CHAPTER 297: CHAPTER 297: FOOL

Since Xia Mian felt there was something suspicious and wanted to investigate, he would accompany her in finding out the truth.

Zhou Yun was very attentive in hosting Xia Mian and the others, personally handling the arrangements for this dinner banquet.

Xia Mian and the others were casually strolling around the auction venue with Xie Chengming leading them.

As Xia Mian observed the environment inside the auction venue, she casually asked, "Does your auction master often travel around?"

Xie Chengming nodded, "Yes, our auction master is constantly trying to promote our auction venue and always looking for rare and valuable items to bring back."

"He’s the auction master, does he always personally handle these matters?" Xia Mian raised her eyebrows, though she wore a smile, she was somewhat skeptical of Xie Chengming’s explanation.

Xie Chengming chuckled, "The auction master is restless and trusts me greatly; he doesn’t like lingering at the auction venue..."

Xia Mian thoughtfully curled her lips, "I can see that this Mr. Zhou indeed trusts Mr. Ming very much."

Xia Mian wanted to see the black box, and Zhou Yun immediately sent Xie Chengming to take her there without saying a word.

Showing such a peculiar item to outsiders, besides personally escorting it, he must really trust Xie Chengming.

Xie Chengming smiled lightly, "Our auction venue’s development has required the master to make great efforts."

Xia Mian pressed her lips together in silence, she didn’t care what Zhou Yun had sacrificed; she only knew that Zhou Yun kept her around and hosted a banquet for her—this was shady in every way.

"The auction master wants to have dinner with the young lady, perhaps to establish good relations with the Divine Clan," Xie Chengming glanced subtly at the distance, "Our auction house has never aligned itself with any sect, however, after today’s events, Brother Yun might have realized that in our trade, if we don’t rely on any sect, we might one day be wiped out by an unknown force, with our entire holdings confiscated..."

At this point, Xie Chengming gave a bitter smile; had Xia Mian not been present today, those from the Artifact Refining Sect might have succeeded.

Xia Mian narrowed her eyes slightly, saying nothing more.

Lu Zechuan gave Xie Chengming a fleeting glance.

Xie Chengming indeed seemed loyal to Zhou Yun, continuously speaking highly of him.

Yet, he hadn’t considered what would have happened had Xia Mian not discovered the secret of the black box in that chamber before...

After wandering awhile, Xie Chengming and the others were summoned by Zhou Yun.

They said the dinner was ready.

Xie Chengming did not delay a moment, smiling as he led Xia Mian and the others to where Zhou Yun had set up the banquet.

Zhou Yun hosted the dinner for Xia Mian and the others in his siheyuan.

The siheyuan had a beautiful environment, with rockeries, ponds, waterfalls cascading down from the rockery, koi swimming in the pond, towering sycamores, and clusters of shrubs.

Hosting a banquet in such a place brought a unique charm.

When Xia Mian and the others entered the yard, there were several bonfires burning in the center, with several sheep roasting over the fire.

As soon as they entered, the aroma of roast lamb wafted towards them.

Xia Mian’s smile immediately grew more radiant, "Mr. Zhou is really meticulous!"

Roasting whole lamb is popular in the current world, but in the Mystical World, many cultivators don’t eat food at all.

This Zhou Yun actually thought of roasting whole lamb.

Zhou Yun smiled, with an exceptionally sincere smile, "Miss Xia, you helped our auction venue greatly, it’s just a meal, there’s no need for Miss Xia to mind!"

As Zhou Yun spoke, attendants from the auction venue began setting dishes on the banquet table.

All dishes were modern, instantly appetizing.

But Xia Mian’s eyes subtly narrowed, "Is there someone here skilled in cooking?"

Zhou Yun chuckled, "There are some ordinary people at the auction venue who don’t cultivate, so they need to eat."

Xia Mian nodded, not delving further.

She sat at a banquet table with Lu Zechuan, and attendants from the auction venue had already poured wine into their glasses.

Zhou Yun greeted warmly, "Miss Xia, a toast to you!"

Zhou Yun approached Xia Mian, raising his glass.

"She doesn’t drink," Lu Zechuan suddenly spoke, raising his glass to clink with Zhou Yun, "I’ll drink for her."

Zhou Yun paused, then laughed, "Miss Xia, is this your partner?"

Lu Zechuan had been silently shadowing Xia Mian, speaking little but always by her side, and Xia Mian’s attitude towards him was markedly different from others.

Zhou Yun couldn’t help but ask.

Xia Mian nodded, "You could say so."

Lu Zechuan’s dark eyes deepened slightly, "She’s my fiancée."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun laughed, "Surely a perfect match! When you two marry, do let me know, I’ll certainly send a grand gift!"

Lu Zechuan’s expression eased a bit, "Certainly."

Lu Zechuan drank that glass of wine, and Zhou Yun proceeded to toast Gu Zhi and Xia Weizhang.

The two were surprised by Zhou Yun’s gesture but, as guests, couldn’t refuse Zhou Yun’s toast.

They merely tasted it lightly.

In unfamiliar territory, keeping clear-headed has become a basic survival rule in the Mystical World.

Zhou Yun didn’t say much about Gu Zhi and Xia Weizhang’s actions.

After going around toasting, he returned to his seat and began instructing the auction venue’s people to serve everyone lamb meat.

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan’s table received a whole leg of lamb, while Gu Zhi and Xia Weizhang also received a whole leg.

Xia Weizhang seemed indifferent, but Xia Mian and the other three were deeply moved.

Though they were considered semi-residents of the Mystical World, they didn’t abstain from food, and during their time here, they ate and drank quite sloppily!

It had been a long time since they had seen such decent food.

After a brief hesitation, Gu Zhi was the first to act.

She tore off a piece of lamb meat, placed it in her mouth and chewed carefully, the unique fresh flavor of lamb blooming in her mouth almost made Gu Zhi cry.

Finally, authentic roast lamb once again.

Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan exchanged a glance and picked up their chopsticks, slowly savoring the roast lamb before them.

The flavor was somewhat different from that of their current world, but in a world where most don’t eat food, this taste was quite good.

"Miss Xia, how is the flavor?" Zhou Yun asked with a smiling face.

Xia Mian glanced up at him, feeling that Zhou Yun’s smile held deeper meaning.

"The flavor is acceptable..." Xia Mian answered truthfully before suddenly changing her tone, "But, it seems there’s something mixed into this meat."

Zhou Yun’s smile deepened, "Indeed worthy of the divine clan’s young lady, quite perceptive!"