The commotion at the auction house entrance quickly caught the attention of the host. Bai Chi hurried over, not asking the evicted guests any questions, but politely inviting those blocking the entrance inside and directing everyone to their respective seats.
The auction soon began. Xu Ke watched the parade of treasures with disinterest, never once raising his paddle to bid.
"What is it? Has our Chairman Xu no regard for the auction house's offerings? Not even participating in a single bid?" Chairman Hu, still smarting from Xu Ke's earlier slight at the entrance, seized this moment to regain some face, and his voice was deliberately loud enough for Bai Chi, seated in front, to hear.
Seeing Bai Chi's eyes turn toward him, Xu Ke felt a deep disdain for Chairman Hu rising within him, though it showed only as a barely detectable furrow of his brow.
