Chapter 116: The Grand Auction Battle Plan

Chapter 116: The Grand Plan for the Auction

Qin Wan'er arrived quickly with her team. Because the evidence of Liu Sheng harboring the Red Scorpion was irrefutable, and hotel staff were willing to testify, his guilt was effectively confirmed. However, the police investigation went deeper, eventually uncovering that Liu Sheng and his son were the masterminds behind a murder case from five years ago. Now, the charges were grave indeed.

By the afternoon, clues emerged regarding whether the Red Scorpion had fled. He had likely left by train overnight. Although he was heavily disguised, a security camera at the train station inadvertently captured a moment where he took off his hat and scratched his head. The color of the Red Scorpion’s hair was unique and easy to identify, and his physical build matched the footage perfectly.

The train was heading toward the Northeast, which left Xu Yun somewhat puzzled. Logic suggested the Red Scorpion should have fled toward Suzhou or Hangzhou. What was his purpose in taking a detour?

If Xu Yun had known the nature of the Green Ghost, the analysis would have been simple. The Red Scorpion feared that the Green Ghost, in a fit of rage, might accidentally kill him. To avoid such an unjust fate, it was better to hide far away and relay the situation from a distance. This way, he could save his own life without hindering the Green Ghost’s agenda.

Although Xu Yun preferred to believe only what he saw with his own eyes, he decided to trust the police investigation this time. Since he had already considered the possibility of the Red Scorpion fleeing, he concluded that the man had indeed left Hedong.

It seemed Xu Yun’s earlier decision to have the Azure Dragon and Silver Dragon return was correct after all; his opponent was far too cunning. Still, it was a pity to have missed such a prime opportunity to capture the Red Scorpion.

The Red Scorpion incident caused quite a sensation, even implicating the owner of the largest hotel in Hedong. Naturally, Jin Biao was also dragged into it, and by extension, his nephew, Qi Yishan.

Police Chief Chen Wei was furious. He ordered Jin Biao’s immediate dismissal and strict punishment, issuing a department-wide warning: any officer found colluding with criminal elements would be fired without exception.

When Qin Wan'er heard this, she felt a slight chill. The incident had a massive impact on Hedong City. Thanks to the propaganda of the "Three Tigers of the South City," almost everyone knew of Ruan Qingshuang’s influence. Wu Lei, the only remaining boss of the West District, even openly declared his allegiance to her.

Because of her contribution to the case, Qin Wan'er was forcibly transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Hedong Municipal Police Bureau. Unfamiliar with the new workload, she had barely slept in three days.

Xu Yun was, of course, no less busy. Every day, gang leaders from various districts begged the Three Tigers to introduce them to him. Countless people wanted to treat him to dinner, all hoping to pledge their loyalty. After all, the most powerful of the three major bosses in Hedong had fallen, and Weng Qing, who used to swagger through the city, had sold her assets and fled with her son, showing no interest in her husband Jin Biao’s fate.

Qiu Yan had felt more relaxed these past few days, but she quickly realized that the danger was only temporarily abated. If even the Red Scorpion had tucked his tail and run, the Green Ghost would surely come in person sooner or later.

Although Qiu Yan knew that Xu Yun’s strength had reached an unfathomable level, and having such a super-expert by her side made her feel that she and Guoguo were safe, the Green Ghost was not to be trifled with. Based on her own experience, the Green Ghost was also a super-expert. Now, her only worry was whether Xu Yun, who had just broken through to that level, could hold his own against him.

She decided to make a gamble. She would trust Xu Yun. This was not a baseless choice; she clearly remembered the man and woman from that night. Their strength was extraordinary, and the fact that Xu Yun knew such top-tier experts bolstered her confidence in him.

After all, she and Guoguo had nowhere left to run. It was better to stay by Xu Yun’s side and face whatever came—gods or ghosts. If there ever came a day they couldn't handle, Qiu Yan would have no regrets.

Ruan Qingshuang continued her daily routine, meticulously managing the medicinal cuisine restaurant. She remained unaware that she had entered the sights of many, or that she had unknowingly been cast as the leading figure of Hedong’s underworld.

Xu Yun should have been the biggest winner in this confrontation. Although the Red Scorpion escaped, his efforts led the police to capture the Liu family and confirm the intelligence on the target, so the 500,000 yuan reward was finally approved.

A sum that large was enough to make Xu Yun grin from ear to ear. 500,000 yuan! How should he spend it? Should he buy a BMW or a Mercedes? Or maybe get a Land Rover Freelander or a Jeep Wrangler to play around with?

However, before Xu Yun could decide, Qin Wan'er brought back earth-shattering news.

"The Liu family has been sentenced to death, stripped of all political rights for life, and all their assets have been confiscated. The government has decided to auction off their fixed assets," Qin Wan'er announced after getting off work. "The starting bid for their villa in the eastern suburbs is one million, and the Hedong International Hotel, which is also his private property, has a starting bid of eight million."

