Chapter 182: The Foreigners’ Request

Chapter 182: The Foreigners' Request

Gu Shaoqian had intentionally come to the detention room to console Su Qilan, and naturally, he agreed to her request without hesitation.

As he left, he vowed to bail her out within seven days.

"I'll be waiting for you to pick me up," Su Qilan said softly with a gentle smile on her face. The scars on her cheeks made her quiet smile appear vulnerable and pitiful, leaving Gu Shaoqian feeling reluctant to part from her. Ultimately, he managed to pull some strings to have Su Qilan placed in solitary confinement.

He even used his influence to provide her with a mattress and a sofa in her private detention cell. With a smile on her face, Su Qilan looked around the cell and turned her head, saying, "I'll need a dressing table here as well."

The person in charge of managing Su Qilan's daily needs jotted down her request in a notebook.

In Hong Kong at this time, if you had money and power, you could enjoy VIP treatment even in prison.

"Why was she locked up with us at first when she has such a strong background?" A few women in the adjacent detention cell were all leaning against the metal door, watching the scene unfold.

"I heard she has a fiancé who adores her, and he's also very wealthy."

"More accurately, I should say my husband," Su Qilan suddenly turned around and said with a smile to the women. "My husband loves me deeply."

Despite Gu Shaoqian's marriage to Shao Jingwen, she still outshone her. The more guilt and remorse he felt towards Su Qilan, the more she could gain in return.

With a smile on her face, Su Qilan sat in front of the dressing mirror and slowly applied lipstick, her gaze darkening as she stared at her reflection.

However, these debts were far from enough. Now, there was an irreconcilable rift between her and Gu Shaoqian due to the blame and the involvement of Shao Jingwen...

At the same time, Gu Shaoqian had left the detention room. Unable to wait to return to the Gu residence, he found a phone booth on the roadside and called Lu Xiangjun.

It was the middle of the night in Country Chao. Woken up by the ringing phone in the dead of night, Lu Xiangjun was already in a foul mood. When Gu Shaoqian mentioned that Su Qilan was going to publicly express gratitude for bearing his child in the newspaper, Lu Xiangjun angrily clawed at the silk bedsheet covering her body.

If the person on the other end of the line had been Su Qilan, Lu Xiangjun would have lost control, becoming hysterical and causing a scene.

But since it was Gu Shaoqian, Lu Xiangjun suppressed her madness, gritting her teeth as she said through clenched jaws, "Tell Su Qilan that I'll be returning to Victoria City in three days."

...

While Lu Xiangjun set her return date, Shen Qing took a car to the Victoria Hotel right after class.

Shen Qing, following the invitation in her hand, arrived at the entrance of Victoria's Presidential Suite. The few Western bodyguards standing guard at the door attempted to search Mr. Shen.

Brother Biao and Huoniu pushed their hands away. "Your boss invited our Mr. Shen here. Best show some respect to him, foreigners."

The faces of the Western bodyguards turned grim. "You can't enter without a search."

As Mr. Shen turned to leave, the invitation in his hand slapped against the face of one of the guards.

Did they really think she wanted to be here? If not for Evans calling persistently, saying he wanted to sell her the abandoned Tsim Sha Tsui building, Mr. Shen wouldn't have bothered to come.

Yet, this foreigner Evans had the audacity to try to intimidate her at their agreed meeting place? Mr. Shen was not going to give him the satisfaction!

Just as Mr. Shen was about to step into the elevator, the door to the Presidential Suite behind her was hastily opened, and Evans' apologetic voice echoed from behind, "Mr. Shen, I'm sorry. My bodyguards were out of line, offending you..."

Hearing Evans' apology, Mr. Shen didn't pause but continued into the elevator.

Seeing the elevator doors closing, Evans dashed over at a sprint, blocking its path. "Mr. Shen, let's talk business. Please..."

"Mr. Shen, I genuinely have an important matter to discuss with you. Please give me this chance..." As Please spoke, the Western bodyguards also approached. However, he seemed extremely flustered, as if he was in great peril.

Shen Qing glanced at Brother Biao.

Brother Biao nodded at Mr. Shen, indicating that everything was now safe.

Only then did Mr. Shen relax. He looked at Evans with a faint expression and said, "Tell me, what happened to you?" Otherwise, why would he sell the unfinished building to her?

