Jewelry Auction (Part 4)

"What?" Ye Qian was shocked and said, "Are these guys bored out of their minds, looking for trouble? It's all our own stuff; what are they trying to steal?"

Li Wei shrugged and said indifferently, "I don't know." He had an air of detachment, and from his expression, it seemed like he might have joined those guys if he weren't protecting Zhao Ya.

Many people outside might think that Langya is just a simple mercenary group, but that's not the case. Under Ye Qian's leadership, Langya not only eliminated the "Blood Leopard," who was once called the king of the mercenary world, but also expanded Langya's influence into other industries. The reasons behind this are complex, but the results over the years have been very good. Langya's Haotian Group in the business world is also steadily rising, with businesses covering financial investment, real estate development, jewelry processing, film and entertainment, among others.

In South Africa, Langya has its own diamond mines, and the famous designer Mary is not only the royal designer for Country Y but also the design director of Haotian Group. The jewelry being auctioned at this event is actually all from Haotian Group, meaning those guys are planning to rob their own stuff.

Ye Qian shook his head helplessly, unable to understand what those guys were thinking. He couldn't believe they were doing it for insurance fraud, as Langya wasn't so poor as to need to resort to that. However, since they had already planned it, Ye Qian decided not to interfere further. He trusted Jack to handle many of Langya's matters, as Jack was like the strategist and advisor of Langya.

Suddenly, Ye Qian felt a strong killing intent, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly. This feeling was the same as when he had dinner with Qin Yue the other night. Could it be aimed at Qin Yue again? Li Wei clearly felt it too, and after exchanging a glance, he disappeared into the crowd. After working together for so long, they didn't need to say much to understand each other's thoughts.

Last time, they let the opponent escape because they were afraid of a diversion. This time was different; Langya's elite were all gathered here. If they let the opponent escape again, Langya's reputation would be completely ruined, and they might as well quit the mercenary world altogether.

Although Li Wei often acted carefree and unbothered, he was always serious about important matters. Ye Qian trusted that he wouldn't be disappointed. However, since they didn't know how many people the opponent had, Ye Qian thought it was best to enter the venue with Qin Yue and Zhao Ya first, as it was not safe to protect them in such a crowded place.

"Let's go inside," Ye Qian said to Qin Yue as he walked over to her.

Seeing Ye Qian's serious expression, Qin Yue seemed to sense something as well. She paused and then said, "The auction is about to start anyway, let's go. Ya'er, come with us."

Zhao Ya pouted slightly and said, "But... Ke'er is still over there."

"Ke'er is here too? Tell her to come over," Qin Yue said with a serious tone, clearly sensing something unusual from Ye Qian's expression.

Zhao Ya had some respect and fear for Qin Yue, which is why she secretly came to this jewelry auction without telling Qin Yue and Hu Ke. In front of Qin Yue, Zhao Ya felt a bit restrained, but since Qin Yue had given the order, Zhao Ya didn't dare refuse. She took out her phone to call Hu Ke and then waved to her from a distance.

Before long, a young girl in her early twenties walked over. She was petite with a baby face, two shallow dimples, and wore a white dress, looking like a little angel.

It was true that people of similar kinds flock together; all the girls Qin Yue knew were beauties. Ye Qian stared at Hu Ke, his eyes unblinking, as if he were a piece of wood. If Qin Yue's beauty was cold and breathtaking, and Zhao Ya's beauty was cheeky and playful, then Hu Ke's beauty was pure and refreshing, like a spring breeze.

Qin Yue glared at Ye Qian and pinched his waist hard. Ye Qian winced in pain and almost jumped up, turning to look at Qin Yue with an innocent expression. Ye Qian couldn't understand why Qin Yue always seemed to find the same spot; he thought that if they stayed together long-term, the flesh on his waist might die from the pinching.

"Don't get any bad ideas about Ke'er," Qin Yue said quietly.

Ye Qian felt both amused and helpless, looking at Qin Yue with an innocent expression as if to say, "I didn't have any bad ideas, I swear." In truth, Ye Qian had no romantic feelings for Hu Ke; instead, he felt a strong urge to protect her.

Qin Yue gave Ye Qian another look but said nothing.

"Yue-jie!" Hu Ke called sweetly. She then looked at Ye Qian, obviously surprised that Qin Yue was with a strange man. Zhao Ya leaned over to Hu Ke's ear, whispering something and occasionally glancing at Ye Qian, apparently speaking ill of him.

Hu Ke didn't seem to take Zhao Ya's words seriously. She smiled at Ye Qian and said, "My name is Hu Ke, nice to meet you," extending her hand.

Ye Qian didn't miss the opportunity and quickly took Hu Ke's small hand, saying, "My name is Ye Qian, as in 'modest'." As he spoke, he gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, feeling quite pleased. Ye Qian now understood why the ancients used "soft jade" to describe a woman's hand; Hu Ke's hand was smooth and soft, her fingers slender, exuding an aura of classic feminine grace.

Qin Yue and Zhao Ya noticed Ye Qian's small gesture, but Qin Yue only glared at him without saying anything. Zhao Ya, on the other hand, pulled Hu Ke's hand away and glared at Ye Qian, saying, "Pervert, what are you trying to do to Ke'er?"

"What could I do? I was just being polite and shaking hands with Ke'er," Ye Qian replied calmly. He wasn't one to feel guilty about a little advantage he took, and he continued to call Hu Ke in a more intimate manner without realizing it.