Chapter 346: Episode 32.7 The Auction
Bai Tingfeng’s auction took place at the Piao Lang Hotel, the very same venue where Shen Yuan held his first press conference after qualifying as an S-class awakener.
The place did not change much. It still proves its standing as a five-star hotel in terms of grandeur. However, this time, the setting reflects more solemnity. Every inch screams high society.
Important people from the hunter industry and other big bosses from all walks of life are now waltzing down the hallways of the high-class hotel in their crisp tuxes and designer dresses. Madam Zhen really outdid herself when she used all her connections to invite all the big spenders she knew from the business.
"Daddy, will there be any kids like me?" Yanyan’s cute eyes are open quite widely, looking around the busy halls.
His well-dressed celestial fox spirit father, who was holding him by the hand, peered down on him.
"Well, baby, no kids will be at today’s event. It’s an auction," Shen Yuan explained. "Rich adults gather here to snatch up rare treasures—and to flex their ridiculously inflated wallets."
Yanyan blinked. "But why would they need to show off their money, Daddy?"
"That’s because they feel lonely, insecure, and underappreciated. When adults can’t find other ways to prove their worth, money becomes the only shiny toy that makes them feel important." Shen Yuan swept the crowd with a sharp, unimpressed gaze.
Coincidentally, his eyes landed on some friends.
"Well, maybe not all of them. But you know what, who cares about their motives? We are here to profit from them. Let’s keep this talk a secret between the two of us."
Yanyan licked his lips and beamed happily. "Okay, Daddy. I will not tell anyone."
Just in time, Chairman Mao walked towards them with a small group of familiar people. Shen Yuan squinted a little to dredge up their names from the deepest crevice of his memories, but to no avail.
He just put on his business smile and waited for the old man and his crowd to approach them.
"So, I thought you wouldn’t be attending your husband’s auction." Chairman Mao’s overly familiar tone struck him the very second they became a couple of meters close.
Shen Yuan instinctively rolled his eyes, forgetting the crowd following Chairman Mao. "Well, I am here because someone was insistent enough to convince me."
"Good for you," Chairman Mao brushed off the Shen Yuan shade with such ease. He just gave Yanyan an excited hand wave before asking. "Where is Bai Tingfeng?"
Shen Yuan mockingly snorted, "He’s with Madam Zhen. Discussing some important matters. Why?"
Chairman Mao glanced over his shoulder and offered the group following him a reassuring smile.
"Well, I’m just here to introduce the crew I found for the proposed ad campaign. You already know them. I thought that, as one of the main faces, your husband might want to meet the team ahead of time."
Shen Yuan and Chairman Mao exchanged a knowing look—two foxes recognizing the same cunning gleam in each other’s eyes.
"Oh!" Shen Yuan clapped his hands with theatrical delight. "That explains it. I kept staring at them with this nagging déjà vu. Lee Jinhyuk’s team! It’s been ages since we last worked together."
The group lit up at once, thrilled that Shen Yuan remembered them. Their eyes sparkled even brighter when he went around, hugging each one warmly.
"Thank you for inviting us to this auction, Master Shen," one of them said eagerly. "We were so excited when we learned you still remembered us."
Shen Yuan waved his hand like a dainty fan. "Please, it’s nothing. You’re the most professional team I’ve ever worked with—of course I’d remember you!"
Total nonsense, wrapped in a golden smile. Chairman Mao nearly applauded on the spot for Shen Yuan’s award-worthy performance.
"Daddy..." Yanyan tugged at his sleeve. No one else noticed, but the boy could sense the hollowness in his father’s grin, and it made him uneasy.
Thinking his son simply felt left out, Shen Yuan pulled him gently forward. "Oh, by the way, this is my adorable son, Yanyan."
The crowd showered the boy with greetings, but bashful as ever, Yanyan ducked behind his father’s legs. His little platinum-blonde head was peeking below Shen Yuan’s legs, like he had just come out of his father.
Chairman Mao’s fake smile twitched. This father and son duo...
Shen Yuan cleared his throat. "Ehem. Excuse my son, please. He is super shy. Anyway, how is Lee Jinhyuk? Will he be here any minute now?"
The group sneakily exchanged glances. They are oblivious of the fact that both Shen Yuan and Chairman Mao— the pair of sly foxes— noticed their silent communication.
"He excused himself for today since he’s been recovering from an illness."
Shen Yuan held back his snarky laugh. Good luck with his recovery. The last time he checked, Lee Jinhyuk’s arm was still in their possession, deteriorating as time passed by.
