C6 The Auction Exploded with the Atmosphere!
Regarding how much money others were making, Lin Yi didn't concern himself with such details. He was running a highly profitable business with minimal capital investment. As long as he remained cautious, he wouldn't have to worry about running out of money in the future.
...
"Hey, buddy! How much cash did you bring?" bellowed a burly man with a face full of hair to someone next to him.
"Mind your own business!"
"You asking for a fight?" The big man's face twisted with anger.
"Scared of you?" retorted the shorter man, standing his ground.
"Enough with the noise!" interjected a middle-aged man with a monkey perched on his shoulder, approaching them. "Keep it up, and I'll have both of you thrown out."
"Wow, they've really done it now."
"Causing trouble at the auction house, of all places!"
"Still stirring up issues today, huh? They must think the auction house guards are pushovers."
The crowd buzzed with chatter.
Confronted by the middle-aged man, the big man and his shorter counterpart instantly lost their bravado. "Heh, sir, I was just kidding around."
"Don't let there be a next time."
"There won't be, I promise!" they exclaimed in unison, "Farewell, sir!"
The crowd scoffed in response.
Meanwhile, Lin Yi had managed to locate the manager amidst the commotion. The manager gave Lin Yi a surprised once-over before directing a servant, "Take this young master to room number three."
The auction house featured a vast open-air venue encircled by a fortress-like structure. On closer inspection, one would notice that the building was evenly divided into twelve sections, spread across three levels, totaling thirty-six private rooms. Lin Yi was headed to the third room on the top floor.
Access to these private rooms wasn't simply a matter of financial means; without the right connections, one was relegated to the crowded public area. And if you were unfortunate enough to be groped by some oddball there, well, you were out of luck.
So why did Lin Yi command such respect?
He owed it all to fatty.
The auction house appeared to be owned by his family, after all!
Lin Yi was aware that since its inception, the number one room had never been in use. He surmised it was reserved for entertaining distinguished visitors from afar.
The second private room was reserved for the Zhong family, who, as the mayor's kin, commanded a certain level of respect in their territory. Though it was ostensibly for the Zhongs, Fatty often came and went as he pleased.
Why the familiarity? The two families were so close they might as well have been breathing through the same nostril. Lin Yi, for his part, was eagerly anticipating the wedding sweets.
Lin Yi's entry into the third room was a no-brainer; it was Fatty's personal playground, open whenever he fancied a visit.
Lin Yi: These darn capitalists! Ugh! But why does it smell so good?
...
"Ladies and gentlemen of distinction, good evening to you all!"
A man in a sleek black suit took center stage, gripping the microphone as he bellowed his greeting.
"We're not good!" came the retort from the audience.
"Oh, is that so?" His voice dipped, then he blurted out, "Mike, I don't buy it!"
"Ha! You rascal!"
"Scram! You're just messing with us this late at night!"
The venue's energy soared, resembling the fervor of a fan meet-up, with vibrant lights dancing all around.
"Wow! Mike, you're a knockout! I want to have your babies!" boomed a robust voice.
Don't jump to conclusions; it was a buff guy who yelled it out.
"Huh?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
...
"Ha! Uncle Li, check out this character! Isn't he something?"
In the first private room, a girl in lavish attire sprawled across a chair, laughing uncontrollably.
...
"Cough, cough!"
"Mike, we all know fluff isn't your style, so let's cut to the chase."
"No, wait! Mike, I even love your ramblings!" the same burly man chimed in.
"No! Buddy, you might want to let this one go. I'm straight as an arrow. You might snag my body, but my heart's off-limits," Mike shot back confidently.
"Ha!"
"Ha! Mike, you've got my backing on this."
"Come on, Mike, just give in!"
The atmosphere had been electric since Mike made his appearance, and the revelry showed no signs of slowing down.
Alright! The time for play and mischief had come.
Mike snapped his fingers with effortless charm!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
One by one, the colorful lights went out, plunging the venue into darkness.
A solitary beam of white light illuminated the stage.
The audience could clearly see the dashing Mike standing there, with a rectangular object shrouded in red cloth behind him.
As Mike reached for the corner of the cloth, all eyes were glued to the stage in anticipation.
Suddenly, Mike teasingly replaced the cloth. "Care to guess what the first auction item is today?"
"Wow! You're killing me! My heart skipped a beat."
"You almost gave me a heart attack, Mike. You owe me!"
"Oh! Owe you?" The moment the words were spoken, the spotlight hit the man who had spoken.
His face flushed with embarrassment, yet he boldly stood his ground, chest out.
The crowd erupted into laughter.
"Today's first auction item is—good news for the gentlemen and a delight for the ladies!"
Mike whisked away the red cloth without further ado.
Beneath it was a round glass tank filled with amber liquid, and inside, something that would normally be pixelated for modesty!
The previously raucous crowd fell silent.
"Who's going to buy that?"
"How embarrassing!" A lady covered her face, yet peeked through the gaps between her fingers.
Mike draped the red cloth back over the object. "This comes from the body of a Chongyang tiger. Those who know of it are aware of its uses."
"No need for introductions. Let's begin the bidding."
Once again, the lights went out, leaving the room in complete darkness.
"Two thousand!" a voice called out from the shadows.
Snap! A spotlight highlighted a man dressed in red.
"I bid five thousand!"
Snap! Another light! This one was white, changing the previously illuminated man's spotlight to a dim yellow.
"Tch! How cheap!" a sultry female voice drawled, "Twenty thousand!"
Snap! A third spotlight revealed a woman with a captivating figure.
It, too, was white, turning the second bidder's light to a dim yellow.
"Such a bold move! Straight to twenty thousand!" Mike announced from the stage.
"Wow!"
The animals below the stage were visibly moved by the atmosphere, their excitement spilling out in tears that streamed down from the corners of their mouths.
...
Room No. 1
Kong Lingyue's face flushed slightly. "Uncle Li, do you need it? I can buy it for you."
"Uh... Miss, I think I'll pass!"
"Hmph!"
...
Room No. 3
Lin Yi stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"The price is a bit steep, and I already have enough as it is."
...