"Gu Chengfu wants to retaliate against me. I have to quickly dispose of my assets in Hong Kong and return to Country Chao," Evans said, somewhat distressed. "All because I exposed to the media that the violent eviction was Su Qilan's doing, not mine."

"Gu Chengfu wanted to take action against me, but he was stopped by the Governor of Hong Kong. But given Gu Chengfu's cunning and viciousness, he won't let me off easily," Evans told Shen Qing fearfully. "I'd rather go to Africa to tap rubber than die in Hong Kong."

After all, being punished for business failure and sent to Africa to tap rubber might not be as comfortable as life in Hong Kong, but at least he would still be alive. But if he stayed in Hong Kong, he was certain that Gu Chengfu would find a way to eliminate him.

Evans would rather live in misery than descend into hell!

"Alright, let's talk." Shen Qing stepped out of the elevator.

Back when she suggested this plan to Evans, she had already anticipated that once things blew up, Gu Chengfu might cause trouble for him.

Thus, she believed in Evans' desire to escape back to Country Chao for refuge.

Though trust was there, Shen Qing remained cautious when it came to purchasing the unfinished building in Tsim Sha Tsui. During her conversation with Evans, she instructed Huoniu to fetch the company's legal counsel.

"Miss Shen, I'm willing to sell you all of my shares," Evans said, producing a pre-prepared contract. "I currently hold fifty percent of that building, the largest share. If I sell them to you, you'll become the majority shareholder."

"I know, you've always wanted that building, haven't you?" Evans looked at Shen Qing, confident that she would indeed purchase his shares.

In truth, Evans couldn't fathom why Shen Qing, despite being from Hong Kong and lacking any influential background, was fearless and even dared to provoke the Gu family.

Shen Qing seemed to do nothing, yet when Evans examined her actions closely, he was astonished. All the setbacks the Gu family had suffered in the past half-year were directly linked to her.

The Gu family initially gained fame due to the second young master's scandals, which, for a wealthy family, were usually insignificant. However, who could have predicted that these scandals would escalate into devastating revelations, dismantling the favored second branch of the family, and now implicating even Gu Chengfu?

Gu Chengfu, the head of the Gu family, was a figure respected even by those on their foreign street. Yet, he had been brought down by Shen Qing's machinations, his reputation tarnished.

If someone had foretold this outcome for Gu Chengfu before, Evans would have dismissed it as exaggeration. But now, with the evidence before him and the catalyst herself seated across from him, looking so captivating and composed, he could no longer deny the reality.

Evans looked at Shen Qing with a hint of curiosity, wondering if women from the inland, with its conservative and less developed background, were all this capable?

In response to Evans' inquisitive gaze, Shen Qing patiently examined the contract before her.

Most of the clauses in the contract seemed fine, but identifying any loopholes would require the keen eye of a professional lawyer.

Shen Qing was merely skimming through for a general understanding!

Seeing Shen Qing meticulously going through the contract, Evans grew restless. "Mr. Shen, I'm not trying to make a profit off you. I'm selling the shares at their original price. You'll definitely make money if you buy them."

"I earn money?" Shen Qing looked up at Evans, her fair and delicate face wearing a smile, but her eyes were cold. "Mr. Evans, although you're the largest shareholder of the unfinished building, you still have the Gu and Ge families beneath you."

Shen Qing continued, "The Gu family owns thirty-five percent, while the Ge family holds fifteen. You're afraid of the Gu family and want to sell your shares to escape. But if I were to buy your shares, the Gu family would quickly devour the Ge family's fifteen percent. Then, both our families would hold fifty percent each. Do you think I stand a chance against the Gu family?"

"How could you not?" Evans replied, his tone tinged with regret. Who could have imagined that a Mainland girl, barely twenty years old, would upset Hong Kong's stable equilibrium in just half a year?

In the past, the Gu and Dou families stood at the pinnacle of Hong Kong's power structure, evenly matched and locked in a tense rivalry. With foreigners like him holding a steady advantage over them, they formed the most stable elite hierarchy in Hong Kong.

Yet now, this foreigner had retreated to his home country, Country Chao, leaving Gu Chengfu as the exposed target of their attacks.

Logically, the Du family, who had been at odds with the Gus for half their lives, should have benefited from this turmoil. Yet, the Du family did not come out victorious or gain any advantage.

