Chapter 026
Chapter 26: Getting a Card
“This way.”
As Shi Zi Chu pushed open the door, four pairs of eyes immediately settled upon her.
Calmly, she walked inside and sat down gracefully on a chair, picking up the teacup to take a gentle sip.
Jiang Wan Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
He caught the delicate fragrance of snowy orchids and green bamboo, and then…
His gaze lingered on Shi Zi Chu’s petal-soft red lips, eyes darkening with shadowy intensity.
[Qing Qing must belong to me alone!]
“The fourteenth auction item, a manor owned by the Jun Clan… Starting bid is ten million spirit stones!”
Shi Zi Chu acted as if she didn’t notice the strange atmosphere within the private room, her attention fixed on the water mirror.
Looking at the deed displayed on the auction stand, Shi Zi Chu felt her heart move slightly.
“Thirteen million!”
“Thirteen and a half million!”
Shi Zi Chu glanced at the auction bell that had shifted from its place. She flicked a dust-dispelling spell, grabbed the bell, and lightly pressed it. “Twenty million.”
Ye He Qi raised his eyes slightly.
[Did she just rob someone?]
The other guests in the top-floor rooms showed little interest in the manor. Those who were interested didn’t have enough spirit stones and thus quietly withdrew.
Lan Xi raised his voice excitedly upon hearing the bid, “Top Floor, Room Number Three bids twenty million spirit stones! Twenty million going once!”
“Twenty million spirit stones going twice!”
“Twenty million spirit stones—sold! Congratulations to the honored guest in Room Number Three on the top floor! The item will shortly be delivered by attendants.”
Shi Zi Chu pressed the bell lightly again, her gentle and melodious voice drifting softly, “Right now.”
Lan Xi responded cheerfully, “The attendants will come at once, honored guest, please wait just a moment.”
Shi Zi Chu leaned back comfortably into her chair, elegant and languid, exuding noble charm.
Chu Zhi Rou watched Shi Zi Chu’s graceful and proud posture, lips pale and pursed tightly.
[Twenty million spirit stones.]
She held Shi Zi Chu’s spirit stone card. Shi Zi Chu couldn’t possibly have that many spirit stones!
A short while later, there was a knock at the door.
After receiving permission, several attendants entered respectfully.
Shi Zi Chu glanced at them, her voice soft and courteous, “I only have spirit stones.”
The attendant raised his head, momentarily dazzled by the stunning beauty of the woman leaning gracefully beneath the lamplight.
But being professionally trained, he quickly composed himself and, with a polite smile, asked, “Would the honored guest like to open a card? Cloud Riding Bank’s reputation is excellent.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded slightly.
[How thoughtful and sensible this attendant is. I like him.]
“Please wait a moment, honored guest,” the attendant said, turning to give further instructions.
Within minutes, another attendant hurried in, carrying a polished redwood tray.
Holding a stone, the attendant approached Shi Zi Chu, respectfully explained, and a water mirror appeared before them.
As Shi Zi Chu’s information displayed, the attendant spoke carefully, “Records show that the honored guest previously opened a purple card. Might the honored guest have lost that card?”
[Truly, an attendant trained by a top auction house is impressively tactful.]
Shi Zi Chu inwardly praised his tactfulness, smiling gently as she nodded.
Indeed, Chu Zhi Rou had tricked away her previous purple card. The female villain system required her to become a stepping stone, so naturally, she never intended to retrieve it.
Thinking about the seventy or eighty million spirit stones on that purple card, Shi Zi Chu’s smile deepened, though her eyes grew colder.
Ye He Qi noticed this, lifting his eyes slightly, clearly catching the coldness and hostility hidden beneath Shi Zi Chu’s gentle expression.
“Then allow me first to cancel the purple card and open a new spirit stone card for the honored guest,” said the attendant as he began to work, carefully explaining various card benefits as he operated.
Shi Zi Chu glanced casually aside and immediately caught Chu Zhi Rou’s flickering gaze.
Ye He Qi followed Shi Zi Chu’s line of sight, eyes turning cool.
Chu Zhi Rou was no match for Shi Zi Chu. As for why Shi Zi Chu hadn’t dealt with her yet, perhaps it was a hunter’s twisted amusement.
