The auction had not yet begun, but such a huge scandal erupted from the Gu family that the onlookers returned to their seats, conversing in hushed tones.
After returning to his seat, the Gu family head remained silent throughout. Gu Yaolin was dejected and heartbroken, while Gu Yaoqing was full of spirit.
"You guys go back first," Xia Qingtian said softly to Bai Yuqi and Gu Yaoyang. "There are too many people, and Da Ya will probably take a while to come out."
She had noticed Tang family members among the crowd just now. Da Ya was likely waiting for a safe time to emerge.
"Okay, contact me if anything happens." Gu Yaoyang knew that with this incident, many people would be watching him. If he and Bai Yuqi left first, it would add an extra layer of safety for Xia Qingtian and Da Ya.
After Gu Yaoyang and Bai Yuqi departed, the crowd truly dispersed.
In a secluded corner behind the crowd, a girl in a staff uniform gazed intently in Xia Qingtian's direction.
"I told you, Qingtian can handle it. Your sister is much smarter than you think." Er Ya, standing behind her, loosened her collar and looked around curiously. "Why don't I see Da Ya?"
Seeing that the situation had been thoroughly resolved, Xia Qingyu took a deep breath and turned to Er Ya, speechless. "I haven't even talked about you yet! Is this your brilliant plan?"
"This is a connection my third brother helped find," Er Ya said, hands on her hips. "If it weren't for my Black Cyclone, how could we have gotten here before Qingtian? Besides, six hundred an hour is great! We can blend in, monitor the situation from the shadows, and earn money! What's wrong with this plan?"
Xia Qingyu's mouth twitched. Finally, she could only pat Er Ya's shoulder and resign herself, "Nothing at all."
"You two temporary workers!" the supervisor hurried over, looking at Xia Qingyu and Er Ya. "Don't just stand here foolishly. Go help the others. The auction is about to start."
"Yes!" Er Ya and Xia Qingyu immediately responded and hurried away.
After Er Ya and Xia Qingyu left, Da Ya emerged from the restroom, a little apologetic. "Sorry, Qingtian. I wanted to come out and help you just now, but..." She saw the Tang family members.
Although she usually wore a mask in the Tang family, her figure hadn't changed. If she were recognized, it might cause trouble.
"It's okay, I understand. Let's go back." Xia Qingtian smiled and extended her hand. "I didn't lose anything anyway."
Da Ya then took Xia Qingtian's hand, and the two walked back.
"Xia Qingtian..." From the shadows, a young man with his hands in his pockets stared gloomily at Xia Qingtian's retreating back. "Why are you everywhere?"
He really didn't want to see Xia Qingtian today, as his adoptive father would be coming, and he didn't want his adoptive father to recall unpleasant memories.
Moreover, for him today, it was success or nothing.
If Xia Qingtian dared to stop him...
The young man's eyes narrowed slightly, his tightly pursed lips revealing his inner turmoil and struggle.
"Patriarch Tang." Someone approached him and whispered, "The auction is about to begin. Please take your seat first."
"Yes, I know." The young man, now named Tang Qingkong, responded and turned to leave.
The auction was announced to begin shortly after everyone was seated. The lights in the venue gradually dimmed, and the chatter of the crowd subsided.
A graceful female host with a microphone stepped onto the stage to start the proceedings.
This auction was taken very seriously by Master Lei. Three days before the start, many items were replaced, and the overall quality was significantly elevated.
The first item was a relatively well-preserved masterpiece from the Song Dynasty, with a starting bid of eighteen million yuan, eventually selling for sixty-seven million.
The subsequent items were also in the tens of millions.
The guests attending today were all from prominent families. They understood that there was only one treasure map, and many people would be vying for it.
Given this, they might as well bid on other items to gain some exposure in such a formal setting and to initially display the strength of their respective families.
"From this perspective, I have to say that Master Lei, being an old hand, has not been in vain," Gu Yaoyang said softly to Xia Qingtian.
"Yes, it's just a pity that the Lei family is currently lacking successors," Xia Qingtian said with some regret. "As for the eldest and second young masters of the Lei family, they are beyond mention. Now, it seems only the third young master of the Lei family might be reliable, but his personality is truly..."
Shaking her head slightly, Xia Qingtian thought of Lei Xirui again.
She actually couldn't quite figure it out.
"Indeed." Gu Yaoyang nodded inwardly. The Lei family's affairs were hard to say.
As they chatted in low tones, the fifth auction item was also sold for over fifty million yuan.
"Next, esteemed guests, please take a short break. In fifteen minutes, the second half of the auction will begin." The beautiful host smiled charmingly, her demeanor graceful and generous.
"Let's not waste any more useless time," a hot-tempered young master said. "Everyone is here for the treasure map. Why bother with these trinkets to fool us? Just auction the treasure map directly!"
Although the young master's tone and attitude were somewhat unpleasant, he voiced what many had refrained from saying due to propriety.
Everyone was here for the treasure map. Even if they couldn't get it, it was fine to just watch.
While the Lei family's items in the first half were indeed quite good, the fact that the treasure map had not yet appeared made everyone feel restless and uninspired.
The beautiful host, clearly experienced, faced the provocation with just a gentle smile. "Please rest assured, I will report to Master Lei. The Lei Corporation values every customer's opinion very highly. We have also prepared drinks and snacks for everyone to enjoy. Please take a short break first."
As soon as the beautiful host finished speaking, several staff members immediately began serving drinks and snacks to guests in the first-floor lobby. The semi-open VIP lounges on the second and third floors also received exquisitely arranged fruit snacks and high-end beverages.
Xia Qingtian stretched, feeling a bit tired. Just sitting here, regardless of anything else, her back was starting to ache.
The resting room where Xia Qingtian was located had the Miao family's resting room on the left and the Tang family's resting room on the right.
The view of all three sides was blocked by an exquisitely crafted double-sided screen embroidered with golden threads, with only intermittent conversations faintly audible.
Standing by the door, holding a delicate tray of snacks, Xia Qingyu hesitated.
What to do...
If she went in, wouldn't she be exposed!
Her sister was inside.
Her beautiful eyes darted around. Xia Qingyu quietly called out to the person delivering the tray of snacks to the Tang family's resting room on the right and whispered, "Can we switch? Can I deliver to this room?"
"Oh?" The person blinked slightly in surprise. Glancing towards the Tang family's room, they saw a handsome young man of similar age to Xia Qingyu sitting in the main seat. Immediately, they curled their lip in disdain and said, "Even though you're just a temporary worker, you need to follow the Lei Corporation's rules! You're here to work, not to catch a rich husband! If you can do it, do it. If not, get out now!"
"I'm not, I..." Xia Qingyu was interrupted before she could explain.
"What's there to explain? I've seen plenty of people like you!" The person looked disgusted, their voice involuntarily rising slightly.
Immediately, a furious shout came from the Tang family's resting room: "Who's outside? Get in here!"