shu politely declined. Undeterred, Jin Xiaoyuan enthusiastically led the way for them.

“Are you planning to check out the auction items today, or do you want to rest and go tomorrow? I booked a private room at a restaurant in Central—great night views! Want to have dinner there?”

“Uncle Jin, there’s no need for you to go through the trouble. We’ll make our own arrangements…” Tan Muxing turned to Chu Qianli and asked in a low voice, “When do you want to go?”

Chu Qianli noticed Tan Muxing seemed reluctant to dine with Jin Xiaoyuan, so she helped him out by saying, “How about we go today?”

Tan Muxing subtly exhaled in relief, finally having a reason to decline Jin Xiaoyuan’s dinner invitation.

However, Jin Xiaoyuan wasn’t so easily deterred. He gave Chu Qianli a once-over before cheerfully suggesting, “That works too! You’ll need formal attire for the auction, though. Have you prepared anything? If not, I can have some dresses sent to the hotel for you to choose from!”

Tan Muxing felt even more uneasy. “Uncle Jin, there’s really no need…”

Jin Xiaoyuan waved him off. “It’s no trouble at all! I’ll send them to the young lady—just being a good host!”

Jin Xiaoyuan had just finished praising Tan Muxing for being more handsome, and now he was showering Chu Qianli with compliments, calling her “young lady” at every turn. It was as if he couldn’t say enough good things about them, practically putting them on a pedestal.

Tan Muxing was visibly uncomfortable. He clearly wasn’t good at dealing with people like Jin Xiaoyuan and was struggling to respond.

Behind them, Qi Shu, who was carrying their luggage, discreetly whispered an explanation to Chu Qianli, “He’s a local small-time boss, always eager to cozy up to Madam Tan but never found the right opportunity.”

Chu Qianli nodded knowingly. “I see.”

The Tan family had been wealthy for a long time and owned vast businesses. No matter where they went, they would inevitably attract people trying to curry favor with them.

Jin Xiaoyuan was one such person—one of the best at it, in fact. Every time he caught wind of the Tan family visiting G City, he would make a point to rush over, eager to serve. He was polite and ingratiating, making it difficult to outright reject him. On top of that, he had considerable influence in the local area, always managing to learn about their arrival in advance.

When Tan Muxing used to accompany his family on trips, he never had to personally deal with people like Jin Xiaoyuan. Now, facing a smooth-talking socialite alone, he was radiating silent cries for help.

People like Jin Xiaoyuan weren’t someone you wanted to get too close to. Accepting his gifts would immediately turn into an implied obligation, making things unnecessarily complicated.

But Tan Muxing couldn’t just rudely turn him away—after all, the man wasn’t doing anything blatantly wrong.

Chu Qianli watched as her big, innocent teddy bear of a friend struggled under the relentless enthusiasm of a seasoned networker. Amused, she found his discomfort rather entertaining and took a bit of schadenfreude in his predicament.

Jin Xiaoyuan, meanwhile, was still pressing the issue. “Young lady, what kind of dress do you like? I’ll have them all sent to the hotel for you to pick from!”

“Uncle Jin, really, there’s no need…”

“Why not? I’m gifting them to the young lady, not you! You can’t refuse on her behalf!” Jin Xiaoyuan declared righteously. “It’s her gift, not yours!”

Hearing this, Tan Muxing immediately shut his mouth, no longer knowing how to decline. Instead, he started calculating how to repay Jin Xiaoyuan once Chu Qianli inevitably accepted the dresses. He knew that the mischievous girl had no qualms about taking gifts—so now, he had to figure out how to settle the favor afterward.

Jin Xiaoyuan noticed his silence and immediately realized he had hit the mark. Delighted, he pressed on, “Young lady, what kind of dress material do you like? Diamonds? Pearls?”

Tan Muxing, now resigned to his fate, instinctively replied, “…She likes gold.”

“Oh, oh, oh! Just like me—someone who appreciates something solid and real!” Jin Xiaoyuan laughed. “Alright then, forget one set—I’ll send ten! Welcome to G City!”

Tan Muxing had assumed Chu Qianli wouldn’t refuse. To his surprise, she obediently shook her head and said, “I don’t want it.”

Jin Xiaoyuan mistook her reluctance for shyness and quickly reassured her, “Oh, young lady, don’t be so polite! You’ve come all this way, it’s just a small gift!”

“I’m really not being polite. It’s just that not just anyone can spend money on me.” Chu Qianli lifted her chin arrogantly and gestured toward Tan Muxing, her tone willful. “Whatever I want, he should buy. Not anyone else.”

Her attitude was haughty and utterly self-assured.

Tan Muxing hadn’t expected her to say that. His ears instantly turned red, and his face flushed bright pink!

Jin Xiaoyuan was momentarily stunned, but then he clapped his hands in realization and immediately apologized, “Ah, ah, that was my mistake! I overstepped my boundaries!”

Chu Qianli nodded calmly. “Shouldn’t you leave him some room to shine? You can’t just arrange everything for him.”

“You’re right, you’re right! I was overdoing it, my bad…” Jin Xiaoyuan quickly amended. “How about this—tonight, I won’t intrude. I’ll leave you young folks some space. Eat and drink all you want, put it on my tab! But as for gifts, I won’t interfere anymore. I won’t get in the way of Muxing spoiling his girlfriend!”

Tan Muxing, flustered, hurriedly waved his hands in protest, “Uncle Jin, that’s not—”

Chu Qianli shot him a dissatisfied glance. “Shouldn’t you be the one buying for me?”

Tan Muxing had originally wanted to explain their relationship, but the moment he heard her small complaint, his mind exploded like fireworks, blasting all his words into oblivion.

A few moments later, utterly embarrassed and burning up from his neck to his ears, he finally lowered his gaze slightly and mumbled, “…I should.”

I am just a novice translator and Chinese is not my native language. I try my best to translate the chapters as accurate as possible.
If there are any mistakes then kindly comment and remind me. Your support means a lot.