Mittel Auction

Lu Yunxiao approached slowly, and as he drew near, Gu Xun'er trembled slightly, her heart quickening in response to the man's approaching presence.

"This is different from yesterday," she thought. "Yesterday, when we hugged, it was filled with sentiments of nostalgia and longing, and I didn't overthink things. But today, as Lu Yunxiao presented the necklace and helped me put it on, the tension between us became palpable."

The atmosphere seemed to thicken with a hint of something more, especially with onlookers nearby, causing Gu Xun'er's cheeks to blush a beautiful shade of red.

She felt her breath quicken slightly, and Lu Yunxiao couldn't help but notice. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. Despite Gu Xun'er's outwardly confident demeanor, he could sense her underlying shyness, her simplicity, and her hesitance.

As he approached, his nose detected the delicate fragrance of Gu Xun'er's body. Lu Yunxiao slowly closed the gap between them, their bodies almost touching. Gu Xun'er's body quivered ever so slightly. If they were alone, she might have collapsed into his embrace.

Lu Yunxiao's hands gently brushed away the soft blue silk of Gu Xun'er's hair, revealing her slender swan-like neck. With the necklace in his hand, he delicately ran his fingers across her skin, as soft and smooth as mutton fat and white jade, before carefully fastening the necklace.

The sudden touch sent shivers down Gu Xun'er's spine, making her feel both excited and tender. Her body felt weak and pliant, and she ended up falling into Lu Yunxiao's embrace. Their cheeks brushed against each other, creating an electrifying sensation.

With the siblings' relationship having deteriorated and Gu Xun'er being the one to initiate the separation, Lu Yunxiao felt it was the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap between them. His actions were deliberate, and he knew that Gu Xun'er would find it difficult to resist.

He gently placed his hands around her slender waist, holding her close. Meanwhile, Xiao Yu and the others turned their heads, wearing somewhat constipated expressions.

"This was supposed to be a shopping trip," Xiao Yu mumbled to himself, clearly not expecting things to take such an intimate turn between the two.

"Big Brother Yunxiao," Gu Xun'er let out a soft sigh, her face flushed. She enjoyed the warmth and security of Lu Yunxiao's embrace, but the public display of affection left her feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Seeing Gu Xun'er's shy reaction, Lu Yunxiao released his hold on her. It was clear that she wasn't comfortable with such public displays of affection, and he didn't want to push her too far.

"It's a beautiful necklace; it suits you perfectly," Lu Yunxiao complimented, admiring the necklace on Gu Xun'er's delicate neck.

Gu Xun'er lowered her head slightly, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She appreciated Lu Yunxiao's praise.

"Ahem, you two, perhaps a little less public affection would be wise. There are still people around," Xiao Yu interjected, his expression dark. Not only had he lost the attention of his male cousin, but he was also witnessing their intimate moments unfold, making him feel rather uncomfortable.

"Hehe, alright, let's continue shopping," Lu Yunxiao suggested, raising Gu Xun'er's hand with a smile.

Gu Xun'er didn't resist at all. Instead, she lowered her head, allowing Lu Yunxiao to lead the way. Her resistance to his advances had waned significantly.

With a somewhat exasperated look, Xiao Yu shot a disapproving glance at the two lovebirds holding hands, then led the way forward. Xiao Ning sighed and followed with a pained expression, while Xiao Yan observed the situation closely.

As the group of people continued exploring the Xiao family's workshop, they eventually arrived at a massive building with a distinctive sign—a symbol that Lu Yunxiao recognized as belonging to the Mittel Auction House.

Seeing the auction house, Lu Yunxiao's eyes sparkled with interest. Yafei, he remembered, was currently undergoing family training at this very establishment. Since he was here, why not take the opportunity to have a look around?

After all, Concubine Ya was renowned for her beauty in the original story. Lu Yunxiao was simply curious to see her in person and gain some experience.

Without any ulterior motives, he decided to visit the auction house.

"Is this the Mittel Auction House? Would you like to go inside and take a look?" Xiao Yu asked, noticing Lu Yunxiao's interest.

"Sure, let's go in. I'd like to see what makes this auction house in Utan City different," Lu Yunxiao replied with a smile.

"Really?" Xiao Yu glanced at Lu Yunxiao and said, "Then let's go in."

With Xiao Yu leading the way, the group of people made their way toward the auction house. Upon entering, they were greeted by a refreshing change in temperature, as the slightly warm outside air was replaced by a cooling breeze.

As Lu Yunxiao's gaze roamed the opulent hall, his eyes lit up with anticipation.

"This is the appraisal room," Xiao Yu explained. "Everything that's to be auctioned goes through an appraisal here to determine its value. Only items that have been appraised are allowed to participate in the auction."

Just as Xiao Yu was about to say more, a soft voice caught their attention.

Turning his head slightly, Lu Yunxiao saw a beautiful figure that had suddenly appeared in the hall. She was dressed in an elegant red brocade robe, her figure graceful and alluring, with a curvaceous physique. A peek of her smooth, delicate calves was visible beneath her robe, radiating an enticing charm.

The woman's beauty was truly captivating, and Lu Yunxiao couldn't help but appreciate it. Even with his discerning eye, he acknowledged that she surpassed Xiao Yu's beauty.

Her features were exquisite and captivating, with enchanting peach blossom eyes that seemed to shimmer with intrigue. They blinked seductively, revealing a hint of tantalizing allure.

This woman exuded an alluring and enchanting aura, capable of melting any man's heart. Even Lu Yunxiao, who had seen his fair share of beautiful women, was captivated.

In fact, he couldn't help but think that this woman's beauty was even more impressive than that of Yunyun Medusa, albeit by a slight margin.

"Miss Yafei!" Xiao Yu and the others greeted the newcomer.

"It appears we have some distinguished guests from the Xiao family. Oh, Master Xiao Yan is here as well," the woman, Miss Yafei, greeted them warmly, her gaze lingering on Xiao Yan for a moment before shifting away. Lu Yunxiao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. If he remembered correctly, during this period, Xiao Yan was quite popular in the Tell Auctions.

Nevertheless, Miss Yafei's current interest in him appeared to be nothing more than curiosity. After all, she wasn't the type to easily fall for a man. Her mindset was that of a shrewd businesswoman, her mental fortitude impressive. She didn't make impulsive decisions and only placed her bets when she saw a genuine business opportunity.

In the original story, she had approached Xiao Yan with a plan, seeing his potential, his connection with Hai Bodong, and his supposed background. She initially aimed to utilize Xiao Yan's power to gain influence in her family and break free from its constraints.

While her initial intentions had been business-oriented, her interactions with Xiao Yan had eventually led to genuine feelings.