Chapter 51: The Siheyuan
“18 billion,” Gu Wanrong bid.
After a while, someone countered, “18.1 billion.”
“18.2 billion.”
…
These subsequent bidders were subtly testing Gu Wanrong, gradually increasing the price.
“19 billion,”
Gu Wanrong decisively bid, again increasing it to a round number.
Bang!
The auctioneer’s gavel fell. “Congratulations to Qian Yuan Group!”
Gasps and murmurs
The room erupted in excited discussion. No one expected the winner to be this initially overlooked young woman.
Unknown, young, beautiful, and unassuming, Gu Wanrong had been ignored, but now everyone was intensely curious about her background.
“Who is she?” The question hung in the air.
Everyone present was backed by large companies or prominent families, possessing vast wealth. However, few could readily produce 19 billion in cash. Even if they could, the subsequent land development would require continuous, substantial investment. It would be a risky undertaking.
After winning the bid, Gu Wanrong sat quietly, awaiting the auction’s end. Her hands trembled slightly; this was the first time she’d spent 19 billion at once.
After the auction, Gu Wanrong discreetly made her payment.
Su Min’an was also in the payment room, but he wasn’t handling the transaction. He stood with a much older, higher-ranking official, observing those making payments.
Gu Wanrong efficiently paid the 19 billion in cash and quietly left.
Her action once again stunned everyone.
A 19-billion cash payment, without collateral, loans, or installments, was truly astonishing.
That day, many in Si Jiu City scrambled to find information about Qian Yuan Group and Gu Wanrong.
Unfortunately, even with the system upgrading, her information remained hidden.
“Was it your sister who secretly sold the family land? She’s the one who bought it, right?” An Runliang, one of the two witnesses to Gu Wanrong’s departure, asked An Jiayan meaningfully.
An Jiayan nodded.
In reality, he had asked his mother to put the land up for auction, hoping to gain some liquidity, but his father had found out, so he blamed it on An Jiahua and gave her hush money.
Meanwhile, Gu Wanrong went to Qingnan Hutong to see her new five-courtyard Siheyuan. The paperwork for her two-courtyard Siheyuan was still pending.
Qingnan Hutong was in the heart of Si Jiu City, filled with elegant, traditional architecture.
As her car stopped before the courtyard gate, she eagerly got out, her eyes drawn to the tall, imposing gate, its vermilion surface studded with bronze nails.
The sign above read “Gu Residence,” a sense of ownership washing over Gu Wanrong.
Entering the courtyard, she saw the well-arranged main hall, side halls, and wings. Passing through the screen gate and along the corridor, she found a large garden, though neglected and overgrown.
After a cursory look around the five-courtyard house, half a day had passed. As she returned to the gate, the sun was setting, painting the sky with fiery hues.
Gu Wanrong was very pleased with the courtyard, already thinking about hiring a designer to redesign the garden and renovate the house.
Lost in thought, she walked out of the courtyard without noticing two figures approaching quickly.
Su Min’an and Xie Xian, longtime acquaintances whose ancestral homes were in Qingnan Hutong, had encountered each other.
“Ms. Gu, are you the owner of number 10?” Xie Xian asked first.
Su Min’an had mentioned to Xie Xian the previous day that number 10 had a new owner. Seeing Gu Wanrong nearby, Xie Xian was almost certain she was the one.
“Ah? Is it you?” Gu Wanrong was startled by the sudden voice, but relieved to see Su Min’an and Xie Xian.
One had a gentle, refined demeanor; the other exuded a cool, imposing presence. They made a striking pair.
Realizing Xie Xian’s question, Gu Wanrong pointed towards the courtyard, “If you’re referring to that one, then yes.”
Xie Xian and Su Min’an exchanged glances, surprised that the mysterious owner of number 10 was the equally mysterious Gu Wanrong.
Su Min’an nodded, “Number 10 has been unoccupied for years and needs renovation before you can move in.”
“Yes, I just went inside. I’m thinking about how to renovate it,” Gu Wanrong agreed, a hint of worry on her face.
“Need help with ideas?” Su Min’an asked gently. “Xie Xian and I are quite familiar with Siheyuan.”
“Me too,” Xie Xian added, hands in his pockets.
“That’s too much trouble,” Gu Wanrong said, touched by Su Min’an’s kindness. She preferred to avoid Xie Xian, remembering past awkward encounters.
Just then, a girl came out from the opposite courtyard, excitedly calling, “Second Brother!” Then, turning to Su Min’an, “Da Su gege, good evening.”
The three turned to look.
Gu Wanrong and the girl recognized each other simultaneously, both shouting the other’s name.
“Yu Yingying!”
“Gu Wanrong!”
Yu Yingying excitedly hugged Gu Wanrong, bouncing with joy. Infected by her enthusiasm, the usually reserved Gu Wanrong also began jumping around.
Yu Yingying released her hug, taking Gu Wanrong’s hand, “Didn’t you say you had something to do? What are you doing outside my house?”
Gu Wanrong smiled, “It’s a long story. I’ve finished everything.”
Seeing the girls engrossed in their conversation, Xie Xian coughed, “Can you two stop chatting? Min’an and I are still here.”
Gu Wanrong and Yu Yingying realized they’d forgotten about them.
Social anxiety washed over Gu Wanrong. Her face flushed as she regretted her outburst. So embarrassing.
“Oh, you two can go home then,” Yu Yingying said unconcerned. She had always been informal with them.
“Fine,” Xie Xian said, a little resigned.
“Min’an, Ms. Gu, I’ll go now,” Xie Xian said before entering his house.
Su Min’an nodded and said to the girls, “Little sister, Ms. Gu, I’m going home too. If you need anything, you can find me.” He left for his house.
“Yuanyuan, how did you run into my second brother and Da Su gege? Did you know them before?” Yu Yingying asked.
“It’s a long story,” Gu Wanrong thought of her first encounter with Xie Xian, when she mistook him for Yu Yingying’s boyfriend. She felt a pang of embarrassment.
“I don’t know how I met them. I just came out of my house, and there they were,” Gu Wanrong said, puzzled, gesturing to the Gu Residence.
Yu Yingying looked over, eyes widening. “Goodness, Gu Wanrong, you’re the owner of number 10!”