"Let me explain to you how the online auction house works." Yu Rou said, and she proceeded to explain.
"First, a seller will list the item in the auction house, and if the item exceeds a certain price threshold, a staff member from the website must verify the item before the treasure is allowed to be auctioned."
"Once the treasure is verified in-game by a staff member and the auction begins, verified accounts will be allowed to bid on the item."
"At the end of the auction, the player with the highest bid will deposit the money on the website which cannot be touched until the transaction is completed or canceled."
"Once the staff member confirms the money is there, the seller will meet a staff member in-game and hand the treasure to the staff member."
"After the website confirms that the treasure is indeed the real thing, they will proceed to transfer the money to the seller's bank account before handing the treasure to the buyer, completing the transaction."
"I know there are some obvious flaws with this system, such as the staff member working together with others to scam the seller or vice versa, but that hasn't happened yet, and the website itself is very popular and reliable with millions of dollars in transaction every day, so I doubt they would risk their reputation over a treasure. In fact, even the government is watching them closely, so they won't do anything stupid."
"I see… Then let's do that." Yuan said.
"Okay. I'll create an anonymous account for you when I get home later." Yu Rou said.
"Thank you."
Sometime later, Yu Rou went to cook dinner whilst Meixiu assisted her.
After feeding Yuan, Yu Rou went back home to create an account for Yuan.
"Let's see… Register a new account…"
"Anonymous…"
"Seller…"
"Current location… Eastern Continent…"
"Complete."
After spending a few minutes on the website, Yu Rou created an anonymous account for Yuan, so that people won't see his player name when he sells things in the auction house. Of course, it would be better for one to show their name, especially if they're a top player, as that would give them more credibility.
"Good. Now I just need to wait until Meixiu meets with Brother Tian so that we can begin earning some money." Yu Rou chuckled.
If Yuan seriously wanted to earn money through real-world trading, he could easily become one of the richest players in this world with the stuff he currently has. However, knowing her brother, he probably doesn't care much about fame or wealth.
Just as Yu Rou prepared to enter her bed to sleep, her phone began ringing.
A frown appeared on Yu Rou's face when she saw the caller, but she picked it up regardless.
"Hello, mother."
"I'm tired of waiting. What's his decision?" Tang Lee spoke in a cold voice.
"Brother… I tried to convince him, but he refuses to play the instruments again..." Yu Rou responded in a nervous voice.
"Damn! That fucking useless piece of shit! How dare he defy us after all that we've done for him?! If it weren't for us, he would have remained as a nobody! If it weren't for us, he wouldn't have survived this long in his condition! Good! If this is his decision, then he can get the hell out of my family! I doubt he'll even survive a week in that condition without our support!"
"..."
Hearing her mother's enraged voice and insults towards Yuan, Yu Rou's body trembled in anger, and she tightly gritted her teeth, resisting her urges to curse Tang Lee out loud.
"Furthermore, I forbid you from meeting him from now on! He's officially disowned! Therefore, he's no different than a stranger now!" Tang Lee suddenly said.
"What?! T-That's unreasonable, mother!" Yu Rou immediately said in a panicked voice, her voice even cracking a bit from shock.
"Shut up! As long as you're part of this family, you will listen to us! Unless you want to follow in your brother's footsteps and leave the family, don't you dare talk back to your parents! Do you understand me?!"
"I…"
Yu Rou wanted to rebel at that moment and follow Yuan's decision by leaving the family. However, she ultimately resisted her impulses. After all, even if she cannot see Yuan anymore, she can still help him from the shadows. However, if she left the family, she will no longer be able to help Yuan in case of emergencies.
Furthermore, she's still a minor who has to attend school. It was unrealistic and irresponsible for someone like her to suddenly leave the family.
"Well?! I don't think I heard your answer, Yu Rou!" Tang Lee's voice resounded again.
"I understand, mother… I will no longer see Brother Tian…" Yu Rou responded in a pained voice, as she never thought that she would one day utter such words.
"I don't want to hear that useless thing's name anymore, either!"
Sometime later, Tang Lee closed the connection.
"..."
After hanging up, Yu Rou tossed her phone on the bed before burying her face in the pillow and bawling her eyes out until she cried herself to sleep a few hours later, soaking the pillow with her tears.
Early in the morning, Yu Rou woke up before sunrise as usual. Since she has been waking up at the same time almost every day for the past few years to take care of Yuan, her body would instinctively wake up.
However, after remembering that Yuan was no longer part of the family, Yu Rou closed her eyes and went back to sleep, but to nobody's surprise, she was unable to go back to sleep.
"I'm sorry, brother, for being so powerless…" she mumbled in a dispirited voice.
Once it was time for school, despite having no motivation or energy to leave the bed, Yu Rou struggled with herself until she was in the car.
Sometime later, Yu Rou went to pick up Meixiu at the apartment.
"Did something happen, Young Lady? Your eyes are red, and you look exhausted… Did you not sleep last night?" Meixiu asked her in a worried tone after seeing her messy appearance.
"I'll explain everything later…" Yu Rou sighed.