"Heroically helping people in need? Never imagined you had that kind of character!" Xingqiu's eyes sparkled.
Jiang Bai's mouth twitched awkwardly. "Something like that... Recently Mondstadt was caught up in a dragon crisis, followed by a monster invasion. I just happened to be around..."
If not for his broken legs, he would gladly have bragged about his adventures in Mondstadt. Unfortunately, his pitiful state robbed him of any enthusiasm to boast.
"A dragon?" Xiangling's eyes instantly lit up, gleaming with excitement over an unexplored culinary frontier. "What does dragon meat taste like?"
She'd tasted seafood, monster meat—even tried cooking with Hilichurl clubs—but dragon meat was a complete unknown!
She was already eager to head straight to Mondstadt to find this dragon herself!
Seeing Xiangling's shining eyes and eager expression, Jiang Bai stared at her blankly.
Is Xiangling seriously thinking about turning Dvalin into food?!
That's Mondstadt's guardian dragon!
"Uh..." Jiang Bai rubbed his forehead helplessly, unsure how to respond. "Xiangling, Dvalin is Mondstadt's protector—please don't get any funny ideas!"
"I'm just curious... I've never seen a real dragon before..." Xiangling murmured, gazing at the sky dreamily, clearly still set on sampling dragon meat one day.
"When will your injuries heal? My family's auction is happening soon," Xingqiu quickly changed the subject, steering Xiangling away from culinary disaster.
"It's finally happening?" Jiang Bai's enthusiasm surged at the news.
Doesn't that mean I'll soon be swimming in Mora?
"Yeah, it's the Feiyun Commerce Guild's annual grand auction. The guild spent an entire year preparing some truly remarkable treasures."
Xingqiu handed invitations around. "Here, these invitations let you enter, even if you don't bid."
Accompanying the invitations was a detailed catalog. Jiang Bai flipped it open and quickly grew dazzled by the array of treasures.
"This year, the auction will showcase rare antiques, treasures, and even adeptal artifacts as finale items. Jiang Bai, your adeptal book is third from the end," Xingqiu explained briefly.
Hearing the words "rare antiques," Hu Tao immediately tensed up.
Zhongli absolutely must not find out about this auction, or my wallet is done for!
But fate wasn't so kind.
---
At a nearby teahouse, Childe handed Zhongli a VIP invitation to the Feiyun auction. "Mr. Zhongli, care to join me at this auction?"
"Oh?" Zhongli's gaze settled on the invitation.
Slowly, he opened it and perused the catalog.
"I hear the auction will feature many rare items, but I'm unfamiliar with Liyue's antiques and treasures. I'd appreciate your expertise during the auction."
"It would be my pleasure."
---
Auction day quickly arrived. Hu Tao and Jiang Bai discreetly avoided Zhongli's courtyard and slipped out unnoticed.
Following Xingqiu, they entered one of the private VIP rooms at the auction venue.
The Feiyun Commerce Guild's auction hall was enormous. At its center was a circular stage, surrounded by tiers of seating to ensure everyone had a clear view of the auction items.
At the top were private VIP boxes, accessible only to esteemed guests and Feiyun's VIP clients.
Xiangling hadn't come along, busy managing her restaurant and uninterested in the auction. Chongyun hadn't come either, knowing the prices would be beyond his means anyway.
As the second young master of Feiyun Commerce Guild, Xingqiu naturally received first-class treatment.
Their private room boasted an excellent view, plentiful fruits and snacks, and attentive servants awaiting their commands.
Jiang Bai wheeled himself to the large glass window, scanning the bustling scene below. Most attendees were wealthy or influential figures, but none were familiar to him.
He glanced toward neighboring VIP boxes. Unfortunately, the privacy measures were thorough—though occupants had a clear view out, the glass obscured outsiders' view inward, leaving only vague silhouettes.
He could barely make out figures behind the glass—some sitting, some standing.
"Director, doesn't that silhouette look familiar?" Jiang Bai pointed toward two shadowy figures in the opposite box.
Although blurred, one figure was unmistakably reminiscent of Zhongli.
Hu Tao's eyes widened in alarm.
No doubt about it—she knew for sure it was Zhongli!
"Xingqiu! Quick, help me find out who else is with Zhongli in that box!"
"This...might be inappropriate," Xingqiu hesitated. All VIP box occupants valued privacy; leaking their identities could harm Feiyun's reputation.
"Forget it, I'll do it myself!"
Hu Tao summoned her ghostly companion, Yuyu, from within herself. The sleepy spirit yawned lazily.
She pointed urgently toward the opposite box. "Yuyu, help me see who our consultant is with!"
Yuyu nodded, fading into invisibility and drifting toward the other room.
Moments later, the ghost returned and communicated silently with Hu Tao, using gestures Jiang Bai couldn't decipher.
Realization dawned on Hu Tao's face. "So it's that guy—Childe."
"Him again?" Jiang Bai's brow furrowed deeply.
"He probably wants to buy something and needs Mr. Zhongli's expertise," Hu Tao shrugged casually. After all, Zhongli was only Wangsheng's consultant. Even as director, it wasn't her place to dictate his relationships.
"Relax! The old man's shrewder than you think. Being with the Fatui won't put him at a disadvantage."
Jiang Bai's mouth twitched.
Was that even the issue?
He was worried about those two schemers joining forces!
"Xingqiu! If our consultant buys something without paying, make him work here to pay off the debt! Don't even think about sending the bill to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
Hu Tao wrapped her arm firmly around Xingqiu's shoulder, slapping him lightly but insistently with every word, her warning clear.
Xingqiu struggled to understand Hu Tao's concern. Who would attend an auction without bringing money—especially someone as renowned as Zhongli?
Still, he laughed nervously, "No worries!"
Jiang Bai quietly stared at Xingqiu's shoulder, then grabbed a Sunsettia from the table and subtly stuffed it into Xingqiu's hand. He swiftly maneuvered his wheelchair between Xingqiu and Hu Tao, wedging himself in between them.
Before Hu Tao could comment, Jiang Bai quickly interjected, "Director, the auction's starting!"
Instantly distracted, Hu Tao turned her full attention to the stage, missing Jiang Bai's tiny maneuver.
A middle-aged man stood center stage beside a pedestal covered in red silk. Without wasting time, he dramatically unveiled the first auction item.
"As you can see, our first item is a [Vision] without an owner! This [Pyro Vision] belonged to a former holder who tragically passed away, leaving it ownerless. The starting bid is one million Mora!"