The next morning, Lu Mingming brought Tangyuan to the auction.
They followed the route provided by the light brain map. Fortunately, traffic was not congested, and after a short ride in a flying vehicle, they arrived at their destination.
The auction was held in the main urban area of the main planet.
This area was a traditional affluent district, and also the residence of many nobles. The people coming and going were not as busy and rushed as those on the asteroid belt, scurrying for a living. Instead, they were leisurely enjoying themselves, eating, drinking, and having fun nearby.
The auction venue, which was specially constructed, lived up to the reputation of the affluent district. It adopted traditional construction techniques and was built in a grand, classical style, vastly different from the technology-filled buildings of the interstellar world.
Two majestic stone lions stood at the entrance, exuding an air of ancient charm that gave Lu Mingming a sense of disconnect.
The wealthy attendees queuing for ticket checks were dressed elegantly and appropriately. The women were all in standard formal gowns, and the men were all in full suits, holding hands with their invited male or female companions. Lu Mingming, on the other hand, with her cub and an outer layer of warm lamb fleece, felt out of place.
Lu Mingming suddenly realized that the class distinctions between different strata of the main planet were very pronounced.
The little white tiger walked beside Lu Mingming, pretending to be an ordinary little tiger.
Its massive form was exposed in the broad daylight. Most beast-kin who passed by subconsciously cast glances at it. The hunting shadow passed down from ancient memories made some beast-kin instinctively keep their distance and avoid approaching.
Not far from Lu Mingming, a woman attending the auction, arm in arm with her husband, whispered, "This little bumpkin must be attending a high-class gathering for the first time. She even brought a cub, and it can't even shapeshift."
Lu Mingming heard this, turned, and flashed them a smile, her dimples on her lips appearing sweet and endearing.
The silver entry ticket in the woman's hand sparkled. Their eyes met abruptly, and the woman bashfully turned her head away, as if being an ostrich would make no one realize she was the one who had just spoken.
Lu Mingming withdrew her gaze.
It seemed their tickets were different from hers...
She lowered her head and took out the golden ticket from her embrace, which she had kept clean and tidy. She took a quick glance.
It wouldn't be a fake, would it?
"Hello, please present your entry ticket."
The staff member at the entrance, responsible for checking tickets, finally attended to Lu Mingming. They had a smile on their face, gentlemanly and polite.
Lu Mingming casually handed him the golden ticket and said, "I don't quite understand this word. Can you tell me my specific seat?"
The staff member took the ticket, glanced at it quickly, and their expression changed. Their tone was filled with envy and respect. "Hello, you are our SVIP customer for this event. Please follow me."
Were the competition organizers that generous?
Lu Mingming's impression of them improved considerably. She pretended to be calm and followed the staff member into the venue.
Behind her, the woman who had previously looked down on Lu Mingming lightly stamped her foot, becoming exasperated and angry at her male companion. "Why does she have an SVIP ticket?! I don't care, you have to buy me one!"
The man said helplessly, "SVIP tickets aren't something you can just buy. They are priceless. It must be someone from royalty or an official on a leisurely outing."
He dared not speak too loudly, for fear of revealing someone's identity and upsetting the girl entering the venue.
"Let's go... instead of fussing here, why not guess which number that girl is? Don't end up bidding on the same item as someone later."
Lu Mingming followed the staff member through a special passage. The SVIP service was extremely luxurious. The curtains along the way were embroidered with gold and silver threads, and the floor tiles were made of pure crystal. The ceiling was nearly half Lu Mingming's height, and the artificial starry river was dreamlike.
Well-mannered and attractive male and female servants waited along the way. If a guest wanted anything, they could directly instruct the staff, and it would be personally delivered to the guest's auction box.
The staff member escorted Lu Mingming to a private room and then crouched down to carefully wipe each little paw of the little white tiger with a hot towel.
The little white tiger, having been served since it was young, showed no signs of awkwardness. Instead, it thoroughly enjoyed the service, which further solidified the staff member's impression of Lu Mingming as a young and wealthy nouveau riche.
