Volume 4, Chapter 229 – She Belongs to the Young Master Now

As for what “cat tears” were, Liu Yingyue was naturally very clear—after all, she wasn’t some sheltered young lady! And she was well aware of just how rare cat tears were, she hadn’t become a shop manager just yesterday!

Precisely because she understood the value of cat tears so well, when Qi Huang pulled out dozens of bottles at once, she was utterly shocked.

“Manager Liu, is there a problem?”

Qi Huang’s tone was calm. Though this female shop manager seemed a bit eccentric, given her current strength, she wasn’t afraid of anyone in Yongning Province causing trouble for her. That was why she dared to come alone to the Golden Fortune Auction House.

“N-no, no problem at all. May I ask what the young master’s ideal reserve price is?”

Liu Yingyue quickly regained her composure. The so-called “reserve price” referred to the minimum price the consignor hoped to achieve for their item.

“At least twenty thousand taels of silver per bottle.”

Qi Huang stated her desired price.

“Twenty thousand taels?”

Liu Yingyue’s delicate brows furrowed, and a troubled expression appeared on her face. After a moment, she cautiously said, “Young master, forgive my bluntness, but although cat tears are indeed priceless in the cultivation world right now, a single bottle isn’t worth twenty thousand taels. For safety’s sake, our auction house recommends a starting bid of two thousand taels per bottle.”

“I know. But what I have here isn’t some inferior product that’s been diluted multiple times. These are pure tears.”

Qi Huang replied calmly.

“What? Pure tears?!”

Liu Yingyue instantly shot up from her chair, her mature and beautiful face flushing with excitement. She knew that if this were true, this would undoubtedly be a massive business opportunity.

“What now? You scared me!”

Qi Huang shuddered and frowned in displeasure, though no one could see her expression beneath her cloak.

“My apologies, I was too startled!”

Liu Yingyue hurriedly apologized before continuing, “If these are indeed pure tears, then they are certainly worth that price. However, according to the rules of our Golden Fortune Auction House, every item consigned for auction must first be authenticated. Does the young master agree to this?”

“No problem!”

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Qi Huang waved her hand generously. Right now, she feared nothing.

“Xiao Hu, go fetch Master Ding!”

Liu Yingyue signaled to an attendant beside her. The attendant obeyed and soon returned with a short, thin old man.

“Ninth Miss, what do you require of me?”

The old man, Master Ding, bowed respectfully to Liu Yingyue upon entering the room.

“Ninth Miss?”

Qi Huang glanced at Liu Yingyue in surprise, thinking to herself that this beautiful woman’s status was clearly not simple.

“Master Ding, there’s no need to address me as ‘miss’ outside. Just call me ‘shop manager’.”

Liu Yingyue instructed before continuing, “Please help me authenticate the liquid in these bottles. I need to confirm whether they are indeed pure tears of the Nine Nether Demon Cats.”

“What? Pure tears? All dozens of these bottles?”

Master Ding’s aged eyes widened sharply, but he quickly regained his composure. He glanced briefly at Qi Huang before replying, “Rest assured, Shop Manager. This old man will do his best.”

With that, Master Ding picked up the bottles of pure Nine Nether Demon Cat tears and began examining them meticulously—observing, smelling, and even tasting them like a physician diagnosing an illness. Only after a long while did he solemnly set the bottles down and declare, “Shopkeeper, these are indeed pure tears, unprocessed by any artificial means.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!”

Liu Yingyue’s face lit up with joy again. Eagerly, she said, “In that case, we accept the young master’s consignment. According to the rules of Golden Fortune Auction House, we will take one-tenth of the final transaction price as commission. Does the young master agree?”

“One-tenth? That’s tens of thousands of taels!”

Qi Huang’s heart ached at the thought, but since she had no better or safer alternative, she agreed.

“May I ask when the young master wishes to auction these cat tears?”

Liu Yingyue inquired further.

“The sooner, the better!”

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Qi Huang answered without hesitation. After all, she had snuck out, and if her main body found out, she might get another spanking.

“Very well. In that case, I’ll arrange for the auction to take place tonight. However, given the sheer quantity of your cat tears and the lack of prior publicity, I recommend auctioning them in batches to fetch the best price. We’ll start with a few bottles tonight to establish their reputation.”

Liu Yingyue suggested.

