**
Lin Fan left the hospital after a brief visit. Before departing, he reminded Bai Shishi to call him if anything went wrong, worried that Chu Ying might stir up trouble for her.
Heading to the underground parking lot, Lin Fan reached his car just as he noticed a Mercedes-Benz nearby rocking rhythmically.
*Crunch!*
Lin Fan's eyes widened in shock.
A *car fight*?
This wild?
The ever-curious Lin Fan hopped into his Lamborghini Huracan.
*VROOM!*
The engine's roar echoed through the garage, startling the two people inside the Mercedes. The man froze, wincing in pain as he stopped mid-motion. The woman, face flushed, looked concerned. "You okay?"
The man shook his head, grimacing. "I'm fine, just… startled. Shrank back a bit."
"Damn it!" he cursed, glaring out the window. "Who's the jerk pulling this stunt?"
Through the window, he caught a glimpse of a Lamborghini Huracan speeding off.
His progress bar had been *so close* to full, only to crash to zero. Rage boiled within him. *You're lucky you got away fast, punk, or I'd show you what's what!*
The woman hesitated before asking, "So… keep going?"
"Keep going? I'm too rattled to stand!" the man snapped, pulling on his clothes. "The banquet's starting soon. This event is critical for Dragon Leap Jewelry. We can't miss it."
---
Meanwhile, Lin Fan cruised out of the garage, chuckling to himself. *Should've recorded that! City folks sure know how to have fun.*
His phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. It was Zhou Momo.
"Busy?" Her voice was sweet, like a nightingale's song, tickling his ears.
"For you, Miss Zhou? Always got time," Lin Fan teased. "What's up? Big business deal?"
Zhou Momo laughed, playfully scolding him. "Didn't expect you to be such a smooth talker for a businessman."
Lin Fan grinned. "You're too kind. I might blush."
"Pfft, save the charm," she teased back, then got serious. "There's a banquet tonight. Every jewelry shop's bringing their top appraiser to scope out materials. You know how it is—spot a gem, and we snatch it up. I want you to come help us pick some good stuff. Got time?"
She added quickly, "Don't worry, we'll split any profits 50-50. You won't walk away empty-handed. And trust me, there's *plenty* of good stuff at this event. If you're as sharp as I think, you'll make a killing."
Lin Fan smirked. With his system, stone gambling was like free money. Why pass that up? "Send me the address. I'll be there in thirty."
Less than a minute later, Zhou Momo texted him the location: Tianhai Manor.
Tianhai Manor was one of the Magic City's most lavish spots, a playground for the elite. Lin Fan had been there once before—as a temporary waiter. He still remembered the supervisor who'd bullied him for being an outsider. *Wonder if that guy's still around.*
Shaking off the memory, Lin Fan gunned his Lamborghini toward the manor.
The Magic City's nightlife sparkled with promise, drawing dream-chasers like moths to a flame. This was the city that never slept, brimming with endless possibilities.
Tianhai Manor sat in the heart of the city's wealthiest district, where luxury cars like Rolls-Royces and Lincolns lined the lots, making BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes look ordinary. When Lin Fan arrived, a valet promptly took his car.
Stepping into the manor, he was surrounded by sharply dressed guests, each radiating wealth and status. Then, a familiar figure waved at him—Zhou Momo.
"You're quick!" she said with a grin. "My dad's been dying to meet you. If you impress tonight, we'll have plenty of chances to work together. Don't let this opportunity slip!"
Lin Fan rubbed his nose, amused. With his system, missing an opportunity like this would be a crime. Still, he played it cool. "I'll do my best."
Zhou Momo's eyes dimmed slightly, misinterpreting his modesty. *He's probably just lucky with stones. No one's a true genius at this game—it's all a gamble.* She'd hoped Lin Fan would shine for Zhoufu Jewelry, but now she wondered if she'd overhyped him. Still, he'd helped her before, so inviting him was only fair.
"Let's go," she said, brushing off her doubts. "The banquet hasn't started yet. I'll introduce you to our appraiser first."
Lin Fan nodded, and they walked off together.
---
At that moment, a black Mercedes pulled into the lot—the same one from the garage "incident." A man and a woman stepped out. The man, with streaks of gray in his hair, had sharp, lively eyes, hinting at his charm in his youth. The woman, in her thirties but looking twenty, wore a stunning red evening gown, though a faint water stain marred its hem.
After handing the keys to the valet, the man took her arm, striding toward the manor. But he froze mid-step, his gaze locking onto a familiar Lamborghini Huracan.
His eyes blazed with fury.
*Gotcha!*
After all that searching, he'd found his target.
*Kid, you're in deep trouble now!*
---