"Hello, would you like any drinks or beverages? We are always ready to prepare them for you, or perhaps... would you need any other arrangements?"
The staff member paused, glanced at the little white tiger, and did not dare to continue speaking in front of the cub.
Although the staff member did not finish speaking clearly, Lu Mingming understood what they meant. She blushed and waved her hands repeatedly in refusal, "No, no, thank you. Please bring me something a child can eat! Honey lemon water would be fine too."
The staff member agreed and retreated from the room with a hint of helplessness.
Finally, a wealthy patron appeared, and she didn't give anyone a chance.
If Lu Mingming knew what he was thinking, she would surely exclaim her innocence: she was not rich, and she really didn't know how to live like a rich person!
After the staff member left, Lu Mingming felt a sense of relaxed comfort.
The entire room was spacious and large, with a fluffy carpet covering the floor. Stepping on it barefoot felt like stroking warm animal fur.
A small hardwood table was set up in the middle for food, and the massage sofa was low-key and luxurious. Lu Mingming lay down on it, completely relaxing every nerve. The little white tiger lay at her feet, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
After resting for a while, Lu Mingming got up to observe the surroundings, and the little white tiger trotted happily behind her.
There were lights on in three rooms next to Lu Mingming's private room, indicating that a total of four SVIPs were participating in the auction today.
Her seat was directly facing the auction stage.
Dazzling, hazy golden light shone down from the sky onto the center of the auction stage. The people in the seating area, sitting in the dark light, could hardly see each other's faces, so they did not fear exposing their identities.
The auctioneer slowly took the stage – a graceful and charming beauty in an improved cheongsam.
The beautiful woman swayed her slender waist and introduced, "Hello everyone, I am the auctioneer for this auction. I am delighted to welcome you to the annual auction of unique items. The items appearing today will surely not disappoint all the friends present.
Without further ado, the auction begins! Let's look at the first auction item."
She waved her hand, and a handsome man pushed a box covered with a black cloth onto the stage.
This was Lu Mingming's first time attending an auction in the interstellar era, and she stared intently at the black box, as if trying to see through it.
What could it be?
A famous design by a contemporary mecha master? Clothing made of high-tech materials? Or precious gemstones steeped in thousands of years of history?
The auctioneer smiled mysteriously and unveiled the black cloth, eliciting cheers from the entire audience –
A common spider plant hung on a shelf. Perhaps due to poor cultivation, the flowers were wilted and listless.
Lu Mingming: ...
She was questioning her life.
This kind of spider plant was the most common one she cultivated in her hometown! It could even grow without much care. How could it be brought to such a state in the interstellar world?
The auctioneer's eyes gleamed:
"This pot of spider plant is said to be from an ancient planet. After arduous cultivation by the research institute, it has managed to survive. Such a treasure, unseen in the market, will start bidding at only 5 million star coins today, with a minimum bid increment of 10,000. The bidding now begins!"
"Would anyone really buy something like this?"
Lu Mingming murmured to herself.
As it turned out, someone did.
A pot of spider plant easily soared to nearly 8 million star coins. The bidding never stopped during this time, until it reached 8.5 million star coins, at which point no one increased the price.
"8.5 million star coins for the first time."
"8.5 million star coins for the second time."
"8.5 million star coins for the third time. Congratulations to this gentleman for acquiring the ancient planet's spider plant!"
The entire audience erupted in warm and prolonged applause.
The little white tiger looked at the pot of spider plant on the stage, a hint of regret in its eyes.
It was indeed a beautiful ancient potted plant, and 8.5 million star coins was a good price.
If Lu Mingming had liked it, he would have quietly bought it for her. But she didn't seem to want it very much...
The round tiger head tilted to the side, looking at the stunned Lu Mingming beside him.
The latter had not recovered from the pricing. Even when the staff delivered food to the table, she paid no attention. It wasn't until she heard the final transaction price that she picked up the honey pomelo water.
Lu Mingming's lips were very dry. She gulped down more than half a cup to barely soothe her inner heat.
Is this the world of the rich?
Lu Mingming didn't understand, but she was greatly shocked.