Chapter 323: A Familiar Yet Unplaceable Feeling
Hearing that someone wanted to buy shops in Luo City, Yu Luo’s heart leaped with joy. She was just about to ask the patrol guard which shop the buyer had chosen when the guard excitedly spoke up first.
“Miss, I was just on my way to report this! The owner of that carriage—not only did they pick the shop this gentleman wanted, but they also took the nine adjacent ones and ten more across the street! Miss, this is the deposit!”
Ye Lu: ???
Yu Luo: !!!
“Oh, so having money makes you all-powerful now?” Ye Lu scoffed. “Miss Yu, with our friendship, surely you wouldn’t—”
“Apologies, Young Master Ye.” Yu Luo cut him off smoothly, smiling gently but without room for negotiation.
“Please choose another shop or see if the buyer of these properties is willing to rent one to you. If you like any of them, you can ask them to lease one to you later.”
Ye Lu’s face froze. A hint of grievance and resentment flashed across his features.
For the first time in his life, he felt what it was like to lack money. He swore to himself—he would work hard to earn a fortune and buy back all the pride he lost today!
Just twenty shops? Hah! One day, he would buy an entire street in Luo City!
While Ye Lu was still sulking, Yu Luo had already turned away and walked toward the black-robed man by the carriage. She greeted him with a polite nod and a warm smile.
“Greetings, I’m in charge of the sale of these shops. If you’re interested, why don’t we sit down at the restaurant across the street to discuss the details?”
Ye Lu: ………..
Watching Yu Luo act so welcoming toward someone else, Ye Lu felt a weight pressing on his chest—as if something was suffocating him!
“Master, what do we do?” Ah Zan whispered. “The prime locations near the City Lord’s mansion are almost gone… Should we still—?”
Ye Lu gritted his teeth, his irritation flaring up again.
“Of course we’ll buy!” he snapped. “If I had more silver right now, I’d buy the entire street! What’s so impressive about buying twenty shops, huh? Hmph!”
Ah Zan: ………
Yu Luo’s words were met with a polite bow from Xuan Qi, the black-robed man. He then turned to the carriage, lifted the curtain, and gestured inside.
Yu Luo instantly understood—this man was just an attendant. The real buyer was still inside the carriage!
Her expectant gaze locked onto the opening carriage door.
And then, he stepped out.
A tall, strikingly handsome man appeared before her.
His skin was fair, his features sharp and well-defined, his eyes deep and unreadable, his nose straight, and his thin lips lightly pressed together.
His jet-black hair cascaded like silk, his dark pupils gleamed with amusement, and the faint upturn of his lips carried a hint of mischief.
For a moment, Yu Luo felt dazed.
His tall, commanding posture exuded an undeniable air of nobility. He was so out of place in this rugged wilderness, yet he stood as if he belonged here.
Even Ye Lu—who was handsome and carried a noble air himself—seemed to dim in comparison to this man’s aura.
Standing opposite him, Ye Lu’s hands clenched into fists, a flicker of jealousy flashing in his eyes.
Why… does he look so familiar?
Yu Luo was mesmerized. Something about this man’s face, voice, and presence stirred an overwhelming sense of familiarity within her.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t recall where she had seen him before.
The man’s gaze met hers, his smirk deepening at her visible confusion.
“Miss, are you the owner of Luo City?”
His voice was smooth and rich, lingering in the air.
The familiarity intensified.
But Yu Luo’s mind remained blank.
“Y-Yes, that’s right,” she stammered, snapping back to reality.
For the first time in her life, she found herself nervous in front of someone.
It wasn’t because of his looks—no, she was not the type to be swayed by appearances.
It was because of the invisible pressure radiating from him.
His presence was so overwhelming, his gaze so deep and knowing, that it felt as if he could see right through her.
Feeling unsettled, she quickly averted her gaze and gestured toward the restaurant.
“Shall we continue our discussion over a meal?”
The man chuckled, his smile deepening.
“A meal in the middle of the wilderness? I wonder what Luo City’s cuisine is like.”
“Since it’s already noon, why not discuss business over lunch?”
Yu Luo: ……
She had already invited Ye Lu to lunch today.
Would he mind if she stood him up?
Well… he was a familiar acquaintance, so surely he wouldn’t?
Sorry, Ye Lu. Money comes first!
“Actually, Miss Yu already invited my master to lunch today,” Ah Zan suddenly reminded them, stepping forward.
Oh… right.
Just as Yu Luo was about to figure out a solution, Ye Lu stepped forward as well, wedging himself between them with a smug look.
“That’s right!” he grinned, looking deliberately provocative. “Miss Yu, you did say you’d treat me to lunch today.”
Yu Luo suddenly had the urge to shove him aside.
She had a major client here—twenty shops! If she lost this deal, who was going to buy them?!
“Apologies, sir,” she turned back to the tall man.
“I do have a prior engagement for lunch. Since you’ve just arrived in Luo City, let me arrange accommodations for you first. Even if you plan to purchase these shops, the back rooms won’t be ready right away.”
The man’s brows lifted slightly.
“No need. With so many new arrivals in Luo City today, I doubt the local inns can accommodate them all. I’ve brought along two hundred attendants, so I won’t compete for space.”
“In that case, I’ll wait until after your lunch before discussing the property purchase with you.”
