Yuan stumbled back, collapsing into his chair.
"Young Master Wu?"
Lan Yue leaned slightly toward him, her brows lightly creased. "Young Master Wu, are you alright?"
"Y-yeah," Yuan stuttered, his body trembling faintly as he tried to steady himself.
Lan Yue's expression darkened slightly with concern. She sat back in her seat but kept her gaze on him. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
With those words, she turned her attention back to the auction stage. Her posture was poised, her eyes now more expressive.
Yuan, meanwhile, watched her from the side.
Disgust.
That was the only emotion he could see etched behind her composed face.
Even when she smiled politely, even when her voice carried concern, he could sense it—that faint repulsion hiding just beneath the surface.
It made sense. Wu Qiong's past behavior was despicable. Yuan didn't blame her for hating him.
But that only deepened the mystery in Yuan's mind: 'Why was Lan Yue being so… polite?'
She had smiled at him earlier—something Wu Qiong had never seen in his entire life.
And now, she showed concern?
Yuan had been wary from the start. Fortunately, the [Eye of Omen] gave him clarity.
She was acting.
Why?
He didn't know.
But the warmth in her voice was false. That much was certain. Lan Yue had her own reasons, her own game.
'Probably setting up a trap,' Yuan guessed.
But if that was the case, another question surfaced.
'Why today?'
Today of all days—when Wu Qiong had planned to kidnap her.
'…Could it be a coincidence?'
He didn't know.
Yuan let out a sigh and realized how often he'd been shaking his head lately.
Then, as if on reflex, he shook it once more.
'At least I know I can't trust her.'
With that cold comfort, Yuan returned his attention to the panel in front of him—specifically, the [Eye of Omen].
The moment he thought of the name, the ability responded. A faint warmth brushed against his mind, and suddenly, its functions became clearer.
He could now willfully choose a target and perceive how that person felt towards him or because of him—whether they admired him, feared him, or hated him.
As this understanding crystallized in his mind, it felt almost… natural, as if he'd always had this power.
As for the golden thread?
He didn't know what it meant, yet somehow, he felt that this thread wouldn't appear often.
'This power is incredible.'
'With this, I can tell who to trust… and who to be wary of.'
Just that thought was enough to lift some of the mental burdens weighing on him.
He inhaled deeply and focused on the auction floor, particularly toward a side chamber where the girl was—hands bound, standing in a cage. She was properly prepared to be the next item to be sold.
This side chamber is visible only for VIPs, where they could analyze the next item being sold before its actual appearance, and if correct conditions are met, even buy it outright.
Yuan's eyes narrowed.
'I have to buy her.'
He waved subtly at his attendant, who secretly worked for the man in the shadows.
The servant leaned in, and Yuan whispered, "Buy her. No matter what."
The attendant gave a silent nod, his eyes flashing with questions.
He meaningfully looked at Yuan, then turned and left the room.
Others in the booth noticed, but none commented.
Yuan glanced once more at Lan Yue. He activated [Eye of Omen].
Her disgust had deepened.
Lan Yue opened her mouth to speak, then stopped herself. She pressed her lips together and offered a tight smile.
'She is beautiful,' Yuan admitted silently.
Still, that beauty, in front of Yuan's eyes, did little to mask the disdain.
For the sake of appearances, Yuan spoke.
"Young Lady Lan, are you here for the Amber Lotus Petals?"
He didn't want to start a conversation. But considering how hard Wu Qiong had worked to put them both in this corner of the booth, it would be strange if he said nothing at all.
And Yuan did not want any form of suspicion on him due to his unexpected change., at least not now.
Besides, Yuan wanted to understand her intentions better.
Lan Yue's expression turned serious.
"Amber Lotus Petals rarely appear on the market. While my family did come with the hope of purchasing them… I can't say we are confident."
She paused, then looked at Yuan with a playful glint in her eyes.
"After all, people from both within and outside the city have gathered here to compete…"
Her lips curled into a sly smile.
"…and your Wu Family is one of the strongest contenders, Young Master Wu."
Yuan stiffened.
There was a hidden message in her words—one he now clearly understood.
'She wants me to make the Wu Family give up the bid.'
And ironically, that aligned perfectly with Wu Qiong's plan. The man in the shadows had instructed Wu Qiong to spread rumors that the Wu Family would secure the petals—no matter what.
If Wu Qiong had heard this, he would have been ecstatic.
Then, all he had to was perform his act of making his family forfeit, make Lan Yue feel that she owes him.
But he wasn't here.
"Haha," Yuan chuckled lightly, "What can I say, Young Lady Lan? My Wu Family is indeed quite determined. We've prepared extensively to ensure we get the petals, and no one else."
A beat passed.
Yuan frowned internally. That sounded nothing like what Wu Qiong would've said.
He quickly added, "But if Young Lady Lan truly wishes for a petal, this Young Master would be more than happy to arrange it for you."
Again, he activated [Eye of Omen].
For a fleeting moment, a flicker of surprise surfaced in her—before the disgust returned, slightly stronger than before.
'She would be disgusted even at my death.'
"I thank you in advance, Young Master Wu," Lan Yue said with a polite nod.
Her tone was graceful, but Yuan noticed something strange—a subtle ripple in the emotions she projected toward him.
'What caused that change?'
He couldn't tell.
[Eye of Omen] could show him how someone felt toward him, and also what they felt because of him.
That meant that this ripple had nothing to do with him.
But it didn't show their current mood, what they were thinking in the moment, or anything that was not related to him.
A blind spot he'd have to keep in mind.
Just as he prepared to say something like, "No need to worry," or "You are too kind, Yoing Lady Lan," his attendant returned and gave a discreet signal.
Yuan stood up. "If you'll excuse me, Young Lady Lan," he said with a smile. "Should you find the time, let's meet again before the festival."
He didn't wait for her response and exited the room swiftly, leaving Lan Yue with furrowed brows.
Once they were alone, Yuan asked, "What happened?"
"Young Master Wu," the attendant whispered, "We were too late. Someone else made an offer before us. And Lady Xiao is refusing to sell to us."
"She didn't even flinch when I mentioned your name."
"Now… unless you personally show up, I don't think she'll budge."