Xu Yun’s eyes widened in disbelief. The Hedong International Hotel was in the most prosperous part of the central district, occupying nearly four acres of land. The lower four floors housed banquet halls and private rooms, capable of hosting over 150 tables at once. The upper five floors contained 120 standard rooms, over 50 deluxe rooms, and four super-suites on the top floor.

Just the building alone was worth a fortune, not to mention the land value! And it was selling for only eight million?

The news barely registered with Ruan Qingshuang, as she didn't have that kind of money and didn't dare to dream of it. Qiu Yan was equally uninterested.

"Sister Wan'er, are you serious?" Guoguo’s eyes lit up. "That cheap? In that location, the land alone is worth millions! Building a hotel like that today would cost at least ten million. Plus, it’s an operating business; its minimum value should be over thirty million."

Xu Yun was surprised that the most visionary person here was Guoguo. He hadn't expected her to estimate the value so accurately after only visiting once.

Qin Wan'er shrugged. "The starting bid is low, of course. The auction is this weekend. Many people will participate, and it will definitely sell for much more than thirty million."

A cunning glint flashed in Guoguo’s eyes. Xu Yun felt a start; it seemed the little one had an idea.

"Daddy, let's buy that place, okay?" Guoguo didn't disappoint, batting her eyelashes at him. "Pretty please!"

Xu Yun almost coughed up blood. Good grief, he only had 500,000 yuan—where was he supposed to conjure up tens of millions?

"Guoguo, what nonsense are you talking about? Didn't you hear Sister Wan'er say it would cost more than thirty million?" Ruan Qingshuang shook her head helplessly. "Stop fooling around."

Guoguo rolled her eyes. "I’m not fooling around. Daddy has plenty of money."

Xu Yun gave a wry smile. "I really don't have that much."

"Mom, why don't we all chip in?" Guoguo pouted. "Business has been so good lately, Mom, don't be stingy..."

Ruan Qingshuang sighed helplessly. She wasn't lying when she said, "It’s true that the restaurant is profitable, and with the branch’s earnings, I do have over 500,000 yuan. But even if your dad and I put everything together, that’s only a little over a million, right?"

Guoguo licked her lips and looked at Xu Yun. "Daddy, what do we do? Why don't you overdraw your platinum card..."

"Even with two platinum cards, I can't overdraw thirty million..." Xu Yun was truly desperate. If he overdrew that much and couldn't pay it back within a month, he’d certainly have collectors knocking on his door.

Having been kicked out of Dragon Fury, Xu Yun wasn't technically qualified to use those cards, but Wang Yi had turned a blind eye, hoping Xu Yun could use them for emergencies. Unless it was a life-or-death situation, Xu Yun wouldn't easily overdraw an amount he couldn't repay within a month.

Guoguo sighed in resignation. "Sigh, what a missed opportunity."

"Alright, stop daydreaming," Qin Wan'er patted Guoguo’s head. "I shouldn't have said anything. We aren't multi-millionaires; we can't seize this kind of opportunity."

Guoguo suddenly blurted out something that left everyone petrified.

"Eight million... If everyone who goes knows that Mom is also bidding, I’d like to see who dares to make a sound once Mom places the first bid," Guoguo said, hands on her hips with indignation.

Good grief... what a devious thought.

Given Ruan Qingshuang’s current influence in Hedong, if she truly placed a bid, no one would dare to compete with her!

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! For only eight million, they could secure a hotel worth thirty to fifty million—a goldmine.

Xu Yun was tempted. He and Ruan Qingshuang had one million. They were still short seven million. While the platinum card could cover a high limit, he definitely couldn't repay seven million in a month. A large hotel might bring in two million a month, but seven million was a fantasy, especially with the high costs of staff and maintenance.

"If we could just scrape together 8.01 million, it would be enough," Guoguo muttered, biting her finger.

Xu Yun frowned. "If I overdraw two million, the hotel’s revenue should be able to cover it within a month. With the 1.2 million we have, that’s 3.2 million. We're still short 4.8 million."

Hearing this, Guoguo gave up completely and let out a heavy sigh.

But life often offers a way out when all seems lost.

Qiu Yan, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke up: "Guoguo, I have the 4.5 million your grandfather left for you."

This stunned everyone. No one had expected Qiu Yan to be holding onto that much money! Ruan Qingshuang couldn't believe that the little girl she had picked up from a scrap yard was actually a wealthy princess. Her grandfather was incredibly rich!

Xu Yun felt a bit disappointed. *Damn it, Feng Qiansui was worth hundreds of millions; how did he end up leaving Guoguo with only 4.5 million?* Even then, they were still short 200,000 or 300,000 yuan.

Although shocked by the sum, Qin Wan'er raised her hand. "I have 300,000 yuan in my account—the money my dad gave me to buy a car. I haven't used it yet. Why don't we..."

"That’s great! That’s enough!" Guoguo didn't hesitate for a second, claiming it all!