Morning Longing for Warmth – Chapter 65
by Little PandaThe Deal
Do you know why she’s been so good to you?
On the auction day, the rain unexpectedly stopped. Since Shiyi arrived in Huaicheng, there had been constant drizzle, but on auction day, the sky suddenly cleared after the rain. Walking out of the hotel, she could still see a rainbow hanging in the sky, its colors vivid and beautiful. Shiyi casually took a photo and sent it to Wei Hui: “Is it pretty?”
Along with a selfie of her smiling face, Wei Hui, connected to a breathing apparatus, struggled to look at her phone, hands shaking as she typed: “Very beautiful.”
After typing, she added: “As beautiful as you.”
Vibrant, full of vigorous life force, young, and energetic – everything she yearned for.
What a pity, Wei Hui thought, how nice it would be to hold her right now. She sent another message: “Is the auction today? When will you return?”
Shiyi replied: “Tomorrow morning at the latest, I’ll try to come back tonight.”
Tonight.
Wei Hui’s brows tightly knitted: “Okay.”
They didn’t communicate further. Shiyi put away her phone and followed Pei Tian to the car. The auction hall was already crowded when they arrived. Today wasn’t just about that plot of land; there were other items for auction. As soon as Shiyi arrived, she heard Du Yuehan call out: “President Wei.”
She walked over, seeing Du Yuehan holding a coffee cup and approaching. Before Shiyi could speak, she heard a familiar voice: “Shiyi!”
It was Du Yueming.
She turned in surprise to see Du Yueming standing behind her in a light blue knee-length dress, smiling brightly: “Back to earth! What? Have you forgotten me so quickly?”
Shiyi was stunned: “How did you come back to the country? Haven’t you graduated yet?”
Du Yueming rolled her eyes helplessly: “Can’t I return home before graduating? I took medical leave.”
Shiyi looked her up and down. Ever since Wei Hui fell ill, she had developed an instinctive aversion to sickness, immediately asking: “Where are you feeling unwell?”
“Tch.” Du Yueming hugged her: “As expected of my good sister, you care so much about me? Look how worried you are, your face has changed color!”
“Abandon Third Miss, let’s be together!”
Du Yuehan grabbed the tactless Du Yueming, scolding: “Go play elsewhere, I need to speak with President Wei.”
Du Yueming pouted in dissatisfaction like an abandoned child.
When her brother needed to speak with Wei Hui about business, she could tolerate it – after all, Wei Hui was different from ordinary people from birth, her mind worked faster than theirs, and she had become Wei Tian’s chairman at such a young age. But Shiyi! She had studied at Weiss together with her, so how could her brother treat her like a child now and discuss business with her?
Where was the justice in heaven?
After all, she was ** years older than Shiyi!
Shiyi patted Du Yueming’s shoulder, seeing her unhappy expression. They were the same height now, but Shiyi appeared more mature and rational. Her black suit was crisp and stylish. Unlike Wei Hui, who had never liked wearing formal attire, feeling restricted by it, preferring to wear vibrant dresses for business meetings, carrying a powerful presence, capable and decisive, able to subdue others with just a glance, making them tremble with anxiety. Due to her age, Shiyi wore suits to appear more mature, and standing before Du Yueming now, one couldn’t tell she was still young.
Thinking of Wei Hui again, Shiyi shook her head with a helpless smile. Du Yuehan beside her asked: “What’s wrong?”
Shiyi looked up: “Nothing. What did President Du want to discuss?”
“President Luo has arrived.” Du Yuehan took a sip of coffee, looking toward the entrance. Luo Zhouping arrived together with Huaicheng officials. Everyone present exchanged greetings, while Luo Zhouping stood beside the officials, appearing quite proud. Shiyi stood with her hands behind her back, a smile playing at her lips.
The auction began quickly, starting with small items. Shiyi had no interest, taking the item descriptions in hand. After flipping through two pages, someone beside her said: “Have you heard about that plot of land in Bianjiang?”
“What about it?”
“It has great potential.”
“You’re bluffing, what use could it have? Even the higher-ups have abandoned development.”
“Useless? Would the Du family come? Would Wei Tian come, and even send two vice presidents at once?”
“I heard Wei Tian’s two vice presidents don’t get along. This might be internal strife. We’re small enterprises, better not get involved.”
Shiyi lowered her head to look at the description, listening to their endless chatter. Beside her, Pei Tian said softly: “Shiyi, it’s time for that plot of land.”
She looked up, hearing the auctioneer announce: “Next, we’ll begin bidding for Huaicheng’s most historic plot of land…”
After a string of introductions, Shiyi listened with furrowed brows. Several minutes later, the auctioneer finally finished introducing and started the pricing: “Opening bid is 350 million.”
A young person was first to raise their bidding paddle: “360 million.”
Soon paddles sprouted up like bamboo shoots. This land would be profitable if acquired within 700 million. Beyond 700 million, forget about profits – most people present couldn’t even produce that much money at once, so as it went on, fewer and fewer bids came in.
“380 million!”
“Any bids over 380 million?”
Shiyi directly raised her paddle: “700 million!”
As her words fell, everyone present widened their eyes, followed by whispered discussions. Their current bidding was increasing by 10 million increments, but Shiyi went straight for the ceiling – 700 million!
Besides a few major companies, who could afford such a price!
“700 million, first call!”
