Chapter 84 Lin Fan, You Really Are Hungry!

At that moment, a commotion erupted outside. Everyone turned to look, only to see a short-haired beauty in a silver gown, exuding a breathtaking, regal aura, walk in with poise and confidence.

“Wow, it’s actually Lily Li! I didn’t expect her to attend this charity auction!” Ouyang Qi exclaimed as she recognized the newcomer.

Lin Fan was equally surprised. They had only met once before, and it was unexpected to encounter Lily Li again tonight.

He shot a sidelong glance at Ouyang Qi. If this woman knew he lived next door to Lily Li, she would surely pester him for an invitation to stay over for a few days.

Lily Li was present tonight merely as the spokesperson for the event’s sponsors and soon headed upstairs.

Seeing that everyone present was a well-known figure in Hangzhou’s business community, Lin Fan realized that the system’s charm value task had real significance.

“Let’s head in as well. The auction is about to start,” Su Juanmo said seriously.

The venue was an enormous banquet hall, lavishly decorated, with guests seated around circular tables.

To Lin Fan’s surprise, the Su family had brought more than just Su Juanmo and her two companions—there were several others as well.

No sooner had they sat down than a bespectacled man next to Ouyang Qi fixed Lin Fan with an unflinching stare.

“Su Juanmo, your taste is appalling. How could you choose such an ordinary man? Compared to Young Master Zhou, he’s not even in the same league! Tsk tsk, your judgment is as poor as your abilities!” the man sneered without restraint.

Su Juanmo retorted coldly, “Su Qianlong, no one will think you’re mute if you keep quiet!”

“Hmph! Am I wrong? Big brother, what do you think?” Su Qianlong snorted in displeasure and turned to the handsome, star-like man beside him.

“Qianlong’s not wrong. Juanmo, you’re the Su family’s cherished daughter, a renowned businesswoman in Hangzhou. How could you settle for an average guy? At the very least, your match should be from a family on par with ours, don’t you think?” The man grinned, his tone laced with mockery.

Neither spared Lin Fan a proper glance.

Lin Fan sat expressionless, saying nothing. From the moment he took his seat, he could feel the hostility from the Su family members—everyone except Su Juanmo and her two friends.

He recognized these Su family members from online profiles. The bespectacled man was Su Qianlong; the handsome young man beside him was Su Mingxuan, his brother. Both were sons of the Su family’s patriarch’s second son, Su Shisheng.

The patriarch had three sons in all: Su Hengyu, Su Shisheng, and Su Jie. Su Juanmo, being older than her peers, was the family’s treasured daughter—nearly thirty and still unmarried, a matter often gossiped about by the elders.

Next to the brothers sat Su Shisheng and his wife. Tonight, the Su family’s two most powerful branches—those of the patriarch’s eldest and second sons—had turned out in force.

Lin Fan recalled some rumors he’d read online: the second branch had long coveted the family’s leadership and had joined forces with Su Yan’en’s maternal relatives, securing influence and shares in the Su Group.

Ouyang Qi’s family, the Ouyangs, were actually relatives from Su Juanmo’s maternal side.

Each generation of the Su family married into distinguished clans or prominent families. Yet this very strategy bred fierce internal rivalry within the vast Su Group. Though they appeared harmonious, they were constantly scheming against each other.

Especially now, with Lin Fan seeking to invest in the Su Group’s hotel chain, the entire family opposed him. If Su Juanmo succeeded in saving the hotel, the patriarch would likely promote her to the board, undermining Su Shisheng’s ambitions for the family headship.

For this reason, Lin Fan had decided to change tactics: rather than investing, he would let Su Juanmo take a step back to advance later.

Now, the Su family knew all about Lin Fan. Realizing he had money but no influence, they assumed he was trying to curry favor with them and looked down on him.

As for the “Young Master Zhou” they mentioned, he was actually Su Juanmo’s ex-boyfriend, Zhou Jiayi, the scion of a top Shanghai family. He and Su Juanmo met while studying in America and dated for three years, but she broke it off upon realizing he was nothing but a playboy, remaining single ever since.

By bringing up Su Juanmo’s past in front of Lin Fan, the brothers were clearly belittling him.

Yet Lin Fan’s face remained utterly composed, betraying no emotion—his feelings hidden behind a calm exterior.

“Don’t mind them,” Ouyang Qi whispered reassuringly in his ear. “Those two have always been at odds with Cousin. Don’t be fooled by their good looks—they’re nothing but scheming hypocrites.”

“You’re overthinking it. I wouldn’t stoop to argue with a couple of childish brats,” Lin Fan replied with a light laugh.

Not long after, someone tapped Lin Fan on the shoulder from behind.

“What a coincidence! I never expected to see you here…”

Lin Fan turned around—it was Lily Li!

Over half the people in the room turned to look, their gazes settling on Lin Fan and Lily Li.

“Miss Li, what a pleasant surprise,” Lin Fan greeted her with a radiant smile.

Lily Li regarded him with admiration. “Tonight’s charity auction has invited all the most prominent figures in Hangzhou. I’m surprised to find you among them—I must have underestimated you.”

Everyone on the guest list was, essentially, a billionaire. Not to mention business luminaries like Su Hengyu—anyone present could boast assets in the tens or even hundreds of billions.

Though Lily Li herself was wealthy, her fortune paled in comparison to these business magnates, and she knew better than to underestimate Lin Fan.

“You flatter me. I’m just here to enjoy the buzz. Compared to those big shots, I’m nowhere near their league,” Lin Fan replied self-deprecatingly.

Suddenly remembering his system task, he changed the subject.

“Miss Li, I’d like to bid on a few items in your name during the auction and donate them to organizations supporting people with disabilities—to help with employment and healthcare. What do you think?”

“In my name?” Lily Li looked puzzled.

Lin Fan got to the point. “Actually, I’m a fan of yours. I love your movies, and I’ve heard about all the good deeds you’ve done. I want to learn from you and do my bit for the disadvantaged.”

“Of course. People like us should indeed give back to society and help those in need,” Lily Li agreed readily.

Lin Fan pressed on, “After the auction, may I treat you to dinner?”

“Certainly! I still feel bad about last time—let me make it up to you tonight.”

After a few polite exchanges, Lily Li took her leave.

As Lin Fan returned to his seat, Ouyang Qi eyed him curiously. “Lin Fan, are you really so hungry for attention that you’re interested in someone like Lily Li? Don’t tell me you want to chase after her too?”

“She’s a celebrity. It’s only natural to be starstruck in person…”