The next few days were as calm as a still lake. The cooperation with the Tang family gradually got on track, and Bu Tongxun specially transferred a group of people from the United States to China to assist. The Morgan family was also temporarily at peace, and the lake was calm. As for the club application, it had been submitted to the relevant school leaders and was just waiting for approval.

Duanmu Ci still dressed impeccably for class every day. His ancient Chinese literature class set an unprecedented record since the founding of Haishan University—100% attendance!

Apart from seven clueless students in the first class, all subsequent classes were full, and no one dared to skip class or leave early, except for a few who were occasionally late.

This remarkable achievement was not only due to Professor Duanmu's good looks attracting a large number of female students and students from other classes to watch, but also because his lectures were truly excellent, insightful yet easy to understand, popular yet not vulgar. After all, Haishan University is a place where academic elites gather, so such high-quality teaching is naturally welcomed by the students.

Furthermore, Professor Duanmu is "young," has less of a generation gap with them, and doesn't possess the stale air often associated with older professors, naturally making him more popular... Of course, the "strict and severe methods" also deserve some credit for this achievement...

In short, after this incredible attendance rate spread among the teachers at Haishan University, quite a few people came to Duanmu Ci to "learn from his experience." But often, before Duanmu Ci could even speak, Chu Xinsu would come up and say with a grin, "Professor Duanmu makes a living with his looks. Professor ****, can you do that too?"

The teacher covered his face in shame and retreated.

Duanmu Ci almost retreated in shame... I make a living with my talent, okay... No, that's not right, I don't need to make a living with my talent... I make a living with this... But that's not important! The important thing is that I'm not just a pretty face!

After class, Duanmu Ci was surrounded by a group of "studious" female students who asked him some profound or simple questions. He certainly couldn't leave at that moment!

A teacher's duty is to impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts. If a teacher fails to resolve the doubts of their students, wouldn't that be a grave dereliction of duty? Therefore, Duanmu Ci had no choice but to tolerate these students who clearly had impure intentions.

After going through a series of "carefully" selected questions, Duanmu Ci got rid of the overly enthusiastic students and returned to his office. Once back at his desk, Duanmu Ci skillfully followed his usual practice and put the love letters on the desk into the designated box, instead of throwing them away carelessly like trash.

After all, this was the girl's heartfelt sentiment, carrying the first stirrings of spring. Duanmu Ci, as a person with a certain level of taste, wouldn't do something as tasteless as throwing away a love letter.

As someone who has lived in classical China for a long time and has been influenced by Western civilization in modern times, Duanmu Ci is now "the heart of a gentleman and the demeanor of a gentleman".

Perhaps this statement is somewhat inaccurate, after all, he has lived for so long and it's impossible for him to be too pure, but if we look at it from the deepest part of his heart, he really is that kind of person.

However, beneath the stack of love letters, Duanmu Ci noticed something that was clearly not a love letter. Just as he was wondering about it, Qiu Duli said from across the seat, "This was sent by a gentleman. He originally wanted to hand it to you in person, but you went to class, so he had no choice but to leave it here for now."

"Oh, I see. Thank you, Teacher Qiu." Duanmu Ci nodded slightly.

"It's nothing, it's nothing!" Qiu Duli waved his hand in a very honest manner.

Duanmu Ci chuckled softly, then turned around and opened the envelope. Inside was a rectangular folded card, which looked like an invitation.

The reason he said "again" is because he had received an invitation before, which was for Mr. Tang Yijin's 80th birthday, and now, not long after, he received another one.

This invitation was different from the festive invitations from the Tang family; it was as red as a sunset.

The invitation had a plain white cover, with only a plum blossom outlined in the corner, **adorned with a touch of red**. Upon opening it—

"Crane Garden has snow, wine, and plum blossoms. I wish to share them with you, to drink and appreciate them together. Your refined taste will surely not disappoint me!"

A refined and elegant phrase, written with a brush, exudes the style of Yan Zhenqing, and is signed "Master of Crane Garden".

"The owner of Crane Garden?" Duanmu Ci frowned. He didn't know this person, but he knew Crane Garden. He had once encountered two items belonging to an old friend there.

Legend has it that Crane Garden holds a transcendent status in Haishan, and few dare to cause trouble there. Once, buyers participating in an auction got into a conflict over a particular item, but none dared to shout or curse on the spot; everything was resolved after they left Crane Garden. It's worth noting that those who can enter and leave Crane Garden are all prominent figures in Haishan, yet even they dare not cause trouble there, demonstrating Crane Garden's prestigious position.

If Crane Garden holds such a high status, then one can imagine the status of its owner.

Duanmu Ci put the invitation aside, preparing to keep his appointment the next day—he couldn't refuse.

Moreover, Duanmu Ci was also very curious about who the owner of Crane Garden was.

...

...

The next day, it was cloudy and snowy.

Duanmu Ci drove to Heyuan as agreed, this time alone, without Bu Tongxun. This was because it might be a private meeting, and bringing someone along wouldn't be appropriate. Secondly, Bu Tongxun had been very busy lately, working with the Tang family and expanding the family business.

So he came by himself, without even a driver. Oh, sorry, Duanmu Ci doesn't like using drivers.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Crane Garden, Duanmu Ci, guided by the gatekeeper, parked his car inside the garden and then got into another vehicle. This time, it was clearly not heading to the auction site, but rather taking a circuitous route to a more secluded location...

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