Chapter 90 (NEW)

The auction was scheduled for the third rotation of the next star cycle, on a cloudless and sunny day. Andre prepared a lavish outfit for the occasion. Shen Fengyue, owing Andre a favor, grudgingly donned the extravagant attire. Together, they boarded Andre’s private starship and flew to the Chana auction’s location.

Being close friends with Herman, Andre secured a VIP box seat. The box was on an upper floor, providing an excellent vantage point. It was shrouded in a crimson curtain from the outside, ensuring privacy, while the inside was bathed in ample light, creating a comfortable ambiance.

Herman shared the box with Andre. He viewed Shen Fengyue as nothing more than an amusing plaything, so he largely ignored him, engaging Andre in conversation instead.

Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Shen Fengyue quietly sat on the side, nibbling on some snacks. He presented himself as mild-mannered and serene, much to Andre’s satisfaction. The latter assumed he had subdued Shen Fengyue completely and imagined soon winning over his captive’s heart.

Before the auction officially began, there was a warm-up performance. Thanks to Herman’s vast fortune, he had managed to invite the most famous singer in the galaxy to set the mood.

By the time the performer had worked the crowd into a frenzy, the auction officially commenced.

Shen Fengyue pulled back half of the curtain, leaning against the railing, observing the scene below from a superior angle.

The first items up for auction were various rare treasures. Some items, like dragon bones and merfolk tears, were legendary, while others were bizarre novelties he had never even heard of.

These things were all just about seeing, hearing, and seeking novelty. Once Shen Fengyue had seen and heard about them, he quickly lost interest. What caught his attention was the auction of “companion pets” later on.

“Companion pets” was a euphemism, a term used to mask the grim reality and provide the elites with a semblance of decency. Yet, behind that term lurked ugliness, malice, and mockery.

In reality, these companions were mere commodities. Handsome young men and beautiful young women of various races were captured, trained, and turned into playthings for the wealthy.

These companions were both slaves, satisfying every whim, and lovers, offering intimate pleasures in bed. The rarer their race, the higher their value. The principle of rarity determining value is applied everywhere.

The companions were kept in iron cages covered with black cloth. At the appointed moment, the cloth was pulled back, exposing them to blindingly bright spotlights, an utterly inhumane spectacle.

Shen Fengyue counted about five or six of them. Notably, a young elf maiden and a merman youth fetched the highest bids.

Yet, the auction was far from over. There was one final, show-stopping “treasure” still to come.

The music’s tempo shifted, becoming louder and more frenetic. The auctioneer, with his exaggerated tone and greedy demeanor, combined with the music, whipped the audience into fevered anticipation, setting the stage for the last treasure item.

The grand finale of the auction was rolled out on a cart, encased within a massive cage concealed by a layer of black cloth. The audience below couldn’t resist stretching their necks, trying to peer through the fabric to catch a glimpse of the mysterious item inside. The thick black cloth was secured in place, amplifying the aura of mystery.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the auctioneer said with a sly wink to the audience, creating suspense, “this is our final and most exquisite piece for today. Let’s unveil the mystery together!” With that, he gripped the black cloth and with a flourish, declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, meet our star!”

The cloth fell to the ground, revealing not an object, but a person inside.

The person could only be described as a seductress. Cascading purple locks flowed down her back, some resting lightly on her porcelain shoulders.

She lay carelessly inside the cage, but as the spotlight focused on her, she suddenly lifted her head, unfazed by the intense beam of light, exuding an air of languor.

She was dressed in a short black skirt that barely extended beyond her thighs. Her long, slender legs gleamed under the harsh light, almost blindingly so.

There she lay, impassively enduring the greedy, amazed, and lustful stares from the crowd. With an air of lofty disdain, she held everyone’s rapt attention. Her demeanor was tantalizing, igniting a fire of desire in many men, consuming them entirely.

A gasp rose from the audience. Whispers and exclamations filled the room until she, seemingly disturbed by the noise, finally decided to move like doing charity.

Lazily, she opened her eyes, scanning the crowd before murmuring, “So noisy.”

Yet with just that simple utterance, the room fell silent, all eyes drawn magnetically to her. Even Shen Fengyue was captivated, staring at her intently for a moment.

There was something strangely familiar about her.

The beauty gracefully stepped out of the cage, her pale legs moving with elegance. Some lecherous members of the audience tried to sneak a peek beneath her skirt but to no avail. Sensing their intentions, she shot them a mocking look, causing them to quickly avert their eyes in embarrassment.

Barefoot, she walked with a silent grace that seemed to echo like a rhythmic dance in the hearts of the onlookers, every movement bewitching.

First, she scanned the audience with a haughty gaze, then pivoted and walked towards the stunned auctioneer. With an air of audacity, she reached into his breast pocket and plucked out a rose he had tucked away.

