Chapter 028
Chapter 28: Poor, But He Can Still Bid
Seeing Shi Zi Chu openly savoring the pastries, Ye He Qi parted his thin lips and spoke in a soft voice, “There’s a pastry shop called Jade Dew Pavilion in Supreme Virtue City. These treats from Cloud Riding Auction House must have come from there.” His tone was gentle and warm, pleasant and refined.
Only after swallowing the pastry did Shi Zi Chu ask, “Is Jade Dew Pavilion also owned by the Jun Clan?”
Ye He Qi gave a slight nod.
Shi Zi Chu took a sip of tea to relieve the sweetness in her mouth, then set down her cup and propped her chin up on one hand, looking at Ye He Qi, “Does the Ye Clan not have such businesses?”
Both were top-tier families. With Jun Clan’s vast enterprises, surely Ye Clan would not be outdone.
“Would you rather visit the auction house or the pastry shop?” Ye He Qi asked back with a faint smile.
Shi Zi Chu’s eyes curved playfully, a bit slyly, as she smiled, “Is it free?”
“The pastry shop, certainly,” Ye He Qi chuckled softly, “though the pastries made by the cooks of the Ye Clan are far superior.”
It was nine chances out of ten that Jiang Wan Sheng had come specifically for Shi Zi Chu. If Shi Zi Chu didn’t return to Ye Clan, Jiang Wan Sheng might just change his mind at the last minute. With the opportunity now presented to him, he could save the effort of resorting to underhanded tactics.
Shi Zi Chu put down her chopsticks and gently wiped her lips with a handkerchief, smiling as she teased, “Clan Chief Ye, you’re really pulling out all the stops just to have me back at the Ye Clan.”
A mere free pastry was certainly not enough to change her mind and bring her back!
“The inn may be nice, but it cannot compare to the comforts of the Ye Clan,” Ye He Qi did not directly answer Shi Zi Chu’s teasing, merely smiling as he said, “Daoist Shi wouldn’t want to spend money only to suffer discomfort, would she?”
Shi Zi Chu’s gentle smile gained a hint of helplessness, “Clan Chief Ye is truly… fine, I’ll return.”
But whether or not she actually would depended entirely on Ye He Qi’s sincerity.
The two spoke in soft tones, exchanging words warmly. At a glance, it looked as if two lovers were sharing private whispers, natural and intimate, oblivious to others around them.
Jiang Wan Sheng unconsciously squeezed the golden snake head in his hand, flattening it slightly. Though outwardly calm, he was silently grinding his teeth in frustration.
Chu Zhi Rou, standing at the side, could only watch the pair quietly. The perfect harmony between them created a little world that left no space for her to join.
Pei Qing You and Xu Zhou Ye’s attention fell upon Chu Zhi Rou, their hearts aching for the quiet sadness on her face.
Liang Wei Sheng, on the other hand, sat quietly, unobtrusive and nearly invisible.
…
“As time passes, tonight’s auction draws near its conclusion! The final highlight is a Heaven-rank water-element attack technique!”
Lan Xi’s professional announcement stirred excitement, and soon the bidding war began.
In a blink, the price shot up to seventy-eight million spirit stones, the competition fierce.
Listening to the intense bidding, Shi Zi Chu drew in a sharp breath.
[Everyone here is frighteningly wealthy!]
Resting her chin in her hand, Shi Zi Chu stared eagerly at the water mirror, admiration and envy clearly shining in her eyes. Her gaze sparkled playfully, charming and alluring.
Suddenly Jiang Wan Sheng leaned closer.
Seeing a handsome face abruptly magnified before her, Shi Zi Chu blinked in surprise.
Slowly Jiang Wan Sheng pulled back, straightening himself, his voice both playful and curious, “This is a Heaven-rank water-element attack technique. You don’t want it?”
He appeared genuinely curious about why Shi Zi Chu wasn’t joining the bid.
“I’m poor,” Shi Zi Chu sighed softly, eyes still on the water mirror. “Just looking is enough.”
Jiang Wan Sheng fell silent for a moment.
[Poverty hasn’t stopped her from attracting wealthy men, it seems.]