Though Qi Huang disliked delays, she understood that haste made waste and thus agreed.

Liu Yingyue turned to leave but hesitated before suddenly asking, “For safety’s sake, I suggest the young master remain at our auction house during this period.”

“Safety? What do you mean? Is someone trying to harm me?”

Qi Huang asked, puzzled.

“Well… as you know, cat tears are currently priceless in the cultivation world. With the young master offering so many bottles at once, I fear it may attract… unwanted attention.”

Liu Yingyue bit her red lips and vaguely warned.

“Shopkeeper Liu, you jest. Only the two of us know about this. Who would leak that I’m the seller? Unless your Golden Fortune Auction House has a mole?”

Qi Huang joked.

“The young master overestimates the situation. I merely wished to remind you to be cautious.”

Liu Yingyue forced a relaxed tone, though a shadow flickered in her peach-blossom eyes.

After speaking, Liu Yingyue personally carried the cat tears away, glancing back repeatedly as if wanting to say more.

‘What’s her deal? I’m here for business, not a romance. Why does she look so reluctant to part?’

Qi Huang was speechless, and a faint unease crept into her heart.

Liu Yingyue stored the cat tears securely in the warehouse before summoning a tall, striking young woman.

The woman appeared to be in her mid-twenties, with delicate features and a short, practical haircut. Dressed in form-fitting leather armor, she revealed large patches of healthy, wheat-colored skin. Her ample chest swayed dramatically with each step, and her long, toned limbs showcased well-defined muscles.

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“Ninth Miss, your orders?”

The woman saluted respectfully.

“Xia Wei, I have a task for you. Take a few guards and head to my guest room immediately. You must ensure the safety of that person in the cloak, whether they’re male or female… never mind, just protect them at all costs.”

Liu Yingyue commanded.

“Protect them? But what about Shop Manager Zhang? He’s one of our major clients!”

Xia Wei frowned.

“Compared to that young master, he’s nothing! Don’t delay, go now!”

Liu Yingyue urged.

“Yes!”

Though Xia Wei seemed to want to say more, she obeyed and led four guards to Qi Huang’s room.

Qi Huang, restless from sneaking out, was pacing like a hyperactive child when the tall, valiant beauty and her entourage entered.

Qi Huang was baffled, but the newcomers said nothing, simply positioning themselves around her as if forming a protective barrier.

‘What’s this? Protection? Or are they trying to control me?’

Qi Huang couldn’t help but speculate. Given the shop manager’s earlier words, the latter seemed more likely. Still, she grew increasingly restless—not out of fear, but because the atmosphere was unbearably awkward.

Xia Wei also studied Qi Huang from time to time. She couldn’t fathom why this person warranted such attention from the Ninth Miss. The cloak suggested a hidden identity, the slender frame indicated no martial training, and the short, shallow breaths hinted at possible kidney deficiency. What’s so special about this guy?

Qi Huang grew even more uncomfortable under the scrutiny but held her tongue since the other party was a beauty.

Trapped like a prisoner until evening, she might have lost her temper if not for the free food and lodging.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, her cat tears made their grand appearance as the auction’s finale. One bottle sold for thirty thousand taels of silver.

“Young master, one bottle of your cat tears sold tonight for thirty thousand taels. Here is your share—twenty-seven thousand taels.”

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Liu Yingyue personally delivered the silver notes as a sign of respect.

“What? Only one bottle sold?”

Qi Huang was stunned.

“Cat… cat tears?!”

Xia Wei stared at Qi Huang in shock. She hadn’t expected this unassuming figure to possess such treasures.

“Young master, I know you’re anxious, but please be patient. To fetch the best price, publicity is essential. So, stay calm.”

Liu Yingyue explained patiently.

Qi Huang thought it over and saw the logic, so she didn’t press further. Taking her silver, she prepared to leave.

“Young master, let Xia Wei escort you back. Just in case.”

Liu Yingyue suddenly offered.

“No need! My home is very far!”

Qi Huang hastily declined. If her main body found out she’d not only sneaked out but also brought back a beauty, she’d be doomed.

“It’s fine. Even if your home is abroad, she can accompany you.”

“Really, it’s unnecessary. She wouldn’t be able to return for a long time.”

“That’s alright. Then she’ll belong to the young master from now on.”

Liu Yingyue was relentless.

“What?!”

Qi Huang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.