Not Wearing Clothes.

As his words fell, the entire venue erupted in commotion.

In the auction industry, 'Lighting the Sky Lantern' has a unique meaning: no matter how high other bidders bid, the buyer who has lit the sky lantern will automatically follow with a higher price, ultimately purchasing the item at the highest bid. In simple terms, it activates an automatic price-matching mode, signaling to other bidders an unwavering determination to win.

Tonight, the guests invited to the Yunguzhai Auction were all luminaries from various circles. Who among them didn't know the name Mo Shaoshang? This crown prince of the Mo Family usually kept a low profile and rarely attended such events. But though they had never seen him in person, they had heard many tales about him.

According to legend, when Mo Shaoshang officially took over Mo Group's Asia-Pacific operations, a global financial crisis struck, devastating the traditional shipping industry. Some senior members within the group advocated for shrinking defenses and cutting losses, but he overruled them. At nearly rock-bottom prices, he counter-cyclically acquired two major European shipping companies on the verge of bankruptcy, integrating their routes and port resources. A year later, as the global economy recovered and shipping prices soared, Mo Group not only leaped to become the global shipping leader, but the acquisition led by Mo Shaoshang was even included in the curriculum of top international business schools, hailed as a 'textbook example of counter-cyclical investment.'

Another story goes back three years, when a core technology subsidiary under Mo Group faced a crisis: the entire core technical team intended to leave en masse to start their own venture. At the time, Mo Shaoshang was presiding over a crucial merger negotiation in North America. Upon hearing the news, he flew across the Pacific within twenty-four hours. Instead of resorting to conventional legal action or non-compete pressure, he convened an emergency board meeting that lasted only ten minutes. After the meeting, he announced the split of the subsidiary into three parts, granting the original team a high degree of autonomy and a far more generous profit-sharing plan than expected, while also launching a massive internal entrepreneurship incubation program called 'Future Star.' In the end, not only did the core team stay, but dozens of top technical talents from around the world were attracted to join. This move of 'turning crisis into opportunity' was widely reported by countless leading media outlets. That year's financial front pages were filled with high praise for the new helmsman of the Mo Family, commending him for 'displaying both the bottom line of an iron fist and the breadth of mind and wisdom that embraces all rivers.'

As the guests pondered these legendary past events, they couldn't help but look again at the dazzling blue sapphire necklace on the display stand. They wondered: what magic did this necklace possess that could so captivate this crown prince of the Mo Family, known for his calm restraint and strategic deliberation, that he would break his usual low-key public style and openly light the sky lantern at an auction, determined to have it at any cost?

The guests were truly astonished and curious.

Subdued murmurs arose one after another. Wen Yicong, at the center of attention, was dumbfounded, shocked into silence.

Over there, Assistant Lin Ke had lowered his bidding paddle after announcing 'Light the Sky Lantern,' a faint smile on his face, calm and unhurried.

Wen Yicong glanced at Lin Ke, then turned to look at Mo Shaoshang beside her. Her lips moved several times before she barely managed to find her voice. She tentatively called out, 'Mr. Mo.'

Mo Shaoshang looked straight ahead, his long legs elegantly crossed, the gold-rimmed glasses chain quietly hanging beside his sharply defined profile. Hearing the faint voice beside him, he turned his head slightly, his blue-black gaze falling on the young woman's exquisite, vibrant face. He responded with a light, lazy nasal sound: 'Mm?'

That single, understated syllable was like a soft feather gently brushing across the skin of Wen Yicong's earlobe. For some reason, she felt uneasy, and her brow furrowed involuntarily: 'Um... you're not buying this necklace just because I said I liked it, are you?'

Although Wen Yicong had never attended an auction of this caliber, she had watched enough TV dramas, novels, and variety shows to know what 'Light the Sky Lantern' meant. It wasn't that she was being overly self-conscious, but looking back over the entire evening, every time the auctioneer introduced a piece, Mo Shaoshang asked for her opinion. When she said she was indifferent, he made no move. Now, with this blue sapphire necklace, she said it was beautiful and that she liked it, and he wanted to light the sky lantern to acquire it. It was too much of a coincidence.

