Chapter 21: Lu the Second Bought All the Consignment Items

All the guests present were quite shocked. Several had claimed to have ways to try to wake Lu Ziji, with bids both higher and lower, yet the auctioneer had deliberately chosen the inconspicuous bid of 999, right in the middle. Why?

Those who said they had methods to revive Lu Ziji were not truly reliable—they weren’t doctors, after all, and how could they possibly have a solution for an ailment that left even the most renowned domestic and foreign physicians helpless? They were merely hoping to test their luck, to see if they might be chosen.

Lu Ziji couldn’t be awakened, but this was an opportunity to make contact and build connections with the Lu family! Everyone was just speaking loosely; why should Yun Zhi be the one selected?

Despite the speculation and whispered discussions, no one dared to protest to the Lu family. A guest seated near the front of the auction stage asked the auctioneer for an explanation, and the auctioneer smiled warmly: “Old Master Lu believes the number 9 sounds like ‘rescue’ and is auspicious. So he decided to let the VIP in box B15, who had the most 9s in their bid, have a try!”

The crowd was dumbfounded. Who would have thought such a reason could exist? Old Master Lu’s style of doing things—wasn’t it a bit childish?

Other guests immediately expressed their dissatisfaction: “Then I bid 99,999!”

“I’ll offer 999,999!”

“Seven nines! Give it to me!”

The auctioneer ignored them: “The previous lot has already been sold; no further bids will be accepted. Now, we present the next lot: a set of intricately designed, exquisitely crafted sapphire jewelry, including earrings, necklace, brooch, and bracelet, provided by an anonymous private collector, accompanied by appraisal certificates from several renowned experts…”

The auction item brought forth by the hostess, simultaneously displayed on a large high-definition screen, was the sapphire jewelry Yun Zhi had supplied, originating from the High Martial World.

Following that would be a set of ruby jewelry. The auction house intended to sell the entire collection as one lot to fetch a higher price.

From early previews, socialites and wealthy ladies had already set their sights on this collection, eagerly bidding.

The buzz sparked by the white jade dragon figurine quickly gave way to discussions about who the design master behind the sapphire set was.

In the B15 box, Yun Zhi watched the white jade dragon figurine—escorted by several armed bodyguards in a password-secured portable safe—being delivered. It was the very item just auctioned!

Guided by the auction staff, Yun Zhi swiped her card to pay 999 yuan, and the safe was handed over to her, complete with the password and instructions to change it.

However, the bodyguards did not leave; they remained stationed outside the box, saying they would wait for her to finish the auction before inviting her to visit the Lu family’s residence.

The critical factor in the price paid for the white jade dragon figurine was never the 999 yuan, but her ability to awaken Lu Ziji’s body, inhabited by the Purple Pole Spirit.

Yun Zhi had no objections, so she let the bodyguards stand guard outside the room.

Once quiet returned to the box, Tao Qi carefully checked to ensure there were no cameras inside, then whispered, “Yun, are you planning to use that pale green elixir to awaken Young Master Lu?”

He was referring, of course, to the tonic elixir.

Tao Qi himself had taken the elixir and knew well its power: his strength had doubled, and his senses sharpened. Uncle Mu's improvements were less noticeable in strength and senses, but he had grown younger. Yun Zhi’s parents had recovered from serious illness to vibrant health.

Previously, Tao Qi had wanted to buy more bottles from Yun Zhi, but she said there were none left—probably unwilling to risk it for a bit of money. After all, with her financial status restored to the zenith of the Yun family’s former glory post-auction, she no longer faced urgent money shortages.

Yet facing an opportunity to build a strong relationship with the Lu family, a top-tier wealthy household, and with the white jade dragon figurine worth eighty million as remuneration, it was quite normal for her to risk acquiring another bottle of the elixir.

Yun Zhi was worried about how to explain to Tao Qi that she could awaken Lu Ziji’s body...

Unexpectedly, he found an excuse before she could: blinking earnestly, she said, “Yes, it’s that elixir. But I can’t guarantee it will work. Also, Tao, besides this bottle, I really have no stock left. This spot was originally reserved for my future child, but since I like this jade dragon so much, I had to use it early!”

Tao Qi laughed, “Don’t worry, I wasn’t asking to buy the elixir from you.”

The talk of “borrowing a spot meant for a future child” was obviously a joke.

After a pause, he said casually, “If it doesn’t affect you badly, you should tell me how Sister Xue is doing over there whenever you get a chance. And whether she likes the gift I prepared.”

This time, Tao Qi referred to Mu Xue only as “Sister Xue,” deliberately vague. Those unaware might think he meant a senior student, and it wouldn’t matter if overheard.

Tao Qi’s mother had been in poor health for years with minor ailments. He considered buying her a bottle of the miraculous elixir, but it wasn’t essential.

His mother had discovered his scoundrel father was already married and had used a fake ID to marry her when Tao Qi was four. That year, his father’s original wife came to their home and cursed his mother as a mistress. Many neighbors and distant relatives, unaware of the truth, pointed fingers at her.

No matter how she explained, no one believed she was the “wronged third party,” thinking it was just an excuse.

