...

"Can any of you girls strike up a conversation with him? If we pull him into our circle, think how impressive we'd look when we go out."

"Don't look at me. Why are you looking at me? My aunt can't even get a word in with President Han, and my mom is still begging to be included in their circle..."

"But at least you could make a connection, right? Don't you even want to try?"

"No way! My mom talked to me about it; I'm just not good enough for him. We wouldn't even fit in with their crowd. If there were the slightest chance, my mom would have taken me to meet him ages ago..."

"Sigh! You're right. He really is out of our league..."

...

"Jingfei, over the next few nights, the three major jewelers are holding small gemstone salons, and your Auntie Zhao seems to be going..."

"Really?! Is Pan Ge going then?"

"She probably will. Girls usually like this sort of thing... Just watch your attitude around her. Pan Ge isn't like the girls you usually hang out with; she won't be impressed just because you have money..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know! I'm good with women! Weren't you going to Tiffany's, Mom? Let's go... Huh? Why is the store closed?"

"That must be because the mysterious tycoon has arrived. He paid to have the gems brought here, so of course, he gets this special treatment. Come on, let's go look somewhere else."

"TCH! Just some nouveau riche with more money than sense..."

...

The chatter outside couldn't affect Han Lie, but in a certain sense, it was influencing his future.

People had managed to get wind of it early and came to watch the excitement today. When you got down to it, all of them had some overlap with Han Lie's circle.

Some knew Han Lie, while others were purely there for the salon. Regardless of their reasons for coming, they all witnessed Han Lie's moment of glory.

While this greatly satisfied Han Lie's vanity, it also made him feel slightly uncomfortable under the spotlight.

This was completely different from the small circles at school. This world was vaster, with more applause and cheers, yet it was also more perilous.

Even though Han Lie had mentally prepared himself, he still felt a slight trepidation at stepping out of his comfort zone.

It was a bewilderment mixed with uncertainty.

But a fraction of a second later, any hint of panic transformed into surging motivation, igniting the ambition of his inner 'old man' to conquer.

I will sort out everything in my path!

Thinking this, Han Lie arrogantly refused the handshake offered by the head of Tiffany's Huaxia District. The first words out of his mouth were extraordinarily impolite.

"I don't like the ostentation and uproar you've created; this is nothing like the Tiffany I know. When I agreed to hold my private exhibit here, I thought your preparations would be understated and dignified. It seems, however, that you've treated me as a publicity tool... Now, who can give me an explanation?!"

Before this morning, Han Lie had no right to speak to them like this.

But he had emerged from Cartier with the Star of Romance, having lavishly spent 30 million Mi Yuan. Now, Han Lie had earned the reputation and clout to question Tiffany's top executives.

The manager of Tiffany's flagship store instantly broke out in a cold sweat that drenched his back.

Their Huaxia District General Manager, Jian Yisi, didn't hesitate for a second and immediately offered an apology.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Han. I offer you our most sincere apologies for our lack of thoroughness and attention to detail. Please forgive us and grant us another chance to make it right...

"Guys, go on! Restore the environment to the understated and dignified atmosphere Mr. Han prefers! GO, GO, GO!"

The Western woman, speaking fluent but accented Chinese, clapped her hands, urging everyone to get moving immediately.

Then, with a guiding gesture of her hand, she invited Han Lie toward the VIP room inside, using the formal phrase, "Please, come inside and take the seat of honor."

Han Lie stood still for a few seconds before giving a reserved nod.

And just like that, this master of psychology leveraged his opponent's careless move, easily gaining the absolute upper hand.

As he was escorted by the crowd toward the VIP room, his spirits lifted with every step.

A faint yet marvelous current surged from the depths of his heart, heading straight to his brain. It stimulated his nerves, prompting the production of large amounts of hormones like dopamine and endorphins.

His whole body tingled, he felt a bit floaty, and he was incredibly pleased.

That 30 million Mi Yuan expenditure might have seemed like the impulsive spending of a fool with too much money, but in reality, all the objectives behind that extravagance had been perfectly achieved. From now on, he would command unparalleled respect and firmly grasp the initiative.

Cartier was the bait, while Tiffany and Van Cleef & Arpels were the fish.

Who was fishing for whom? It really wasn't certain yet...

*****

I've been warned. I'll behave myself from now on... no more being flashy...

ToT I absolutely have to finish this novel!