A handshake gesture.
In Chen Yu's opinion, it was the most commendable etiquette.
Don't argue!
He wouldn't back down even if they did.
Gently releasing his hand, Chen Yu, having just finalized a major deal, was in high spirits.
At least 6 million!
If converted to copper coins, that would be 60 billion.
Hiss!
It felt exhilarating just thinking about it.
The fox-like elder was also in a good mood. Regardless of the final investment amount, being able to secure the canned goods was a great joy for their family.
For merchants, once their wealth reaches a certain level, their focus shifts from accumulating more wealth to protecting what they already possess.
Countless envious eyes were cast upon them. If one lacked the strength to safeguard their wealth, no matter how much they possessed, it would ultimately benefit others.
The Elton family was in urgent need of strengthening their capabilities.
Only by enhancing the family's power could their industries expand without any worries.
"A handshake gesture, truly novel," the fox-like elder chuckled. "My apologies, I still don't know how to address young friend?"
"Chen Yu, courtesy name Ba Tian."
"Young friend Chen."
The fox-like elder nodded with a smile.
"It must bring peace to your elders to have such an outstanding descendant in your noble family," the fox-like elder said with a smile. "With young friend Chen here, your noble family will surely reach new heights."
Chen Yu smiled.
He wasn't one to become overly pleased with such superficial praise.
"Young friend, shall we head to the auction? It should be starting soon," the fox-like elder murmured. Chen Yu cleared his throat, "Old sir, there's something I may have forgotten to mention."
"Please do."
"Noble Lady Ronnie seems to have misunderstood me. I was about to enter the auction earlier, but she stopped me and even ordered the two lions at the entrance not to let me in."
"Oh?"
The fox-like elder's eyes revealed curiosity.
"Something like this happened? What transpired between you two?"
Chen Yu didn't conceal anything.
He recounted the incident involving the Ice Silkworm Silk. The fox-like elder listened and laughed heartily.
"I never expected young friend Chen to have such an amusing incident with that girl Ronnie. It's alright; she has indeed been spoiled for too many years, and a little lesson might be in order."
"I could return the gold coins, if you wish."
Chen Yu feigned an intention to return the gold coins.
"No, no need."
The fox-like elder waved his hand with a smile.
"Lady Ronnie bought the Ice Silkworm Silk with those gold coins, so they rightfully belong to young friend Chen. Please don't dwell on this matter; it seems young friend Chen is quite destined to be connected with our Elton family."
"I feel so too."
"Young friend Chen, rest assured, I will speak to Ronnie about this. You can participate in the auction with peace of mind, and I can guarantee that she won't cause trouble for you at the auction."
"In that case, thank you!"
Truth be told, Chen Yu was genuinely apprehensive about this matter.
Even if he went to the auction, if that bothersome Ronnie were to deliberately provoke him and compete with him, Chen Yu truly wouldn't be able to handle it.
Even if—
He ultimately won, he would have to pay several times the price for the goods, making it not worth the effort.
With the fox-like elder's assurance, Chen Yu felt considerably more at ease.
Meanwhile, at the auction house.
"Heh!"
"You want to mess with me?"
Ronnie, with a defiant expression, hugged her arms and muttered to herself. Chen Yu's image was swirling in her mind, and she was so dejected that she buried her face and sobbed uncontrollably.
"You scammed my money, you think you'll get away with it?"
"Go cry into your knees!"
Ronnie was in an exceptionally good mood.
She felt she had achieved a complete victory this time.
"Miss..." the rabbit-eared girl whispered softly, "Actually, he didn't scam us out of money. You did say the 2:1 ratio at the time, and you didn't ask the vendor who had the goods."
"Tu Tu, whose side are you on!"
Ronnie glared.
She craned her neck and stared at the rabbit-eared girl for a long time.
"How can you speak for an outsider?"
"No, I didn't!" the rabbit-eared girl said softly. "I'm just stating facts. Regarding the purchase of the Ice Silkworm Silk, it's really not his fault. Besides, he didn't drive up the price any further, and we did indeed get the Ice Silkworm Silk."
"That was deliberate!"
Ronnie scoffed and said, "That night, I reflected deeply and thought for a long time. I analyzed his micro-expressions; he noticed our expressions, deduced that we were out of money, and quickly reeled us in! This person is utterly wicked."
"But, he saved our Elton family's reputation."
"Hey!"
Ronnie, who was glaring at the rabbit-eared girl, frowned.
"Rabbit-ear... Ronnie stretched out her voice and waved her hand, "Forget it, I won't argue with you anymore. Anyway, as long as that kid can't participate in the auction, I'll feel so happy..."
Ronnie, whose face was beaming with joy, suddenly stopped speaking.
She stared intently at the end of the corridor, where she saw—
"How did you get in!"
In an instant, Ronnie was like an ignited dynamite barrel.
Her sharp cry pierced the air.
Chen Yu, who was still chatting with the fox-like elder, looked up and saw the furious Ronnie rushing towards him.
Stomp, stomp, stomp!
Ronnie reached Chen Yu in a few steps.
"Who let you in?" Ronnie stared intently at Chen Yu's face, craning her neck and yelling outside, "Golden hair, silver hair..."
"Ronnie!"
A stern, low reprimand echoed.
Only then did Ronnie look up and see the fox-like elder, her expression momentarily stunned.
"Third Grandfather, you... you're here too?"
"This Young Master Chen Yu is a distinguished guest of our Elton family. You must not be rude." The fox-like elder's eyes were filled with authority. Ronnie was as if she had heard something from a fantasy novel.
"He, a distinguished guest?"
"Miss Ronnie, it seems we are indeed fated to meet again." Chen Yu also waved his hand with a smile. "Judging by your demeanor, were you specifically waiting for me? How embarrassing!"
"I waited for you?"
Ronnie placed one hand on her hip and raised it to point at Chen Yu.
As soon as she raised her hand.
She noticed the fox-like elder's gaze, and reluctantly lowered her hand, grabbing the fox-like elder's arm with palpable displeasure.
"Third Grandfather, he bullied me!"
"Third Grandfather has already heard about you and Young Master Chen Yu," the fox-like elder said softly. "This is not Young Master Chen Yu's fault; it is indeed your issue."
"I..."
"Alright, you're about to come of age, how can you still have a childish temper?" the elder's eyes narrowed. "Stay by my side, escort Young Master Chen Yu to the private room, and you are not allowed to leave my side at any point."
"I won't!"
"Then, shall I contact your father to escort you personally?"
Upon hearing this, Ronnie immediately conceded.
She pursed her lips tightly and lowered her head unwillingly. Chen Yu, at this moment, grinned again.
"Oh my, it's quite embarrassing, Miss Ronnie will personally escort me to the private room. Is this... appropriate?" Chen Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. The fox-like elder's face was full of smiles, "Why is it not appropriate? Young Master Chen Yu is our family's distinguished guest, so it is only natural for you to escort him."
"Hahaha..."
Chen Yu's face broke into a smile. He rubbed his hands together and glanced at Ronnie sideways, raising an eyebrow.
"Then... I shall not refuse?"