Arriving at the Auction House, Bai Zhishi went to the room with the displayed items for today's auction. The room is very high-end, with tight security for each item. There were pearls, jewelry, ancient books, and other stuff.
He was intrigued by the large cage that was covered with thick, heavy, red cloth.
When he tried to go towards it, the guards stopped him and told him that it was the star item of today's auction. From Bai Zhishi's understanding, the star item would be a secret to the audiences/ bidders before it would be up to the stage. Bai Zhishi just nodded his head before walking around the Auction house. Commoners, merchants, and low nobles were starting to fill in the seats on the ground floor.
The stage was still dark and there was still enough time for him to look around the establishment. The whole place is colored crimson and gold, Everything was made to have stylish aesthetics. The staff was all dressed in dark green robes with a neat hairstyles. A standard smile was all on their faces as they serve, answer the customers' questions, and converse with one another.
They don't seem forced so Bai Zhishi thinks that this staff was trained well and the pay was handsome. When he had enough, he asked the staff to help him get to his reserved box. The male staff nodded and lead him to a special Emerald Green box after he showed his ticket. The owners of both the Huàtiàn Teahouse and Pheonix Auction House knew that he really does seem attached to this color so they created this box specifically for him.
Also, what our dear Bai Zhìshī didn't know is that there was a secret agreement between those two owners that concerns him, but that is for another time to tackle. Before the Auction starts, he was already making his way toward his VIP box on the third floor when he bumped into someone.
He was garbed with a red and white expensive silk robe, his black hair shining with silver hairpins, and a dangling earring made from silver and blue silk. At first, Baì Zhìshī was shocked by his appearance before squinting his eyes at the said person.
"My apologies, Young Master. I was not looking in the way and bumped into you, please accept my humble apology,"- The man before him apologized to him in a polite tone, and behind him was a pair of little female servants bowing respectfully. He waved his hands and gave a bow to the person before him.
"No need, no need! This Xiao Zhù is also at fault, would this kind Sir like to accompany me to my box? I want to compensate and call it fair,"-Baì Zhìshī said, His eyes holding a different light that made the other person blink and agree to his request.
When they arrived at his "Jade" Box, they entered and the Auction Servants prepared good tea and desserts for them to enjoy. Baì Zhìshī slowly took his teacup and gently took a sip, his mind racing a while under his facade.
"Lan.."-He suddenly called out, the other party was surprised! The two female servants have their eyes comically wide like they were caught in an embarrassing act while the Male master just reverts back to his calm demeanor.
"This Young master, who are you referring to?"- the Male Master before him chose his words wisely. Bai Zhìshī continued to leisurely drink his tea without haste. Since he wants to play then he will accompany him.
"I heard from Huàtian Teahouse..." He said looking at the Male Master with a calm but clever light in his eyes, "Owner really likes these white orchid flowers...."- He continued, The Male Master in front of him stiffened a bit, something flashed in his eyes but it vanished as fast as it came and was staring at his teacup for a moment.
'You ah! If you don't want to parade that you're somehow related to my money-grubber Owner! Then don't react! You truly made me a bridge between you two ah! So hateful!' - Bai Zhìshī thought as he continued to stare at the other person.
"I cannot understand what this young master is saying,"- the Male Master told him, he almost inelegantly snorted, Geez! Still trying to play dumb but you're already exposed! Bai Zhìshī doesn't understand why continues to act.
"You do not understand? But I do. Earlier, I thought you were the Teahouse Owner because of your face, it wasn't for the different clothes, I will address you as him."- Bai Zhishi said with an ashamed smile.
"Sorry to disappoint the young master but I am really not him."- He said to Bai Zhishi with an awkward look.
"if you are not, then are you both somehow related? It can't be that, your faces are so similar yet there are no blood relations between the two of you?"- Bai Zhishi pressed him to answer with an inquiring look on his face. Still the other didn't admit the connection between him and his owner, making him lose his patience.
'Ba! Forget being a calm and cool young master! Forget being a good vice manager! Just directly tell this small unintelligent person!'
