Chapter 1710: Beiping Old Dream: Beauty Actor Overpowers the Magnate 25

A Western clothing store in Beiping.

You can try this one too; it suits you.

Pei Yinnian sat to the side, and Jin Chen already had several suits in his hand while facing the mirror.

"Hold on, brother." Jin Chen interrupted in time, bending over to look at him doubtfully, "Didn't we say we were going on a date? Is this the date content?"

Pei Yinnian spoke softly, coaxing, "Tomorrow the Southern China Casino opens; there's an auction, I'll take you."

Jin Chen oh-ed, "The auction also has attire requirements."

As he walked toward the fitting room, he began to wonder whether this part existed in the original plot.

It really did.

The casino is the Xiao family's property; several members of the Beiping Merchants Association were invited to the opening auction, but the goods were antiques and ancient books shipped from various places, with the Xiao family merely acting as the organizer.

First, we don't assess the value; the main point is that it must not fall into foreign hands.

Thus many patriotic merchants joined in, unaware it was a sham—selling fakes to locals while the genuine items and auction funds were split between the Xiao family and the garrison, filling their pockets.

It was precisely because Pei Yinnian exposed this that Xiao Pofeng conceived the idea of killing him, leading to the later frame-up of Pei Yinnian as a traitor.

Jin Chen, however, didn't quite understand why the auction items' value would warrant multiple magnates contending over them; there must be some hidden purpose.

Jin Chen tied up his hair, already having a plan in mind.

There is an undercover agent within the Beiping Merchants Association colluding with the Xiao family; find him and kill him.

Then investigate the secrets behind the auction items.

Jin Chen walked out of the fitting room wearing the suit Pei Yinnian had taken a liking to,

the dark suit matched the corner of a dark green silk scarf peeking from his pocket, his hair half-tied, making him appear more upright, his bearing noble and icy.

Pei Yinnian stared at him, only snapping back to attention after Jin Chen bent down to kiss him, then hearing a soft laugh by his ear: "Brother, do I look good?"

Pei Yinnian: "……"

He suddenly recalled that day when Jin Chen was singing on stage, and a fan in the back inhaled sharply and muttered that line.

"He's practically a monster."

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, taking it as praise, and took Pei Yinnian's hand in his palm; before he could speak, Pei Yinnian gripped it tightly, a cool sensation traveling up his wrist.

He lowered his gaze and saw it was the same model of watch as Pei Yinnian's.

"The auction might not be safe; press here and there's a hidden compartment with a pill." Pei Yinnian wrapped his arms around Jin Chen's neck, his voice low enough only for them to hear, "If you ingest something you shouldn't, this pill will help."

"Okay."

Jin Chen responded, turning his head to lightly kiss his cheek, his chin rubbing against the top of his head.

"Rest assured, I'll protect you, brother." Jin Chen's tone was earnest.

Pei Yinnian lowered his eyes and smiled, the corners of his mouth turning up.

He no longer wished to investigate Jin Chen's identity, let alone his mysterious and unfathomable actions.

This unique sense of security is something no one else can match.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +7, total 60!】

——

Opening day of the Southern China Casino.

Cars lined up around the fountain, guests holding invitations, dresses swaying and suits polished, walking together into the glittering den that outshone a palace, a riot of silk and gold.

Reporters from the newspaper circled outside, eager to scoop an exclusive story.

The doorman spotted the familiar license plate from afar, hurried over, and escorted Pei Yinnian and Jin Chen into the hall.

"You've finally arrived."

In the gilded hall, Yun Cunxuan came flying over in a floral suit like a butterfly, still holding a glass of champagne, "Today this place is lively, all sorts of demons and monsters are here."

Jin Chen linked arms with Pei Yinnian, gazing at Yun Cunxuan with a complex expression, "Young Master Yun, you're truly full of vigor today."

Yun Cunxuan: "…Don't think I can't hear your sarcasm."

Beiping Merchants Association's Vice President Sun Fu hurried over with a drink, "President, you're coming too late; all those bosses wanting to curry favor with you are clinging to me—are you doing this on purpose?"

Indeed it's intentional, Pei Yinnian said, "The people around me just take a while to get dressed."

Jin Chen:?

Jin Chen returned the smile, subtly tightening his hold on Pei Yinnian's hand.

Sun Fu laughed, "Ah, I see—good thing, also a good thing."

"Please this way, President."

"Brother, sister-in-law, wait for me."

Pei Yiqing, dressed in a stylish Western suit, ran up from behind, stood behind Jin Chen, and muttered, "Sister-in-law, you left without calling me."

Jin Chen poked his head, "I called for ten minutes."

"…Do I sleep that deeply? Who starts an auction in the evening while I'm still napping?"

Pei Yinnian glanced at him, "Who can nap through to now?"

Pei Yiqing silently shut his mouth, stopping this mixed double lecture.

From the hall to the casino interior, many invited officials and guests were present, each table piled with chips, which were squandered in an instant.

Pei Yinnian had no interest in the casino's games, but Yun Cunxuan, upon arriving, was as relaxed as if he'd returned home.

"Want to play a round?" Pei Yinnian asked Jin Chen.

"No, it's boring."

Jin Chen lazily leaned against Pei Yinnian, his gaze sweeping the room.

Many members of the merchants association came today; who is the one colluding with the Xiao family?

Suddenly, Jin Chen felt his shoulder bumped.

Ah!

Faster than his reaction was the bartender boy who had knocked over the champagne glass, his smiling face turning pale as he said, 'Sorry, I wasn't paying attention……'

Pei Yinnian frowned, pulling Jin Chen to his side, and asked, 'How is it?'

'It's fine, just got a little wet.'

Jin Chen took the handkerchief Pei Yiqing handed over and wiped it; fortunately the dark suit hid any sign, but the sticky feeling was unpleasant.

'Sorry, sir, let me clean that up for you.'

The handsome bartender pointed to the rest area behind Number One Hall and said, 'There are cleaning supplies over there.'

Jin Chen's wiping motions slowed, he lifted his eyes to look at him, then suddenly smiled and said, 'Sure.'

Pei Yinnian grabbed his hand, not approving, and said, 'Jin Chen.'

'It's fine, brother.' Jin Chen smiled, saying, 'I'll be back soon.'

Pei Yiqing belatedly realized what was going on and exclaimed, 'That guy isn't trying to hit on my sister-in-law, is he?'

After all, with Jin Chen's face, putting on a suit made him look exactly like a wealthy young master.

Pei Yinnian: '……'

He glanced at Pei Yiqing, annoyed, and said, 'You sure know how to talk.'

Yun Cunxuan kept laughing.

Not long after Jin Chen had left, the boss with a slicked-back hair at the central table in Number One Hall shouted, 'Who stole my wallet?!'

'There's a thief in here, damn it! Everyone, watch out!'

In an instant, Number One Hall descended into chaos.