Instead, Shen Qing, an obscure mainland Chinese woman a mere six months ago, gradually ate away at the market shares of both the Gu family and the foreign investor.

She silently strengthened her own power base. By the time they realized it, Shen Qing had become a real estate mogul that no one could touch without careful consideration.

Only now did Evans realize how steady and precise Shen Qing's every move had been. One might call her low-key, but she was adept at subtle attacks, always hitting her mark. Sometimes, you'd even thank her for selling you out, grateful for her strategic advice.

Evans was precisely that kind of person, sold out yet still appreciative of Shen Qing. Now that he had come to his senses, not even a hint of regret stirred within him.

He understood that while Shen Qing's plan had incurred the wrath of the Gu family, it had saved his life. Otherwise, he would inevitably have been the scapegoat for violent land expropriation.

The Gu family was willing to sacrifice even their own daughter-in-law; as a foreigner, he would have suffered a far worse fate. Moreover, once he was behind bars, the Gus would undoubtedly seize his shares.

At least now, he didn't have to go to jail. He could sell his shares to someone else, take the money, and flee back to Country Chao. There, he could rely on his family to make a comeback.

With this thought, gratitude stirred within Evans towards Shen Qing: "Mr. Shen, don't be modest. Looking around now, only you, Mr. Shen, can act freely and without constraint in Hong Kong. You also have a grudge against the Gu family. By purchasing my shares, you can challenge them while also wanting to see the Gu family become the largest shareholder of that building, hindering your development plans for Tsim Sha Tsui, right?"

Despite his desperate situation, Evans had a clear understanding of the current dynamics.

An ordinary mainland girl, who previously had no background or support, had now formed a cooperative agreement with Qin Shili, and was even aligned with the Dou family against the Gu family... Qin Shili was someone even the governor would avoid, let alone the Dou family, who had been on par with the Gu family in their decades-long rivalry. They were not to be underestimated.

Then there was Brother Dragon, the Gu family's illegitimate son, who had a good relationship with Shen Qing... With such wealth, looks, background, and power, if Mr. Shen could not do as he pleased in Hong Kong, then who could?

Shen Qing never imagined that she was perceived in such a way by others.

She had always believed that she lacked both money and influence, always just a step behind. Therefore, she approached every move cautiously, considering every possible outcome.

But as she progressed, she had unknowingly become so formidable in the eyes of others?

In fact, when it came to Mr. Shen's rise to success, no entrepreneur, either in Hong Kong or even globally, had achieved such wealth from poverty in such a short span of six months.

Throughout this journey, Mr. Shen faced continuous attacks from various factions. Instead of causing her downfall, these precise strikes fueled her economic explosions, leading to a significant expansion of her influence.

This was precisely what the old adage meant – "opportunities arise amidst danger" and "wealth is sought through peril." Naturally, Mr. Shen was delighted with such returns.

However, elated as he was, Mr. Shen wouldn't be swayed by Evans's seemingly sincere words into believing that he could truly do as he pleased or act recklessly in Hong Kong.

These were tactics that Mr. Shen himself had used in the past to deceive others.

Moreover, greed was not advisable, and effortless victories depended on circumstances. One couldn't simply lie down and give up when it wasn't the right time.

This wasn't the future era of her previous life where opportunities were scarce. Many people back then, despite their efforts, might not have reaped corresponding rewards.

But Hong Kong now was different. Opportunities were abundant; if one seized them and put in effort, they would receive proportional or even multiplied returns.

To choose to lie down and give up in an era filled with opportunities for sudden wealth would be a disservice to oneself!

"Mr. Evans, even if the Gu family acquires all the shares of the abandoned building, it won't have much impact on me," Shen Qing said with a smile. "The development of Tsim Sha Tsui is inevitable, and based on the revised plans for the development area, your abandoned building is no longer the best location in Tsim Sha Tsui..."

Evans's expression changed.

Shen Qing continued, "The Gu family is currently in a delicate situation; they can't afford to push things too far."

"But they might assassinate," Evans fretted.

"Indeed, they could assassinate," Shen Qing nodded in agreement.

Evans was relieved, assuming he had convinced Shen Qing. However, Shen Qing continued, "Since they might assassinate, it proves that I'm also in danger. If I'm already in danger, why would I buy your shares?"

