Fight, fight, fight!!!
That was exactly how the female auction host felt at this moment.
As the host of the auction, it was her first time witnessing a scene straight out of a brothel—spending a fortune just to win a beauty’s favor.
But this was an auction, after all.
The money spent to impress the beauty would all end up in her own purse!
Watching Tania and Luo Xiya “compete for affection,” the host could barely contain the curve of her lips—she was ready to burst out laughing.
On the other side, upon hearing Tania’s latest bid, Luo Xiya couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation.
“Little Tania, must you always pretend to be richer than you are?”
“What? That tiny number already scared you?”
Tania sneered coldly.
Sitting in her private box, Luo Xiya tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest of her chair, resting her chin on the other hand.
After hearing Tania’s reply, she let out a soft laugh.
“As you wish—one million Gold Bler.”
The attendant standing beside Luo Xiya trembled at the number she just quoted, nearly losing grip on the bidding paddle.
Everyone else was likely just as stunned by Luo Xiya’s extravagance—so much so that the entire hall fell into a dead silence, not even a whisper of gossip.
Even Tania finally went quiet.
The attendant next to her was clearly terrified by her current demeanor, dropping to one knee with his head bowed, not daring to look up.
“O-One million Gold Bler, going once!”
The female host’s voice even wavered as she spoke, shaking with disbelief.
So Lady Luo Xiya was the truly wealthy and reckless one all along?
No matter how rich you are, isn’t this too much?
One million Gold Bler—the combined assets of an entire noble family.
In the whole Aingloran Empire, only families with real clout could boast such wealth.
She had basically used an entire family’s fortune just to win this beautiful, adorable child.
The host could already imagine that, after today, another glorious and unforgettable feat would be added to the Lily Countess’s legendary reputation.
But at the end of the day, unlike Tania, who depended on her family’s inheritance, Luo Xiya was the true master of her own domain—even her duchess mother couldn’t fully control her.
“One million Gold Bler, going twice!”
Five seconds passed, and the hall remained completely silent.
Most people were just watching the show now, waiting to see if Tania Desmon could possibly respond.
Another five seconds passed, but the host still hadn’t brought down the gavel.
There was an unspoken rule in auctions, the more valuable the item, the longer the final pause before the gavel fell.
The female host once again scanned the room, her gaze settling on Tania’s box.
Seeing that the other party still made no response, she finally let go of her restraint and shouted at the top of her lungs.
“Box Thirty! One million Gold Bler, third call—sold!!!”
As the gavel struck, the hall erupted into applause—far more enthusiastic than the polite clapping earlier.
This was no longer a formality; it was a celebration.
Nobles were passionate about tales of romance, and the Countess Luo Xiya throwing away a million Gold Bler for such a delicate and beautiful boy would no doubt become the hottest gossip among Aingloran’s upper class.
The Lily Countess, Luo Xiya, exited her private box with calm poise, walking with firm steps and graceful movements.
Roman allowed the host to hold his hand as he looked out at the congratulatory stares and praise-filled applause, feeling utterly strange inside.
Strange—because he couldn’t quite tell whether he still hated the fact that he was being auctioned off like this.
In his previous life, he had been abandoned—first by his mother, then by his father.
He dropped out of school early to work and survived only through shameful hints and compromises.
No one had ever acknowledged his worth.
Most of his childhood memories had faded, but he still remembered the first time he brought home a perfect score on a final exam, hoping for a word of praise from his father.
After finishing his homework that night, he came out to find the report card tossed carelessly into the trash can.
There were greasy smudges on it—what it had been used for was obvious.
No one had ever affirmed him. He had never felt seen.
That was Lin Xuan as he remembered him.
Now, someone had paid more money for him than most people would ever see in a lifetime.
Even if it was for that kind of purpose, he couldn’t bring himself to feel truly disgusted…
Because, in a certain sense, this was the first time his value had been recognized—by someone, or perhaps by the world.
What kind of person is she… really?
The thought rose unbidden in his mind as Roman looked up—just in time to see Luo Xiya approaching.
Her outfit, bearing, and manner were unlike any other noblewoman present.
She wasn’t wearing a long dress like the others, but a tight, off-shoulder black sheath dress adorned with various patterned designs.
The chest area was boldly cut, and the tie around her collar connected directly to a corset strap.
A black cloak hung from the edge of her scented shoulders—black on the outside, blood-red on the inside.
With every step, the cloak swayed behind her, and the occasional flash of red lent her an air of mystery and command.
The host, on the other hand, was bewildered.
According to protocol, all auctioned items were to be handed over only after the event ended.
Was she really going to walk up here right now?
Then Luo Xiya shot her a faint glance.
It stung like a blade, and the host instantly let go of Roman’s hand.
As her heart raced, cold sweat trickled down her back.
She had almost forgotten about this woman’s intense possessiveness—because Roman was a boy, she hadn’t reacted right away.
“Good evening, Countess Luo Xiya.”
She quickly snapped out of it, placing a hand over her chest in salute to show respect.
“Good evening to you too, madam.”
Luo Xiya nodded, finally meeting Roman’s gaze.
Her beautiful eyes blinked a few times, and for the first time, Luo Xiya felt her emotions waver.
She had only admired him from afar earlier, but now she truly understood what the auction had meant when it described him as comparable to an elf.
Roman felt the same—getting a close look at the Lily Countess’s true appearance was absolutely terrible for his heart rate.
Silky black hair draped over her shoulders, shining under the lights with a soft, powdery luster.
Her features were exquisite, her eyes bright, and her sea-blue gaze gave off a feeling of absolute acceptance.
But despite her gentle appearance, Roman sensed a blade-like sharpness radiating from every part of her.
They looked into each other’s eyes, and in the end, it was Luo Xiya who spoke first.
“Hello. May I know your name?” she asked with a smile, gently running her fingers through his soft silver hair.
“My name is Roman. Nice to meet you, Countess… Luo Xiya.”
The host’s eyes widened slightly when she heard Roman’s form of address.
As if she couldn’t bear to watch what might happen next, she offered Luo Xiya a quick farewell and made her exit.
The harsh training scene she had expected didn’t happen.
Instead, Luo Xiya simply raised an eyebrow, reached out, and effortlessly removed the collar around Roman’s neck.
Frowning as she tossed it aside, she said softly,
“From now on, don’t call me sir, countess, or madam.”
“Hmm… just call me elder sister.”