He feigned concern, "Oh, that was too bad. I hope he recovers quickly."
Shen Yuan checked his wristwatch and saw that it was nearly time for the auction to begin. "Guess this is the part where we get inside and take our seats. Enjoy the auction, guys."
The group looked visibly pleased by the sly celestial fox spirit’s friendliness.
Shen Yuan and Chairman Mao cocked an eyebrow at each other as they said goodbye. Just like that, they broke up and went their separate ways.
"Daddy, are those people bad?" Yanyan asked his father after some time.
Shen Yuan rubbed his son’s head. "Only time will confirm if they are, baby. So while Grandpa Mao and Daddy had not yet confirmed whether they are good or bad, I want you to avoid them as if they have cooties, okay?"
Yanyan looked up, flashing a smile that weirdly resembled Bai Tingfeng. "Okay, Daddy."
~~~
"Now up for bid: three meters of refined Hydra skin, taken from the legendary Eight-Headed Beast! We’ll open the bidding at 2.4 million dollars—do I hear 2.5?"
"So, they just waltzed right in the moment you sent them an invitation?" Bai Tingfeng asked, his voice pitched low as the auction buzzed on below.
The grand concert hall shimmered with energy, every seat packed. From their lofty VIP balcony, Shen Yuan and his family had a perfect view of the glittering crowd.
"Yes," Shen Yuan replied flatly, his gaze never leaving the spectacle beneath them.
Bai Tingfeng frowned at being ignored, his brows knitting together.
"Hey," the alpha murmured, giving his husband’s thigh a gentle squeeze.
Shen Yuan’s head snapped toward him, mouth dropping open, eyes sparkling with outrage—and just a hint of mischief.
"Seriously? Now?" he hissed under his breath. "Yanyan is right beside us."
He tilted his lips toward their child, who was happily absorbed in the spectacle of the auction, blissfully unaware. He is just waving around the bidder’s paddle that was given to them.
None of the parents is interested in the goods being auctioned off courtesy of Madam Zhen’s collection, and there is no way they will buy back the goods they sold for the auction; hence, Yanyan is the one taking the joy of waving around paddle number 3.
Bai Tingfeng looked at his innocent son, and his face flamed red. He wasn’t thinking anything indecent! Absolutely not!
...And yet, he didn’t move his hand from Shen Yuan’s thigh.
The alpha cleared his throat, scrambling for an excuse. "That’s not what I—"
"Shhh!" Shen Yuan shushed his mouth with his fragrant finger. "I know. Just messing with you."
The sly fox spirit dropped his playful tone and addressed his husband’s concern.
"I know you’re worried now that I’m rubbing elbows with people who might be Cardinals, and I get that you want to help. But you can relax with this one. I’m not directly involved—Chairman Mao is. If anything blows up, it’s his ass on fire, not mine."
Bai Tingfeng blinked at his husband’s bluntness. Rough words or not, at least he could breathe easier knowing Shen Yuan wasn’t directly in harm’s way.
Still, his gaze lingered on Shen Yuan’s profile—the sharp line of his nose, the even cut of his cheekbones, the perfectly balanced symmetry of his face. His omega was, without a doubt, breathtaking.
If Shen Yuan would just stay quiet like this, Bai Tingfeng swore, he could almost pass for an angel.
Shen Yuan felt the weight of a gaze burning into his cheek. He turned, brow arched. "What?"
"Nothing," Bai Tingfeng replied quickly. "I’m just... happy you’re here. It feels like it’s been a while since we’ve sat this close together."
Their eyes lingered on each other.
Shen Yuan chuckled softly. Good thing he’d actually listened to Chairman Mao and Gu Jinpeng—his easy-to-please husband was practically glowing.
"You know, I do feel bad about kicking you out the other night," Shen Yuan admitted, expression flat despite the smile tugging at his lips. "That image of you sneaking back into our own house keeps replaying in my head, and every time, I feel guilty. So... I’m sorry."
"Yuan..." Bai Tingfeng’s voice caught, the emotion plain in his eyes. God, he just wanted to kiss his husband now.
Slowly, Bai Tingfeng leaned closer.
"Item is sold to number 3!"
Unfortunately for him, Shen Yuan whipped his head to the opposite direction before his kiss even landed. "Wait! Isn’t that our number? Who bought what in the auction?!"
Together, the flirting couple looked over their son and the numbered paddle in his hand.
"Yanyan!" Bai Tingfeng feels like he’s having a migraine now.