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Gu Jiuque gazed at Bai Yuesheng with deep, unreadable eyes. Someone's desperately concealed secret was practically about to reveal itself.

All it would take was a mere 150,000...

Under Gu Jiuque's gaze, which seemed to see straight through him, Bai Yuesheng pursed his lips uncomfortably and could not help asking, "This lead should meet your requirements, right?"

Gu Jiuque smiled. "Of course. I hope we'll have more opportunities for such pleasant cooperation in the future."

Seeing that Gu Jiuque did not continue digging for answers, Bai Yuesheng breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad that he had not revealed too much, yet secretly delighted as well. Good thing I didn't tell him everything. Even if they find that person, I can say I made it up and just happened to get it right. Even if that person finds out, they won't come after me.

At that thought, Bai Yuesheng felt somewhat annoyed. He should have just made up a bunch of nonsense. Gu Jiuque did not know who that person was anyway!

What Bai Yuesheng did not know was that Gu Jiuque had no need to know who that person was. The question had not been intended to identify the person who cut the brake line, but to learn more about Bai Yuesheng.

Bai Yuesheng gloomily tapped his head. "When can I get the 150,000?"

"After the person who cut the brake line has been caught, of course." Looking at Bai Yuesheng's widened, disbelieving eyes, Gu Jiuque said with a smile, "How would I know whether what you said is true or something you casually made up to fool me?"

After a pause, Gu Jiuque added, "Don't worry. As long as the lead you provided can be proven genuine and useful, the Gu family will not go back on its word."

Bai Yuesheng sucked in a breath and was once again glad that he had not made something up.

Bai Yanliang, seated in the back, grew anxious. "Then what about that blue-and-white porcelain bowl? Those broken porcelain pieces cost me 50,000!"

Gu Jiuque remained perfectly composed. "You have two choices. Take 50,000 and leave now. Once the police catch the person who tampered with my father's car, come back for the remaining 100,000. Or wait until I restore the bowl, then come collect 150,000."

The Bai family couple silently calculated in their hearts. Wait, that's not right! No matter which one we choose, our family seems to be the one losing out! As long as your family fixes the bowl, you'll immediately make several times the money!

"What can I do about that?" Gu Jiuque chuckled. "Or would you rather take those porcelain shards back?"

Bai Yanliang: "..."

The neighbors watching the spectacle could no longer hold back and said with a laugh, "What does it matter whether you get the money sooner or later? Your family owes the Gu family more than 16 million anyway! That money will belong to them sooner or later."

The Bai family couple felt even more stifled.

Bai Yuesheng glared angrily at Gu Jiuque, his gaze unconsciously settling on the piece of ancient jade hanging around Gu Jiuque's neck.

"Gu Jiuque, did you accept Boss Zhou's invitation to go abroad with him for an auction?"

Gu Jiuque gave Bai Yuesheng a long look. "You're well informed."

Bai Yuesheng paused slightly, carefully recalling what he had said before, then replied with a grin, "When I left your house last night, weren't you discussing that very matter?"

After saying that, Bai Yuesheng eagerly asked, "Did you agree?"

"I did." Gu Jiuque broke into a smile and said lightly, "He paid 15 million in advance and invited my grandfather and me to Country B for an auction."

Bai Yuesheng: "..."

Thinking about how easily Gu Jiuque had earned 15 million while he himself still had to rack his brains over a debt of more than 16 million, Bai Yuesheng could not help feeling disgruntled. Fortunately, luck in this world obeyed the law of conservation of energy.

Bai Yuesheng looked at Gu Jiuque, carefully concealing the schadenfreude in his eyes. In a sincere tone, he said, "Then I wish you a smooth journey."

Old Huang, who was driving, interjected with a laugh, "You can't say that. They're flying to Country B. A smooth journey?"

Bai Yuesheng giggled. "I'm ignorant! Then I wish you headwinds all the way and an early return. I'll be waiting for you at home~"

Before Gu Jiuque could speak, Bai Yuesheng added, "By the time you come back, I'll probably have scraped together 15 million too. I don't want to go to prison!"

After so many shocks and setbacks, Bai Yuesheng had come to understand. Given his circumstances, there was no need for him to take risks and do anything at all, putting himself at a disadvantage and even nearly landing himself in the awkward position of going to prison. Most of the time, he only needed to stay quiet and watch from the sidelines.

Following the current, pushing the boat with the tide, then delivering a fatal blow at the critical moment—that was what a smart person should do.

Watching Bai Yuesheng inexplicably become pleased with himself, Gu Jiuque curled his lips. Smiling, he tapped the imitation antique in Bai Yuesheng's arms and said meaningfully, "Then you'd better be careful. Other people's bargains aren't so easy to pick up."

The plane traced an arc through the sky and landed steadily at Fog City Airport.

Gu Jiuque and his grandfather followed Zhou Mu's group out of the airport and boarded a Rolls-Royce bound for the hotel.

Zhou Mu sat beside Gu Jiuque and eagerly introduced the scenery outside the window. He added enthusiastically, "If you're interested, we can take a good look around Fog City before the auction."

He was worried that after the auction ended, the Gu grandfather and grandson would no longer be in the mood to sightsee in Fog City.

As a man who cherished beauty, Zhou Mu did not stint in showing his fondness for Gu Jiuque. Before the story came to an end, he wanted to leave Gu Jiuque with some pleasant memories of Fog City—and of himself. If those pleasant experiences could lead to a little more intimate contact, that would be even better.

Gu Jiuque looked at Zhou Mu with a smile. "Boss Zhou seems to be in a very good mood."

Zhou Mu laughed heartily. "Of course."

Zhou Mu said, "It is my honor to travel with people as learned and knowledgeable as Old Master Gu and the young master."

Every time he addressed Gu Jiuque, he used the term "young master." Perhaps he meant to show his respect for Gu Jiuque, or perhaps there was also some hidden teasing he could not voice aloud. Yet to Gu Jiuque's ears, it lent their pretense at social niceties an added touch of authenticity.