She toyed with the rose in her hands, making it dance and twirl, holding it and the audience’s attention firmly in her grasp. Circling the venue, she paused when she reached Shen Fengyue’s section, flashing a devilishly captivating smile. At the same time, she raised the rose high in Shen Fengyue’s direction.

Her flaming red lips opened and closed as her sultry voice magnified across the room, asking, “Who among you wants me?”

The whole audience gasped, only to erupt with bids shortly after. Regardless of how the crowd below fawned over her, she remained still, her smiling gaze fixed on Shen Fengyue who leaned against the balcony above.

Shen Fengyue felt a sense of unease. The more he thought about it, the more the feeling of familiarity grew stronger. As is he was looking at an acquaintance…

Holy Shit, that’s Albert! The hulking man who’s over six feet tall!

Struck by what he was seeing, Shen Fengyue was in a daze, looking at the captain with flaming red lips with deep sorrow. Captain, how did you end up on this path of no return too?

Albert’s gaze darkened for a moment, and with a mischievous wink and a smirk, he walked to the center of the stage, a fragrant breeze following him.

Shen Fengyue initially thought the suggestive wink was meant for him, but to his surprise, it was Herman next to him who caught his breath and loudly placed a substantial bid.

Shen Fengyue realized, “…” Since Albert did this intentionally, he must have a plan. No need for me to worry. So, he settled back into his seat, watching the crowd go wild over his captain.

The bids escalated rapidly, but it was Herman who ultimately secured Albert with the highest offer. While some in the audience were unwilling to concede, they were restrained and whispered to by their peers, settling into disappointment as they watched the beauty enter another’s private booth.

Who could compete against the behind-the-scenes boss of the Chana Auction House?

Albert was led to the private booth shared by Andre and Herman. Herman eagerly waited at the entrance, but Albert’s first action was not to acknowledge him. Instead, he shot a reassuring glance towards Shen Fengyue, a glance that screamed “Trust me.”

Reassured, Shen Fengyue relaxed.

Once his little chef was settled, Albert then decided to entertain the sleazy middle-aged man. Blowing him a playful kiss, Albert slithered over, wrapping himself around Herman.

Herman seemed absolutely delighted by the attention, never once letting the grin fade from his face. He pulled Albert onto the couch beside him.

Watching from the side, Shen Fengyue struggled to suppress his laughter. Captain really knows his craft. He’s almost on the same level as Brother System.

His amusement was interrupted as a hand clamped down on his shoulder. Turning, he found Andre, who, with a smirk, inquired, “Fengyue, what’s so amusing?”

The moment the name ‘Fengyue’ was mentioned, Albert’s gaze snapped their way, glaring daggers at Andre while also throwing a side-eye at Shen Fengyue.

Feeling a bit guilty, Shen Fengyue sneaked a glance back, catching the clear message in his captain’s eyes:

‘Fengyue’? So intimate, huh? Even sharing your name now? Once we’re back, you’ll have a lot to answer for.

Upon hearing the meaning in the glance, Shen Fengyue’s heart sank into despair. He felt so wronged. Wasn’t this the perfect example of the idiom “an innocent bystander gets hurt when the city gates catch fire”?

“Why does my laughter matter to you? And who gave you permission to be so familiar?” He desperately tried to distance himself from the man beside him, wanting nothing more than to shout to the world that he was innocent.

The more he thought about it, the guiltier he felt towards the captain, as if he’d been unfaithful in some newlywed affair.

But Andre wasn’t so easily fooled. To add fuel to the fire, he teased, “Fengyue, didn’t you agree to be my mistress? Doesn’t that make us incredibly close?”

The moment these words left his mouth, daggers flew from the captain’s eyes. Andre glanced back with a challenging smirk, having already picked up on the woman’s odd possessiveness over his ‘mistress’.

Shen Fengyue felt on the verge of tears. Brother, what grudge do you hold against me to throw me under the bus like this?! After what you’ve said, will the captain ever let me off the hook? What mistress? That was just a temporary arrangement! Captain, please hear me out! QAQ.

Albert was seething. Yet, even in his anger, he knew he had to handle business. He sidled up to Herman, his hand quickly sliding to his shoulder. With a swift move, he hit a pressure point, rendering Herman mute.

Herman, paralyzed, turned to look at Albert, only to receive a flirtatious smile in return. In a seductively soft tone, Albert cooed, “Mr. Herman~~~”

A… femme fatale, indeed! Herman felt that something was terribly wrong, and he was in trouble this time.

Internally, Albert began counting down:

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One… Boom!

The next moment, an explosion rocked the venue. Panic ensued as the audience screamed and scrambled in every direction, turning the scene into utter chaos.

In no time, gunshots rang out from outside. Some voices filled with expletives cursed loudly, and Shen Fengyue surmised they were from the Lone Wolf gang.

