109: Xiao Family Auction

Gu Xiaoyue was confused. Why was the president of the Beastmaster Association looking for her?

She nodded slightly and followed behind the staff member, calculating in her mind how to escape if this president had ill intentions.

Gu Xiaoyue was led into the president's office. The president of the Qingyu City Beast Association was a very young man.

With long, slightly curly flaxen hair and a pair of chain-rimmed glasses, his gentle temperament was actually somewhat similar to Shui Lingyu's.

He signaled for the staff to leave. "I am the president of the Huanan Province Beastmaster Association. My name is Xiao Mingyan."

The surname Xiao?

Gu Xiaoyue thought of Xiao Yun. It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?

Seeing the wariness in her eyes, Xiao Mingyan smiled and continued, "I know about the incident between you and my younger sister—she went too far. I have no ill will toward you, Student Gu."

Even though he said that, Gu Xiaoyue still dared not let her guard down in the slightest.

Saying nice things to numb her and then striking to kill was not impossible.

"May I ask why the president has invited me here?"

As she asked, Gu Xiaoyue paced toward the window; if Xiao Mingyan attacked, she could jump out of the window to escape.

"It's like this. I noticed earlier backstage that you, Student Gu, have listed many treasures of heaven and earth for sale. The Xiao Family is investing in an auction scheduled for ten days from now. Are you interested in participating, Student Gu?"

Xiao Mingyan looked at Gu Xiaoyue with composure, as if all her little schemes had been seen through by him.

"Or, if you have more stock, Student Gu, you can sell these normally, and then auction off the other treasures at the auction."

Gu Xiaoyue looked puzzled. "I haven't said I would participate."

Xiao Mingyan seemed confident that she would definitely go. She continued to ask, "My items are listed at the Beastmaster Association, and the handling fees go to the association. But if it passes through your Xiao Family's hands, then it belongs to the Xiao Family. Is what you're doing compliant with the rules?"

Xiao Mingyan smiled again. It seemed she didn't know how many members of the Xiao Family were in the middle and upper management of the Beastmaster Association.

Moreover, the amount the Xiao Family invested in the Beastmaster Association annually was far more than these handling fees.

"Indeed—it is not quite compliant, which is why I was asking if you had any more stock, Student Gu."

Gu Xiaoyue's guarded look became even more apparent. "I didn't agree to go to the auction! And I don't want to!"

Just kidding. If it was hosted by the Xiao Family, going there would be like being meat on a chopping block.

From her perspective, the kidnapping incident was entirely Xiao Yun's fault, but what if she went home and distorted the truth, just like she did at the scene?

Gu Xiaoyue secretly shook her head until Xiao Mingyan handed the auction catalog to her to look over.

"Take a look first before you decide."

immortal-rank pet egg, heavenly crafting stone, qiu mu grass—she had no interest in these.

However, the shaping flower and Golden Herb made her eyes light up!

"Then, can I bring companions?"

Gu Xiaoyue, who had been stubborn just a moment ago claiming she definitely wouldn't go, was capable of bending and stretching.

Xiao Mingyan nodded. "Naturally, that is allowed."

He no longer pressed Gu Xiaoyue about whether she had more stock, though he observed that if she didn't have any, she would have said so long ago.

Gu Xiaoyue rolled her eyes and thought for a second. "Then I will go take the listed materials down now, and I will bring them to the venue on the day of the auction."

"That works."

Xiao Mingyan handed her a gold-stamped invitation. "Keep this auction invitation safe."

Gu Xiaoyue took it and casually placed it into her Yu Beast Space.

Xiao Mingyan's gaze seemed very gentle, yet it gave her a feeling that made her hair stand on end. Was this auction actually a trap?

Since attending the auction was settled, Gu Xiaoyue took down all the treasures of heaven and earth she had listed.

After finishing this, the time she had agreed to meet everyone had already passed.

She went to the waiting lobby on the first floor to find Chu Li and the others. When Ye Wanrou saw Gu Xiaoyue appear, she jumped up, "Xiao Yue, I thought you were late!"

"No, I went to see if there were any resources that caught my fancy, and I lost track of time while looking."

After saying this, she let Ye Wanrou naturally link her arm with hers.

"Then I might as well have gone to take the theoretical exam first!"

Ye Wanrou said with a hint of feigned anger.

"Alright, after you pass the exam in a bit, I'll treat you to a big meal!"

Gu Xiaoyue now knew how to easily shut Ye Wanrou up.

Chen Yixuan chuckled in the back, while Ye Wanrou waved her little hand, "A mere primary Beastmaster exam, how could I possibly fail?"

Thus, Ye Wanrou and Chen Yixuan participated in the primary written exam, while Fang Xiaoyu and Zhuang Yanxin took the advanced written exam.

Gu Xiaoyue, Chu Li, and Shui Lingyu went directly to the basement to prepare for the master-level practical exam.

It was still early, and there were only the three of them in the waiting area.

Gu Xiaoyue told Chu Li and Shui Lingyu about Xiao Mingyan inviting her to participate in the auction.

She wanted to take the two of them with her; considering there might be danger, she didn't intend to bring Ye Wanrou, Fang Xiaoyu, and the others.

Chu Li gave Shui Lingyu a dissatisfied roll of his eyes. "It's all because of your good cousin that Xiao Yue is now tied up and restricted."

Shui Lingyu didn't refute him, but instead asked Gu Xiaoyue with a look of confusion, "Junior, why didn't you ask me before listing them for sale? Were you afraid I couldn't afford them?"

Gu Xiaoyue felt a bit awkward. She didn't doubt Shui Lingyu's purchasing power; she just wanted to quietly cash out.

"I just wanted to give other Beastmasters a tiny chance, that's all."

Shui Lingyu's expression dimmed slightly. "Junior, don't underestimate the power of monopoly. If you want to build a Beastmaster empire, a monopoly is necessary."

Gu Xiaoyue had never thought about building any empire. She just wanted to be free and easy, and didn't want to be bothered by tedious official business.

She didn't sell all these resources to Shui Lingyu also because she was a bit wary of him in her heart.

Even though he seemed to have no defenses against Gu Xiaoyue and was completely open, if one day he knew about the resources in Gu Xiaoyue's Yu Beast Space—it was hard to guarantee he wouldn't develop other thoughts.

"But I've already promised Xiao Mingyan. In the future, if I have any more treasures, I'll sell them to you first, okay?"

Shui Lingyu didn't say anything, just nodded with a hint of grievance.

Chu Li then said, "This is an auction hosted by the Xiao Family. Your focus is on the materials, but why haven't you thought about whether Xiao Yue might be in danger?"

Shui Lingyu stared at Chu Li with a puzzled look. "Although my cousin dotes on his younger sister, he is not someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong. How could he possibly harm Xiao Yue—cough, Student Gu—"

Shui Lingyu's face flushed red instantly. He had been calling her Xiao Yue in his heart, and it had just slipped out.

"Senior, you can call me whatever you like," Gu Xiaoyue said, not being coy. "If Xiao Yun told the truth, Xiao Mingyan might not help her."

"But what if she distorts the truth? Since Xiao Mingyan is a sister-con, it's not impossible for him to be deceived."

The flush on Shui Lingyu's face faded a bit. He frowned and thought for a while, then said solemnly, "I will accompany you to the auction. I won't let my cousin do anything to you!"

Only then did Chu Li feel at ease. "At least you're sensible!"

The matter of the auction was settled, and Gu Xiaoyue and the others were about to take the forms to prepare to fill them out.

Just after finishing, Ye Wanrou threw herself into Gu Xiaoyue's arms. "Xiao Yue—sob, sob, sob—"