Just as Wen Yicong's heart was in turmoil, silently praying for a negative answer, the impeccably dressed crown prince of the Mo Family beside her parted his thin lips and replied, 'Yes.'

Wen Yicong: '...'

Mo Shaoshang looked at her calmly and added, 'You like it, so I'll give it to you.'

Wen Yicong nearly choked on her own saliva. The next moment, her eyes flew wide open, and she blurted out in panic, 'I just thought the necklace was very beautiful, so I liked it. I never said I wanted it!'

Mo Shaoshang: 'The education I received since childhood taught me that if you like something, you should have it.'

Wen Yicong couldn't understand this domineering and unreasonable logic and couldn't help retorting, 'If you like something, you must have it? Then if I liked the stars in the sky, would you pluck them down for me?'

Hearing this, Mo Shaoshang's eyelids drooped slightly, as if considering the feasibility of the matter, then said flatly, 'I can buy the naming rights to stars and give them to you, naming them after you or according to your preferences. But directly plucking them down is temporarily a bit difficult.'

'...' So stars could be bought? Well, that was her limited knowledge. She didn't understand the world of the ultra-wealthy.

Wen Yicong raised a hand to touch her forehead, then took a deep breath and let it out. Lowering her voice, she said seriously, 'Mr. Mo, last time I accompanied you to the dinner party, you gave me such an expensive gift, and I already felt undeserving. This blue sapphire necklace, I absolutely will not accept. Please don't do this.'

Mo Shaoshang raised an eyebrow at her words, glanced at her, and also lowered his voice, imitating her tone: 'Lin Ke has already made the announcement. Now the entire venue knows I'm going to light the sky lantern to win this necklace. If I say I'm not buying it now, Teacher Wen wants me to be a laughingstock?'

'I... of course that's not what I mean.' Wen Yicong couldn't bear such a charge. She waved her hands, flustered and stammering in explanation, 'Mr. Mo, I'm thinking of you. I don't want you to spend money just because of a casual remark I made.'

Mo Shaoshang took in the panic on her face, the corner of his mouth lifting almost imperceptibly. He withdrew his gaze and said in his usual tone, 'Teacher Wen worries too much.'

'What do you mean?'

'This expense won't break the bank for me.'

Wen Yicong: The starting bid alone is eighty million, and who knows how high and outrageous the other bidders might drive the price... 'This expense'?

She had underestimated his wealth.

Oh well. The money was his, in his pocket; how he wanted to spend it was his own business. If he really wanted to buy it, let him buy it, as long as he didn't force her to accept it.

With that thought, the pressure in Wen Yicong's heart instantly lessened. She cleared her throat, sat up straight again in the VIP seat, eyes fixed ahead, trying her best to ignore the sharp presence beside her.

At this moment, Li Yuanliu on the stage broke into a knowing and respectful smile, nodding slightly in the direction of Mo Shaoshang. Then he faced the entire audience and announced loudly, 'Mr. Mo has a discerning eye and is determined to win. According to the rules, this item now has a distinguished guest who has lit the lantern. Respected guests present, is there anyone else willing to bid and appreciate this treasure together with Mr. Mo?'

As soon as the host's words fell, the venue, which had been filled with whispers, fell silent. The guests looked at each other, exchanging glances, their expressions subtle. Clearly, they all saw the same considerations and caution in each other's eyes. As everyone knew, the influence of the Mo Family had long transcended national borders, its commercial tentacles deeply rooted in the world's major economies, making it a true multinational giant. To build good relations with such a behemoth and its current and future ruler was an opportunity countless sought; conversely, to confront it head-on, especially over a piece of jewelry with no strategic significance, was utterly foolish. In the face of absolute power and influence, any bidding was meaningless and would instead be seen as an untimely offense. The guests at the venue were all shrewd operators; with a quick turn of thought, they had already made the wisest choice in their own best interests.

Silence reigned; no one spoke.