"You! Stop playing dumb okay? This young master cannot hone his skill in talking if you keep playing dumb! You! Aren't you Lan's Younger Twin? Lan Chènsha."- Bai Zhishi huffed in annoyance and placed his teacup down on the saucer.
He watched as "Lan Chènsha" dazed a little before a small snicker appeared on his thin pink lips. His eyes are bright as he looks back at Bai Zhishi.
"What is your purpose, Young Master? Do you want to become my customer?"- hearing the other person's voice in a coquettish way and looking at him in a flirtatious way. Bai Zhishi felt a disgusting shiver going up his spine, he wasn't very positive about hanging out with the male courtesans.
"I'll decline that offer, no thank you,"- Bai Zhishi blinked with a passive look on his face. Lan Chènsha laughed softly before looking at him with a serious look this time.
"Your purpose?"- Lan Chènsha asked again. Bai Zhishi gave a small smile and leaned closer to the table.
"Do you want your- The Phoenix Pavilion, to branch out and join our Huatian Teahouse towards the Zou Kingdom?"- Bai Zhishi laid his proposal, smiling while holding Lan Chènsha's gaze.
Lan Chènsha arched a brow as he leaned on the table too, his dainty pearl-white hands peering from his sleeves.
"Why should I let my Phoenix Pavilion, join your small branch towards the Zou Kingdom? The benefits, we can achieve ourselves. Your help isn't needed at all."- Lan Chènsha said, Bai Zhishi groaned inwardly and lamented on meeting this troublesome person on his day off.
"You know what? I don't care anymore. Go talk to your twin later about business talks, I'll step down now."- Bai Zhishi turned away and gazed down the stage where the host was going up.
"You- Bai Zhishi!"- Lan Chensha was stumped for words. How could this person before him be the famous and well-known "Vice manager" of the rising Huatian TeaHouse?! He can't believe it! He easily gave up just like that!
"Quiet, I don't want to talk to a scheming two-faced courtesan,"- He huffed before turning his attention downstairs. Lan Chènsha was offended and he still tried to fight with Bai Zhishi but his mouth was stuffed with jellies instead.
"Aish! Shut up okay? I'm busy,"- Bai Zhishi huffed as he turned his full attention to the stage downstairs. there was a pretty lady dressed in a blue dress with embroidered blooming white chrysanthemum flowers. She looks really good and refreshing to the eyes.
"Good Afternoon to all our esteemed guests! Today, Ah-Xian, this sister, will accompany you all for the auction this day. Ah-Xian is especially pleased to see many wise gentlemen and even pretty ladies take part today. Before we start, asking everyone to be patient, we should review the rules of our Jade Auction House;
The first rule: All auction items will be introduced first before being it in front of the esteemed guests and only when Ah-Xian says so, will you all raise your hands and tell us your price.
The second rule: If there are guests who will be neck-to-neck at one of the auction items, do not fight physically, money will speak up for you and your grievances.
The third rule: Before we leave, ask the esteemed guest who won their respective items to go to the back pavilion to pay and take your items.
The fourth and last rule of the Auction house: let's all have a good time, yes?" The host said and everyone cheered. Bai Zhishi slightly furrowed his brows and rubbed his chin, eyes staring deeply at the lady on the stage below.
Lan Chensha, who just finished eating the jellies in his mouth, can't help but feel and taste that bitter-sweet taste called gluttony and regret on his taste buds. Why hasn't anyone told him the stuff in his mouth was the most prized and most delicious dessert ever created by the person in front of him? *cry cry cry* He feels lost and his life was bleak if he didn't eat that jellies again!
"Oi, Lan Chensha, Are the jellies good?"- Bai Zhishi threw a question at him without a care. Lan Chensha nodded eagerly like a young child, eyes twinkling as he stared at Bai Zhishi with new and eager light.
"Good Good! Extremely good! Bai Zhishi! Please give this master more!"- Lan Chensha said excitedly and happily while leaning on the table between them.
"Say, be honest, you're the owner of this auction house too, no?"- Bai Zhishi asked before turning his head to look at Lan Chensha. Lan Chensha looked at him with comically wide eyes as his mouth was hanging open. Bai Zhishi grimaced a bit before shutting his mouth for him.
"E-Eh?!"