Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO

Hearing Xie Jiancheng's words, Xu Ke's eyes widened slightly.

He hadn't expected that Xie Jiancheng's surprise gift of 120 million was just the beginning. From the sound of it, there was more to come?

"Go ahead and accept it. I think Mister Xie's gesture is excellent, and my opinion of your Xie Family has improved," Master Jintong chimed in at that moment, even giving Xie Jiancheng a thumbs-up. Now that he knew Xie Jiancheng had sniped the bid only to personally present it to Xu Ke, Master Jintong was extremely satisfied.

Xie Jiancheng smiled faintly.

Xu Ke, however, was stunned into silence. After a long moment, he finally said, "Then, let me thank you first, Mister Xie. If there's anything I can help with in the future, please feel free to ask."

Seeing Xu Ke finally say something of this nature, the satisfaction in Xie Jiancheng's eyes deepened. "Of course. I won't stand on ceremony with you."

While the two exchanged pleasantries, Bai Qian'er was riddled with suspicion.

What is Xie Jiancheng really after? This old fox is never up before sunrise unless there's a profit to be made, yet now he's giving away 120 million, claiming it's an investment in a young man's future? Only a fool would believe that! But Xu Ke only has the Wang Family behind him, right? Trying to please the Wang Family with 120 million? That's impossible!

At this thought, Bai Qian'er suddenly felt that she ought to thoroughly investigate what kind of power Xu Ke truly had behind him...

...

Seeing Xie Jiancheng and Xu Ke getting along splendidly, the faces of the twin elders, Zhuge Changyang and Zhuge Changyin, were ashen.

"What do we do now?" one of them muttered.

"Not only did we fail to kill that guy on his way to Sui City, but we also let him come here and latch onto the Xie Family, even getting his hands on the crucial Jade Mountain Lotus," the other added. "With his terrifying talent, he'll probably officially enter the Innate realm in less than a week."

Xu Ke's talent was the primary reason they were willing to go to any lengths to kill him. But now... it seemed the task was slipping beyond their capabilities.

"What else can we do? Rob him in broad daylight or kill him by force? Just stay put!" Shi Hongda ground his teeth.

"Can't we contact the Assassin's Alliance again?" one of the elders asked.

"Contact them? Are you going to pay for it?" Shi Hongda glared. The mere thought of it was painful.

"Pay for what? Can't you make them do it for free?" Zhuge Changyang asked, looking at Shi Hongda.

Shi Hongda frowned. "For free? Have you gone senile?"

Zhuge Changyin began his analysis. "Think about it. The Ghost-Poison Duo was hired by that dead man, Kang Chenghua. But after they came into contact with Xu Ke, they turned traitor. They deceived us and then turned around and killed Kang Chenghua. Do you really believe there wasn't some scheme between Xu Ke and the Ghost-Poison Duo?"

Shi Hongda's expression shifted. "Are you suggesting we let the Assassin's Alliance know that it was Xu Ke's instigation that caused the Ghost-Poison Duo to violate their code?"

"Exactly!"

"What if they ask for proof?" Shi Hongda and the others had already considered this possibility. But they knew that if they presented this as their reason, the Assassin's Alliance would probably think they were trying to get a freebie and would reject their information.

"We'll make them believe it, even if we have to frame him," the Zhuge twins said through gritted teeth. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

After a long moment of contemplation, Shi Hongda nodded. "...Alright. I'll give it a try."

...

After the auction concluded, Xu Ke, Tang Yingchang, and Xie Jiancheng were among the first to leave. Carrying the Bronze Wine Chalice and the boxed Jade Mountain Lotus, Xu Ke departed from the venue under everyone's watchful gaze.

Bai Qian'er, however, was slightly behind, as she was waiting for Fang Caizhe and Duan Zhuo'e.

Just as the three of them met up, Bai Qian'er glanced at Fang Caizhe and asked coolly, "Why the long face?"

Fang Caizhe's complexion was almost as dark as Master Jintong's skin.