This outcome seemed to have been anticipated by Li Yuanliu. A knowing smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and he spoke again in a clear voice: 'Eighty million, first call. Eighty million, second call. Eighty million, third call.' Then the host brought down the gavel: 'Congratulations, Mr. Mo, for winning this 'Devotion' necklace at eighty million! Congratulations to you!'

*

The auction ended close to 10:30 PM. The night in Nanjing City was deep. Looking out the car window, the entire city's nightscape was resplendent, like an astrolabe assembled from countless dazzling diamonds and flowing starlight. Tall buildings stood in rows, their spotless glass curtain walls reflecting neon lights and rivers of cars, bustling beyond compare.

As a hub and bridge among the elite, Li Yuanliu was thorough in his arrangements and naturally wouldn't neglect any of the distinguished guests attending the auction. When the auction concluded, he presented each guest with a unique antique souvenir.

Having sat on the plane for over an hour and then rushed straight to the auction, Wen Yicong was already drowsy, her eyelids heavy. Settling into the back seat of the Rolls-Royce, she yawned, her head nodding as she was about to fall asleep, then jolted awake with a start. She hadn't forgotten that she was accompanying Mo Shaoshang to Nanjing City. Thinking of this, Wen Yicong unconsciously turned her eyes to the side. Beside her, her employer was looking down, flipping through a stack of documents, his profile cold and picturesque. Leaving Mr. Employer sitting idle while she closed her eyes and slept didn't seem right.

Unable to do otherwise, Wen Yicong had to find something to keep herself awake. She glanced around and spotted the gift box Li Yuanliu had given as a souvenir. She picked it up, placed it on her lap, and opened it with both hands. Inside, she found an exquisite silk round fan, the fan face embroidered with a pattern of colorful butterflies playing among flowers using extremely fine gold and silver threads, the handle adorned with a light green tassel—classically elegant and lovely. Wen Yicong curved her lips in satisfaction, put the fan away, then patted her face, ready to play on her phone for a while to stay alert. But as soon as she took out her phone and lit up the screen, a deep, cool voice sounded in her ear.

'If you're tired, you can sleep for a while,' the voice said.

Wen Yicong was startled, lifting her eyes to look beside her. Mo Shaoshang had put down his documents at some point, his gaze resting on her face. 'When you're with me, you can relax as much as you like. You don't always have to be so on edge.'

Wen Yicong listened and fell silent. She secretly thought, she didn't want to be so tense either; she wanted to relax. But his powerful aura, accumulated over the years and mixed with authority and control, was always like an invisible net, making her unconsciously tighten her nerves and even lighten her breathing. However, since the boss had given her permission to sleep, she no longer had to force herself to stay awake.

'All right,' she said after a moment, no longer holding back. She smiled politely at Mo Shaoshang and said, 'Then I'll doze off for a bit. Sorry, Mr. Mo.'

Without waiting for his reply, she leaned back against the headrest. Already deeply sleepy, and now mentally relaxed, Wen Yicong closed her eyes and soon drifted off into a hazy sleep.

She didn't know how long she slept. When she opened her eyes again, she found that the street scene outside the window had stopped moving; the car was completely still. The Rolls-Royce was parked in front of a magnificent skyscraper. This building stood by the river, occupying a prime first-line river view location. In the prime downtown area of Nanjing City, where land was at a premium, its vast footprint and understated yet luxurious design all spoke to the owner's extraordinary power and taste.

Wen Yicong frowned in confusion and rubbed her eyes. Just then, the car door on her side was opened from outside. She turned her head and saw Lin Ke's gentle, smiling face. Assistant Lin personally opened the door for her and said with a smile, 'Teacher Wen, please step out.'

Still groggy from sleep, Wen Yicong nodded at Lin Ke's words and got out of the car in a daze. Once she stood still, the night wind blew, and her mind fully cleared. This wasn't the airport; she didn't see Mo Shaoshang's private jet. Where was this?

'Assistant Lin, where is this...' she asked suspiciously.

