C6 The Atmosphere in the Auction House Exploded.!
As for how much others were making?
Lin Yih didn't concern himself with that. His own business was already a gold mine, and it didn't require much capital to start.
He just needed to be cautious from now on, and he'd never be short on cash.
...
"Hey, hey, brother! How much cash did you bring?" A hairy-faced brute in the crowd questioned the guy next to him.
"Mind your own beeswax!"
"You asking for a knuckle sandwich?" The brute's face turned stormy.
"Scared of you?" The shorter man stood his ground.
"Enough with the noise!" A middle-aged man with a monkey perched on his shoulder intervened. "Keep it up, and I'll have you both tossed out on your ears."
"Whoa! They've stirred up trouble now."
"Causing a ruckus in the auction house, of all places!"
"Bold enough to make a scene today, they must think the auction house guards are pushovers."
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
Confronted by the middle-aged man, the brute and the short man wilted instantly. "Heh, just kidding around, sir."
"Don't let there be a next time."
"Never again!" they chorused, "Take care, sir!"
The crowd: "Pfft!"
Meanwhile, Lin Yih, who had been among the onlookers, sought out the place's manager.
The manager gave Lin Yih a surprised once-over and directed an attendant, "Escort this young master to room number three."
The venue was a vast, open-air circle, encircled by a fortress-like structure.
But a closer look revealed the fortress was divided into twelve sections, with three levels, making thirty-six rooms in total.
Lin Yih was headed for the third room on the third floor.
These auction house rooms weren't just for anyone with money; without the right connections, you'd be left to stand with the masses. And if you got groped by some oddball, tough luck.
Why did Lin Yih have such clout?
All thanks to Fatty, whose family apparently owned the auction house!
Lin Yih knew that since its opening, the first room had never been used, likely reserved for VIPs from afar.
The second room was always set aside for the Zhong family, the town mayor's kin. It's only polite to show respect on someone else's turf! Though it was "reserved" for the Zhongs, Fatty waltzed in and out as he pleased.
Why? The two families were as close as can be, practically breathing through the same nostril. Lin Yih was already looking forward to the wedding sweets.
As for the third room Lin Yih entered, it was even simpler: a plaything for Fatty. Open if he showed, closed if not.
Lin Yih: These darned capitalists! Ugh! But why does it smell so good?
...
"Ladies and gentlemen of distinction! Good evening!"
At the stage's heart, a man in a fitted black suit gripped a microphone, calling out energetically.
"We're not good!" came the cheeky retort from the audience.
"Oh, is that so?" His voice dipped, then with a sudden flair, "Mike, I don't buy it!"
"Ha! You joker!"
"Scram! Trying to amuse us this late?"
The venue's vibe was electric, akin to a fan meet-and-greet, with vibrant lights dancing all around.
"Ah! Mike, you're a stud! I want your babies." A robust voice boomed through the space.
No overthinking it; a brawny fellow had bellowed.
"Huh?"
A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd.
...
"Ha! Uncle Li! Check out this character! Isn't he something?"
In the number one private room, a girl in lavish attire sprawled on a chair, laughing without a care.
...
"Ahem!"
"Mike, we know fluff isn't your style, so let's cut to the chase."
"No, wait! Mike, I even love your ramblings!" It was that same burly voice.
"No! Buddy, I suggest you drop it. I'm straight as an arrow. You might snag my body, but my heart's off-limits," Mike shot back, unfazed.
"Ha!"
"Mike! You've got my backing on this one."
"Little Mike, just give in!"
The atmosphere had been buzzing nonstop since Mike's arrival...
Alright, enough fun and games.
With a suave snap of his fingers, Mike commanded the room.
Click! Click! Click!
The lights dimmed one by one until darkness engulfed the space.
Snap! A solitary beam spotlighted the stage.
The crowd could now clearly see the dashing Mike and the square object shrouded in red behind him.
As Mike teasingly grasped a corner of the cloth, all eyes locked onto the stage.
Then, with a playful flourish, he replaced the cloth. "Care to guess what's first on the block tonight?"
"Argh! You're killing me! My heart's racing."
"I'm about to have a heart attack here, Mike! You owe me!"
"Owe you? What?" The spotlight swung to the man who had spoken, now blushing but standing tall and proud.
Laughter and playful commotion erupted from the audience...
"Today's first lot is—great news for the gentlemen! And a delight for the ladies!"
Mike swiftly whisked away the red cloth, cutting short their speculation.
Beneath it was a round glass tank brimming with amber liquor, and inside, something that would normally be pixelated for modesty!
The previously boisterous crowd fell silent.
"Who... who's going to bid on that?"
"Oh, how embarrassing!" A woman covered her face with her hands, yet her fingers were splayed wide apart.
Mike draped the red cloth back over the item. "This is a part from the Chongyang Tiger. Those who are familiar with it surely know its purpose."
"No need for introductions then. Let's get the bidding started."
Once more, the lights dimmed, leaving the room in complete darkness.
"Two thousand!" a voice called out from the shrouded assembly.
Snap! A spotlight illuminated a man clad in red.
"I bid five thousand!"
Snap! Another spotlight! This one was white, turning the previous red-tinted light to a dull yellow.
"Pfft! How cheap!" A sultry female voice drawled, "Twenty thousand!"
Snap! A third spotlight targeted a woman with a voluptuous figure.
It, too, was white, rendering the light on the second bidder a dim yellow.
"Big spender! Straight to twenty thousand!" Mike chimed in from the stage.
"Wow!"
The crowd, bathed in the shifting lights, was so thrilled that tears of excitement streamed down their cheeks.
...
In Room No. 1
Kong Lingyue's cheeks were flushed. "Uncle Li, do you need it? I can bid for you."
"Uh... Miss, I think I'll pass!"
"Hmph!"
...
In Room No. 3
Lin Yih stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"The price seems steep, and what I have is sufficient."
