---

Chapter 34 — Who Exactly Is Your Husband?

Chen Songxian’s visit to the Cheng family this time was specifically to deliver his eldest sister’s wedding invitation.

Although the two families were close, the formalities still had to be observed. Moreover, after hearing that his older cousin was at home tonight, he couldn’t resist coming over to curry favor.

His uncle had pleaded for leniency on his behalf and managed to secure a promise that after his sister’s wedding, Chen Songxian would leave. He would be departing after the wedding to stay in Africa for three months to develop the Chen family’s South African denim market.

Yes, Africa was Chen Songxian’s own choice. His cousin’s only mercy was allowing him to choose a familiar place. After all, better the devil you know—anything was better than some unfamiliar place like Siberia!

“Cousin Chen,” Cheng Min, a well-behaved younger sister, did as her older brother instructed and changed how she addressed him that very evening.

Chen Songxian wasn’t used to Amin calling him that and chalked it up to a rebellious college student’s whim.

“Cousin,” Chen Songxian joked with Amin for a few moments, then shamelessly sidled up to Cheng Wanting, intending to make a final effort to stay before being sent off to South Africa. “I heard Zhihao joined Huanyu. How about I also go there to gain some experience? Africa is so far away. If you miss me, you won’t even get to see me for a long time.”

Cheng Wanting, seeing his cousin, immediately got a headache just thinking of his name. “Far away is good. Out of sight, out of mind.”

Chen Songxian: “…”

——

Cheng Wanting knew about Lin Keying mortgaging property at the bank for a loan of 5 million yuan and borrowing another 4 million from the Guo couple, but he hadn’t asked her about it directly.

Inside the spacious Bentley, the woman in her sharp business attire didn’t mention it to him either.

Cheng Wanting’s dark gaze swept over her several times. “Isn’t there something you want to tell me?”

Having finished her business, Lin Keying was planning for an auction she would attend in two days. She had just been considering whether to ask her fiancé for intel when a commotion erupted ahead.

“Young Master, there’s a gang fight ahead. I’ll take a detour via Songhua Street,” the driver, Uncle Feng, reported.

Cheng Wanting responded with a hum. Lin Keying leaned forward to take a look and saw a street brawl ahead. Police sirens were rapidly approaching, and seeing that the police cars were nearly there, the gang members grabbed their stuff and scattered.

This brief interruption made Lin Keying temporarily forget her plan to inform Cheng Wanting. Instead, she suddenly thought of her bidding opponent—a rumored gang boss—and knew she’d have to prepare well.

The detoured Bentley arrived at the Hong Kong Government offices five minutes late. Today, Cheng Wanting was attending a government meeting with several businessmen, which gave Lin Keying an opportunity to slip away.

Yang Minghui noticed the Young Master’s deep and unreadable gaze and silently cried out in his heart—Miss Lin, why didn’t you say anything!

——

It was an hour later when Lin Keying finally found talent scout Tang Qiankun.

Without smartphones these days, things were truly inconvenient. She was already thinking about getting a bulky mobile phone, even if it was cumbersome—it would at least be useful.

When talent scout Tang Qiankun saw the person who had once saved his arm, he eagerly scurried over. “Miss Lin, you want me to follow someone and take photos for you?”

His mind spun quickly, and he gossiped, “Your husband is cheating on you? Keeping a mistress? Don’t worry, I guarantee I’ll catch her for you!”

Lin Keying: “…”

She didn’t expect someone who could overthink even more wildly than her.

“I want you to investigate the leader of the Crescent Gang for me, as thoroughly as possible.” To dig up information about a gang boss, Lin Keying figured there was no better person than Tang Qiankun, a star scout who moonlighted as a paparazzo.

Remembering the favor he owed her, Tang Qiankun worked efficiently and by noon the next day reported back: “Miss Lin, the Crescent Gang’s leader, Gou Touquan, is 48 years old. He rose through the ranks by fighting and killing. He owns many businesses now, mainly nightclubs and bars.”

He handed over a few photos from yesterday—Gou Touquan was seen flaunting himself on a yacht, drinking and partying with his underlings, and harassing a few women. “Lately he’s been indulging a lot, and I heard he’s attending a foreclosure auction tomorrow.”

Many wealthy businessmen in Hong Kong had gangster origins and had already laundered their identities clean. With wealth and power, no one dared question your past.

