The exclusive auction house of Fung and Chen occupied the entire top floor of an eye-catching tower in T City's financial district.
From the outside, the building looked like an impregnable fortress, one that could stand anything.
As for the inside, it was indeed worthy of being the place where the ultra-wealthy came to flex their financial muscles.
Tang Lin stepped out of the private elevator, her pencil heels clicking softly against the marble floor, barely audible.
"Good evening", the elevator staff greeted cautiously as he watched her step out.
"Hello," she gave a curt nod and walked forward with a slight sway to her hips.
She had almost forgotten about this event for which she had been invited some four months ago, until Zhou Qing reminded her.
If it were any other regular engagement, she would have sent back a simple apology, saying it was unfortunate that she could not attend or there was some inconvenience.
However, this was the Fung and Chen house invitation and not going would mean not giving Mr. Chen any face and that was definitely not her style.
So, she had swiftly rummaged through her wardrobe in search of suitable outfits, and matching accessories.
She had to show up.
"I can get in touch with Blissful and have something ready for you in an hour," Zhou Qing, her assistant who stood by witnessing her dilemma, spoke up.
Tang Lin thought about it briefly and agreed. After all, if anyone could get her dressed to perfection for the occasion, it would be Blissful.
They were not one of the best fashion stylists in the industry for nothing.
Her pockets would feel the pinch of having them dress her, but it would totally be worth it.
"Okay. You make the arrangements."
"Of course," Zhou Qing responded with a smile and got to it.
The result of hours of Blissful's elite stylist's grooming plus the hole burnt in her pocket was now evident.
She was quite the sight
When she got to the door, the security men offered a polite, detached smile of welcome, then proceeded to ask to see her invite.
"We would like to have a look at your invitation card, please."
Tang Lin could hear a few exaggerated gasps from the people close by.
She paid them no mind. She had existed in this circle long enough to know that they were just looking for the next exciting thing to hehe and hawhaw about.
"Not a problem. Here."
She calmly handed the invitation card that was mostly black with her name and Fung and Chen logo embossed in gold on it.
Immediately, the hum died down significantly as the people hanging around the door of the auction house threw curious glances at the security.
Necks stretched and eyes strained, trying to get a glimpse of Tang Lin's invite which looked significantly different from the regular ones they had seen earlier.
The security guard's eye flickered with surprise and even shock, then recognition before he handed the card back to her, bowing respectfully.
"So it's an esteemed guest of Mr. Chen. Miss Tang, please go ahead."
He even made sure to step aside to let her pass.
"Do enjoy your evening."
Up until Tang Lin took back her invitation card and stepped into the hall, the gossipy people had yet to come to their senses.
They were so stunned that the uproar the encounter should have elicited from them failed to come.
Perhaps only happening in their minds.
When they could finally react, they only caught a glimpse of her straight and slender back as she headed deeper into the hall.
Sigh.
"It must really be nice to be so outstanding at such a young age. Even the invitation card is different from that of ordinary people".
These were the thoughts that filled the minds of most of the fifteen or so people standing in the lobby area of the auction hall.
Unfortunately, Tang Lin could not hear their thoughts, neither could she be bothered to pay them any mind.
All that she had laid out for tonight, was to get through the night in one piece.
Basically, she needed to make sure to greet everyone she was supposed to, check out some antiques, join a few other antique lovers to exchange information and appreciate some pieces.
Then she would be done. And she would immediately head home.
Hopefully.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths. You know you can always do this.
She reached out to adjust the high collar of her qipao-themed evening dress.
It was a modern interpretation in deep caramel silk with very complicated black embroidery that highlighted her slender, lithe frame.
At a glance, it was easy to tell that the dress was perfectly tailored. It had subtle slits that stopped a few inches away from her mid-thigh, allowing her to move freely.
The slits were high up her thighs enough to be almost decadent, but low down enough to let her maintain an air of elegance.
Holding her hair up in a tight and sophisticated updo was a vintage bronze hairpin that looked striking against her hair.
Surprisingly, it was one of the very few genuine antiques she owned personally despite having very frequent and constant contact with all kinds of antiques pieces from different times periods.
The event tonight was the Summer Solstice Auction Preview, easily one of the most anticipated events in T City's high society calendar.
Only a few invitations went out annually for it and the VIP invitations were even way fewer.
Getting one wasn't just a matter of money. One had to have strong roots and stronger influence to qualify.