zero o'clock

【Auction starts】

Xiaocui carried a palace lantern and walked in front, leading the crowd all the way to the depths of the Mei family compound.

The main building used to hold the auction is a two-story building with blue bricks and glazed tiles.

A circle of lush bamboo is planted along the outer wall of the small building, so dense that even the light from the windows can't be seen clearly, presumably it is also designed to increase privacy.There are still two big red lanterns hung on the arch of the entrance, but the yard is too quiet and there is not enough lighting. In the dark environment, these lanterns are not only not festive, but rather gloomy and bleak. people.

Through the arch, a few people came to a corridor outside the main venue. Through the open door, they could see a very spacious table. In the center was a sandalwood table for displaying exhibits. The top was temporarily empty. After the official start, there will be a hostess lady who will bring up the auction items one by one.

Maybe it was because the atmosphere was boring, or maybe it was to make up for the previous negligence and dereliction of duty, Xiaocui turned her head, a very cute dimple appeared on her face, and said: "Masters, this is the first time bring it on?"

Qi Jingyu said: "This is the first time, and I have never participated in similar activities before."

Xiaocui opened her big eyes and looked at him curiously. She has a good impression of this gentle man. Although his aura is a bit cold, he doesn't have the indifference and vigilance of being thousands of miles away. , which is completely different from the other one: "Did Boss Lian introduce you? Are you friends too?"

"Yes and no." Li Huan raised his eyelashes and gave her a meaningful look, "it's impossible for a tea shopkeeper to know our master."

Xiao Cui laughed and said, "So the masters are more powerful than Master Ghost? No wonder they look extraordinary!"

The compliment is more important in this sentence, and anyone can hear it clearly.

Li Huan exchanged glances with Qi Jingyu calmly, and the latter nodded inconspicuously. After getting a response, he quickly organized his words in his mind and asked, "Listen to what you mean, that Boss Lian and the ghost Is the car okay?"

As soon as these words came out, Xiaocui's palm holding the palace lantern froze unconsciously, causing the obscure light to sway closely, Li Huan smiled knowingly, and continued to say without waiting for her answer: "Look Come on, does Miss Cui know the identity of the ghost car? Or is it no secret that this kind of thing is in the Mei family compound?"

Xiaocui's face was pale, and she felt a little bloody when she was hit by the palace lights, she replied in a low voice: "No, it's just that in order not to cause any misunderstanding, the people above will disclose the identities of our guests in advance, only the insiders I know, human guests don’t know about it, so you can rest assured.”

Xing Yi said: "Then you heard the news, what are we?"

"This..." Xiao Cui pursed her lips, glanced at Yan Mo who had been silent all this time with trembling eyelashes, and said, "I don't have any specific news, I just said that I have a lot of background, let me take good care of you. "

"Don't be afraid." Qi Jingyu's voice was flat, but he glanced at her intentionally with a half-smile, "Our master has a unique taste, so he won't just eat yours casually."

After he finished speaking, Miss Xiaocui became even more nervous.

Master Mo Luo who was inexplicably lying on the gun: "..."

"Cough..." Yan Mo cleared his throat and said, "That's right, I'm only interested in things with nine tails."

Li Huan: "..."

For some reason, he suddenly remembered Ari's comment about zoophilia not long ago, maybe... He looked down at Ari, who nodded with a sad face.At that moment, Li Huan's three views collapsed!What did he prove?Did that bastard Yan Mo do something to Ari when the teacher didn't know...

The picture created by the brain was too strong, Li Huan felt that the whole person was not well, so he quickly gathered his mind and drove that strange thing out of his brain.

A group of people went up the stairs to the second floor. The layout here is similar to that of Zisha Yayuan. There is no hall, and the aisles on the whole floor are in the shape of a zigzag. There are four private rooms on each of the three corridors. In fact, it is similar to the design of the viewing platform on the second floor of Xiyuanzi. , but this place is made more elegant and luxurious. Each stand corresponds to a private room, which better guarantees the privacy of the guests.

Xiaocui led the crowd to stop in front of No. [-] private room, unscrewed the handle and pushed the door open, then stepped aside and said, "Masters, please come in."

With Yan Mo leading the way, the four of them filed in.

Sure enough, there was a bay window with an excellent view on the balcony at the other end of the room, which was covered by a beaded chain, but it did not prevent the buyer from looking at the exhibits on the table on the first floor. Fruit snacks have been prepared in advance, in addition to a brass bell and matching hammer that fell on the metal stand.

