Chapter 8: Escape
"Perhaps he's here for that item too," someone whispered.
"Haha, it seems everyone has their eyes on it this year," another chimed in, laughter rippling through the crowd.
The scene unfolded on a luxurious cruise ship gliding smoothly over international waters. Onboard were the world's wealthiest and most influential figures, gathered for the annual auction hosted by the enigmatic Night Auction House.
The ship's upper deck was transformed into a breathtaking venue, complete with a grand stage and bespoke seating. This year's theme was "Blue Ocean," and every detail evoked the tranquility and allure of the sea.
Below deck, however, was a stark contrast—a vast, dimly lit storage area holding all the items slated for auction. Among them was Liang Xiaoluo.
"Ugh... where am I?" she muttered, her voice barely a whisper as she blinked against the dim light. Her head throbbed with pain, and the unfamiliar surroundings blurred before her.
The sound of men talking nearby jolted her partially awake.
"Hey, move that one to the display next," one man barked.
"Not yet," another replied. "She's second to last. We're supposed to bring this one out first."
"Right, right," the first man conceded, returning to his task.
The voices pulled Liang Xiaoluo further from her dazed state. Her eyes fluttered open, and she gasped as she took in the grotesque sight before her.
Lifeless women were arranged like mannequins, their bodies manipulated into elegant poses by uniformed men. They were silent, unresponsive, as though their wills had been stripped away.
Fear surged through Liang Xiaoluo. She tried to scream, to call for help, but no sound escaped her lips. Her body refused to obey her commands. Paralyzed and mute, she could only watch in horror as two men approached her.
"This one's the last," one of them grunted, hoisting her onto his shoulder. "Let's get it over with."
They carried her to the stage, positioning her atop a large, smooth stone set in a transparent water tank filled with sand and shimmering artificial waves. The scene was surreal, like an artist's rendition of a tropical paradise.
"Perfect," one man said, stepping back to admire their work. "This one will fetch a fortune tonight."
"Absolutely," his companion agreed, smirking.
Their words were a blur to Liang Xiaoluo, whose mind raced with panic. She tried desperately to break free, to scream, but her body remained frozen. Tears welled in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks as the men draped a heavy cloth over the tank, plunging her into darkness.
In the grand auction hall above, the atmosphere was electric. Guests sipped champagne as they eagerly awaited the evening's final and most anticipated lot.
"Attention, ladies and gentlemen," the host's voice boomed through the speakers. "Prepare yourselves for tonight's crowning jewel—the purest mermaid of the sandy shores!"
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, their anticipation palpable.
In one of the three private VIP suites overlooking the stage, Ye Tianlin sat stiffly. He had been silent the entire evening, his sharp eyes scanning the auction floor with growing impatience. Despite the lavish spectacle, none of the items had caught his interest.
He was on the verge of leaving when the final item was unveiled.
The lights dimmed, and a spotlight illuminated the massive water tank at the center of the stage. As the curtain fell, gasps and murmurs rippled through the audience.
Inside the tank, draped elegantly over the stone, was a vision of ethereal beauty. Liang Xiaoluo, adorned as a mermaid, lay motionless. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, obscuring the delicate lines of her face, while the shimmering scales of her costume glimmered under the lights.
The crowd erupted in frenzied bidding.
Ye Tianlin froze. The woman he had been searching for was right before him.
At first, he couldn't move, couldn't think. His eyes locked onto her fragile form. She seemed almost otherworldly, an angel trapped in glass. But the realization of her plight stirred a fury deep within him.
How dare they put her on display like this?
His fists clenched, and his jaw tightened as the bids climbed higher.
"Ten million!" someone shouted.
"Twenty million!" another countered.
"Thirty million!"
Ye Tianlin stood abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. His voice cut through the chaos, icy and commanding.
"One billion."
The room fell silent. All eyes turned toward the VIP suite, where Ye Tianlin stood like a king surveying his kingdom.
The host stammered, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have... a bid of one billion! Going once... going twice... sold to Ye Tianlin!"
As the gavel fell, Ye Tianlin descended the staircase with purposeful strides, heading directly for the stage.
"Prepare her for immediate release," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
Liang Xiaoluo's mind, still hazy, registered faint voices around her. The sensation of being lifted jolted her, but her body refused to cooperate. Her last fleeting thought was of the man whose voice she had heard moments before.
It was familiar—calm yet commanding, a voice she had never expected to hear again.