Still, Chu Zhi Rou had become a useless chess piece.
It was time to find a new pawn.
Once the cancellation was complete, the attendant raised his head and asked Shi Zi Chu, “Honored guest, how many spirit stones would you like to deposit?”
Shi Zi Chu handed over a storage ring.
Without asking more, the attendant accepted the ring respectfully, counting and verifying the spirit stones inside.
After triple-checking without error, the attendant used spiritual power to fetch a gold card and began the process.
Chu Zhi Rou stared in disbelief at the gleaming golden card.
[A hundred million spirit stones?!]
How could Shi Zi Chu possibly have that many spirit stones?!
Chu Zhi Rou unconsciously clutched the armrest tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.
Pei Qing You also looked surprised.
[Isn’t Shi Zi Chu an orphan girl? How could she have such wealth?]
Ye He Qi looked at the golden card and raised an eyebrow slightly.
[Looks like she really did rob someone.]
After completing the new card, the attendant used spiritual energy to respectfully offer the gold card to Shi Zi Chu, “Honored guest, please confirm it. If there are no issues, you may proceed to pay.”
Shi Zi Chu held the gold card lightly between two delicate fingers, the corners of her lips lifting in a faint smile.
“According to the benefits of the gold card, honored guest, could you please tell me when you lost the purple card? We might be able to retrieve some of your lost spirit stones.”
Gazing directly at Chu Zhi Rou, whose lips had flattened into a tense line, Shi Zi Chu spoke clearly with crimson lips raised, “Three years ago.”
The attendant confirmed and soon replied, “The recovered amount of 48,760,000 spirit stones has already been transferred back onto the honored guest’s card.”
Cloud Riding Bank had its methods for tracing and recovering stolen stones.
Chu Zhi Rou turned deathly pale.
Cloud Riding Bank was backed by the Jun Clan, one of the Seven Clans. Though Ye Clan was not weaker, she didn’t carry the Ye surname!
Even her mother couldn’t save her from such debt. Her big brother was out of the question unless she could immediately bring tens of millions of spirit stones to the Ye Clan.
[Cursed Shi Zi Chu!]
A dark shadow crossed Chu Zhi Rou’s eyes, her slender fingers gripping the armrest tightly.
Jiang Wan Sheng, quietly observing Shi Zi Chu, immediately noticed this. His chilling gaze swept toward Chu Zhi Rou.
[Lost card? Likely a lie. Chu Zhi Rou probably stole it.]
In just three years, nearly fifty million spirit stones spent, and that was only part of the recoverable amount.
Jiang Wan Sheng lowered his thick eyelashes, hiding the dangerous madness in his eyes.
Shi Zi Chu lightly waved the gold card in her hand, “Swipe it.”
The attendant activated a square water mirror next to Shi Zi Chu.
A crisp “Beep!” sounded, signaling successful payment.
After storing away the stone, the attendant respectfully handed Shi Zi Chu the land deed along with the man’s slave contract.
Shi Zi Chu placed them in her spatial storage ring, allowing Xue Gu to organize everything neatly into an empty room.
“After the auction concludes, someone will guide the honored guest to inspect the manor. If the honored guest has any concerns, please let us know.” The attendant bowed politely, “I won’t disturb your enjoyment further.”
As the attendants exited quietly, Shi Zi Chu tucked away the gold card, turning toward the man in the corner.
He needed the wall’s support to stand.
“Can you walk over here?” Her gentle, melodious voice held genuine concern.
The man’s meridians were severely damaged, likely making even walking difficult.
He looked up warily, icy eyes filled with guarded caution.
His guarded gaze met clear, gentle eyes filled with kindness.
Unprepared for such genuine warmth, the man awkwardly lowered his head, hiding his reddening ears beneath his scattered hair. “N-Not really.”
Perhaps unused to speaking, his voice sounded hoarse.
Shi Zi Chu rose and approached him, reaching out her hand, “Come with me.”
The man stared at her delicate, pale hand before slowly placing his own into hers after a moment’s hesitation.
Her skin felt cool, like exquisite jade, carrying a faint jasmine fragrance.
The man lowered his gaze shyly, careful not to put too much weight on her, limping slightly as he followed Shi Zi Chu.