Right now, Xiao Cui ordered her servants to serve tea, she is not in the room for the time being, and the few people do not need any communication, each quietly and quickly searched the corners of the private room where the monitoring equipment might be placed, and then destroyed them one by one without politeness.Although this will immediately attract the organizer's attention, the advantage is that the other party knows that they are monsters and cannot be provoked, so they can only turn a blind eye to this kind of thing and pretend not to see it.

After finishing all this, Qi Jingyu and Yan Mo sat down on the two grand master chairs, Xing Yi stayed at the door to keep an eye on the movement outside, and Li Huan stood in front of the window and looked towards the first floor.

I have to say that the invitation letter provided by Aunt Lian for Nightmare corresponds to a very good location. It is one of the only two private rooms facing the venue. It seems that she attaches great importance to the guests that the other party can invite, but if Even the seats are arranged according to their status, so it is very likely that a distinguished guest is sitting in the private room with the same excellent location next door.

Could it be Feng Chi?

If the owner of the tea house knew his identity, then he was probably next door. If he didn't know, where would he be?

The seventh room is on the left, but there is only a wall away, Li Huan subconsciously forgot about the empty white wall, and his heart beat a lot faster involuntarily.

After a while, the servant in charge of delivering tea knocked on the door and came in, served tea to the two people in the main seat respectively, and left two cups for Li Huan Xingyi on the round table in the room.After he finished, Xiaocui sent the person away, then walked beside Yan Mo, bowed respectfully, and said, "It's the first time for the masters to participate in the auction, Xiaocui will briefly introduce the rules to you."

Qi Jingyu said politely, "I'm sorry to trouble you."

Xiaocui smiled slightly, that smile was still a little unnatural, but her state had obviously adjusted a lot, she was no longer afraid of the monsters in front of her, but she didn't completely let go of her guard.

"There are thirteen auction items tonight, including jade, bronze, calligraphy and painting, and live pets. The average auction time for each item is half an hour. All buyers are free to bid before the auctioneer's hammer is settled. It's just that the rules of the Mei Family Courtyard is to ring a whole number, and the tool is the copper bell on this table." Xiao Cuisu pointed to the table, and then said, "The ones who are interested will appear later, Probably have to wait until after four or five o'clock in the morning."

Qi Jingyu nodded and said, "How many guests are here tonight?"

Xiao Cui smiled and said, "There are twelve tables for VIPs on the second floor, and 28 tables for ordinary guests on the first floor. There are a total of forty tables and 200 people."

Qi Jingyu picked up the teacup and blew on the floating tea leaves. He didn't rush to drink, but asked without raising his head, "Is it convenient to reveal the number of demons?"

Xiao Cui frowned slightly, and said, "Master, don't embarrass me, this matter needs to be kept secret."

Qi Jingyu took a sip of his tea and stopped talking, Xing Yi said: "You went out this time, the people under the ghost car didn't ask you to give us a word or something?"

"Bring it, Xiao Cui hasn't had time to tell it yet!" Xiao Cui hurriedly said: "Ghost Master said, no matter whether the transaction can be completed or not, I want to invite you to have a small gathering tonight and say that everyone Located in the boundary of Beijing, meeting in the Mei family compound is a chance, we can become friends and take care of each other in the future."

Qi Jingyu raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at Yan Mo with a smile in his eyes, and jokingly said: "The beast doesn't even know who you are, so it's just flattering you."

"He believes in Nightmare's way, so it is expected that today's buyer must have a strong background." Yan Mo said.

Qi Jingyu: "Then what do you mean?"

Yan Mo didn't answer, but asked, "What room are they in?"

Xiaocui said, "VIP No. [-] is on the right side of this room."

"It turns out that I gave up the good position to this deity," Yan Mo said silently, "Thank that monster for me, and say that this matter is settled."

"Yes, thank you, sir." Xiao Cui said, "I will wait outside the door after the auction starts. If you have anything to do, you can just call me. Now if there is nothing else, Xiao Cui will go to answer Ghost Master. went."

Yan Mo waved his hand, signaling to go, Xiao Cui saluted respectfully again, and then quickly walked out of VIP No. [-]'s private room.

Several people sat or stood without talking, only listening to the opening and closing of the door next door, and then there was no sound. It's not easy for them to not be able to hear the voice behind that wall, but it also saves them the trouble of being heard by the same kind.

At this time, there was movement from the lobby on the first floor. The fat man who had greeted guests at the gate swayed the folding fan and came to the center of the platform. Behind him were two hostesses wearing red cheongsams. After the golden silk tray was in place, the first auction item was placed on the table, and then retreated to the side of the fat man from left to right.