This notorious crime boss Gou Touquan was a bit behind in cleaning up his act and wanted to whitewash his record now, but he wasn’t very smart or calculating. Acting on a whim, he intended to bid on the Xitian Building.

Lin Keying couldn’t help but marvel at his luck—casually buying a building could make him rich overnight.

“Does he have any particular habits?” Lin Keying knew she couldn’t compete financially with a gang boss, especially one who couldn’t stand provocation. If someone tried to outbid him, he’d fight tooth and nail, not caring if it was worth it.

“Yes!” Tang Qiankun, the all-knowing gossip, answered confidently. “This guy is superstitious and devoutly Buddhist. Every year he goes to Thailand to worship, and when fighting other gangs, he always consults feng shui and picks auspicious dates. Even what color underwear he wears on those days is carefully chosen.”

That made sense. Many in Hong Kong were superstitious, especially those with bloody hands and guilty consciences—they loved chanting Buddhist scriptures and talking about karma and reincarnation.

“Mr. Tang,” Lin Keying quickly formulated a plan. “I’ll hire you to accompany me somewhere tomorrow. I’ll pay the usual rate for an extra in your entertainment circle.”

Tang Qiankun: ? I’m a talent scout, not an actor!

——

Cheng Wanting waited all the way until the day of the auction but never heard a word from Lin Keying.

The only thing he got was a message from Secretary Lin asking for half a day off—and she had even asked Yang Minghui for the leave.

“Young Master, Miss Lin said she had something to do this morning.” Yang Minghui tried to distance himself. “She originally wanted to tell you directly, but you were busy with business leaders all day yesterday, and she didn’t get a chance to see you, so she told me instead.”

“Miss Lin went to the foreclosure auction?” Cheng Wanting’s gaze was cold and indifferent, betraying no emotion.

“Yes.” Yang Minghui had done his homework—Lin Keying had gone to the auction early in the morning, accompanied by a man.

Fortunately, that man was familiar to everyone—Tang Qiankun from Hongsheng Entertainment.

There was no need for misunderstandings.

After reporting everything, sure enough, the Young Master didn’t seem too concerned. Just a talent scout—not a problem.

“Young Master, should I send someone to keep an eye on Miss Lin today?” Yang Minghui asked tentatively.

“Why bother keeping an eye on her?” Cheng Wanting’s sharp gaze swept over Yang, making him straighten up instantly. “If she isn’t saying anything, why should you go out of your way to concern yourself?”

Yang Minghui: ∑(O_O；)

Is it me who wants to pay attention!?

++++

At the Wanchai District foreclosure auction.

The place was deserted.

The sparse bidders were a stark contrast to the bustling land auctions of recent times.

Including Lin Keying and Tang Qiankun, there were only three people.

The third was a ragged old lady, hoping to scavenge some cheap junk.

The court-auctioned items, seized due to bankruptcy or illegal gains, were sold far below market price and generally didn’t interest wealthy moguls. After items like computers and office furniture from failed companies were sold off, only two bidders remained—Lin Keying and Tang Qiankun.

“The final item for today is the Xitian Building at No. 231 Lixi Street, Wanchai District. The starting bid is 8.8 million.”

Lin Keying raised her paddle. “8.8 million.”

As her voice fell, a group of blond, tattooed hooligans swaggered in, surrounding a burly, muscular boss who looked downright ferocious.

Two minutes later, eight of the thugs were escorted out by security.

Gou Touquan sat down—he was here to bid on the Xitian Building.

“I want this building,” Gou Touquan declared domineeringly, as if shopping in a market. He cast a sideways glance at his two bidding rivals, ready to fight them to the end.

No one could snatch anything from him! Even if it cost 18 million, he’d take it!

Just as he raised his hand to shout a shocking 10 million bid, he heard the two beside him start arguing.

Lin Keying signaled to Tang Qiankun, and the ex-talent scout launched into an impeccable performance.

“Honey, I told you not to buy this building. The feng shui here is bad and unlucky!” Lin Keying crossed her arms, face full of impatience.

Tang Qiankun shivered inexplicably at the word “honey,” feeling a chill, but maintained his professional composure. “You’re so short-sighted. What feng shui? Did the building go bankrupt because of bad feng shui? Did its previous owner end up scavenging garbage because of this building?”