Shen Qing tossed the contract on the floor. "I'm not buying. With my life at stake, who cares about shares? You don't bring them with you when you're born, and you don't take them with you when you die. It's all for nothing."

Shen Qing got up to leave.

"Mr. Shen... please don't... Mr. Shen... I beg you, don't go..." Evans was nearly kneeling before Mr. Shen. "I spoke out of turn just now. They won't assassinate, and you'll be fine. If you think the price is too high, we can still negotiate..."

Seeing the foreigner so desperate that he was speaking Mandarin, Shen Qing couldn't help but laugh inwardly. On the surface, he maintained a serious tone. "Evans, buying your shares is like putting my head on the line. I genuinely fear that I might get assassinated right after purchasing them..."

"No way, Mr. Shen..." Evans was almost hugging Shen Qing's leg. "You're a business prodigy, registered with the Governor. Even Gu Chengfu wouldn't dare touch you easily."

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow.

Realizing his slip of tongue, Evans decided to come clean. "In just half a year, you've become a new force in Hong Kong's real estate industry, capable of competing with the Gus and even impressing the proud Qin Shili. The Governor sees you as a business genius with exceptional interpersonal skills. He believes that recruiting you will only benefit us more, which is why he ordered the Guss not to harm you..."

A subtle lift of Shen Qing's brow revealed her belief that the foreigners would find it more advantageous to ally with her. That meant these damn foreigners had originally planned to sabotage her.

No wonder she was targeted for assassination when she helped search for Chen Xianzhen during her kidnapping on Wozaishan. No wonder the cultural infiltrator at Shengluo High, a traitor, also wanted to harm her... So, all those sources of danger stemmed from this?

Shen Qing sneered inwardly. Dream on if they thought they could win her over.

Born in Huaxia, she would never die as a traitor!

However, this also proved a point: when you displayed extraordinary talent and strength in certain aspects, your enemies would weigh the pros and cons before acting against you.

But Shen Qing was well aware that not taking action easily didn't mean they wouldn't act at all. Besides, these foreign devils had already made attempts more than twice...

Feeling that Mr. Shen would be doing herself a disservice if she didn't take advantage of Evans, she said, "I can consider buying the shares of the abandoned building, but there's a condition..."

"What condition?" Evans was cautious, not immediately agreeing to Shen Qing's proposal.

Faced with Evans' tense and suspicious gaze, Mr. Shen smiled radiantly. "It's simple – I want to buy your shares at half price..."

Before Shen Qing could finish, she was interrupted, "Half price? Are you joking?"

"No mistake about it, you urgently need to offload your shares, and you still expect the original price?" Shen Qing pointed out. "Moreover, due to the massive scandal involving the Gu family, the Gu Corporation's stock has been consistently plummeting. This abandoned building also has the Gu family's shares, so its value has naturally dropped as well."

"I'm offering you half the price, which is already very generous," Shen Qing's words left Evans feeling awkward. "I didn't expect Mr. Shen to be so knowledgeable about stocks."

Little did Evans know that the person who had just made a huge profit in the stock market was none other than Mr. Shen sitting right in front of him.

"I'll need a list from you as well," Mr. Shen continued.

"A list?" Alarm bells rang loudly in Evans' mind. Oh no, could it be what he feared?

As that thought crossed his mind, Evans indeed heard Mr. Shen say, "Mr. Evans, you're aware of how dangerous it is for me here in Hong Kong. When you return to Country Chao, you can continue your life as a wealthy heir safely, but I can't. I have to stay here in Hong Kong as a target to distract Gu Chengfu..."

"You mentioned that Gu Chengfu might resort to assassination. He must have accomplices. Just give me the names of those who are close to Gu Chengfu," Shen Qing said with an innocent smile.

But Evans knew that the most beautiful flowers often carried the deadliest poison.

Did he have a choice, though? No?

Due to his failure in Hong Kong, his family had cast him aside like a disposable pawn.

Should he manage to return safely to Country Chao, his family would refrain from harming him, for he still had his parents there to shield him. But in Hong Kong, his fate would be sealed with death.

It was merely a matter of a few names.

After a moment of internal struggle, Evans retrieved a pen from his suit pocket, unscrewed it, and scribbled down several names before passing them to Shen Qing...