Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

"Aunt Wenjin?"

As expected, Wu Xie's expression immediately changed upon hearing this name.

Leaving aside the fact that the Yangshi Lei's blueprints involved the Zhang Family Ancient Building, how did they end up being associated with Chen Wenjin?
"You really do know everything! Hu Ming, you're truly all-knowing these days!"

"I've never told anyone except Xiuxiu about Chen Wenjin sending me videotapes all these years. I'm very curious, how did you know?"

Huo Xiangu's expression changed, and she stared intently at Hu Ming.

"I"

Hu Ming smiled slightly, as if he wanted to say something more.

suddenly
"Clang~~~!!!"

A simple yet melodious bell rang out from outside the room.

"Alright, the auction is about to start, let's talk about these trivial matters later, shall we?"

Upon hearing the bell, Hu Ming fell silent and smiled at Old Madam Huo.

At the same time, the young man who had gone away returned with a huge backpack.

The backpack was bulging and full of things.

"Uncle Ming, Madam, I'll take my leave now!"

Seeing this, Xiaohua stood up and took her leave from the crowd.

Xiaohua has her own private room, and now that the auction is about to start, it's about time she went back.

After Xiaohua left, the group didn't linger. They crossed the screen in the room and went to a stage at the back for watching a play.

The space behind the screen is not large. In the center is a small root-carved table with a set of purple clay teaware on it, and on either side are two simple and rustic mahogany chairs.

The old lady gave Hu Ming a provocative look, then took the seat on the right without hesitation, and leisurely looked at the host on the central stage.

"Uncle, please don't mind. After all, Grandma is the most senior and the oldest. This only chair should be for Grandma."

Huo Xiuxiu came to Hu Ming's side, gave an embarrassed laugh, and said...

The old lady's move was to use her age and seniority to suppress Hu Ming.

To be honest, this move was really boring.

"It's alright. After all, they're elderly, so young people should definitely be considerate. Besides, there's still a seat here, isn't there?"

Hu Ming smiled slightly, not caring at all. He walked slowly to the seat on the left, threw his backpack at his feet, and sat down leisurely amidst the horrified gazes of the crowd.

"What's going on, Uncle Ming? Is there something special about this chair? Why do I feel like everyone else's eyes are suddenly looking at me strangely?"

Seeing the horrified looks on the faces of the women behind Old Madam Huo, Wu Xie asked blankly.

It's just a chair, is it really that big of a deal?
"Look around carefully, nephew. Apart from me, are any of the chairs on the left side of the tables occupied?"

Hu Ming smiled slightly, propped his head up with one hand, and yawned rather lazily.

I was quite exhausted last night, and I'm actually feeling sleepy right now.

Wu Xie and Fatty exchanged a glance and looked around.

Sure enough, all the chairs on the left side of the platform arranged in a circle on the third floor were empty!
"Hu Ming, you and Yin Nanfeng have a close relationship, and now you're practically half the owner of the Crescent Hotel. I don't believe you don't know the rules here!"

"What, you want to follow in the footsteps of the Buddha back then and light a sky lantern?"

The old lady of the Huo family frowned deeply.

The only item auctioned today—the Ghost Seal—was something the old lady used for fishing.

Now that Zhang Qiling has appeared, the old lady has achieved her goal.

This item is of great importance, and the old lady really had no intention of selling it; she wanted to buy it back herself.

but
"Why not?"

"I'm actually quite interested in that thing. Although it's not very useful to me, it'd be nice to keep it at home as a decoration!" "As for the old lady who lights sky lanterns, I've traveled all over the country over the years and have accumulated some savings. You don't think I don't have the means to light sky lanterns, do you?"

Hu Ming smiled noncommittally.

"You're great!!!"

The old lady's face had turned completely dark as she stared intently at Hu Ming and spoke slowly and deliberately.

She realized that Hu Ming was only here to cause trouble!
If this thing falls into Hu Ming's hands, it will be a real problem. Huo Xiangu really has no confidence in getting it back.

Just then, a bell rang from downstairs.

The auction is about to officially begin.

The curtains on the entire floor were drawn one by one, and suddenly it was completely dark all around.

The central giant chandelier was turned on, and the magnificent light and shadow created a dazzling effect. The old utensils, carpets, and curtains suddenly became very dim and gorgeous under this light.

An auction stage and display stands were quickly set up on the stage. A staff member went on stage and started adjusting a microphone, while others were adjusting the lights.

Soon, the noise below grew louder and louder, and the equipment was finally set up.
Sheng Sheng Man changed into a cheongsam and served as the emcee for this auction.

"The auction is about to begin. Please leave if you are not a guest. We are about to close. Please keep quiet. The staff may begin distributing the auction register and collecting handprints."

"Second Master, what's wrong?"

With a sweep of his gaze across the room, Sheng Shengman keenly spotted Hu Ming sitting on the left. His expression changed, his mouth moved slightly, and he whispered in disbelief.

She knew that Hu Ming's hearing was far superior to hers, and that he could definitely hear this level of sound.

"It's alright, slow and gentle, everything will be done according to the rules. Oh, by the way, could you ask someone to help me light the sky lantern?"

Hu Ming smiled slightly and said in a low voice as well.

"??? No, Uncle, who are you talking to? Sky lantern? What sky lantern are you talking to?"

"Is he planning to burn me alive because I'm so greasy?"

The fat man stared blankly at Hu Ming, who was talking to himself.

That is.

"...What are you thinking about? Calm down and watch."

Hu Ming chuckled, shook his head, and said with a smile.

This sky lantern isn't the kind the fat guy thinks it is!
……

……

"Miss, Second Master..."

Meanwhile, in another room, a servant girl also dressed in a cheongsam noticed Hu Ming and Sheng Sheng Man's conversation across the room and whispered to Yin Nanfeng for instructions.

"Just light the lamp for Uncle Ming as per the rules!"

"Or do you doubt that your second uncle is qualified to light the lamp?"

“Even if Uncle Ming is broke, my money is Second Master’s money. It’s just a Ghost Seal. My Yin family can’t afford to light a mere sky lantern. Besides, that guy’s wealth is so great that I probably don’t even need to lift a finger.”

Yin Nanfeng's lips curled up, revealing a charming and alluring smile.

Nearly a century ago, it was there that Zhang Dafoye lit sky lanterns, spent a fortune, and ultimately married off Yin Xinyue, the eldest daughter of the Yin family.

Now, more than half a century later, Hu Ming is lighting a sky lantern in the same spot. How could Yin Nanfeng not be pleased?
"Perhaps this is a tradition of the Yin family—lighting sky lanterns and kidnapping the eldest daughter of the Yin family?"

Thinking of this, Yin Nanfeng's smile grew even brighter, naturally alluring.

Regardless of his motives, Hu Ming's act of lighting the sky lantern made Yin Nanfeng even more eager for it.

She hoped that one day, Hu Ming would snatch her away from the Yin family, just like Zhang Dafoye.