A faint smile appeared in Ye He Qi’s eyes, turning even warmer and gentler as he gazed at Shi Zi Chu, with affection deeper than a man might show even his beloved dog.
Shi Zi Chu turned towards him, her peach-blossom eyes equally tender, “Clan Chief Ye, I recall you also have a water spiritual root. Are you not interested in this technique?”
Hearing this, the corners of Ye He Qi’s mouth curled slightly deeper, and he calmly reached out, pressing the auction bell.
“Ninety-nine million.”
His refined, magnetic voice was like a gentle spring breeze.
Immediately, the other VIP rooms on the top floor fell silent.
They instantly recognized Ye He Qi’s voice. A Heaven-rank water technique was rare but not indispensable for them; however, for Ye He Qi, who possessed an exceptional water spiritual root, it would certainly enhance his power greatly. Since Ye He Qi clearly wanted this, they would graciously yield.
After three rounds of bidding, Ye He Qi successfully secured the Heaven-rank water attack technique for nearly a hundred million spirit stones.
A gentle knock came on the door.
“Come in.”
Wan Yan Qian stepped gracefully into the room and bowed slightly to Ye He Qi, “Congratulations, Clan Chief Ye, on successfully winning the Heaven-rank technique.”
Shi Zi Chu glanced up, not believing Wan Yan Qian was merely here to congratulate him.
Ye He Qi smiled courteously, yet with a hint of distant nobility, “The same to you, Eldest Miss Wan Yan.”
Wan Yan Qian turned towards Chu Zhi Rou, whose eyes were red and face pale.
[Pitiful indeed, stirring anyone’s sympathy.]
“I heard Eldest Miss Ye needed a Rejuvenation Pill to heal,” Wan Yan Qian sighed dramatically, feigning helplessness. “Why didn’t Eldest Miss Ye bid earlier? Had you placed a bid, I would surely have yielded Drifting Flower to you!”
Her sarcastic afterthought was sharp, making Shi Zi Chu silently give her a thumbs-up.
Pei Qing You wished he could defend Chu Zhi Rou, but the moment had passed, leaving no room for his words. Chu Zhi Rou struggled visibly to suppress her anger, bringing a brighter smile to Wan Yan Qian’s lips.
“Room Six seems to hold the Young Sect Master of Limitless Sect, but who was in Room Nine again?” Wan Yan Qian mused aloud, deliberately continuing, “Perhaps Eldest Miss Ye could discuss with Young Sect Master Yan; you might still manage to get Drifting Flower.”
Chu Zhi Rou clenched her fists tightly, eyes reddening even further. Yan Zhou Bai and Shi Zi Chu were clearly close; how could he ever sell Drifting Flower to her?
Another man entered quietly, nodding politely to Ye He Qi.
“Clan Chief Jun,” Ye He Qi returned the greeting.
Jun Clan Chief Jun Yue Hua looked barely thirty, handsome and regal, his eyes cold and profound. Although his presence was subdued, every movement held natural authority.
Before he could speak, two more figures stepped in.
Yan Zhou Bai and a lovely, round-faced young lady entered one after another.
“Young Sect Master Yan.”
“Clan Chief Jun, Clan Chief Ye, Young Master Jiang, Eldest Miss Wan Yan.”
Polite greetings rose and fell in quick succession.
Seated comfortably, Shi Zi Chu remained unconcerned.
These people and affairs interested her less than the pastries. Thus, she lowered her head, taking a bite of pastry and leisurely chewing.
Just as Jun Yue Hua inwardly sighed at how lively things were, another set of steady footsteps approached from the doorway, each step radiating strength and authority.
A subtle yet oppressive aura filled the room silently.
Robes of deep blue embroidered with subtle patterns appeared first, followed by a face sharply defined and chillingly austere.
Everyone swiftly rose from their seats.
“Greeting, Venerable Xing Lan.”
“Disciple greets Master!”
All except Shi Zi Chu, who calmly sat chewing on her pastry, greeted the man at the door respectfully.
“Rise,” Xing Lan said coolly.
Xing Lan passed by the crowd, coming directly before Shi Zi Chu. Seeing her begin to stand, he gently pressed her shoulder to keep her seated.
His deep eyes, dark as a mountain stream, settled on the fifth auction item.