Movie variety show soul travels between two worlds to become a rich man

Chapter 824 The Walls Have Ears - Let the Bullets Fly

The carved wooden doors of the Crescent Moon Hotel slowly closed behind Yin Nanfeng and Sheng Shengman. The heavy solid wood isolated the noise from the outside world, as if locking the silent confrontation that had just taken place outside the door.

The handle of the briefcase swayed slightly between Sheng Shengman's fingers, reflecting a cold, hard luster.

Inside the private room, as the outsiders left, the air seemed to finally begin to circulate. Fatty Wang almost immediately leaned closer, lowering his gruff voice, his tone filled with urgency and worry: "Young Master Gao, that snake-eyebrow bronze fish... is it really alright if one is missing?" He rubbed his hands together, his brows furrowed, clearly concerned about the missing snake-eyebrow bronze fish.

Gao Dongxu didn't answer immediately. He elegantly picked up the warm celadon teacup beside him, the lid lightly scraping against the rim, making a crisp sound. The rising steam blurred the half-smile on his lips. He slowly sipped the tea before looking up at the fat man, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Fatty, watch your words."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears: "This place is extraordinary. The one who was following Boss Yin just now is named Sheng Sheng Man. He is the best of the servants in the Crescent Moon Hotel."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said with a smile, "Her ears can pick up whispers in any of the private rooms in this building. Even the sound of a silver needle dropping probably wouldn't escape her ears."

"Hiss—" A series of gasps rang out. Wu Xie, Xie Yuchen, and Fatty all stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief. This was no ordinary keen senses; it was practically a legendary superpower.

"Really...really?!" The fat man still didn't believe it, but his voice involuntarily lowered a few decibels, and his eyes subconsciously glanced at the gorgeous but empty walls around the private room, as if countless ears were hidden inside.

“Absolutely true.” Gao Dongxu put down his teacup, his voice steady. “She can even judge the truthfulness of your words based on the subtle changes in your heartbeat. She’s practically a human lie detector. So here, you need to think twice before you speak.”

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone suddenly taking on a playful tinge, his voice rising slightly as if deliberately intended for someone who wasn't present to hear, "Because walls have ears. Don't you think so, Slowly?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Wu Xie and the others exchanged glances, their brows furrowed, and remained silent without a word, a sense of unease about being eavesdropped on quietly spreading through them.

At the same time, Sheng Shengman, who was walking through the winding corridor, paused almost imperceptibly. A helpless, bitter smile flashed across his face as he turned to Yin Nanfeng, who was walking calmly beside him, and whispered, "Boss, he... warned me."

Upon hearing this, Yin Nanfeng's delicate eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly, but her expression remained as calm as a still well: "Since it has been exposed, then let it go." Her tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger. "You will personally preside over tonight's auction."

"Yes." Sheng Shengman immediately lowered his head and replied, his expression returning to its usual respectful and calm demeanor.

Night fell, at exactly nine o'clock.

The Crescent Hotel, which still had a touch of everyday life during the day, was now completely enveloped in a solemn and mysterious atmosphere.

Inside the antique-style building, only the beaded curtains surrounding the private rooms on the second floor and above faintly reveal figures and lights. The lobby on the first floor is empty and quiet, with only the magnificent stage in the center illuminated by lights.

On stage, Peking Opera actors swayed their sleeves and sang melodiously, but this carefully prepared warm-up performance could not dispel the tension and silence that permeated the air.

There was none of the usual whispering during the auction, and even the clinking of glasses was barely heard. Only well-trained waiters moved about silently like ghosts, adding to the eeriness of the silence.

"when--"

A sudden, clear, resonant gong sounded, instantly drowning out the lingering echoes and reverberating throughout the space, as if cleansing away all other noises.

The actors on the stage receded like the tide. At the same time, the waiters outside each box responded immediately, silently pushing open the doors and deftly removing the screens that obstructed the view.

In an instant, the beaded curtains in front of all the private box balconies seemed to become the only barrier, and behind them, sharp, deep, or greedy gazes were all cast toward the stage on the first floor.

The lights shifted, focusing on the center of the stage.

A slender figure had appeared there without anyone noticing. Sheng Shengman had changed into a well-tailored pure white cheongsam; the fabric had a lustrous sheen, which accentuated her cool and aloof temperament.

A professional smile graced her face as her gaze calmly swept over the rows of beaded curtains on the second floor, seemingly able to penetrate the fine veil and meet the eyes of every potential buyer.

"Distinguished guests, good evening." Her voice, still gentle, carried a clear and penetrating quality, clearly reaching every corner, through a hidden amplification device. "Welcome to the Crescent Hotel Special Auction. Tonight, we will have the honor of witnessing the unveiling of two extremely special treasures."

