"Mr. Shang, please come in!"
The sight of the Xu family's three brothers personally welcoming Shang Yunyan into the venue instantly caught the attention of many attendees, including several media reporters who began snapping photos.
Shang Yunyan had anticipated the presence of reporters and prepared accordingly. Remaining composed and natural, he confidently entered the venue.
Duan Yurou, walking beside him, presented the invitation as they approached the verification area.
"Mr. Shang, is this your first time attending our auction?"
"Yes, I've been too busy with studies, graduation, and internships to attend any auctions before."
"In that case, we'll need to verify your financial credentials before entry. Alternatively, if you're willing to share the name of your company, we can assess its credibility to skip the process."
"No need. It's just a small company, nothing significant. Let's proceed with verification."
Shang Yunyan smiled as he took out a purple-gold card from Shenhua Bank. The moment the card appeared, the Xu brothers' eyes lit up. A purple-gold card required a cash deposit of at least one billion yuan—an item far beyond the reach of ordinary individuals.
"Please enter your password, sir. Rest assured, our verification team is professional, and we have strict measures to protect your account information."
Shang Yunyan calmly keyed in a few digits.
As the computer screen displayed his account balance, the Xu brothers glanced over the verification team's shoulders. Their gazes met briefly, each one revealing a shared thought: Shang Yunyan's cash balance exceeded the combined wealth of all three of them.
"Here's your card, sir. Welcome to the auction. Please, step inside!"
"Haha, Mr. Shang, right this way! I'll personally escort you to the main hall. Second and third brothers, please attend to the other guests!"
"Yes, big brother! Mr. Shang, enjoy yourself!"
"Thanks." Shang Yunyan was slightly puzzled. These three were clearly Xu family members and key figures in both Xu Group and the auction. Why were they treating him with such deference? Didn't they have other guests to entertain?
As Xu Yaowei led Shang Yunyan into the grand auction hall, a female voice called out from behind.
"Big brother! The auction is about to start. You should head backstage soon!"
"Alright. Mr. Shang, allow me to introduce my younger sister, Xu Yiru—the only daughter of our family, recently returned from abroad."
"It's you!"
"It's you!"
Both spoke in unison, their expressions filled with surprise.
"You two know each other?" Xu Yaowei asked, puzzled.
"Big brother, this is the neighbor I mentioned—Young Master Shang! Remember? Our parents' house is Number 11, and his is Number 13. Last time, I borrowed something from his family."
"What a coincidence!" Xu Yaowei laughed, then turned to Duan Yurou. "And who might this lady be?"
"I'm the young master's housekeeper, and this is his secretary. We handle his daily needs," Duan Yurou replied.
"Ah…" Xu Yaowei suddenly found himself at a loss for words. Handling daily needs? Did that mean they lived together? If so, could certain unspoken situations arise?
"Young Master is our benefactor and treats his staff with utmost respect," Xue'er interjected, instantly dispelling Xu Yaowei's suspicions.
"Please, take your seats. Yiru, guide Mr. Shang to the reserved front-row seats near the Shang family. The lighting in the back isn't ideal for viewing the auction items."
"Understood, big brother!"
Shang Yunyan glanced at Xu Yiru. Tonight, she looked exceptionally youthful and vibrant, her light makeup enhancing her natural beauty. Her demeanor reflected the refinement of someone raised in privilege, with excellent education and a genuine respect for others. This made her presence particularly pleasant.
"Mr. Shang, this way, please. Your original seat was quite far back, and as my brother said, it would be hard to appreciate the auction items from there. To ensure a better experience, we've reserved special front-row seats for esteemed guests like you."
"Thank you, Miss Xu."
Xu Yiru's heart raced inexplicably. Everything about Shang Yunyan—his appearance, demeanor, and even his aura—checked all her boxes. Yet, it was only their second meeting, and she reminded herself not to act overly familiar.
The feeling was mutual for Shang Yunyan, who maintained a respectful distance while keeping the interaction courteous.
After arranging Shang Yunyan and his companions in their seats, Xu Yiru excused herself to greet other guests. The auction was an excellent opportunity for her to broaden her horizons and network with influential individuals.
"Yurou-jie, it seems like the eldest Xu brother has taken quite an interest in you. His gaze hasn't left you since he walked in!" Xue'er teased.
"Xue'er, don't talk nonsense in front of the young master!"
"Haha, I know! But Yurou-jie, you're already 27. Maybe it's time to start thinking about such things."
"Little brat, stop it, or I'll dock your bonus!" Duan Yurou's words sounded stern, but her gentle gaze betrayed no real annoyance.