The Lu family, in the eyes of outsiders, is a legend. However, in reality, there are constant internal strifes, and no one really sees eye to eye with each other.
Just like at this moment, although Lu Weiran had defected to Lu Jinsheng, he believed that one day, with the passage of time and the changes in the situation, Lu Weiran would make a clearer decision.
Lu Ming's eyes were sharp, but he never dared to look up. He couldn't expose his identity, otherwise, it would be very easy to leak the secret hidden on Xu Yao.
Currently, the items being auctioned were all antiques, which they were not interested in. Only occasionally would one or two people place bids.
"Before the highlight of today's auction, I'd like to present a bonus for everyone. I guarantee it will win everyone's favor!"
The host said confidently while standing on the stage. Beside him was a rectangular container covered with a red velvet cloth. No one knew what was inside before it was revealed.
Shen Jianyi was reclining lazily on her chair. She would occasionally glance at the situation below. She knew that the highlight of the auction, the chip, was coming soon.
However, she was still a bit absent - minded. There was always a bad premonition gradually spreading in her heart.
"Three."
"Two."
"One!"
After the host's countdown ended, he immediately pulled off the red velvet cloth. Everyone in the audience gasped in surprise at the same time.
Shen Jianyi snapped back to attention. She scanned her eyes downward and finally saw what everyone was gasping at.
On the highest part of the table was a transparent container filled with water. Inside the container, a girl was forced to wear a mermaid tail and soak in the water.
She looked to be only in her early 18s, at the prime of her youth. However, she was brought to this kind of place to be auctioned off to the wealthy young masters.
The girl seemed to be unable to hold on much longer underwater. She wasn't wearing any oxygen - providing device.
"Oh my god, it's just a little girl!" Hongxiu was stunned. She had never seen such an inhumane way of auction before. "She's almost rotting in the water."
This was obvious to the naked eye. Hongxiu clenched her fists and sighed helplessly. "Could this be up for auction?"
"I'm not sure." Shen Jianyi stared intently.
Just then, the host spoke again, "This mermaid is a bonus. Whoever can bid for the chip today will own her!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several strong men stepped forward and pushed her down. Presumably, it was to let her take a breath. No normal person could breathe underwater all the time.
"The highlight of today's auction is coming soon, the star item - the chip. Now, only the gentlemen who want to compete for the chip can stay in the auction hall. Please leave in an orderly manner, those who are just here to watch."
It seemed that this time it was right. Xu Wenji was being so cautious. He must be in urgent need of money.
Actually, this was a good thing for Shen Jianyi. The more he needed money, the more design flaws he would have.
A smile curled up on her lips. She still maintained a lazy posture, as if she had made all the preparations.
Just as they were relaxing, the woman heard sounds of resistance in her ears.
She followed the sound and found that two bodyguards were forcibly dragging a girl.
But this girl was tough - minded. Facing the two strong men, she remained calm. She even grabbed the handle tightly with both hands and refused to leave.
"Let go of me. I'm here to attend the auction. Let me go!" She struggled.
One of the bodyguards sneered, "Those who come to our auction are all well - known figures. I don't know you, and your clothes don't look like those of someone here for the auction. So you have to leave."
Even so, the girl still struggled.
Lu Weiran clicked his tongue and shook his head. "I have to say, this girl clearly came here to cause trouble. There's nothing about her that's worthy of attention."
As soon as he finished speaking, he suffered a shock he had never experienced in his life. The girl, somehow, suddenly threw herself into his arms and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Ouch, what are you doing?" Lu Weiran almost jumped out of his chair. He pushed the girl away.
The girl kept winking at him, but unfortunately, the stupid Lu Weiran didn't notice at all. He was still thinking about the sudden attack.
When the bodyguards saw that the person she had bumped into was the famous young master of the Lu family in Shencheng, they immediately became respectful. "Mr. Lu, we're really sorry. We'll take her away right away."
"I'm not leaving!" The girl scanned the area and finally fixed her eyes on the woman in the corner who seemed nonchalant about the whole thing.
She immediately ran over pitifully, crying bitterly. "Sister, you have to protect me!"
Originally, Shen Jianyi thought this had nothing to do with her. But when the girl called her sister, she felt as if she saw Weiting.
Her eyes trembled slightly, and her body subconsciously twitched.
When the security guards came to take the girl away, she stretched out her arm and grabbed the girl's wrist. Her fox - like eyes were cold. "Let her stay. She's with me."
As soon as she said this, the security guards immediately took a few steps back. After bowing deeply, they quickly left.
Seeing that she was out of danger, the girl let out a sigh of relief. She leaned on the railing and watched the situation below.
"Where's my sister? Why can't I find her!"
Shen Jianyi grabbed the girl's clothes and yanked hard. The girl fell backward and almost fell into her arms.
"Who are you looking for, and what's your purpose for staying?" She spoke without any pity, as if she hadn't been the one who saved the girl just now.
Hearing this, the girl told the truth. "My name is Song Wen. I've always wanted to stay to save my sister."
Hearing what Song Wen said, Lu Weiran frowned slightly. "Where's your sister? Could she also be here at the auction to buy the chip? What's there to save?"
"Her sister is the mermaid," Lu Jinsheng, who had been silent all along, suddenly said.
Song Wen immediately nodded. Her eyes were full of tears. "My sister was deceived here by a man named Xu Wenji. She's not even an adult yet and was abducted to this kind of place. I must save her!"
They could see that the girl's eyes were filled with determination.
Hongxiu asked, "What's your sister's name?"
"Song Nuan."
Hongxiu thought they could help with this matter. Since Song Nuan could be obtained by winning the chip, as long as they won the chip, they could rescue the girl.
"Red Fox, you have to help. It's just a piece of cake!"
Shen Jianyi slightly raised her eyes. "Who said that?"
"Isn't the fact right in front of us?"
She snorted. "We haven't received a single cent."