Behind the Scenes

Velar's introduction caused a flurry of discussion among the guests in the audience.

There were many mysterious items in this world with unclear effects or side effects. What caused the crowd to discuss was not the unknown side effects, but rather why this mysterious item was put up for auction when it was clearly known to be an unknown entity.

No one was foolish enough to think that unknown side effects meant there were none. On the contrary, in the eyes of almost everyone, unknown meant fatal.

Velar waited for the audience to quiet down a bit before speaking again.

"This is actually a very old item, with a history of over a hundred years. It was cleared out when the auction house cleaned its warehouse last month.

According to records, over the decades, people who have eaten this cheese have basically shown no reaction until their death. Based on the current situation we have grasped, it seems to be harmless."

"Boo~" Boos erupted from the audience.

Could matters of the [Mysterious] be described with "seems"?

Someone chimed in, "Even if what you say about having no side effects is true, what is the effect after eating it?"

Velar: "There is no effect either. Please note, there is absolutely no effect, not even the feeling of fullness you should have after eating."

The crowd below was collectively speechless.

With unknown side effects and no positive effects, what was the point of having it?

Velar also knew this thing was a scam, but having already used the excuse of clearing inventory, he bit the bullet and went through the process.

"[Moon Phase Cheese], starting price... 20 years, with each bid increment no less than 5 years."

The crowd below looked at Velar like he was an idiot.

This cheese had no effect when eaten, and it would plant a ticking time bomb in one's body. He was really forcing this auction.

Liu Bo was also among the crowd: "I wouldn't even want this ghost thing if it were given to me for free. Only an idiot would bid on it. Chen Miemie, don't you think... Ah, you!"

Chen Miemie raised his hand: "20 years."

This voice absolutely shocked everyone present.

Without waiting for Liu Bo to question him, Velar rapidly counted down 3, 2, 1, and then swiftly dropped the hammer, as if terrified he would regret it.

"Sold! Congratulations to this gentleman for winning this treasure. Let us congratulate him."

Thunderous applause filled the venue; everyone was truly and sincerely congratulating him.

Chen Miemie won the [Moon Phase Cheese] and waited for a long time, but didn't see any show-offs jump out to mock his garbage taste.

Although the guests were surprised, the price wasn't expensive either. After the initial shock, since it didn't concern them, they didn't dwell on it.

Except for Liu Bo.

Liu Bo was truly heartbroken, even more so than when he spent 940 years earlier.

"Chen Miemie, what are you doing? Why did you bid on this thing? Even though it's not expensive, you might go crazy one day and eat it after taking it home. You really don't understand the terror of unknown side effects."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'm just taking it back to study it."

"I don't believe you for a second."

"I don't really believe myself either, but let's be optimistic. Experimenters over the past decades and centuries have been fine, so of course I will..."

"Stop right there. Please don't raise any death flags. I'm scared."

Half an hour later, the auction ended.

The mysterious item was locked in a small coffin-shaped box and delivered into the hands of the successful bidder.

Before Chen Miemie and Liu Bo prepared to leave, they once again ran into the auction house's eldest miss, Mian Ruyan.

"Chen Miemie, I still suggest you don't eat that piece of cheese you won after going home." Mian Ruyan had come specifically to care for her old classmate.

"Uh-huh. By the way, let me ask you something. Is the auctioneer Velar someone from your auction house?"

"Not really. The title of [Archaeologist] is very prominent; I can't recruit him. He is more like a temporary collaborator with us."

"I have some appraisal-related questions I'd like to ask him. Do you have his address?"

"I have his wristwatch contact info, but no residential address. However, people who need appraisals often go to his society to find him. He has a workshop there."

"His society is?"

"[Nanjun Society]."

At the main entrance of the auction house.

Liu Bo was somewhat eager to go home. Now that he had a treasure worth 940 years on him, he kept feeling that it was dangerous outside and someone wanted to rob him.

Therefore, as soon as he exited the main doors, he got into his family's car and disappeared without a trace.

After a snap of his fingers, Chen Miemie also left in a sedan chair.

Inside the auction house, in a hidden room deep within.

The light in the room was dim.

There were two people.

One person sat in the seat of honor, while the other stood in the center of the room, bowing slightly.

[Archaeologist] Velar pushed up his glasses and looked at the figure sitting in the main seat:

"I have followed your instructions and concealed the side effects of that mysterious item. It was won by a young man. Doing this might have a slight impact on the auction house's reputation."

"It doesn't matter. Who won it?"

"I checked, it is Miss Mian Ruyan's classmate, named Chen Miemie."

"Hmm? Why would he come? He wasn't on today's guest list, was he?"

"I heard he came with his classmate Liu Bo."

"The rest of the operation remains unchanged. Immediately find Chen Miemie to retrieve the item; do not drag him into the plan."

"This... asking for it back right after he won it, won't it arouse suspicion and affect our plan?"

"Let me remind you, Chen Miemie is from Chen Miaomiao's family. If something happens to him, what do you think your fate will be?"

"Yes... I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness the Great Witch."

"Go."

"Yes."

[Archaeologist] Velar bowed before pushing the door open and leaving.

Light from outside shone into the room through the crack in the door.

The silhouette of the woman in the seat gradually became clear.

Beneath a tall mage hat, adorned with jewels exuding a mysterious aura, her sandy-gold pupils flickered with a dangerous light.