With the folding fan closed, the man smiled kindly, rolled up his two wide sleeves, bowed to the left, middle and right in turn, and said in a loud voice: "The zero o'clock has passed, and the auspicious time is here. Welcome all distinguished guests to come by night." Mei Family Courtyard, our auction will start soon, and everything will follow the old rules. This time, Agui will still bid for you, and our first exhibit is..."

Li Huan stood in front of the bay window, his cold eyes fell on the fat man named Agui, and he said in a voice that seemed to be talking to himself: "I didn't expect this person to be both a welcome guest and an auctioneer?"

Xing Yi said: "It should be arranged on purpose. There must be something special about this man. At least it sounds like he is not the first time hosting this kind of event. He must be very familiar with every guest. It is said that this kind of person looks You can tell the wealth of the buyer by his face, and he has a very keen sense of hearing. Standing at the door, he is not only welcoming the guests, but also observing the voice and appearance of each visitor. In other words, although we only met him once, But the characteristics of each of us were deeply embedded in his brain."

Li Huan looked up at him, hesitantly said: "How can a mortal's memory be so exaggerated?"

"That's right, so there are demons who have attained the Tao and people who have turned into spirits in the Mei family compound." Qi Jingyu continued to drink tea calmly, "Xiaohuan, do you think we were sent in just now?" How about that little Cui?"

Li Huan recalled quietly for a few seconds, and said with a smile, "I'm full of drama."

Qi Jingyu gave a flat "hmm" and said, "This little girl's heartbeat is as normal as usual, but she can express her respect and awe of the monster so genuinely, and she is just a small character leading guests in this yard, which shows that the people here Human beings have been highly adapted to the existence of demons, and this is actually at the foot of the capital, under the nose of my Nine Tails, which really makes people have to marvel."

"Your methods are too passive," Yan Mo said, "Jing Yu, for so many years you have lived in your tea house on the other side all day long, and you will only come forward to solve problems when they come to your door. Of course, you don't know what the outside world has changed. .”

Qi Jingyu glanced at him lightly, and said, "You don't even know how old I am, do I still have the energy to make trouble like those little monsters?"

Yan Mo raised his eyes and said with a smile: "No matter what age you are, you are still a little fox in my eyes."

At this time, the introduction of the first auction item had ended, Agui announced the start of the auction, and various bells were ringing upstairs and downstairs in the whole building.

Xing Yi turned to look at Qi Jingyu, and said calmly: "According to what the woman said, there are still four or five hours before the ghost car's goods are on stage. We just wait like this, and there are no other arrangements?"

Qi Jingyu said: "Yes, but it's not suitable for the four of us to leave the venue. Miss Xiaocui just passed Yan Mo's reply to Guiche. I guess he will send someone over to take care of it later, so Yan Mo and I have Stay here."

"Now we are not sure about Feng Chi's location, and we don't even know whether he will be there in person tonight. You and Xiao Huan go out together, don't be too deliberate, and don't startle the snake. In short, it is best to determine the room number, not just Think of another way."

Having said that, Qi Jingyu rolled up his cuffs and glanced at his watch, and added, "Come back before three o'clock tentatively." He looked up at Li Huan, "The teacher is not here, so be careful."

Ah Li said: "Master, how about I go with the young master?"

"You have to stay," Qi Jingyu patted its head, and said, "Feng Chi and Gui Che are on the opposite side after all, it's okay if they don't know each other, but it's actually very tricky to come together if there is friendship, maybe it's still possible I need you to temporarily return to the main body."

Xing Yi: "Then let's go first."

After finishing speaking, Xing Yi pulled Li Huan to the door quickly. He didn't rush to open the door, but stood behind the door and listened quietly for a while. There was no sound in the whole corridor. Xiao Cui didn't seem to be outside either.

"Maybe I went to find the ghost car." Li Huan said.

Xing Yi nodded, and pressed the doorknob with his palm to gently unscrew it.

Sure enough, there was no one outside, not only that, but there was no waitress waiting at the door of other private rooms.

The entire corridor on the second floor was empty, which made the sound of the clang of the copper bells more obvious. After he and Li Huan came out, they closed the door behind them.

"Will it be so obvious?" Li Huan asked.

Xing Yi said: "It's hard to say, but if Gui Che knows that his fixed room in the tea house is opposite Feng Chi, and Feng Chi must be related to Chong Ye, Qinglong, as the leader of all monsters, has an unrivaled status. , In this way, does the ghost car still need the nightmare to contact the buyer if it wants to deal with the two hot demon souls?"

"It makes sense," Li Huan said after pondering for a moment, "but we still have to verify it first."

——inued