A group of waiters dressed in the same uniform filed in and placed the food they were carrying on the table one by one.
Inside the auction hall, there were five large round tables, with six people sitting at each table.
These thirty people were the powerful figures who had been invited to attend the auction.
Of course, there are many more powerful forces in the underworld than just these few, but Old Fish Head wouldn't invite just anyone; he would screen them beforehand.
Those who come here are all powerful figures with principles and family wealth.
Having a bottom line means there's a possibility of cooperation.
Having a family fortune means you're not short of money and can afford to buy things.
On stage, Old Fish Head said, "The first item up for auction is a shrimp dumpling recipe."
"No matter how wonderfully I describe the shrimp dumplings, you won't understand how delicious they are."
"It would be better to let you try it yourselves. After you've tasted it, you'll know what I mean."
"The shrimp dumplings are now on your tables. Please pick up your chopsticks and enjoy them."
Each table has a plate of shrimp dumplings, exactly six.
These tiny shrimp dumplings are probably only enough for one bite.
Some people complained, "Old Fish Head, are you afraid we'll eat you out of house and home or what? There's so little of this, who's going to eat it all!"
Old Fish Head laughed, "Since I dared to invite you all here, what is there to be afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid of you eating me out of house and home, I'm afraid you'll eat your fill!"
"There are at least 80, if not 100, items to be auctioned this time."
"You will be able to taste each dish yourself later. If you are allowed to eat as much as you want every time, will you be able to eat any more later?"
"I'm doing this for your own good."
Upon hearing this, everyone thought it made sense and stopped protesting.
They each picked up their chopsticks and took a shrimp dumpling.
Dip it in the sauce dish in front of me and put it in my mouth.
The shrimp dumplings have thin wrappers and generous fillings, and are translucent and crystal clear, allowing you to clearly see the whole shrimp meat inside.
The shrimp meat comes from fresh sea shrimp that have been caught for no more than one hour.
One bite, and the piping hot, fresh flavor explodes on your tongue.
So beautiful it's breathtaking.
"Phew, it's so hot."
As he spoke, the man twirled the shrimp dumpling he had eaten on his tongue to cool it down, refusing to spit it out.
"I only got a taste before it was gone, but it was fucking delicious."
"How exactly are these shrimp dumplings made?"
"Old Fish Head, now that you've finished the shrimp dumplings, stop dawdling and hurry up and auction off the recipe. I can't wait any longer."
Old Fish Head: "Everyone knows how the shrimp dumplings taste now."
"After you buy the shrimp dumpling recipe, you can make them for yourselves or open a shop to make money like I did."
In short, you won't lose out or be cheated by buying it.
"The starting price is 100 crystal coins, and each bid must be at least 10 crystal coins higher. You may now begin the auction."
No one who can make it big in the underworld is stupid.
After all, the stupid ones would have been killed long ago and wouldn't be alive now.
Therefore, the scene that Old Fish Head had envisioned—a cacophony of bidding from the very beginning of the auction—did not occur.
On the contrary, there have been continuous questions raised.
"Old Fish Head, can I learn your recipe after I buy it?"
Old Fish Head: "Of course. Our recipe includes not only detailed instructions with pictures and text, but also a video recorded by the chef of our Old Fish Snack Shop."
"Every step has been clearly recorded, so you're guaranteed to learn it after watching it."
"If you can't learn it, come find me. My shop is right there; I can't just run away, can I?"
Then someone asked, "After you sell it to us, you won't just resell it to someone else, will you? Wouldn't we be losing out big time?"
Old Fish Head: "Am I that kind of person? I hereby solemnly declare that all the recipes auctioned at this event are sold at a buyout price."
"What does that mean? It means it will only be sold once, and whoever buys it will own it exclusively for life."
"If you buy the recipe and open a shop, it will be the only business of its kind in the entire Bright City and the entire post-apocalyptic world."
"No one can steal your business! Including our Old Fish Snack Shop."
After answering questions for a while, Old Fish Head's throat was dry, so he took a sip of water.
He deliberately slammed the cup down hard on the auction table, making a loud noise.
The noisy crowd below immediately fell silent.
"Alright, are you guys going to film or not? I don't have that much time to waste with you guys."
"You know, I closed the shop today to hold this auction."
"Do you know how many crystal coins I lose in a single day? It's at least six figures!"
"Time is money, everyone. Wouldn't it be better to buy it sooner, learn it sooner, open a shop sooner, and make money sooner?"
"Our new secret realm in Bright City has just been released, and it's the perfect time for a surge in visitors."
"The sooner you open the shop, the sooner you can make money. You're still worrying about those few crystal coins. You're really short-sighted!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he winked at the shill in the crowd—Lightning, who was in disguise.
Lightning understood immediately and shouted at the top of his lungs, "200 crystal coins! Don't even think about taking it from me!"
"Damn it! This is fair competition, how can you call it robbery?"
"300! Everyone, please give me some face. From now on, I'll give you a 20% discount on all your purchases at my store. How about that?"
"Tch! Wouldn't it be better if I took the photos myself and opened the shop? Why would I need your 20% discount? 500 crystal coins!"
Watching the crowd below continuously raise their bidding paddles, Old Fish Head was overjoyed.
Finally, the shrimp dumpling recipe was auctioned off to guest number 5 for 120,000 crystal coins.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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