After enduring half a year of being branded a mistress, she couldn’t take the gossip anymore and wanted to escape it all. She entrusted Tao Qi to her cousin, Tian Tian’s family, moving to a distant city since every time she saw him, she was reminded of her fraudulent marriage.

His aunt and uncle treated Tao Qi fairly well but always with a polite reserve toward guests.

After Tao Qi began elementary school, at the insistence of Old Master Tao, he was brought back to the Tao family. Yet the family treated him with coldness—either ignoring him or mocking him disdainfully.

Later, after his maternal grandparents passed away, his mother remarried abroad, living a relatively happy life with her new husband and gave birth to a pair of mixed-race twins who were only eight this year.

With a renewed happy marriage, she became less resistant to Tao Qi, feeling guilty for neglecting him in her youth. Over recent years, she called him every month or two to chat about family matters.

He wondered if he should prepare a bottle of the tonic for his mother, who was in poor health, and perhaps one for his half-siblings too?

Although his father was a cad in matters of the heart, he had raised him and never neglected his material needs. Should he prepare one for his dad as well?

His stepmother often glared at him but hadn’t mistreated him beyond cold words. He had the same food, clothing, and expenses as his older brother.

His older half-brother also treated him like air, clearly disliking him.

However, after Mu Xue’s accident, he went berserk seeking revenge against the scoundrels involved. When his older brother learned of this, he secretly lent some help.

Tao Qi couldn’t bring himself to love or hate his family. To them, he was a negligible, even obstructive presence, receiving only a modicum of care due to their material and spiritual abundance.

Therefore, he couldn’t wholeheartedly care for them either.

At thirteen, at a seaside outdoor banquet attended with the Tao family, no one noticed his absence when the self-service meal began—only Mu Xue, a neighbor a year older, was perceptive enough to spot it.

Had she not reminded others and recalled he’d been at the pool earlier with someone, he might have drowned after a sudden leg cramp in the pool connected to the sea.

A lifeguard had been watching the pool, but when the lifeguard suddenly had a stomach issue and saw Tao Qi alone in the pool, knowing he was the Tao family’s illegitimate son who was unwelcome, he didn’t call for assistance and went to the restroom.

It was the bodyguards Mu Xue summoned who saved Tao Qi, and from then on, he cared deeply for her—though he knew he wasn’t particularly important to her.

At least, when everyone else instinctively ignored him, she remembered him.

Yun Zhi had heard about Tao Qi’s background from Tian Tian, including why he was so attached to Mu Xue—more than mere gratitude for saving his life, it was the love and warmth she gave him when he desperately needed it, like a guiding light in darkness.

Yun Zhi sighed. “Sister Xue has received the gift but is busy and hasn’t had time to open it yet. I’ll tell you once she replies.”

Tao Qi wanted to ask what she was busy with, but the topic wasn’t suitable to pursue further. Yun Zhi’s silence implied it was inconvenient to say.

Back on the auction stage, the sapphire set Yun Zhi consigned had individual stones of modest size but was exquisitely crafted. The starting bid was 4.5 million.

In the end, a guest in box A8 bought it for 10 million, more than doubling the price.

Tao Qi noticed Yun Zhi’s focus on the auction and explained, “A8 is reserved for the Lu family… From the voice, it should be Lu Ershao, Lu Ziji’s cousin, Lu Ziping.”

Lu Ziping was once known for his indulgence in pleasure, racing, and gambling—a notorious playboy in Haicheng.

But four years ago, when Lu Ziji, the Lu family’s first heir, suddenly collapsed and slipped into a coma, Lu Ziping could no longer enjoy his carefree lifestyle and was forced to shoulder the responsibilities of the heir.

Though his business talent was far inferior to Lu Ziji’s, he managed to maintain and stabilize the vast Lu family empire.

Many socialites and wealthy ladies who failed to win the sapphire set were displeased. Lu Ziping was unmarried and rumored to have no girlfriend. His parents worked in scientific research institutions and were rarely home. His mother occasionally attended banquets and preferred jade and jadeite jewelry.

So why was Lu Ziping competing with them for jewelry?

But with the Lu family’s dominance in Haicheng and significant influence in the Huaguo business district, seeing Lu Ziping bid repeatedly and determinedly, they had no choice but to reluctantly give up.

It wasn’t about money, but status.

The Lu family’s wealth and status were unmatched among the auction guests.

Lu Ziping was known for being frivolous. Once, when the Lu family was selecting a supplier, though two companies offered similar raw material quality, he chose the more expensive one.

The reason? The cheaper company’s playboy son had once competed with him for a limited edition sports car, and Lu Ziping, restricted by his grandfather’s control over his allowance, lost.

That’s right—a petty and shallow reason!

The boss of that company was so furious he went home and beat his son with a belt until the poor boy was bedridden for half a month.

More absurdly, after hearing the "good news," Lu Ziping happily offered that company half of the order as a gesture of cooperation.

The boss, delighted, celebrated by beating his son again!

The bed-ridden playboy heir had a lot of choice words to curse. It wasn’t fair! No honor among the rich!

