Chapter 88: Internal Thief I
He Yucheng sensed the shift in the atmosphere between Gu Wanrong and Xie Xian. “Xie Xian, is this young lady a friend of yours?”
He turned to Gu Wanrong, apologizing, “I’m sorry. The police will handle this; the He family won’t interfere.”
“Brother! You’re not helping me!” He Yukang exclaimed, incredulous.
He Yukang was devastated. He Yucheng wouldn’t help; he was like the other rigid He family members, looking down on him.
He feared a long jail sentence, and the exposure of Fine Raw Stones’ business. If Gu Wanrong implicated Fine Raw Stones, his partnership with An Xuliang would be revealed, jeopardizing his share in the He Group.
No, he couldn’t go to jail.
He Yukang’s inner turmoil went unnoticed.
“Wanrong,” Xie Xian paused, a hint of hesitation in his voice, “She’s my⌠neighbor⌠friend.”
He felt strangely uneasy and nervous. Why was he so apprehensive about simply calling her a friend, fearing she’d correct him, saying they were only neighbors?
Gu Wanrong felt Xie Xian’s gaze on her and nodded to He Yucheng. She avoided his eyes; she wasn’t sure how to act.
Seeing her agreement, Xie Xian closed his eyes, then reopened them, shifting his gaze. A last shred of rationality reminded him that his thoughts were consumed by Gu Wanrong, but the situation prevented him from sorting his feelings.
Neighbor? From the old house? Or elsewhere?
He Yucheng felt a blow to the head, his mind buzzing with speculation about Gu Wanrongâs identity.
Whether from the Xie familyâs old house or elsewhere, Gu Wanrong possessed significant financial resources and a background beyond the He family’s knowledge.
He realized the subtle tension was returning between Gu Wanrong and Xie Xian.
He quickly said, “Miss Gu, I’m He Yucheng, Xie Xian’s friend. Call me by my name.”
“My surname is Gu, Gu Wanrong,” Gu Wanrong replied, uncomfortable with his familiarity.
Xie Xian’s brow furrowed at He Yuchengâs address, then relaxed. He thought, Wanrong dislikes being called âWanrongâ by others.
A faint smile appeared on his usually composed face.
Gu Wanrong noticed it and, still affected by Xie Xian’s earlier intense gaze, redirected the conversation to He Yukang.
“Mr. He, is this your brother?” Gu Wanrong gestured toward He Yukang. “He tried to steal my jade.”
The subdued men had slowly risen, watched by the bodyguards. They trembled when Gu Wanrong mentioned them.
Tong Shenba shifted, causing them to tremble again.
Various sizes of ice-type jade of different colors were displayed.
Xie Xianâs eyes brightened: Wanrong’s judgment surpasses even He Yiâs.
He Yi (He Yucheng) examined the jade. When did Tianguang Market have so many high-quality stones?
He Yukang felt despair; the axe was falling.
“Something’s wrong!” He Yucheng decided. His face darkened; his eyes fixed on He Yukang.
A siren wailed in the distance, approaching rapidly.
Before He Yucheng could question He Yukang, the police arrived. He watched as they took the men and He Yukang away.
“Shall I take you back?” Xie Xian asked Gu Wanrong. “Some of your bodyguards are with the police; it’s unsafe to carry so much jade.”
Even with fewer bodyguards, Gu Wanrong was safeâTong Shenba was still with her.
But seeing Xie Xian’s expectant gaze and genuine care, she agreed.
“Yes, I’m at the Tangdun Hotel.”
He Yucheng, though unaware of Gu Wanrongâs background, saw her skilled bodyguards and knew she was influential. Seeing her jade, he realized her judgment was as good as his own. He decided to appease her.
Seeing them leave, he said, “Miss Gu, the Nandian jade auction in two weeks is a joint event between Rongcheng and Nandianâthe biggest of the year. Are you interested? I’ll send an invitation to your hotel.”
“Thank you, Mr. He,” Gu Wanrong replied politely.
Xie Xian drove Gu Wanrong to the hotel.
He Yucheng sped back to the He Group.
He went to his office and called his trusted subordinate, ordering a thorough investigation into He Yukang’s recent activities in Tianguang Market.
His subordinate soon reported.
A knock.
“Come in.”
His secretary entered, looking serious.
“Mr. He, we found He Yukang’s activities in Tianguang Market,” she said. “But⌠it’s worse than you think.”
He Yucheng frowned. He Yukang had been reckless, but this time, heâd been surprisingly clever.
_________________
Recommended Reads
