An Zhidong, on stage, was well-prepared for this reaction and managed a smile. "I know it's expensive."
"But the price really can't be lowered. Our hands were tied; we paid a considerable sum to acquire this item ourselves."
Someone in the audience jeered, "That just means you were incompetent and got duped!"
"Exactly! If it were selling for ten thousand, I'd buy it just for a laugh."
The crowd roared with laughter.
The target of their ridicule, An Zhidong, finally lost his composure and shot a helpless glance toward Xie Jiancheng.
Xie Jiancheng slowly stood up. "I purchased this item from an old friend in Haojing. It has nothing to do with the staff of the Deyun Hotel's auction."
"If you don't like it, you're free not to buy and let it go unsold. There's no need to heap sarcasm and ridicule on Zhidong."
