"What did you discover?" Leon Chen asked curiously, noting that Sienna Tang's expression suggested it was more than just a simple translation.
He guessed right. Sienna Tang replied seriously, "I can roughly guess that something from the Heavenly Realm is hidden somewhere on Earth, and I already have a few targets in mind..."
"Really?" Leon Chen couldn't hide his surprise. If they could really find it, it would be greatly beneficial to acquire a top-tier ability. Just thinking about the time-space movement made Leon's blood boil.
"Don't you have any doubts about my deciphering of the Heavenly Realm's text?" Sienna Tang asked, puzzled. When she mentioned this decoding in Europe, none of her colleagues believed her. It wasn't surprising since there was no documentation to support such text; it was based solely on an expert's conjecture. However, Sienna believed in her own ability and had no interest in making things up.
Leon Chen naturally knew that Sienna's guess was almost spot on. He admired her so much that he could bow down in worship. He pretended to be serious and said, "You're my teacher. If I don't believe you, who should I believe? Do you know where the relic is?"
"Easter Island!" Sienna guessed.
"Easter Island?" Leon frowned. The statement did seem to imply that, waiting for the day of resurrection...
"Aren't the statues on Easter Island like they're waiting for something?" Sienna smiled. "It's an unsolved mystery to this day..."
Leon nodded. They could check it out next time.
Leon then asked Sienna more details about the Heavenly Realm's cipher, but no more significant discoveries were made.
Not long after, Stella Lin arrived.
Instead of discussing mysterious spatial engineering with Sienna, she went straight to Leon, scrutinizing him as if he were a rare panda she was seeing for the first time.
Then, Stella Lin gave a thumbs-up, saying it all without words.
"What are you doing?" Sienna asked, puzzled.
Stella Lin turned back and said admiringly, "Teacher Sienna, you don't know. Leon is amazing. He actually beat Chase Wei..."
"Chase Wei?" Sienna thought for a moment. "Who is that?"
Stella Lin explained. At first, Sienna was indifferent, but gradually, her small cherry mouth opened wider and wider.
"Although the president eventually smoothed things over, it was really satisfying at that moment, haha," Stella Lin finally laughed.
Sienna was speechless for a while. After a long time, she put on a pair of silver-rimmed glasses, regained her calm, and praised Leon, "Not bad! Having you as her boyfriend must make Lily Lin the envy of all women."
Leon shrugged noncommittally.
"Alright, let's get to work while we have time."
Shortly after, a phone rang. Sienna answered it and then looked thoughtfully at Leon.
After work, when Stella Lin left, Sienna smiled at Leon, "I have something to do. Are you free tonight?"
"What is it?" Leon asked without looking up from his Easter Island documents.
"It seems the primordial stone has appeared again!" Sienna thought for a moment before telling him.
Leon raised his head, eyebrows arched. "Really?"
"If I wanted you at night, I wouldn't use such a lame excuse," Sienna said with a seductive smile.
"Alright!"
Leon and Sienna arrived at the Fujin Hotel, both dressed formally. Outside the hotel, Sienna's parents were already waiting.
Seeing Leon beside Sienna, her mother showed a hint of surprise, followed by a playful smile. Her father, Samuel Tang, remained expressionless but looked at Leon with some displeasure.
"Good to see you again," Sienna's mother smiled.
"I heard it was work-related with the teacher, so I wanted to come and see," Leon said awkwardly. He now knew that Sienna was attending a secret auction.
The auction was for the top collectors and appraisers in Xijing, not open to the public. The items auctioned, including antiques, oil paintings, and jewelry, often had a touch of illegality.
Leon couldn't have imagined that Sienna's cold father was a famous collector and appraiser in the Red Country. No wonder Sienna had such extensive knowledge of languages and history; she must have been influenced since childhood.
"Mom, is it true? There will be a primordial stone?" Sienna asked, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"I don't know what kind of stone it is, but we paid attention when you mentioned it. It seems neither collectors nor appraisers have figured out what it is. They say it will be presented for everyone to appraise this time," Sienna's mother explained.
"Is it valuable?" Samuel Tang asked.
