I Want Them All

Xu Zihuang did not scrutinize the two women for long before withdrawing his gaze.

The two blue-haired girls opposite him were indeed quite attractive, especially the one who looked only a few years older than Xu Zihuang.

She was just under one meter sixty-five, not particularly tall, but her height suited her perfectly. Her snowy skin carried a healthy rosy glow, complemented by a pert little nose and soft pink lips. Beneath her thick lashes, her aqua-blue eyes were pure and clear. She wore a white, billowing silk gown that exposed a section of fair, lotus-root-like calves, with a silver-white anklet around each delicate ankle. Her shoulder-length aqua-blue hair curled slightly, giving her an unusual charm.

But Xu Zihuang, who had been born into the Pure Sun Moon Empire Royal Bloodline, had encountered noble young ladies throughout his life whose looks and bearing were no worse than hers. She was not enough to draw much of his attention.

Seeing Sister Shui's expression grow increasingly unpleasant, Manager Zhu gave a satisfied little snort and led Xu Zihuang's group deeper into the VIP passageway.

The lighting in the VIP passageway was somewhat dim, and the temperature had dropped noticeably. It was exceptionally comfortable and quiet.

Before long, a heavy Purple Sandalwood door gradually came into view. It was carved with all manner of exquisite patterns, nearly five meters tall and over three meters wide.

Walking ahead of the group, Manager Zhu first raised her jade-like hand and knocked lightly a few times before pushing the door open directly.

Compared with the elegant, understated door, the room's furnishings could only be described as extravagantly luxurious. Apart from the wall where the door stood, the other three walls of this top-tier VIP room, which spanned more than a hundred square meters, were assembled from blocks of deep-purple crystal. These amethysts had undergone special treatment. Those outside could not see into the room, but those inside could clearly observe the massive auction hall below, which resembled a grand auditorium.

There were only two people in the spacious top-tier VIP room: Yaoyang, whom they had parted with half a month ago, and Wang Xiao, who had entered Yueshu City ahead of them.

The two had been seated on the broad sofa at the center of the room. The moment they saw Xu Zihuang enter behind Manager Zhu, they immediately rose to greet him.

"Zihuang, why did you get here so quickly? Didn't Uncle Wang say you were planning to take a good look around Yueshu City?"

"That had been my original plan, but something unexpected happened along the way." Xu Zihuang replied with a smile, his peripheral vision casually sweeping over Manager Zhu beside him.

He had not expected Yaoyang to reveal his relationship with Wang Xiao in front of Manager Zhu.

It seemed Manager Zhu's relationship with Yaoyang truly was anything but ordinary.

From the moment she entered the room, Manager Zhu's gaze had remained fixed on Yaoyang. Yet Yaoyang had not looked at her directly even once. Pouting her cheeks in resentment, she walked out of the room on crystal high heels, clearly a little jealous.

"Since I have delivered them, this subordinate will not disturb the City Lord while he discusses important matters."

Meng Lang and the others behind Xu Zihuang exchanged looks. After their gazes met briefly, they too understood and withdrew from the room.

The now-empty top-tier VIP room contained only Xu Zihuang, Yaoyang, and Wang Xiao.

Without the slightest restraint, Xu Zihuang walked over and sat on the sofa behind the crystal table. Supporting the back of his neck with both hands, he looked lazily at Yaoyang and teased, "Brother Yang, is Manager Zhu interested in you?"

Yaoyang's expression stiffened at Xu Zihuang's words. He shook his head helplessly.

"Yao'er may indeed be somewhat dependent on me. I met her when we were young. During that disaster, her family did not escape unharmed either, since they had been close to ours for generations. Later, Prince saved me from those Evil Soul Masters. I came alone to Yueshu Island and luckily discovered that she had survived as well. Though Uncle Wang secretly helped us at the start, it still took nearly ten years before I regained complete control over Yueshu Island. Over these past ten years, the two of us have supported each other."

Zhu Yao was Manager Zhu's real name.

"Oh, so you were childhood sweethearts who went through hardship together." The smile on Xu Zihuang's face did not fade.

"Brother Yang, you can fool yourself, but don't fool everyone else."

Yaoyang came over and sat beside Xu Zihuang. Smiling as though embarrassed into anger, he scolded, "Enough, Zihuang. Stop talking about me and worry about yourself instead. With your talent, even without your status as someone of the Pure Sun Moon Empire Royal Bloodline, there definitely won't be few women entangled with you once you grow up. How will you choose then?"

Only before Xu Zihuang and Wang Xiao would the Viscount of Yuennan, who seemed unreachable to others, reveal his truest self.

"Choose?" Xu Zihuang sat upright, a trace of confusion flashing through his clear deep-purple eyes.

"What are you talking about, Brother Yang? Why would I need to choose? Can't I just have them all?"

He was not saying it deliberately. It was his most genuine thought. As someone born into the royal family, the education he had received since childhood had never included devotion to one person.

Yaoyang frowned as he met Xu Zihuang's eyes. What Xu Zihuang said was not exactly wrong. Whether in the Sun Moon Empire or the Three Great Empires originally belonging to Douluo Continent, the vast majority of noble sons had multiple wives and concubines.

On Douluo Continent, strength was supreme. The strong naturally stood above others.

It was only because Yaoyang had formed a preconceived impression of Xu Zihuang's father that Xu Zihuang having such thoughts seemed strange.

They were clearly father and son, yet their views were completely opposite.

Wang Xiao explained at the right moment, "Back then, Prince was occupied with government affairs. Young Master's early education was uniformly taught in the imperial palace."

So that was why.

Yaoyang rubbed his forehead and did not dwell on the matter any further.

As the three spoke, quite a few people had already taken their seats in the auction hall. At the center stood a circular stage, surrounded by rows of seats arranged in radiating rings.

They were divided into five sections. The three rows closest to the stage were red, and radiating outward, the colors were black, purple, yellow, and white, representing bidders of different ranks.

Of course, there were also private VIP rooms like the one occupied by Xu Zihuang's group. The crystal walls of those rooms had likewise undergone special treatment, but the sole difference was that this top-tier VIP room allowed Xu Zihuang's group to clearly see what was happening inside the other VIP rooms.

Yaoyang noticed the situation in the auction hall and used the opportunity to change the subject.

"Zihuang, Uncle Wang and I discussed it. At this auction, we will put that living thousand-year Evil Spirit Orca and part of the already air-dried Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Rubber up for sale. One reason is to gather funds to purchase various rare metals. The other is to use this chance to give you a general understanding of some of the powerful factions in the Yuenan Islands."