This was no place to stay for long, and they needed to leave quickly. Albert forcefully dragged Herman, while Andre pulled Shen Fengyue to follow.

As they made their escape, Andre inquired, “Herman, old buddy, do you know where the nearest exit is?” Being the president of the Chana Auction House, Herman should have been familiar with the entire layout. It was the right question to ask at that moment.

However, Herman was in someone else’s control now, his voice robbed from him. He had wanted to signal for help with his eyes towards Andre, but before he could, Albert forced him into a slight nod.

Andre, always the sharp one, sensed something amiss. The old man’s demeanor was off, but there was no time to overthink, especially with the pressing situation.

To add to the urgency, Shen Fengyue chimed in, “We need to move, Andre. The sooner we leave, the safer we’ll be.”

Blinded by the beauty, Andre chose to trust and follow Albert and Herman.

They moved through a narrow corridor, just wide enough for them to go in a single-file line. Albert let Shen Fengyue lead the way, with Andre behind him, while he controlled Herman at the rear.

The escape passage was short, and after a brief stretch of darkness, they found themselves bathed in much-needed light. Exiting first, Shen Fengyue felt a surge of safety when he spotted the familiar faces of the Lone Wolf members surrounding them.

Following closely, Andre’s instincts immediately told him something was amiss. He tried to retreat, but Albert’s foot met his back, sending him tumbling out of the corridor.

Landing heavily, Andre’s vision blurred for a moment. Despite this, he managed to pull himself up, scanning the crowd with a glare. “You’re all in on it,” he accused.

He turned to Shen Fengyue, feeling betrayed. “You lied to me.”

By this time, Albert had already thrown Herman he had been holding to others. Hearing the accusation, he couldn’t help but scoff. With a swift motion, he kicked his leg up, hitting Andre squarely in the chest, and knocking him to the ground. Then with a smirk, he said, “Even if my little chef lied, what can you do about it? And, sorry to break it to you, but I’m also a man. You’ve been clinging to my little Chef trying to covet him? I wasn’t pleased at all.”

Andre propped up on his hands, could only glare at him. He had gauged the strength of both sides and realized he was no match for this androgynous person.

“Take them.”

Albert ordered, and the Lone Wolf crew promptly restrained Herman and also grabbed Andre. This operation was undoubtedly a huge success for them.

With the task completed, it was time to return. Albert didn’t exchange a word with Shen Fengyue but headed straight to his room. Knowing he was at fault, Shen Fengyue obediently followed, matching his pace until they reached their destination.

Albert yanked off the wig atop his head and flopped down on the bed, spreading his legs wide.

The pose was, frankly, quite provocative. Shen Fengyue dared not stare for too long, yet he couldn’t just walk away. He stood there meekly, like a chastised wife.

Albert gave him a cold shoulder for a bit before he felt it was enough and finally glanced at him. “Well? Why are you hanging around me?”

The mere fact that Albert was speaking to him was a good sign.

Shen Fengyue was quick to apologize, “Boss, I’m sorry. I worried you.”

“And what’s your relationship with Andre?” Albert shifted the conversation, making it clear that wasn’t his primary concern. “Mistress?”

Shen Fengyue shook his head fervently, almost like a rattle. “No, no relationship at all! I was just out shopping when he kidnapped me. Pretending to be his mistress was just a ruse to infiltrate the Chana Auction House and find you, boss.” Under stressful situations, people can always bring out their potential. He said all this in one breath without even stuttering.

“Hmm.” Albert nodded slightly, seemingly accepting Shen’s explanation. But catching the pleading look Shen Fengyue gave him, Albert couldn’t resist reaching out, pinching his cheeks, and pulling them to the side. Shen Fengyue’s face turned beet red, but he didn’t dare protest.

After tormenting him a bit, Albert continued, “From now on, no more dressing as a woman. Look at the lengths I’ve gone for you.”

Shen Fengyue, “…” He had a lot of retorts but dared not voice them. Brother, you were the one who forced me to dress like that!

Albert let go, leaving Shen Fengyue cradling his reddened face, eyes glistening with tears.

“Tsk, quite the performance.”

“Huh???”

Albert raised an eyebrow, “You even managed to attract some attention while out there.”

Shen Fengyue was at a loss for words. How was he supposed to respond to that?

“If someone managed to whisk you away, you must’ve been too naive. From now on, you’re not to leave my side. Wouldn’t want you getting fooled again.”

“…”

Albert sighed a hint of sorrow in his voice, “Despite being abducted, you haven’t lost any weight. If anything, you’ve put some on. Seems like Andre treated you pretty well.”

“It wasn’t like that, captain…” Shen Fengyue started to rebut but was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace by Albert.

Holding him close, Albert murmured, “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re back and safe.”

Shen Fengyue blinked, feeling his heart race a little faster.