Chapter 62: Congratulatory Gift

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Congratulatory Gift

The man looked at Bai Zhixi, then glanced inside the private room.

It was as if he was searching for someone.

When he saw Ye Yunyi,

a huge grin spread across his face!

Like a blooming flower!

"Lord Ye, I am the Patriarch of the Wang Family. I was out hunting Exotic Beasts yesterday. The younger generation in my family was ignorant and sent an inappropriate gift. I’ve come to make amends today. I hope you won’t take offense."

As he spoke, he held out the box in his hands.

Bai Zhixi looked back at Ye Yunyi, who gave a slight nod.

Bai Zhixi took the box.

She placed it in front of Ye Yunyi.

Ye Yunyi opened it.

Bai Zhixi and Dongfang Ruoyu both leaned in for a closer look.

Inside,

lay two brilliant, golden Crystal Cores!

That color, that size!

They had to be Late-Golden Stage Crystal Cores!

Dongfang Ruoyu: "..."

’What the hell? Are all you bastards this loaded?’

’Do you all just hand out Late-Golden Stage Crystal Cores like it’s nothing?’

A joyful smile bloomed on Bai Zhixi’s face.

She looked at Patriarch Wang and said, "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"

"Is... is that really okay?"

Before the words were even fully out of his mouth, Patriarch Wang had already stepped into the private room.

’He wasn’t about to pass up such a golden opportunity.’

After coming inside,

he started pouring tea for Ye Yunyi, all smiles and pleasantries.

’He was practically blooming with joy inside!’

’Compared to the other families who just went through the motions with their gifts yesterday...’

’...his visit was completely different!’

’He was even getting this close to Lord Ye!’

Nearby, Dongfang Ruoyu watched Patriarch Wang and sighed internally.

’It was her first time seeing someone look so delighted while giving a gift!’

This!

This was all because of Ye Yunyi’s power!

Just as this thought crossed her mind...

...over on the stage,

the auctioneer’s hammer had already fallen!

Huh?!

Hearing the sound of the falling hammer, Dongfang Ruoyu felt her mind go blank.

Her bidding had been interrupted by Patriarch Wang’s arrival, and she’d been so stunned by the gift that she’d completely forgotten to place another bid.

’That other bidder really got a bargain.’

But it was too late for regrets now.

The deal was done.

At the same time,

over in her room, Liu Ying watched the sale conclude.

A pleased look appeared on her face.

’Those guys.’

’They only bid a few times!’

’And then they just stopped?!’

’What a bunch of cowards!’

’Not so high and mighty now, are you?’

"Hmph, you think you can compete with me? You should have checked your bank account first."

Liu Ying muttered.

Her words reached the ears of the man beside her.

He looked at her with an expression of pure exasperation.

"You just don’t get it, do you? You haven’t learned a thing I’ve told you."

The man said, "In a little while, you’re coming with me to their private room."

"What for?!" Liu Ying exclaimed upon hearing this.

She was instantly dumbfounded.

’Is Dad going to pull out that old "it’s better to resolve enmity than to create it" routine again?’

’Play peacemaker?’

But, in the next moment,

she paused.

’Actually, going over there in a bit might not be such a bad idea!’

’After all, if she went over with the Mutant Flower she just won at auction, wouldn’t it be the perfect chance to mock Dongfang Ruoyu?’

’Yes! Perfect!’

At the thought, Liu Ying started to get excited.

「A short while later.」

The man led Liu Ying toward the other private room.

Liu Ying’s face was full of smug satisfaction.

She followed close behind, her steps light.

When they arrived,

the man knocked on the door.

Then,

Bai Zhixi opened the door.

Inside, Dongfang Ruoyu saw Liu Ying standing outside.

And the Mutant Flower in her hands!

She was stunned.

’What is this supposed to mean?!’

’They won the auction, and now they’re running over here?!’

’Are they here to gloat?!’

Liu Ying’s gaze instantly locked onto Dongfang Ruoyu inside the room.

A smile immediately appeared on her face.

But!

The next moment!

Her father looked inside and froze.

"Patriarch Wang! You... you’re here too!"

His words snapped Liu Ying back to reality.

She looked at the man inside and was also taken aback.

Her eyes went wide, unable to believe what she was seeing.

That was!

Patriarch Wang!

A Late-Golden Stage Mutant!

She’d heard that he had just returned this morning after leading a group of powerful experts in a bloody battle!

They had suffered heavy losses just to kill two Late-Golden Stage Exotic Beasts!

Who would have thought that instead of resting, he would be here!

In an instant,

Liu Ying didn’t dare to act presumptuously.

After all, Patriarch Wang was not someone she could afford to provoke.

Instead, she looked forward respectfully.

But gradually, she felt that something was off.

Patriarch Wang was actually picking up a teapot!

He was pouring tea for a young man beside him!

And his face was filled with reverence!

This!

Her gaze shifted over!

Then she saw the two golden Crystal Cores placed to the young man’s right!

Liu Ying: "..."

This!

What was this?!

Could this be...!

Could these be the Crystal Cores from the two Late-Golden Stage Exotic Beasts that Patriarch Wang had just hunted?!

Had he just... given them away?!

Patriarch Wang noticed the man and nodded. "I’m here to pay my respects to Lord Ye."

"Lord... Ye?!"

The man heard how Patriarch Wang addressed the young man.

He was stunned.

’Lord Ye?!’

’Which Lord Ye?!’

’For the dignified Patriarch Wang to speak with such deference?!’

The next moment,

his pupils contracted sharply!

The hair on his arms stood on end!

’Could it be...!’

’This person!’

He recalled the rumors that had spread through the settlement yesterday!

Zhao Kang had been killed!

And his killer was a young man with the surname Ye!

’Looking at it this way...’

’...there’s no mistake!’

Beside him, Liu Ying also realized what was happening.

Beads of sweat started rolling down her forehead.

Terrifying!

This was absolutely terrifying!

Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined it.

That Dongfang Ruoyu was actually serving someone like him!

’Thank goodness she hadn’t started mocking them out loud!’

But now, she and her father were just standing there awkwardly.

They were so embarrassed they wanted the floor to swallow them whole.

The next moment,

someone behind them gave them a little push.

"Excuse me, coming through!"

Several figures made their way toward the private room.

"Lord Ye, I am from the Zhou Family of this settlement. Our whole family was out hunting Exotic Beasts yesterday. This is a congratulatory gift from us!"

"Lord Ye, I’m from the Lin Family. Ah, I was also away yesterday and couldn’t pay my respects in time. I only just found out and rushed over, full of regret."

"Lord Ye..."

...

In an instant, a crowd of people surged forward from behind.

Every one of them carried a gift, their faces wreathed in smiles.

They couldn’t have been more deferential.

Dongfang Ruoyu watched, completely dumbfounded.

Ye Yunyi’s influence was just that terrifying!

All these people were climbing over each other to give him gifts!

Ye Yunyi glanced at Bai Zhixi, telling her to accept the gifts.

A smile immediately lit up Bai Zhixi’s face.

’This was her favorite thing to do!’

’Oh, no, her second favorite!’

Over on the side, Liu Ying watched, trembling like a leaf.

She couldn’t stop shaking.

She couldn’t afford to offend a single one of these patriarchs.

Patriarch Wang saw these people and snorted softly. ’These guys.’

’They probably just ran back to prepare their gifts!’

’That’s why they’re only showing up now.’

However,

he had already reaped the benefits of being first.

The patriarchs who arrived later also glanced at Patriarch Wang, silently cursing him for being an old fox.

A short while later,

a crowd of patriarchs had gathered in front of the private room.