Chapter 624: Auction at Sea

Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter

Ye Mo sneered. He knew what Luo Zilian was thinking. Though dinner had just begun, he already wanted it to end. He said to Luo Zilian, “Thank you, CEO Luo, for getting rid of those hoodlums. It saved me from being robbed.”

Luo Zilian was shaken. She hadn’t expected Ye Mo to notice. She’d underestimated him.

She’d planned a less subtle approach if he didn’t comply, letting him know she’d helped him. If she hadn’t, he wouldn’t have left the city. But he seemed no simple person; his tone, sardonic when mentioning the hoodlums, suggested he wouldn’t have been scared even without her intervention.

Ye Mo ignored Luo Zilian, raised his cup to Hu Dan, and said, “Brother Hu, I heard there’s a big auction in this city, a colorful stone to be sold. Is that true?”

Hu Dan toasted Ye Mo. “Was there? I don’t know. CEO Luo, have you heard of it?”

Hu Dan was also unhappy with Luo Zilian’s behavior.

“Uh, no, I didn’t know,” Luo Zilian replied, her response rushed. Ye Mo’s words made her feel she’d lost control.

Her plan was to get Ye Mo drunk, take him to her place. Ye Mo’s words, however, disrupted her control.

Shen Yin said, “Brother Ye, my cousin usually represents the Shen family at auctions. I can ask for you.”

Seeing Hu Dan and Luo Zilian’s ignorance, Ye Mo was disappointed. Wealthy people like Hu Dan should know about high-level auctions. This auction wasn’t simple, or that old man in Jiutang had lied.

Ye Mo nodded. “Please call your cousin now.”

If he’d been lied to, he’d take everything in Jiutang’s Gem Banner.

Shen Yin went outside to call. Luo Zilian, perhaps concerned, behaved differently.

Hu Dan said, “I’ve heard of Shen Yin’s cousin. She’s the Shen family’s eldest daughter, a business genius. Elder Shen loved her; she controlled the family’s businesses. She was the most powerful, other than Elder Shen. Now, after his death, the family’s fighting, and she’s lost control.”

Luo Zilian interjected, “They say the eldest daughter is ugly, but I don’t know.”

Hu Dan laughed. “Gossip, perhaps, but it’s true Elder Shen tried to buy a face-preserving pill in Hong Kong two years ago, but failed.”

Shen Yin ran in. “Brother Ye, the auction exists. It’s starting now, on a cruiser at sea. My cousin sent details; she’s there, but you’re running late.”

Ye Mo was angry. Luo Yu had tricked him! He’d misled him about the date. If he hadn’t met Shen Yin, he’d have been fooled.

“Thank you, Shen Yin. I owe you one. I’ll help you with one thing tomorrow. Thanks for the treat, Boss Hu. CEO Luo, see you next time.” Ye Mo left.

Ye Mo was desperate. If the auction ended, he wouldn’t find the Five Element Rock.

The three remaining looked at each other. Shen Yin realized Ye Mo would help her and felt elated.

Hu Dan was disappointed but happy to have met Ye Mo. Luo Zilian felt worst. She’d accomplished almost nothing and hated Shen Yin, but couldn’t mess with the Shen family.

…

On the international sea near North Korea, a huge cruiser cruised slowly.

In the largest hall, a world-level auction, held by Huan Kong Auctions, the world’s largest auction company, was taking place. They auctioned anything.

The cheapest item sold cost almost $1 million. It was a place for the rich to burn money.

Anything could be sold, as long as the price was paid. Even unsold items required payment, and sold items incurred a percentage fee.

Their credibility was world-class; the only worry was getting an invitation. Invitees were global elites; some countries attended incognito, as the auction disallowed government intervention. Disguised wealthy persons, however, were fine.

An Ancient Egyptian curse ball sold for $50 million.

The auction usually proceeded rapidly, but an old white man stood on stage, about to speak.

He scanned everyone. “Those here are global elites, and know the rules, yet someone sent a text message from the cruiser. Our auction is open and just, but we don’t want this again. Contact people after the auction. Let the auction continue.”

Shen Qianqian shivered. She knew the rule, but this was her last auction. Since Elder Shen’s death, she’d been handing over control, and couldn’t buy anything.

One message was a warning; a second would bar the Shen family forever.

A blonde girl in revealing clothes carried a silver plate onstage. The auctioneer, a formally dressed woman in her thirties, announced:

“Next is a mystical Miao Gu bug, a mind control Gu, with instructions. Starting bid: $30 million, increments no less than $1 million.”

“$35 million.” A screen showed the bids.

“$40 million.”

“$43 million.”

…

The price rose to $50 million, finally reaching $56 million. The winner, a man mostly covered by a black scarf, revealing a cratered face. The blonde girl shook as she approached him.

The transaction was quick.

Then, a young girl, scantily clad, carried a gold plate containing a jade box.