“Yes!” Lin Keying whispered mysteriously, loudly enough for those within three meters to hear. “I had a master calculate it—the Xitian Building has bad bazi! Honey, trust me.”

“Impossible. I calculated it too—the bazi is fine,” Tang Qiankun argued.

“You calculated the completion date—I calculated the day the first spade of dirt was dug! Almost no one knows about this. I only heard it from an old lady at the market. Her grandson was one of the original construction workers who dug that first spade! They didn’t dare spread it around—otherwise, why did the last owner go bankrupt? Honey, don’t you think I’d hurt you?”

“You do have a point,” Tang Qiankun waved his hands. “Forget it, we don’t want it!”

He turned and cupped his fists toward Gou Touquan. “Boss, you buy it. We’re out—the feng shui’s bad!”

The more Gou Touquan listened, the worse he felt. His earlier domineering aura to dazzle this common couple evaporated. Bad feng shui, bad feng shui…

Right. A bankrupt building whose last owner ended up scavenging—he’d have to be crazy to buy it! He hadn’t even been determined to buy it; it was just a whim. Now, no way would he risk it!

“I’m out too!” Gou Touquan got up and left grandly, flanked by his thugs. Before leaving, he spitefully said, “You guys made a bid—you have to buy it now. It’s an auction. They’ll mark it down!”

Tang Qiankun slapped his thigh. “Boss, you can’t screw me over like this! How can I buy it? What if I go bankrupt… sigh…”

As the man left, Tang Qiankun finally dropped his anxious act and proudly said to Lin Keying, “Miss Lin, how was my performance?”

Lin Keying couldn’t help but admire him. “Mr. Tang, if you went into acting, you might actually become famous—better than struggling to promote artists who never make it.”

Tang Qiankun knew his limits. His image wasn’t suited for showbiz. He watched as Lin Keying smoothly won the Xitian Building at the starting price after three rounds of the auctioneer’s hammer, and pocketed his extra fee—250 yuan.

What a close call, snatching the Xitian Building from under Gou Touquan’s nose, especially without spending a cent extra.

Lin Keying silently rejoiced. Thankfully, Gou Touquan was superstitious—he couldn’t stand even a whiff of bad luck.

She completed the auction registration. In a few days, she would return to handle formalities after the court finished asset verification and clearing.

Leaving the auction site, Lin Keying leisurely had a roast goose rice lunch at the famous Li Kee Restaurant before returning to Huanyu Tower in the afternoon.

At lunchtime, many employees had gone out to eat. Yang Minghui returned after his meal and heard the Young Master casually mention work:

“These days, the stock market is a mixed bag. Everyone wants a slice of the pie and to run off with a quick profit. In the end, it’s always the regular investors who suffer.”

That was true. The booming stock market had too many shell companies just looking to cash out, and once the hidden bosses laundered their money, they fled overseas to enjoy their riches.

“Lots of listed companies means lots of bankruptcies too,” Yang Minghui, who had absorbed knowledge over the years, remarked. “People say Hong Kong now is full of companies and full of gold—and just as many explosions.”

“Bankrupt companies…” Cheng Wanting lightly pinched his knuckles, his slender fingers tapping the table like issuing a command. “The debt of bankrupt companies falls to the courts… how are foreclosure auctions lately?”

Yang Minghui felt steady. Here it comes.

A competent secretary always had full intel: “Today, Miss Lin Keying purchased a bankrupt building—the Xitian Building in Wanchai District—for 8.8 million… her competitor was Crescent Gang’s Gou Touquan…”

After reporting, Yang Minghui saw the Young Master’s calm expression and felt slightly reassured—but he still hesitated whether to report the finer details.

“Why did Gou Touquan back off?” Cheng Wanting immediately seized the key point. “That’s unlike him.”

“Because…” Yang Minghui recalled the report of Lin and Tang’s conversation and almost blacked out!

——

After lunch, Lin Keying rushed back to Huanyu Tower, her spirits high as she mentally planned the renovation of the Xitian Building and prepared to turn things around while waiting for Wanchai’s development.

But as she approached the general manager’s office, Yang Minghui frantically signaled her with his eyes—a look that screamed take care of yourself!

Lin Keying pushed open the general manager’s office door, only to be greeted by a turned back…

---