147 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

The auction hall was abuzz with people placing bids. "100 kilograms of level 3 mutated animal meat." "500 kilograms of flour." "600 kilograms of rice." Chen Wan raised her paddle, "1 ton of level 3 mutated animal meat." The host, taken aback by Chen Wan’s unexpected increase, cautioningly remarked, "Make sure the bids you place are within your means. False bidding incurs penalties." Seeing that Chen Wan's group was all women, he couldn't resist offering the unsolicited warning. Baozi chuckled lightly at the host's words, his gaze challenging as it fell on Chen Wan. Then, he finally lifted his bidding paddle, "2 tons of level 3 mutated animal meat." Chen Wan furrowed her brows, staring coldly at Baozi's back. It seemed the so-called "Red Sun" group also had their eyes on the level 3 mutated animal core. At the same time, General Wang also raised his bid paddle. Even though the auction house cooperated with the military, some items weren't offered at a discount to them. The military often had to compete to acquire certain goods. "3 tons of level 3 mutated animal meat. Such cores might not be particularly useful to ordinary people, but for the military, they're invaluable for research," General Wang explained, refraining from saying more. Previously, the 3-ton lot had also been secured by someone from the military. Baozi hesitated upon hearing this. Despite their prowess, "Red Sun" didn't dare to unnecessarily provoke the military, leaving him with no choice but to grumble inwardly and stop bidding. Chen Wan didn’t concern herself with such matters. If the military's experiments bore fruit, it would indeed benefit humanity. However, such benefits would likely be reserved for the upper echelons and not ordinary people, like herself. Hence, she wasn’t willing to relinquish the level 3 mutated animal core so easily. With General Wang joining, the host presumed no one else would dare challenge, performing his duties by scanning the crowd and reiterating, "Is there anyone else looking to bid? The highest bid currently stands with General Wang." As soon as the words left his mouth, Chen Wan raised her paddle once more, "3.5 tons of level 3 mutated animal core." General Wang was momentarily taken aback, then turned to see who dared to challenge the military. His gaze met Chen Wan's steady eyes. Chen Wan didn't flinch under General Wang's scrutiny. Auctions were about who could offer more, after all. If one came fearing this and that, there was no point in participating. General Wang gave a smug snort, instructing his aide, "These youngsters really don't know their limits." He raised his paddle again. The military's threshold was 5 tons; anything beyond would mean halting the bidding to prevent unnecessary losses. General Wang doubted that Chen Wan had much more mutated beast meat, upping his bid, "4 tons of level 3 mutated animal meat." Chen Wan lifted her paddle instantly, "5 tons of level 3 mutated animal meat." The auction room buzzed with murmurs, "Wow, she really isn't afraid of anything, disrespecting the military like that. General Wang looked pretty angry." "Never mind General Wang, she also offended Baozi. She won't get out unscathed." "Yeah, eventually the military will settle the matter, and they'll keep the goods. It's all futile." "Do they really have that much level 3 mutated animal meat? She's probably bluffing." "I think so too." General Wang turned to Chen Wan, regarding her coldly, "Well, you're quite something." Chen Wan snorted derisively, "I'm aware of that. No need for your reminder." Baozi listened, a cruel smile spreading across his face, "She dares offend the military; she's courting death." Unmoved by their taunts, Chen Wan resolved to secure the level 3 core at all costs. If anyone tried to wrest it from her, she'd stand her ground. An uneasy silence fell momentarily over the hall. The host, sensing the tension, quickly announced the introduction of today's surprise auction item. Four staff members carried a large box draped with a red cloth, stirring curiosity among the attendees. Chen Wan wasn't particularly fussed, planning to sit back and enjoy the show. As the host unveiled the item, he smiled and said, "Today's surprise auction item is the person in this cage. Many of you may recognize his face. Before the apocalypse, he was a leading actor among male Omegas, now an agility-type ability user, brought to our auction. He is our hidden treasure for today." The host's introduction led to a fresh wave of whispers throughout the room. Chen Wan, frowning, asked Jiang Yanxin beside her, "Is this auction really supported by the military? Auctioning living people is disgraceful." "In times like these, it’s best not to expect too much from anyone," Jiang Yanxin sighed. "Even the military's credibility has dwindled." This wasn't the first time the hosts auctioned off a living person, but the man's pre-apocalypse fame, as a popular star with countless