(A/N: OK, I've written this title like 6x now and it keeps getting delayed cause I just kept writing about their relationships, idfk where the inspiration comes from but oh well,)
"Did you like the hairpin?" Long Ren asked. It was their only spoils of war, it would be a shame if even that serves useless.
"Maybe if we can return its color," Yun Ning answered. "But we could smelt and make a small weapon for you to blink to, its material felt durable enough,"
"It's yours you know,"
"It's fine isn't it, we paid together anyway," Yun Ning said, smiling.
Long Ren smiled back and they soon arrived at the auction house's entrance, it was quite literally right next door.
Their presence had probably already spread as an attendant quickly greets them.
"Young master Long Ren and Young miss Yun Ning, we're grateful for your visit today!" The attendant greeted, his enthusiasm matched Li Han's. It seems like every person was trained very thoroughly by the house.
They both only nodded and he continued, "Would it be a private room or a public VIP seat?"
"Room?" Long Ren asked Yun Ning, "Mn, it's quieter that way, you won't be annoyed," She said as a small giggle left her mouth,
"This way please," the attendant nodded and led the way into the house and towards a small private room for 4 people.
Cups of premium tea and delicious-looking finger snacks sat upon the small table, beside it lay several runestones, each carved with different words.
"Shall I explain the procedure for the auction today, young master and miss?" The attendant said, his tone a bit too humble for Long Ren's liking but in Rome, do as the Romans do.
"No need," Long Ren answered. How complex can an auction really be? He nodded in understanding and relayed to them a bell should they ever need assistance as he left the room.
Long Ren and Yun Ning took a gander at the room, feeling it to be quite private, nice, and calm. They do need a level head to make bids, after all.
They both soon dipped right into the sofa in the middle of the room, sitting right next to each other as their shoulders touched.
"Why is there an uncomfortable-looking wooden chair there when this sofa is here?" Long Ren asked to not particularly anyone.
"Master said old cultivators like those, sitting straight and professionalism and all that fancy stuff," Yun Ning answered while trying out the snacks and tea provided.
"Oo…" Long Ren said. "You think I'll be like that too when we grow older?" He asked as he tried the snacks from his side of the sofa.
"Probably not, you like to be comfortable more than anything," Yun Ning answered, "This tea is better than the restaurant's,"
"Mnn, true to both of them,"
A peaceful scent from the freshly brewed jasmine tea permeates the small room as the inhabitants enjoy their peaceful times together.
~~~~~
=inside the auction house director's room=
A 40-50-year-old-looking man sat on a stiff-looking wooden chair, his back stiff as a plank and his face showed great menace. A scar traced his right eye horizontally, making him emanate a ferocious aura. His clothing didn't help as he wore a jet-black robe.
Right in front of him sat a young man looking to be around half his age. He wore a lavish green robe. His long hair reached his back, complementing his fair face.
If one was not informed beforehand that the man was a man…such dark thoughts.
They were Ning Gu Han and Ning Su Yang, the director of the Star Auction House and his son.
"Ok, thanks," Ning Gu Han, the director, closed his call and looked at Su Yang meaningfully.
SY saw his look and sighed, "They came?"
"Um, now go do your duties," GH said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation as he went back into his paperwork. The auction will start soon and he's tying up loose ends.
Su Yang sighed loudly and exclaimed, "Can we…not? It's despicable you know!"
Gu Han put his pen down, making a loud thud, and sighed as well, "Honeypot is the best way to gain information. How many times must I tell you?"
Silence permeates the room as Su Yang pleaded no with his gestures, only to be completely ignored.
…
"I DON'T MIND IF ITS HER! NOT HIM!" Su Yang finally exclaimed, he dragged his palm across his face and sighed exasperatedly.
"I'm not telling you to sleep with the boy, just keep the options open. You're girly enough to let his lips loose and manly enough to interest her."
"...", Su Yang's mouth opened in disbelief.
Even if this is not the 1st time he's heard this, it still baffled him how his father, of all people, wants him to honeypot two genders at the same time.
"This mission is doomed," Su Yang said, he finally complied but a grudge was still heard in his tone.
"Who knows, maybe they're dumb enough to fall for a honeypot." Gu Han shrugged. Although he himself isn't too fond of the success rate, it still won't hurt to try. "It's not like Star clan can hold a grudge against us, let loose,"
"Yeah, maybe he's dumb enough like you," Su Yang snorted in disdain.
Gu Han smacked the table and shouted, "TCH! It's your mother who's too crafty!"
"Sure, you tried it first on mother yet in the end, she won. How cute," Su Yang said, disdain filling his eyes as he stood up and looked down at his father.
Gu Han tsk'd once more, "Whatever! Just do your job, and maybe you'll fall to Long Ren as well." He said, snickering.
"As if! Remember your end of the bargain then, I want it tomorrow." Su Yang said, storming off the room as he slammed the door hard.
Gu Han only shook his head at his son's temper, though, a bit understandable.
Gu Han stared at the closed door as his look turned solemn, 'Diona…who are you, really.'
….