Chapter 85: The Auction House, Honored Guest Lin Han!
“Oh.” Lin Han replied simply, showing no intention of further engaging with Gao Chong. Continuing this pointless exchange would bring him no benefit.
Gao Chong, furious, snapped, “Fine, keep acting arrogant. Once the staff throw you out, you’ll learn what it means to be put in your place!”
“You’re just a mere commoner, yet you dream of leaping into the nobility’s circle. Utterly absurd.”
“I’ve seen plenty of people like you—thinking that after some trivial event, they’ve been completely transformed, only to end up as nothing more than a mudfish, struggling to rise but never succeeding.”
As Gao Chong rambled on, Lin Han calmly produced an invitation from behind his back and handed it to the receptionist at the entrance.
The receptionist’s expression changed instantly upon seeing Lin Han’s invitation. He respectfully said, “Mr. Lin, you are an honored guest of our auction. Please, follow me.”
“Very well, lead the way.”
...
Gao Chong stood there, mouth agape, unable to believe what he was seeing. He hurriedly called after the receptionist, “He’s just a poor kid! How could he possibly be your honored guest? You must have made a mistake!”
The receptionist replied coldly, “Sir, please mind your manners. Mr. Lin’s invitation bears the personal seal of Manager Liu. It is a VIP invitation. There can be no mistake.”
“If the invitation is genuine, then the problem must be with the person. Look at him—he doesn’t look like a VIP at all. He must have stolen that invitation from somewhere,” Gao Chong protested, unwilling to accept it. Even he had only received a standard invitation, yet Lin Han had a VIP invitation!
It was simply impossible.
“Sir, all invitations are matched to their recipients. Are you questioning our competence?” The receptionist gave Gao Chong no courtesy, his words sharp and decisive.
Lin Han spoke quietly, “Let’s not waste time with this person. Let’s go inside; there’s nothing more to say to someone like him.”
“Of course, Mr. Lin. Please, come with me.”
...
The two entered the auction hall, one following the other.
“Master Gao, Lin Han must have used some underhanded means to get that invitation. Even you only managed to get a standard one, so how could a pauper like him receive a VIP invitation?” The subordinate who had earlier been knocked to the ground had now returned to Gao Chong’s side.
“Forget him. Let’s go!” Gao Chong, holding his invitation, approached the auction entrance and handed it in.
The receptionist, still smiling, said, “Mr. Gao, please come in.”
Gao Chong took back the invitation, preparing to lead his followers inside. But at that moment, the receptionist stopped them.
“Mr. Gao, this auction is a special event. If you don’t have a VIP invitation, only you may enter.”
The receptionist smiled as he spoke.
“Master Gao, we really want to see what’s inside,” the followers began to stir restlessly. They had followed Gao Chong precisely to see the inside of the auction, something they, mere commoners, would never have the chance to experience.
Gao Chong hesitated, then asked, “You see—they’re all with me. Can’t you make an exception?”
“Mr. Gao, we are simply following the rules. With a standard invitation, even if the mayor came, we would treat everyone equally.”
The receptionist continued, “If you insist on bringing them inside, we will have to stop you.”
Gao Chong thought it over. His father had spent a significant sum to secure this invitation, just so he could gain some experience—part of the reward for entering one of the five great academies.
There was no way he would give up this opportunity for his followers.
“Alright, I’ll go in first. You wait outside for me.”
“Master Gao…”
“That’s settled.”
Regardless of their feelings, Gao Chong strode confidently inside, while the receptionist kept the rest of his followers outside.
At this moment, Teng Zhibo and his group emerged from the shadows. Seeing Lin Han enter the Millennium Mall Auction Hall, their brows knit in concern.
Nonetheless, Teng Zhibo and his colleagues produced their credentials and approached the reception at the Millennium Mall.
“Huayue City Investigation Department, routine inspection.”
They made to enter, but the receptionist showed no intention of letting them through.
“Officer, without an invitation, you cannot enter. Please leave.”
Teng Zhibo growled, “You’ve seen our credentials; how dare you refuse us entry?”
The receptionist maintained his smile. “Millennium Mall has its own rules. Without an invitation, entry is forbidden. Please don’t make things difficult for us—we’re just employees.”
“You’re obstructing an investigation! Do you realize that?”
“Teng Captain, it’s been a while, but your temper hasn’t changed,” a figure said, emerging from the auction hall. Upon seeing him, Teng Zhibo’s face darkened.
“Manager Liu, long time no see.”
Manager Liu smiled. “Captain Teng, our receptionist has made things quite clear. Without an invitation, entry is not allowed. Please don’t make things difficult for them.”
“Difficult? This is a routine inspection—you’re the one making things difficult for me. It’s only an auction, not an interrogation. We’re old acquaintances; let us in, and all past misunderstandings will be cleared up. What do you say?”
Teng Zhibo lowered his stance, not wishing to escalate tensions with the shrewd Manager Liu, which would benefit neither side.
Manager Liu replied, “Captain Teng, please don’t put me in an awkward position. Our rule is simple: no invitation, no entry. Since you don’t have one, it’s best to wait here.”
“If you’re dissatisfied, you can call your superior. Even if the mayor himself came without an invitation today, we wouldn’t let him in.”
“Manager Liu, mark my words—one day, you’ll pay the price,” Teng Zhibo spat, then turned on his heel. “Let’s go!”
Manager Liu watched Teng Zhibo’s retreating figure and said lightly, “Captain Teng, I’ll be waiting. Don’t forget what you’ve said—you can always find me here at Millennium Mall.”
With that, Manager Liu turned and returned to the auction hall.
It seems Mr. Lin has already arrived; best to go and pay him a visit…