Chapter Eighteen: The Auctioneer

"Xiao Ye, what is all this?"
Old Madam Li, standing beside him, gazed at the contracts for the Xiao family’s assets with a hint of astonishment in her eyes.

"These are the family properties I’ve just reclaimed from the Xiao family. From this moment on, the Xiao family is once again under my control!"

"What, you’ve already taken back the Xiao family?"
Madam Li's eyes widened in shock, but soon dimmed with disappointment.
If the Qin family hadn't already been destroyed, and all their assets funneled into the hands of the Four Great Families, she would have asked Xiao Ye to reclaim the Qin family’s properties as well.

"Xiao Ye, you’re always so busy. Now that you’ve gotten these assets back, you’ll need someone to manage them."
"Why not let Xiaoxue handle it?"
Her suggestion made Xiao Ye frown slightly.
He felt some concern. Although Qin Xue’er’s condition was steadily improving, she might not yet be capable of such responsibility.

Seeing Xiao Ye’s silence, Madam Li feared he was unwilling to entrust this to Qin Xue’er, and hurried to add,
"Xiaoxue has experience managing companies. She’ll do a marvelous job! After all, you two will surely be together in the future, so why not let her start managing the company now?"

A smile spread across Madam Li's face. She knew that if she suggested managing the assets herself, Xiao Ye would certainly refuse.
So she brought up Qin Xue’er. After all, Qin Xue’er was her daughter—if, by any chance, Xiao Ye and she separated in the future, at least Xiaoxue would have the Xiao family’s business to rely on.

"Xiao Ye, think it over. I assure you, I’m not acting out of selfish motives," she added quickly, lest he misunderstand.

Xiao Ye’s gaze drifted to Qin Xue’er, who still hadn’t fully recovered.
If she ran into trouble managing the Xiao family’s businesses, it would only make matters worse.

But as Qin Xue’er looked at the contracts in his hands, a spark of courage suddenly lit up in her eyes.

"I’m willing," she said, her lips parting softly.

She accepted the contracts from his hand. Given the state of her face, she could no longer appear in public alongside Xiao Ye.
Since that was the case, she might as well stay behind him, offering her greatest support from the shadows.

Xiao Ye's eyes flashed with unexpected delight at her acceptance.

"Very well. From now on, the affairs of the Xiao family’s business will be yours to manage," he said with a smile and a nod.

In truth, he cared little for his family's assets.

With his current status, even the combined might of the Four Great Families in Pingrong City could not compare to him.

With Xiao Ye’s consent, Qin Xue’er formally took charge of all the Xiao Group’s assets.

"My lord Xiao King,"
Just as Xiao Ye was working with Qin Xue’er on the Xiao Group’s affairs, Red Dragon entered.

At the sight of him, Xiao Ye nodded briefly, excused himself to Qin Xue’er, and stepped outside.

"My lord Xiao King, I’ve discovered that there will soon be an auction in the city."

Xiao Ye frowned.
"What does that have to do with me?"

"Here’s the point: among the items being auctioned is the sandalwood comb that once belonged to your mother."

At this, Xiao Ye’s eyes narrowed to slits.
The comb Red Dragon referred to had been his mother’s favorite when she was alive.
It was said to be crafted from aged agarwood, passed down through her family—a rare and precious heirloom.

After the downfall of the Xiao family, the comb had also vanished.
It was one of the few mementos left from his mother’s life.
Now that it had resurfaced, Xiao Ye was determined to reclaim it.

"When does the auction begin?"

"Tomorrow, at the Golden Gate Building."

Xiao Ye nodded. Red Dragon was about to leave, but then seemed to remember something.

"One more thing, my lord Xiao King.
According to our investigation, the Assassin’s Guild is organizing a large group of assassins to infiltrate Longguo, and their destination is Jianghai City."

"Jianghai City?"
A cold gleam flashed in Xiao Ye’s eyes as the truth dawned on him.
These assassins must be coming for him.

"My lord, should we apprehend them all upon arrival?"

But Xiao Ye waved his hand dismissively and replied,
"No need. Just have our people shadow them, and see what trouble they’re capable of stirring up."

Red Dragon nodded and left to make arrangements for the auction.

After giving his instructions, Xiao Ye returned once more to the villa.
Perhaps because she was about to take over the Xiao family business, Qin Xue’er spoke more than she had before.
She was indeed experienced in company management, and she had many suggestions for running the Xiao Group.

Watching the renewed light in her eyes as she spoke, Xiao Ye felt a deep sense of comfort.

Perhaps the shadows of the past could never be completely erased,
But for now, all he could do was untangle the knots in Qin Xue’er’s heart, one by one.

...

The next morning, Qin Xue’er rose early.
Today was her first day at the Xiao Group, and she was in excellent spirits.
However, Xiao Ye chose not to accompany her.

"Xiaoxue, I have other matters to attend to today and won’t be able to go to the company with you.
Once I’m done, I’ll visit in person."

Though a hint of disappointment flashed across Qin Xue’er’s face, she nodded.
Xiao Ye arranged for someone to escort her to the company.

Inside the house, Red Dragon stood by his side.

"My lord Xiao King, all members of the Assassin’s Guild have arrived in Jianghai City.
They came because their East Asia chief was killed, so they’re here seeking vengeance," Red Dragon reported gravely.

If those assassins knew it was Xiao Ye who had eliminated John, who knows how they would react.

"Let them be. Let’s have breakfast first."

Today, Xiao Ye was not accompanying Qin Xue’er to the company, for he was headed to the auction.

After breakfast, he drove straight to the city center of Jianghai.

...

Golden Gate Building.

Here, a grand auction was about to take place.

Xiao Ye glanced up at the twenty-story building, then entered with Red Dragon at his side.

Inside the auction hall, a large crowd had already gathered.
Rumors were abuzz in the city, claiming that among today’s lots were items of extraordinary value.

Many renowned collectors filled the seats before the auction platform, drawing flashes and curious stares.

Thus, Xiao Ye and his entourage’s arrival went largely unnoticed.

As an ennobled lord of Longguo unconnected by blood, Xiao Ye had never appeared in public.

Red Dragon had already arranged everything. They made their way up to the topmost private box.