At three in the afternoon, alongside the sound of a gong.
A man who looked like the host stepped onto a simple platform made of a few tin boxes and formally announced the end of the bidding process with a loudspeaker.
"Please remain calm, everyone. We are currently tallying the bids from various boxes. It will take about half an hour. We have prepared a rest area for everyone with refreshments and fruit..."
The crowd bustlingly left the bidding area.
Gu Weijing noticed several police cars following a blue-black riot armor vehicle into the warehouse entrance.
The armored vehicle's door opened, and a group of patrol officers in black uniforms emerged.
They leaned against the car, huddled together, lazily smoking there.
They didn't look like elite forces, but all their belts were equipped with real, armed weapons.
"Later, there will be large cash transactions. You know the security situation here; without police supervision, we can't feel at ease."
