Li Shiming heart turned solemn. Because of his knowledge, she assumed Yuan was an expert and a serious look appeared on her face. The silly woman had no idea that the guy standing in front of her was the famous cripple of Clear Cloud City.
"Senior, our usual fee is 10%, but since it's a rare beast and you are giving us the privilege to sell it, I will give you an extra discount and only charge 5%," Li Shiming said humbly.
Both Yuan and Li Shi Ying were taken aback by Li Shiming's words but for completely different reasons. Li Shi Ying knew her aunt very well. She wouldn't lower the fee, no matter who came. Because of this, she was often reprimanded by the real owner of Treasure Palace aka her grandfather, Palace Master Li Huang.
Even her coming here to the branch of Clear Cloud City was the punishment from her grandfather Li Huang. But to her shock, today she gave a discount to black-clothed Yuan. She gave him a deep look but wasn't able to discern anything which only added more curiosity.
Yuan, on the other hand, was surprised by her humble attitude and her addressing him as a senior. But he did nothing to correct her. It was better this way for him. He nodded and said, "Don't place the rabbit in the latter items. I'm in a hurry and want to end it early. I hope you can do that."
Li Shiming's face changed slightly as a troubled look appeared on her face. She wanted to put the rabbit at the finale but Yuan was the seller and he had the right to request this. Seeing this, Yuan slowly added, "If you want to make the most out of this rabbit, then it is better for you the sell it earlier rather than later."
"Huh?" both Li Shiming and Li Shi Ying glanced at him in confusion.
"If you put it in later items, many people will hold themselves back from buying other items, waiting to compete for it. If that happens, you will lose the profits. But if you sold it earlier, then it will create hype which will motivate the people to get something since they came here so far.
Ofcourse it is only my suggestion. It's up to you whether you want to do it or not." He said as he turned around to leave.
Actually, Yuan knew his idea was feasible, however, only if the person implementing it was an expert. It was a double-edged sword. Selling it later would be a safe bet as it was a common belief that in an auction, the later items are better than those sold earlier.
And if you were to sell a treasure earlier, the hype created by it would require the next item to be at least on the same level as the previous one or only slightly lower than it was. But if the very next item was sub-par, then it would only further demotivate the people who weren't able to get the treasure and cause them to lose interest and leave early or not buy anything.
Of course, as the daughter of the Palace Master, she knew this but had never thought of doing this. The more she thought, the more she felt Yuan's idea was perfectly feasible in this auction. And even if the auction failed, it didn't matter to her.
As soon as Yuan left the room, Li Shiming waved her hand, locking the door. She took the face mask off her face and a completely different face appeared. She was a lot younger and more beautiful than the previous middle-aged woman's appearance. Yuan would have been shocked if he saw her now. She was only 20 years old, almost the same age as him.
Li Shi Ying's lips twitched, seeing the beautiful face in front of her. It was true Li Shiming was her aunt, but there was hardly any age difference. She was only 1 year older than her.
Li Shiming's aura completely changed as she took out her badge. She wasn't the laid-back middle-aged woman now. "Delay the auction for 1 hour and spread the news that the Red-tail Rabbit will be auctioned tonight," she ordered, her voice completely serious.
"I will make you all bleed money today, hehe!" he mused in her heart as a sly smile appeared on her face.
"Do you really want to do this?" Li Shi Ying asked when she saw the sinister smile on her aunt's face. She instantly knew she was up to no good. Li Shiming turned toward her and nodded. "That man was right. It is a rare opportunity to make a profit. Besides I'm running a little low on funds." She laughed.
Li Shi Ying's lips twitched. Her aunt was as unruly as ever. "Sorry, Grandpa! She is beyond hope." She muttered under her breath.
****
After leaving the room, he made his way straight to the auction hall, as there was only half an hour left before the auction started or was supposed to start. He entered a big, brightly lit hall. With how big the hall was, Yuan could tell it would easily accommodate a large number of people.
In front stood a big stage where the auctioneer would conduct the sale. The back of the hall was divided into two floors: an open area on the ground where rows of seats were arranged facing the stage and an upper floor converted into many rooms for wealthy people.
Yuan found a seat in the corner of the open area and sat down, silently waiting for the auction to begin. He participated in the auction once in his life with his parent when he was young. So technically it was his first experience.
People slowly began entering the hall as time passed. But the auction didn't start till one and a half hours later at 9 pm.
A white-beard old man stepped on the stage, causing many lips to twitch in annoyance. "Oh shit, it's bloody hand."
The old man smiled slightly, seeing many people glaring at him. "I won't say anything as I'm sure all of you know how rare today's treasures are. So, let's begin."