Luo Zhouping unhurriedly raised his paddle: “710 million.”
Du Yuehan immediately raised his paddle: “720 million.”
Shiyi glanced at the two behind her, smiling at Du Yuehan: “800 million.”
The entire room erupted in exclamation. What was so worth developing about this Huaicheng plot that bids had soared to 800 million? This was simply madness. Other small enterprises present began inquiring if there were any upcoming government policies, muttering among themselves, but no one dared to continue bidding.
Luo Zhouping continued holding up his paddle: “810 million.”
Du Yuehan consistently bid 10 million more than him, maintaining an unhurried demeanor. Luo Zhouping grew somewhat anxious. His budget was to acquire this land within 1 billion. The reason was simple – this was all the funds he could currently maneuver. If the price continued to soar, he wasn’t afraid of not getting the land; he was worried about being unable to make the payment. The profit could be less – this land’s profit would be at least 1.5 billion at minimum. He could settle for just 1 billion in profit, but he couldn’t produce more than 1 billion now.
So gradually, fine sweat appeared on his forehead.
He knew Qimao’s financial situation – they absolutely couldn’t produce 1 billion. He was even clearer about Wei Tian; they were currently fully developing the unfinished building project, with all funds tied up there, so they couldn’t absorb this either. Because of this, he had been so confident, believing he could definitely secure this land. But as the price kept rising, he couldn’t help but panic.
The auctioneer seemed unprepared for how sought-after this land was. With the price already at 810 million, he smiled: “Are there any more bids?”
“810 million, first call!”
Luo Zhouping, who had bid 810 million, had his heart in suspense, hearing the hammer sound: “810 million, second call!”
Shiyi raised her paddle: “900 million.”
Before the hammer fell, the price was recalculated, and Du Yuehan immediately bid as well. Luo Zhouping gritted his teeth: “950 million!”
Shiyi smiled: “960 million!”
This time, Du Yuehan didn’t bid again, placing his paddle face down to signal his withdrawal from the auction. Everyone watched Luo Zhouping and Shiyi, wondering about their intentions. Weren’t they both vice presidents of Wei Tian? Why were they competing against each other in the bidding?
Someone quickly explained: “Luo Zhouping now has his own branch company. He’s just a shareholder in Wei Tian, so he’s bidding for his own company.”
“Oh, so that’s it. But competing against Wei Tian for land, isn’t that being ungrateful [εΏζ©θ² ηΎ© | wΓ ng Δn fΓΉ yΓ¬ | to forget kindness and betray righteousness]?”
“It wouldn’t be the first or second time he’s shown such ingratitude.”
Cold sweat kept flowing down Luo Zhouping’s back, and compared to Shiyi’s composure, he was clearly unsettled.
“960 million, second call.”
He raised his paddle: “980 million.”
The auctioneer’s face lit up with joy, as Shiyi held up her paddle: “1 billion.”
Luo Zhouping gritted his teeth and raised his paddle: “Can we take a break?”
The auctioneer looked toward Shiyi: “President Wei, what do you think?”
During an auction, breaks were permitted, but if the break exceeded half an hour, the highest bidder would win by default. Currently, Shiyi held the highest bid, so the auctioneer sought her opinion. Shiyi nodded: “That’s fine.”
Luo Zhouping let out a breath of relief, stood up and walked to Shiyi’s side, smiling: “President Wei, may I have a word?”
Shiyi stood up, and under others’ surprised gazes, followed Luo Zhouping to the rest area. Luo Zhouping took out a cigarette case, started to offer one to Shiyi, then withdrew his hand halfway, smiling: “Sorry, force of habit.”
Shiyi raised an eyebrow: “It’s fine. President Luo has something to say?”
Luo Zhouping nodded: “I have something I want to discuss with you.”
Shiyi turned her back to him, walking to the rest area’s window. Opening it, a wave of heat rushed in. She turned her head, narrowing her eyes: “Please speak directly, President Luo.”
Luo Zhouping lit a cigarette, wisps of white smoke rising. He said to Shiyi with certainty: “Let me have that land, and I’ll give you some information.”
Shiyi laughed lightly: “What information could be worth giving up 1.5 billion in profit? President Luo is asking for too much [η ε倧ιε£ | shΔ« zi dΓ kΔi kΗu | to make an unreasonable demand; literally ‘a lion opening its mouth wide’].”
Luo Zhouping took out a document from his bag, saying: “Do you know why Wei Hui has been so good to you?”
“Do you know why she sent you abroad to study and let you join the company when you returned?”
“I bet you don’t know.”
Shiyi’s expression slightly changed: “Why?”
Luo Zhouping savored her change in expression, handing her the document with a smile: “It’s simple. Because your father was her father’s best heart donor. Your father died because of her father. Did you know this?”
“The reason Wei Hui has been so good to you is because she feels guilty.”
“Shiyi, you now carry the Wei surname, but do you know what your father would think if he knew from the netherworld?”
“Between you and herβthere is the blood debt of a murdered father!”
Shiyi’s face changed dramatically, the document in her hands feeling as heavy as a thousand jin. Unable to bear it, she slowly opened the folder. Upon seeing the man in the photograph, she suddenly collapsed to the ground, her face as white as paper. The words “Match Successful” at the bottom caught her eye, bright red and glaring. She gripped the document tightly, clenching her teeth in silence!
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