As she spoke, the platform in the center of the stage slowly rose, and the spotlight was fixed on the platform.

There was a specially made transparent plastic box. Inside the box, a map folded into a square was placed side by side with a strangely shaped bronze fish with distinct scales and eyes that seemed to contain a ghostly light.

Sheng Sheng walked gracefully to the platform and began her explanation. Her voice was unhurried as she recounted the ancient and mysterious history of the Eastern Xia Kingdom, discussing its fleeting glory and the mystery of its sudden disappearance, before introducing the legendary architect Wang Zanghai and the Snake-Eyebrow Bronze Fish he left behind, which holds astonishing secrets.

"...The patterns on the bronze fish are not decorations, but the long-lost Jurchen script." She gestured to her subordinates to turn off most of the lights, leaving only a powerful flashlight to shine on the bronze fish from a specific angle. In an instant, the intricate patterns on the bronze fish were magnified and projected onto the huge curtain behind the stage.

The distorted, ancient characters were clearly visible, carrying an eerie aura that seemed to transcend time, drawing in all eyes that yearned to uncover its secrets. Sheng Sheng Man could clearly hear countless heavy breaths rising from each of the private rooms.

"This map is believed to be related to the last secret tomb of the Eastern Xia Kingdom, and this snake-browed bronze fish is the key to deciphering the map and unlocking the secret treasure."

The slow, deliberate voice rang out at the opportune moment, pushing the atmosphere to a climax: "Two items, inseparable, to be auctioned together. Starting price: one hundred million US dollars. Each bid must be at least one million US dollars."

She paused slightly, then offered an even more alarming condition: "Furthermore, as the client has explicitly requested, if this auction unfortunately fails to sell, we will be entrusted to destroy these two items on the spot."

Her gaze swept across the beaded curtain again, her tone gentle yet undeniably resolute, "This is a one-time opportunity. If you miss it, it's gone forever. Alright, the auction officially begins—starting price: one hundred million US dollars!"

As her clear voice faded, its echo reverberated in the empty hall.

However, the expected flurry of bidding bells did not ring.

The entire venue fell into an almost frozen, deathly silence.

One second, two seconds... Ten seconds passed, and not a single box pressed the bidding button that symbolized wealth and power.

In the center of the stage, Sheng Sheng Man maintained her perfect smile, but a closer look revealed that her fingers, hanging at her sides, curled almost imperceptibly, and a faint hint of doubt flickered between her delicate brows. This unusual silence was suspicious.

On the second floor, in the private room where Gao Dongxu was.

Wu Xie, Fatty Wang, and Hei Xiazi all turned their gazes to Gao Dongxu. He was sitting leisurely, a cigar between his fingers, wisps of smoke rising and blurring his deep eyes.

His face showed no surprise or anxiety, but rather a calm smile that indicated complete control.

"Hehe, no need to look at me." Gao Dongxu exhaled a thick smoke ring and said slowly, "The show has only just begun. Let the bullets... fly for a while longer."

He casually raised his hand and lightly flicked the ash from his cigar. This subtle gesture, however, was a clear instruction.

Inside the private room, in a shadowy corner where the light barely reached, the air seemed to distort slightly. Gu Lian and Lee Ji-young, invisible to ordinary people and in a blurred state, nodded to Go Dong-wook.

The two women exchanged a glance, and without a word, they tacitly split into two groups. Their figures moved like smoke, directly passing through the solid walls and silently blending into the complex structure of the Crescent Hotel.

Their mission was clear and crucial—to infiltrate each private room, eavesdrop, observe, and record the background and origins of each faction. Only by gathering enough intelligence could Gao Dongxu better seize the initiative.

The silence continued. But everyone could sense that beneath this silence, a turbulent undercurrent was gathering, waiting for a single breakthrough to unleash a massive wave. Gao Dongxu, however, sat calmly with a smile, awaiting that final moment.

"Di-"

"213, bid one hundred million—"

Finally, a bidding bell broke the tense silence, and Sheng Sheng Man immediately revealed a bright smile and said.

However, silence soon followed, and Sheng Shengman had to ask, "Any more bids? 213 million US dollars per bid..."

Just then, Gao Dongxu, who was about to smoke a cigar, received the first message from the fetishist's consciousness, which made his eyes widen involuntarily, revealing a very surprised expression and an uncontrollable upturn of the corners of his mouth.

"Countess Laura?!"

Goodness, I wonder if it's the classic first-generation Lara Croft who deliberately expanded her C to D, or the second-generation scrawny girl who makes you lose all appetite...

Hopefully, she's not a skinny girl. After all, Lara Croft is still the most alluring and aesthetically pleasing when she's big.

It looks like this trip to the Heavenly Palace in the Clouds is going to be really exciting!

(End of this chapter)