After leaving the building, Ye Chen followed Liu Yue to the parking lot. The auction venue was located in another nearby building, so they needed to drive to get there in time.
As they approached the car, Ye Chen's eyes widened in surprise.
"This... this is a Lamborghini Veneno?" he asked in disbelief.
Liu Yue smiled, unlocking the car with a click. "Of course. It's just a car. Hurry up and get in before we're late."
Ye Chen stepped inside and was instantly impressed by the luxurious interior. He had never even dreamed of riding in such an expensive vehicle before—let alone sitting in one beside a beautiful woman.
Liu Yue smoothly stepped on the gas, and the engine roared to life. Within minutes, they arrived at the auction venue. As they pulled into the parking lot, Ye Chen noticed several luxury cars parked in perfect rows.
"Looks like only the super rich get invited here," Ye Chen muttered.
"That's right," Liu Yue replied. "Everyone here is either old money, new money, or someone pretending to be both."
They entered the building together. At the entrance, they were warmly greeted by two receptionists—one male, one female—who immediately recognized Liu Yue.
"President Liu, welcome," the receptionist said with a slight bow.
"Take us to Uncle Qin," Liu Yue instructed.
"Right away. Please follow me."
The receptionist led them to a secluded room used for item inspections. Inside, a middle-aged man was carefully examining an unusual object under a bright light.
"Uncle Qin," Liu Yue greeted with a smile.
The man looked up, startled for a moment, then smiled in return. "President Liu? This is a rare visit. What brings you here?"
She gestured to Ye Chen. "This is a friend of mine. He'd like to auction something today. Is there still room?"
"For you? Always," Uncle Qin chuckled. "What's the item?"
Ye Chen stepped forward and gently placed his box on the table.
Uncle Qin opened it curiously. "Fruits?" he blinked. "You want to auction... peaches?"
"Not just any peaches," Liu Yue said, folding her arms confidently. "These are Heavenly Peaches. The starting price is twenty thousand dollars."
Uncle Qin stared at her in disbelief. "President Liu, are you serious? Twenty thousand for a single fruit?"
"You'll understand once you taste it. Just prepare the paperwork and trust me on this," Liu Yue replied coolly.
Still puzzled, Uncle Qin nodded and processed the registration.
Meanwhile, Ye Chen wandered over to a nearby shelf filled with antique books. He casually flipped through them, quickly scanning pages and absorbing the information.
Moments later, Liu Yue called out to him. "Ye Chen! We're done here. Let's head to the main room."
Ye Chen put the book back in place and walked over with a smile. "Let's go."
They entered the main auction hall, where elegantly dressed guests mingled with drinks in hand. The room buzzed with quiet conversation.
Liu Yue took Ye Chen to the VIP section on the second floor, a private balcony with clear views of the auction stage.
"You're still a student, huh?" Liu Yue asked, glancing at him.
Ye Chen nodded. "Just finishing high school."
She gave him a sideways look. "You don't act like a kid. Mysterious, powerful... and you can even heal the sick? What kind of high school teaches that?"
Ye Chen chuckled softly. "I'm self-taught."
Before she could press further, the lights dimmed slightly and a seductive female auctioneer took the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the auction is about to begin. Please take your seats."
The crowd quieted down as she lifted the cloth off the first item.
"The first item of the night—this peach. Starting price: twenty thousand dollars."
The room fell into awkward silence. Some scoffed. Others laughed quietly.
"Is this a joke?"
"Twenty thousand for a peach? Did someone lose their mind?"
Liu Yue, anticipating this reaction, had already arranged for staff to hand out sample slices of the Heavenly Peaches. Plates were quickly distributed among the audience.
"Please taste it yourselves," the auctioneer said with a knowing smile. "These are the same peaches now on auction."
One by one, the guests sampled the fruit.
"...This taste..."
"It's incredible!"
"Better than anything I've had at a five-star restaurant!"
A man stood up. "Twenty-five thousand!"
Another followed. "Fifty thousand!"
The bids started flying. Those who had just mocked the item now fought over it, completely mesmerized by its flavor.
"One hundred thousand!"
"Two hundred!"
"Five hundred thousand!" someone shouted, drawing gasps.
Liu Yue leaned close to Ye Chen, her voice low. "You're full of surprises, you know that?"
Ye Chen smirked. "I did say the peaches were different."
"Seven hundred thousand!" another bidder called out.
"Any more offers?" the auctioneer asked.
The room fell silent. No one dared go higher.
"Sold! To bidder number 20!"
Applause broke out. Some people looked frustrated, others amazed.
"And now, the next item—"
The auctioneer lifted another cloth, revealing a second peach.
The crowd immediately lit up again.
Ye Chen couldn't help but smile. Business was definitely booming.
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