'This is Jinfu Mansion, one of Mr. Mo's residences in Nanjing City,' Lin Ke explained, seeming to read her confusion. Before she could ask further, he added, 'Mr. Mo said it's too late now. If we flew back to Jinggang City overnight, you would have to rest on the plane, and the journey would be bumpy. He was afraid you wouldn't sleep well, so he decided on the spur of the moment to rest here in Nanjing City for the night.'

Wen Yicong was stunned. Could it be that Mo Shaoshang had seen how tired she was, dozing off in the car, and changed the itinerary on the spot? Indeed... thoughtful and considerate. A ripple of emotion stirred deep in her heart, her cheeks warming. She looked around and asked, 'Where is Mr. Mo?'

'Mr. Mo has some matters to attend to. He said you don't need to wait for him,' Lin Ke replied with a smile. 'Let me take you upstairs first.'

Wen Yicong nodded slightly. 'Okay, thank you for the trouble.'

*

Stepping into the mansion's entrance, two young foreign men in matching suits immediately stepped forward, bowing to guide Wen Yicong and Lin Ke and pressing the elevator button. The two men had high noses and deep-set eyes, their features sculpted. Wen Yicong couldn't help but take a second look. As the elevator doors slowly closed, she finally blinked curiously and asked Lin Ke beside her, 'Who were those two handsome guys?'

Lin Ke swiped his fingerprint card and pressed a button before answering, 'They're security personnel from the property management.'

Wen Yicong recalled their wasp waists, perky butts, and long legs, astonished, and murmured, 'Even the security industry is this competitive now?' She had thought they were male models.

Lin Ke laughed at her remark, his tone becoming lighter. 'They submitted their resumes and applied. They have high education and outstanding personal abilities. We can't just reject them because they look like male models, can we?'

Wen Yicong was even more surprised. 'You recruited them?'

'Sort of,' Lin Ke said. 'Jinfu Mansion was developed and built by a real estate company under Mo Group, and the property management is also our own. Back then, Mr. Mo liked the river view here, so he took the top floor.'

Wen Yicong nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this.

They reached the top floor. Lin Ke stepped out of the elevator, crossed a vast indoor garden, and arrived at the front door, where he entered the passcode lock. Click, the door opened.

'Teacher Wen, please come in,' Assistant Lin gestured with a 'please' hand sign.

Wen Yicong stepped inside. Light spilled from above, revealing the entire interior at a glance. It was a penthouse of over eight hundred square meters, decorated in an Italian light luxury style with black, white, and gray as the main tones, the lines sharp and clean. The natural marble floor was so polished it could serve as a mirror, and various custom-made furniture and artworks were interspersed, luxurious yet understated. But the most stunning feature was the entire wall of giant curved floor-to-ceiling windows, framing the entire shimmering river and the opposite shore's starry urban nightscape, forming a flowing giant painting quietly hanging on the living room's backdrop wall. The interior was warm and quiet, while outside was bustling and noisy—a single window separated two worlds.

Then Lin Ke led her to the door of a bedroom and said, 'Teacher Wen, this is your room. Please rest assured; Mr. Mo had it cleaned in advance. You can stay with peace of mind.'

The room had some kind of fragrance; the air inhaled was fresh and fragrant, inexplicably calming her mind.

Wen Yicong nodded. 'Okay.'

'Then I won't disturb your rest. Goodbye,' Lin Ke said and turned to leave.

Seeing Assistant Lin about to go, Wen Yicong suddenly felt a bit panicked and quickly said, 'Assistant Lin, aren't you staying here tonight?'

Lin Ke curved his lips. 'I have a place to stay. Don't worry about me, Teacher Wen.'

With that, Lin Ke turned and left.

Wen Yicong stood in the center of the spacious bedroom, raising a hand to her forehead: that meant she and Mo Shaoshang would be spending the entire night alone together in this house... Was that appropriate? Then again, maybe it wasn't inappropriate. The house was as big as a maze; they would each sleep in their own rooms, not disturbing each other. They might not even run into each other all night. She could treat it like a business trip with her boss, staying on the same floor of the same hotel. Her top priority was to take a shower and go to bed before Mo Shaoshang returned, so she could avoid any potential contact later...