"It's nothing," Fang Caizhe, as uncommunicative as ever, forced out two words under Bai Qian'er's scrutinizing gaze.

Beside them, Duan Zhuo'e was trying to stifle a laugh, the word "schadenfreude" all but written on his forehead.

"Alright, let's head back," Bai Qian'er said with a shake of her head. She knew perfectly well that Fang Caizhe was acting this way out of jealousy.

However, as the three of them reached the elevator, a thought occurred to her. "A'zhe," she asked, "isn't your family quite good at intelligence gathering?"

"Yes!" As Bai Qian'er inquired about the Fang Family's greatest strength, the gloom on Fang Caizhe's face finally lifted, replaced by a hint of pride. "Qian'er, if there's anything you need me to look into, just tell me. I'll definitely find it out for you."

While Fang Caizhe boasted, Duan Zhuo'e pretended not to hear, pulling his phone from his pocket and looking down at it.

Hearing his offer, Bai Qian'er nodded slightly. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

"No trouble at all!" Fang Caizhe puffed out his chest, eager to show off his family's capabilities. "Go on, what do you need investigated?"

"Investigate Xu Ke," Bai Qian'er said, looking at Fang Caizhe. "I want to know about the power behind him."

The pride that had just appeared on Fang Caizhe's face froze solid.

"Hahaha..."

Duan Zhuo'e finally burst out laughing.

...

CLANG.

The Bronze Wine Chalice made a slightly dull sound as it was placed on the table. Xu Ke then set down the Jade Mountain Lotus, his expression complex.

"Mister Xu, what's wrong?" Tang Yingchang asked, seeing Xu Ke's troubled disposition.

"I'm wondering what the Xie Family could possibly know. Why is their attitude towards me so..." Xu Ke trailed off, struggling for the right word.

"Respectful?" Tang Yingchang tentatively supplied.

"I suppose that's about right..." Xu Ke said, rubbing his brow. Receiving a gift wasn't necessarily a good thing.

When Xie Hezheng dealt with Xie Jinhua a few days ago, I thought it was just him disciplining his grandson. But now, judging from Xie Jiancheng's actions, I understand—a few days ago, Xie Hezheng's harsh treatment of his grandson was entirely for my sake.

"Are you worried that the Xie Family has ulterior motives?" Tang Yingchang asked.

Xu Ke nodded. "I don't think I've revealed anything from start to finish, not even my medical skills. Yet their behavior is so abnormal. I'm worried there's a trap."

Tang Yingchang pondered for a moment. "Perhaps they found out about your master's identity and are trying to curry favor with him?"

"Perhaps," Xu Ke replied, stroking his chin.

"You don't need to worry too much. I think, at the very least, this isn't a bad thing!" Tang Yingchang said with a smile. He felt that Xu Ke was just being overly cautious and that the Xie Family likely meant no harm.

"I hope so." Xu Ke nodded. After thinking for a moment, he picked up his phone. "I'll give Qi Fu a call."

"Okay!"

Xu Ke walked into the living room and dialed. The call connected quickly.

"What are you doing right now?" he asked as soon as she answered.

"About to have dinner. What about you? Has the auction ended?" Wong Qifu's voice was somewhat noisy on the other end, and it was clear she had just left her office. Occasional shouts of "Director Wang, I really only need a fifty million investment..." could be heard in the background.

"It's over. I just got back to my room," Xu Ke replied, then asked, "With so many people around, you're still taking my call? Aren't you worried about what reporters might write?"

"What's there to be afraid of? It's not like our relationship is a secret," Wong Qifu said with a light laugh. Then, as if moving away from the crowd, she lowered her voice. "Besides, if I didn't answer because of these people, who knows if it would leave a certain someone feeling all dejected like last time."

Her words were laced with a teasing tone. "I'd hate to upset his fragile little heart."

Hearing this, Xu Ke was immediately reminded of waiting for her outside her company a month ago. His eyes widened in protest. "Who was dejected?!"