Returning to the present, after the sapphire set sold for a respectable price, the next lot was a ruby set with a style similar to the sapphire’s but even more magnificent, dazzling, and striking.

The starting bid was slightly higher at 5.5 million.

Socialites and wealthy ladies eagerly prepared to bid fiercely—this ruby set they must have!

Then, from box A8 came Lu Ziping’s lazy, irritable voice: “11 million!”

He doubled the price right away.

The socialites and wealthy ladies, ready for a bidding war, instantly deflated.

Yun Zhi’s keen hearing caught a young lady in box A15 cursing loudly: “Damn Lu Ziping! I curse him to have a son with no anus!”

Then her mother’s voice: “Rui Ya, what nonsense are you talking about? Our families just agreed with the Lu family a few days ago; next week they’ll arrange a blind date for you and Ziping…”

Rui Ya lost her temper: “No way! I don’t want that match! He took my favorite sapphire and now the ruby I wanted too!”

Her mother said: “Maybe Ziping bought those jewels knowing our families are planning to ally through marriage and wants to give them to you.”

Rui Ya replied firmly: “Impossible! Lu Er is petty! He still remembers when I pulled his clothes to make him wear a skirt as a kid!”

“Last time I went to a blind date with Brother Liu, he met me at the mall entrance and deliberately spilled cola on my skirt, forcing me to go buy a new one. I was just ten minutes late, and Brother Liu ended up being fooled by that scheming girl, Du Xuanyuan! Boohoo…”

“Anyone easily stolen away isn’t a good match,” her mother consoled.

Rui Ya exclaimed angrily, “Then Dad can’t just sell me to the Lu family for some project cooperation! I hate Lu Ziping the most! Fine, I’ll go to the blind date next week, but I won’t promise it’ll work out!”

She intended to pour a two-liter bottle of cola on Lu Ziping’s head during the date.

Her mother said, “Alright, since both families want to cooperate, if you like each other, great; if not, I won’t force you.”

Yun Zhi hadn’t even visited the Lu family yet but had already been treated to a peek into the tangled rivalries and romances of Haicheng’s wealthy heirs and heiresses.

She withdrew her mental focus and stopped listening.

The ruby set was won by Lu Ziping for 11 million.

The next lot was introduced: a rare, highly collectible national stamp featuring a vast expanse of red—also provided by Yun Zhi.

The starting bid was 3.8 million.

At the start of bidding, Lu Ziping in box A8 again led the way with a 10 million bid, silencing the room.

Even the older gentlemen interested in the stamp were displeased.

“Damn, what’s Lu Er doing? Having money doesn’t mean you spend it like this! Selling an eighty-million item at a bargain, then just buying everything. Does only the Lu family have money? Everyone here has a solid background.”

“Well, why don’t you compete with Lu Er?”

“Forget it, my family doesn’t have projects with the Lu family for now, but that doesn’t mean we won’t in the future.”

Thus, the rare stamp was also secured by Lu Ziping.

The emperor green jade bracelet wouldn’t come up for auction anytime soon.

Yun Zhi couldn’t help but open the chat with Lu Ziji: “Lu Ge, your cousin Lu Ziping…”

Lu Ziji replied, “He’s a bit of an idiot. Did he do something to upset you?”

Yun Zhi was very pleased—having such a wealthy, carefree benefactor meant the items she consigned all fetched good prices.

Though the stamp’s price didn’t break the previous record of 13.8 million, 10 million was still a respectable figure—neither too low nor too flashy.

She said, “He bought all the items I consigned. Is this what you and Purple Pole talked about in your dream?”

Lu Ziji: “?”

Lu Ziji: “No.”

Lu Ziji: “The auction house is owned by the Lu family. After you bought the jade dragon, they probably checked what else you consigned and realized you were short on money.”

He didn’t know much about Yun Zhi’s personal situation, as she hadn’t shared family matters in the chat group.

But since she was consigning items at the auction, she must be in need.

Lu Ziji: “It’s nothing. The Lu family isn’t short of a little money. Besides, the things you consigned are good quality—they don’t lose out, and they can do you a favor.”

Lu Ziji: “They want you to focus more on waking my body!”

Lu Ziji: “If I were you, before saving me, I’d ask my grandpa for more benefits—like one percent of Lu Group shares.”

Lu Ziji: “Grandpa dotes on me; he’d agree. But not too much—one percent is just right. More than that, he’d feel the pain. Although he’d agree on the surface, he’d find ways to get it back from you later. He’s a sly old man.”

Yun Zhi: ...

Are you really teaching me to scam your own grandpa? Is that okay?

Would your grandpa appreciate being called sly?

Such filial piety!

Lu Ziji: “By the way, Lu Ziping has a secret crush—Lan Ruiya of the Lan family. He’s liked her since middle school but never dared to confess, bullying her like a kid! Hahaha! He probably won’t get married!”

Lu Ziji sighed: “Now, with Purple Pole in me, the old Lu family might end with me.”

Yun Zhi: ...

Why do you sound so gleeful about that?

I didn’t expect you to be this kind of Lu Ziji!