Long Xiao and Yue Linglong found a place to sit. The auction was still half an hour away, so the two began to chat.
Long Xiao casually asked about Yue Linglong's situation, and soon he had a clear understanding of her circumstances.
When the auction began, since Long Xiao didn't know what would be good to buy, he only watched the first few items without making any bids.
The fifth item was a short sword covered in rust. The sword had a peculiar design, with a snakeskin scabbard and a ruby inlaid on the hilt.
"This sword is named 'Dragon's Roar.' Although the blade is a bit rusty, after restoration..."
As the auctioneer introduced the 'Dragon's Roar,' Long Xiao intently stared at it, and soon he sensed a contained golden energy emanating from it.
A short sword containing the five elements' vital energy was undoubtedly a good sword. Even if used to absorb golden energy, it would greatly help in increasing one's five elements' vital energy.
The starting bid was one million yuan. The first bidder was ačå (fatty), who immediately offered two million, displaying an air of determination to win.
Subsequently, more people bid, and the price quickly rose from one million to ten million.
Seeing Long Xiao staring at the 'Dragon's Roar,' Yue Linglong asked, "Brother Tuo, are you thinking of buying this sword?"
Long Xiao nodded and said, "This sword is good. I want it. Let them bid first."
The auction became lively, with five people still bidding at ten million. Long Xiao just sat and watched, not raising his paddle.
As the price rose from ten million to fifty million, even the auctioneer appeared excited, his voice growing louder.
The five bidders were reduced to two: a young man with a delicate appearance and an elderly woman with a dignified demeanor.
"Fifty-one million," the old woman bid.
The young man unhesitatingly raised his paddle, "Fifty-two million."
Long Xiao handed his paddle to Yue Linglong and said, "It's our turn to bid."
Yue Linglong was surprised that Long Xiao would give her the authority to bid. She happily stood up and shouted, "Fifty-three million."
Suddenly, another bid emerged. Both the old woman and the young man looked at Yue Linglong with displeasure.
Yue Linglong was undeterred. She slowly sat down, waiting for others to raise their bids.
Long Xiao smiled and nodded, "Not bad. You're just bidding too little. Next time, go straight for sixty million."
The old woman bid fifty-four million. Before the young man could bid, Yue Linglong directly shouted, "Sixty million."
Everyone present looked at Long Xiao and Yue Linglong. Yue Linglong, being the center of attention, felt a surge of excitement.
"Brother Tuo, how much should we bid next time?" Yue Linglong whispered.
"Increase the bid by ten million each time until no one else bids," Long Xiao said with a smile.
"Okay."
The young man with the delicate features gritted his teeth and raised his paddle, "One hundred million."
Everyone present was shocked. A direct increase of one hundred million indicated a determined resolve to win.
"Brother Tuo, should we bid again?" Yue Linglong asked.
"Yes."
Yue Linglong raised her paddle and shouted, "One hundred and ten million."
The young man's complexion changed slightly. He stared at Long Xiao, his eyes seeming to blaze with anger.
Long Xiao calmly watched the auctioneer, as if buying something for over a hundred million was as simple as a child buying candy.
The young man let out a cold snort and turned to leave.
The old woman, not far from Long Xiao, looked at him. A displeased smile appeared on her face. "Brother, you've offended Young Master Pei San. You're in big trouble this time."
Long Xiao smiled slightly and said, "What trouble? I'm buying something. He's poorer than me and can't afford it. Is he going to rob me?"
"Just wait and see. If he doesn't beat you half to death, he's not Young Master Pei San," the old woman said gleefully.
Long Xiao sighed and said, "I despise you poor people the most. You have no money but act so arrogant."
Being called a "poor ghost" by Long Xiao caused the old woman's face to droop.
A noblewoman who had spent lavishly since childhood and never hesitated to spend money was now being called a poor ghost by a middle-aged man. She felt incredibly stifled, on the verge of exploding.
"One hundred and twenty million. Is anyone else bidding?" the auctioneer shouted loudly.
Long Xiao looked at the old woman and asked, "Auntie, do you want to bid? Actually, one or two hundred million isn't much. It's just the cost of a meal."
The old woman was so angry she almost spat blood. "You eat one or two hundred million for a meal? What kind of people are these?" Although she was cursing inwardly, she dared not say it aloud. She had no money to bid, and speaking out would only bring her shame.
The auctioneer waited for a while. Seeing no further bids, he brought down his gavel.
This short sword was very special, and Long Xiao wanted to keep it for himself. So, he continued to pay attention to the subsequent auction items.
After a few items that weren't suitable, it wasn't until near the end that the last item was brought to the stage, and Long Xiao's eyes lit up.
It was a painting by Tang Bohu titled "Autumn Mountain Night Rain," with a starting bid of ten million.
"Brother Tuo, it's the last item. Should we get it?" Yue Linglong asked.
Long Xiao nodded and said, "Yes."
Before anyone could bid, Yue Linglong directly raised her paddle and shouted, "Twenty million."
Some who had considered bidding saw Yue Linglong's bid and abandoned their intention to participate.
Long Xiao turned to look at the old woman and asked, "Auntie, aren't you going to bid?"
The old woman, who was still sulking, finally erupted when Long Xiao called her "Auntie."
"Who the hell are you calling Auntie? Believe it or not, I'll have someone beat you to death right now!"
Long Xiao smiled and said, "I don't believe it. I don't even believe in God, so why would I believe in you, you old hag?"
Long Xiao completely enraged the old woman. She stood up and lunged at him, intending to take action herself.
Long Xiao shouted in fear, "Security, security! Someone's attacking!"
Yue Linglong was also startled. She hadn't expected the old woman, who had seemed kind and benevolent just moments ago, to be so provoked by Long Xiao's words.
Soon, several security guards rushed in and restrained the old woman.
The auctioneer on stage was also annoyed with Long Xiao. Why provoke an old woman when you're just buying things? Wasn't he just causing trouble for himself?
Everyone's attention was focused on the old woman, and they no longer paid attention to the auction. The auctioneer called out several times, but with no further bids, he brought down his gavel. The item was sold for twenty million.
After the transaction, everyone present realized that Long Xiao had deliberately provoked the old woman, intending to draw everyone's attention.
The auction ended. After Long Xiao and Yue Linglong paid, they collected the short sword and the painting by Tang Bohu.
As they walked out of the auction house, a handsome and debonair young man approached Long Xiao.
"Hello, Mr. Ouyang. Do you need an escort?" the young man asked, glancing at Yue Linglong before looking at Long Xiao.
Long Xiao shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but no. I plan to go shopping and eat something. I don't want to go back to the hotel yet."
"Mr. Ouyang, you must be from out of town. You've offended Young Master Pei San and Madam Xue just now. They will cause you trouble."
After speaking, the young man handed Long Xiao a business card and continued, "This is my business card. If they cause trouble, you can call me."
Long Xiao took the card, glanced at it, and smiled. "Thank you, Young Master Gongsun. If they cause trouble and I can't handle it, I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Gongsun."
Gongsun Yu smiled and nodded. "You're welcome. It's what we should do. Our Gongsun family's auction house must ensure the safety of every client."