Thinking this, Wen Yicong shook her head and set to work. She picked up a clean bathrobe nearby and went into the bathroom to shower.

She changed out of her gown and removed her makeup. Warm water rushed from the showerhead, cozy and comfortable. As she enjoyed the hot shower, she gradually relaxed. She wet her thick, seaweed-like curly hair, applied shampoo, massaged it in circles, and worked up a lather. But then, an accident struck. Just as she had rinsed the foam from her hair and turned to reach for the body wash, her foot slipped. She lost her balance and fell onto the wet floor.

'Ah...' A sharp pain shot from her right knee. She cried out in pain. After a moment, she looked closely and saw that her kneecap had hit the floor tiles, already swollen, scraped, and bleeding profusely. Wen Yicong's face turned pale with pain, cold sweat beading on her forehead. She tried to get up but couldn't, so she curled up on the floor, clutching her knee.

Just then, a steady, forceful footstep approached and stopped outside the bathroom door. Then came a knock on the door, bang bang.

'...' Wen Yicong already guessed who was outside. Her heart raced, and she instinctively held her breath.

'What's wrong?' the person outside asked, a trace of barely perceptible concern in his voice.

'N-nothing,' Wen Yicong struggled to take a breath and replied. 'I slipped and fell. It's nothing.'

But even as she said this, the pain made her voice tight and trembling. Almost instantly, Mo Shaoshang sensed something was wrong. Realizing she had had an accident, his brows knit into a knot. He grasped the doorknob, ready to push the door open and enter. But the next second, the girl's voice drifted out from inside again, trembling as if about to shatter from the pain, almost pleading, pitiful: '...Please don't come in. Mr. Mo, I'm not wearing clothes.'

Mo Shaoshang's gaze froze, his fingers on the doorknob pausing for a moment. Then, he casually took off his glasses and tossed them aside, pulled off his tie, and blindfolded his eyes. He pushed the door open and strode in.

The bathroom was filled with steam, the air damp and warm, carrying a faint, elusive fragrance. Hearing the door open, Wen Yicong in the corner nearly screamed in panic. Flustered and confused, the next moment, a pair of straight, long legs came into view. The tall figure of the man stepped into the mist.

'I... I told you not to come in!' Wen Yicong, overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment, hugged herself tighter, on the verge of tears. 'Get out!'

Mo Shaoshang turned his head slightly, following the sound to where the girl was. His eyes were tightly covered by the dark tie, heightening his other senses. Thus, he could clearly hear the suppressed tremor in her voice and smell the moist, rich sweetness of her scent... After a faint rustle of his trousers, Mo Shaoshang crouched down.

'Why did you...'

'I have my eyes covered; I won't look at you,' Mo Shaoshang interrupted, his voice deeper and softer than usual. 'Tell me, where are you injured?'

Hearing this, Wen Yicong's eyes flickered. Eyes covered? She looked up through the hazy steam and noticed that the buttons on his shirt were open, his collar slightly loose, and the previously immaculate dark blue tie was now blindfolding his eyes. His deep brows and eyes were hidden, revealing only his straight, high nose bridge, his sharply defined jaw, and a pair of thin, beautiful lips.

Wen Yicong frowned, uncertain. She tentatively waved her hand in front of his eyes. Seeing no reaction, she confirmed that he really couldn't see her. Her tense nerves relaxed slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she squeezed out two words in a voice as faint as a mosquito's: 'Knee.'

Mo Shaoshang said nothing, reaching out his hand. But since he couldn't see, his long fingers landed slightly off, touching her smooth, slender ankle. His warm palm, with a thin layer of calluses, contrasted sharply with her delicate skin. Wen Yicong shuddered violently, her toes curling.

'Don't be afraid. Let me first check if the bone is injured,' Mo Shaoshang said softly, his voice gentle and soothing. 'If it hurts during the process, tell me.'