"You are quite strong," Hoayu praised Xin Yi. Both Xin Yi and Muchen turned their heads to look at him.
"Hoayu, you are in the same room with my master. Be careful," Muchen warned him without Xin Yi noticing. Hoayu nodded and walked ahead of them.
Xin Yi sighed. "Your days are numbered," she murmured. Muchen whispered in her ear, "Are you okay, master? Why don't we sleep in the same room? We just need the head guard's permission."
Xin Yi hissed, "It's not my first time," she whispered as they entered the fighting room. Another guy was her fight partner.
The guy eyed her, looking her up and down before smirking and positioning himself to fight.
Xin Yi didn't bother about how the man looked at her; she just positioned herself, ready to give him a beating.
The whistle blew, and they came at each other. Xin Yi started by dodging his blows, then took the opportunity to punch him in the stomach. He scrunched his face in pain, got angry, and hit Xin Yi on the head. She breathed in heavily, let it out, gritted her teeth, and screamed, "Ahhh!" as she turned and delivered a back kick to his stomach, making him fall flat to the ground.
"Wow!" The coach was fascinated with her skills. 'A guy that looks this fragile like a female has some moves, wow,' he thought and called Xin Yi to praise her.
"Master!" Muchen shouted, seeing his master going back. Muchen had bruises on his cheeks from the punches he received.
"What is it?" Xin Yi asked, looking at Muchen as Hoayu came in.
"Xin Yi, be careful around that guy. He is dangerous," Hoayu warned, looking at the guy Xin Yi just fought with.
"Why? I am not scared of him," Xin Yi replied confidently.
"His name is Muyang. He killed lots of bodyguards who messed with him. He always acts like he is the boss."
Xin Yi dressed in the main bodyguard's outfit and stood in the middle of four bodyguards, including Muyang. A handgun and a walkie-talkie were given to each of them.
Li Qiang came out of the main mansion door, wearing all black: a smart trouser and a silk shirt with three buttons unbuttoned, revealing his broad chest. His fringe hairstyle, with most of his black hair reaching his eyebrows, complemented his straight, big nose and pink, thin lips. Li Qiang looked like the son of the devil or more; the devil himself.
Xin Yi looked at him and monitored his movements as he walked towards her. 'Oh my God, this mafia looks so damn hot!' she screamed in her brain and gulped.
Li Qiang stood in front of Xin Yi. "I hope your work has been explained to you?" he asked.
"Yes," Xin Yi nodded.
"Good," he said and entered the Bentley Mulsanne's back seat. Xin Yi also entered the front seat, sitting with the driver. The other bodyguards entered a different car.
They reached their destination by noon. Xin Yi opened the door for Li Qiang to come out and closed it after he exited. The driver went to park the car, and the other bodyguards also came down, walking through a step that led them underground. Xin Yi wondered where they were.
Li Qiang walked confidently in front of them. They reached their destination, greeted by slow jazz music. Noticing Li Qiang, the MC welcomed him, "Mr. Gou Li Qiang, welcome." The MC greeted, and Li Qiang smiled at him and went to his seat, with Xin Yi following to stand behind him, while the others stood around, monitoring the place.
The diamond auction was set in an opulent underground venue, exuding an air of exclusivity and sophistication. The entrance was a grand staircase, leading down to a lavishly decorated hall. The walls were adorned with rich, dark wood paneling and intricate gold accents, giving the space a timeless elegance.
As guests descended the staircase, they were greeted by the soft, melodic strains of a live jazz band, creating a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, inviting glow over the room. The lighting was carefully designed to highlight the stunning array of diamonds on display, each piece sparkling under the spotlight.
The auction hall itself was arranged with rows of plush, velvet-covered chairs, all facing a raised stage where the auctioneer would present the items. At the front of the room, a long, polished mahogany table held the most prized diamonds, each one showcased in a glass case with detailed descriptions and provenance.
The guests, dressed in their finest evening attire, mingled and sipped on champagne served by attentive waitstaff. The air was filled with a buzz of anticipation and excitement, as collectors and enthusiasts discussed the rare and exquisite pieces up for bid.
In one corner of the room, a large screen displayed close-up images of the diamonds, allowing everyone to appreciate their brilliance and craftsmanship. The auctioneer, a distinguished gentleman with a commanding presence, stood ready at the podium, his gavel in hand, prepared to start the bidding.
The atmosphere was electric, with a sense of history and grandeur permeating the space. Each bid was met with a ripple of murmurs and nods of approval, as the competition for the most coveted diamonds intensified. It was a night of glamour, luxury, and high stakes, where fortunes could be made or lost with the fall of the auctioneer's gavel.
The atmosphere in the grand hall was electric, filled with the soft murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses. The opulence of the room was undeniable, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests. The air was thick with anticipation as the auction reached its climax.
Mr. Li Qiang, a figure of calm authority, sat with an air of detachment beside the elderly Bo couple. His presence was commanding, his sharp eyes missing nothing. Beside him, Xu Kaicheng, the young and brash underboss, exuded a different kind of energy. His attire—a brown checkered trouser paired with a cream silk shirt, unbuttoned to reveal his chiseled chest—spoke volumes about his flamboyant personality. His hair, styled meticulously, gleamed under the lights, adding to his playboy charm.
The auctioneer's voice rang out, echoing through the hall, "WELCOME TO THE DIAMOND AUCTION. WE ARE GOING TO START WITH THE 'HEART OF KINGDOM,' WHICH STARTS AT 110,000,000.00 YUAN. WHO IS INTERESTED?"
The tension was palpable as the Bo couple's wife raised her paddle, her voice steady, "120,000,000.00!"
The bidding war intensified, with numbers flying higher and higher. The crowd watched in awe as the stakes rose, each bid a testament to the wealth and power of the participants. Xin Yi, observing from the sidelines, marveled at the sheer opulence on display, her curiosity piqued by the enigmatic Li Qiang's apparent disinterest.
Then, a striking woman in a short black dress, her skin as pale as porcelain, entered the fray. Her dress, with its daring V-neckline, showcased her beauty and confidence. "200,000,000.00!" she declared, her red lips curling into a victorious smile as she outbid everyone else.
The auctioneer's voice boomed, "200,000,000.00 GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, AND SOLD OUT!"
Amidst the applause, Xu Yi Han, the beautiful actress from a mafia family, stood out. Her relationship with her brother, Xu Kaicheng, was fraught with tension. Despite their shared blood, they were like oil and water, constantly clashing and competing. Xu Yi Han, with her striking looks and dangerous charm, often found herself at odds with Kai's arrogant and flamboyant nature. Their sibling rivalry was well-known, each trying to outdo the other in their own ways, adding another layer of intrigue to the already complex dynamics of the mafia world.
As the final item was brought out, the room fell silent. The MC's voice was almost reverent, "NOW BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUN, 'A HERITAGE BLOOM.' STARTING AT 1,449,220,000.00 YUAN."
Kai, ever the showman, raised his paddle without hesitation, "2,000,000,000.00!" His confidence was unshakable, but his rival, Li Qiang, had other plans.
With a sinister smile, Li Qiang's voice cut through the tension, "10,000,000,000.00!" The room gasped, the sheer audacity of the bid leaving everyone stunned. Mrs. Bo slumped in her seat, defeated, as the auctioneer's gavel came down.
"10,000,000,000.00 GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, AND SOLD!"
The room erupted in applause, the spectacle of wealth and power leaving an indelible mark on all who witnessed it. Li Qiang's victory was absolute, his smile a testament to his dominance in this high-stakes game.