fans, added a hefty price tag. Additionally, his status as an ability user only increased his value. The organizers were confident he'd fetch a handsome price. Bidding resumed. Seeing the man's face and learning he was an Omega, Baozi got excited, starting the bid, "500 kilograms of rice." A murmur rose from the crowd, as someone dared to challenge Baozi, a young male Alpha from the back, "Baozi, I can concede other things, but he's my idol. I bid 600 kilograms of level 3 mutated animal meat." Baozi's eyes narrowed as he looked back. Unbelieving he’d be provoked twice at the same auction, he pointed at the man, "You and that woman better watch out. If I let you both walk out of here today, I'll change my name to 'Kitten.'" Chen Wan couldn't help but laugh aloud at that, without any attempt to conceal her amusement. Those around her heard it, even Baozi at the front did. Looking at Baozi coldly, she mocked, "You? A 'Kitten'? That insults the feline." "You just wait, I'll tear you apart in the square today," Baozi threatened, veins bulging on his forehead. Chen Wan offered a sympathetic reminder, "Look at the veins on your face. Isn't varicose something that usually happens in the legs? Did yours migrate?" "You!" Baozi, incensed beyond restraint, felt an urge to break auction rules and silence Chen Wan right there and then. General Wang interjected, "Baozi, save your disputes for outside and don't disrupt the auction." "Hmph, just you wait." Baozi's shiny head turned red with anger but he bit back his words. To maintain their standing in Qingji City, they couldn't afford to alienate the military. "1 ton of level 3 mutated animal meat," Baozi gritted out his next bid, lamenting internally about his earlier decision to trade one ton for two worthless rings. "2 tons of level 3 mutated animal meat," the male Alpha countered, but that was his limit. He had nothing more to offer against another bid. Baozi was about to raise his bid further when his bespectacled associate advised, "Be cautious, Boss. Truthfully, the male Omega isn't worth that much mutated meat." "Are you dictating my decisions now?" Baozi glared, fury in his eyes, reminding him, "Without me, there’d be no place for any of you. I merely want a fun Omega. What’s with all the opinions? To be honest, I've never experienced a celebrity, and I’m curious how it feels." The bespectacled man, seeing Baozi's impatience, fell silent. "3 tons of level 3 mutated animal meat," Baozi boldly raised his paddle, casting a taunting glance at the male Alpha behind him. The host asked, "Any further bids?" Silence enveloped the room, and Baozi smiled triumphantly. Inside the cage, the man, observing Baozi’s leading bid, grew anxious and quickly asked the host, "May I say a few words?" Surprised, the host had an assistant consult the auction manager, who approved. Perhaps the man's words might drive his auction price even higher. The host handed the microphone to the man inside the cage. He scanned the crowd, already aware of prior auction happenings since he had been backstage, so he knew Chen Wan wasn't intimidated by Baozi. Observing Chen Wan's striking looks, he saw her as a potential savior and hurriedly took the microphone. "The lady just now, would you buy me, please? I can sing and act—I want to go with you," the man pleaded, his gaze fixed on Chen Wan. Caught off guard by the man's appeal, Chen Wan noticed Jiang Yanxin's intense stare beside her. She quickly whispered, "Honey, I don't know him, don't get the wrong idea." Satisfied with her explanation to Jiang Yanxin, Chen Wan locked eyes with the furious Baozi but remained unfazed, addressing the Omega, "Sorry, I'm not someone who buys what I don’t need. I won't be taking you." Baozi, hearing this, sneered at the man from the stage. Unwilling to give up, the man clung to the microphone, shouting, "I'm an Omega, a star—please save me, take me away..." He was cut off as the host reclaimed the microphone. "Any other bids? If not, the auction's over," the host's voice couldn't quite overpower the man's cries, yet no one responded to the man's pleas. With the auction concluded, those who had won would proceed with auction staff to make exchanges, ensuring a smooth handover of payment for goods. Baozi's eyes were cold and venomous as he glared at Chen Wan, who nonchalantly returned his stare. Unbothered, she led the staff towards her vehicle. Opening the truck's door, she revealed its contents—an entire truckload of octopus meat—prompting gasps of shock from the staff. A few workers went back to fetch scales to weigh the meat, and Chen Wan ended up exchanging five tons and fifty kilograms of octopus meat. After accounting for what they had consumed, a little more than half the truckload remained. Many watched Chen Wan's proceedings with keen interest, including Baozi and his group. General Wang lingered at the plaza's edge, awaiting a potential clash between the two, ready to swoop in and take advantage of the aftermath.