Sienna was at a loss for words. If it was valuable, it was only a stone with a modern chip inside. If it wasn't, she wouldn't agree either, given its potential hidden high-tech value and the fact that some companies were willing to pay a billion for it.
"It's of great research value," Leon helped Sienna out.
"Research value?" Samuel Tang nodded. "Then it's worthless!"
Both of them sweated.
The auction was held on the top floor of the hotel. Like any other banquet, it started with a buffet. The hall was filled with many people, all looking sharp and well-dressed. Whether collectors or appraisers, their eyes were sharp as if they could see through people. In this atmosphere, some young people felt uncomfortable and showed a bit of timidity.
Sienna's arrival immediately stirred up the previously quiet hall.
Although the auction was secret, many people brought their young masters or friends to broaden their horizons. Given the rarity of secret auctions in Xijing, every auctioned item was precious enough to drop jaws.
Seeing many young people like herself, Sienna's presence made them light up with excitement.
Without intending to flaunt her charm, Sienna's quiet demeanor was even more enchanting in the eyes of the men. Those men trying to get close to her were stopped short by the sight of her naturally holding Leon's arm.
Samuel Tang shook his head secretly as he watched his daughter.
Leon was used to it and remained unbothered. His mind was now on the primordial stone.
During the tedious buffet, Leon fended off one man after another, each using all their skills to pursue beauty, only to be dismissed by Leon casually. Sienna watched, covering her mouth and laughing, half-jokingly saying, "I find 'Leon brand' mosquito repellent quite effective. Why don't you do me a favor and pretend to be my boyfriend?"
"I'm fine with that," Leon said nonchalantly.
Sienna was surprised by his casual attitude. She thought a man would at least show excitement or firmly refuse to prove his loyalty, but Leon agreed as if it were nothing. If Sienna knew Leon was also the fake boyfriend of Lily Lin and Scarlett Ning, she would probably be quite amused.
She might sigh: This guy is quite popular.
"Huh?" Leon's eyes suddenly filled with confusion.
"What's wrong?" Sienna followed his gaze and saw a few people walking toward them.
It was none other than Daniel Lu and his son.
"Sienna! I missed you. How have you been?" Robin Lu tried to hug her as the elders talked.
But like the other frustrated men, seeing Sienna holding another man's arm, Robin's eyes instantly turned cold, retreating warily at Leon's smirk.
"Why are you here?"
"Yeah, is your daylight sickness better?" Leon asked.
"Still the same," Daniel Lu sighed.
"Still not better?" Leon was surprised, then smiled more meaningfully.
"Are you Leon Chen? Robin mentioned you, a heroic young man!" At this point, two men stepped forward.
Blonde and blue-eyed, one was tall with a hooked nose, the other slightly thinner with gray eyes. Both looked coldly at Leon.
Leon shrugged.
"Who are they?" Sienna's mother asked.
"Oh, Robin's friends!" Daniel Lu introduced. The tall one was Earl, and the thin gray-eyed man was Garcia.
After sizing up Leon, they turned their attention to Sienna, unable to hide their lust despite their best efforts, which didn't escape Leon's notice. Sienna wasn't keen on these men, so they chatted briefly and indifferently.
Before leaving, Robin whispered something to the two Western men, glancing at Leon with eyes full of derision and mockery, as if seeing a doomed prey.
Leon checked his watch; the boundary was still red.
Sometimes, doing good deeds seems futile.
"Daniel Lu actually brought foreigners to the secret auction," Samuel Tang shook his head.
"What's strange about that?" Sienna asked.
"It's nothing strange, but this auction invited only Chinese to prevent precious cultural relics from circulating abroad. Guests usually refrain from bringing foreign friends, or they might be blacklisted for the next auction unless they're special guests. Those two don't look like special guests, so your father finds it odd," Sienna's mother explained.
"They give me an uneasy feeling," Sienna frowned, sensing an arrogant vibe from them.
"Beautiful Miss Tang, I have a piece of advice for you: it's best not to get involved with them," a suave voice floated over.
Sienna and Leon turned to see the newcomer, and Leon's eyelid twitched.
It was Jenkins!
"We meet again," Jenkins smiled gracefully.