Standing up, the general manager extended his hand toward Bai Hanyun and said, "Miss Bai, thank you for your patronage. Please, have a seat."
Bai Hanyun shook his hand, then sat down. After the general manager poured her a cup of tea, Bai Hanyun took a sip before saying, "I heard you were looking for me to settle the bill."
The general manager nodded and slid the purchasing documents toward her.
While Bai Hanyun checked through the papers, he explained, "Miss Bai, these are the purchasing documents for your antiques. As per our agreement, the Gu Bao Auction House will charge a ten percent auction fee. If there are no issues, please sign here so we can finalize the settlement."
Listening to the general manager’s words, Bai Hanyun carefully reviewed each page. After confirming the prices and the fee were correct, she accepted the pen from the general manager and signed her name.
When she was finished, the general manager said, "Miss Bai, your total profit, after the fee deduction, comes to seven billion, nine hundred and twenty million yuan. Since the amount is substantial, the full transfer will be completed within three days. Is that acceptable to you?"
"Yes," Bai Hanyun replied with a nod.
With her confirmation, the general manager picked up his phone and made a call. "Please transfer the money to Miss Bai," he instructed the moment the call was connected.
"Yes, General Manager," the finance manager replied on the other end.
Moments after the call ended, a notification chimed on Bai Hanyun’s phone. She checked it and saw the transfer confirmation.
Showing the screen to the general manager, she said, "General Manager, I have received the money."
Glancing at the amount, the general manager nodded with satisfaction.
Since everything was settled, Bai Hanyun rose to her feet and said, "General Manager, I still have matters to attend to, so I will be taking my leave first."
Shaking her hand, the general manager responded warmly, "It’s our honor to do business with you, Miss Bai. We look forward to your next visit."
"Sure. I will come again next time." After making that promise, Bai Hanyun left the private room with Hua Yuyu.
As they walked toward the elevator, Hua Yuyu pressed the communicator on his left ear and ordered, "Get ready. We will leave in ten minutes."
"Roger that," Wu Jun and the others responded one after another.
After stepping into the elevator, Hua Yuyu said in a low voice, "Miss Bai, once we return to the presidential suites, please pack lightly and leave with Shengjie and Zhuangyu."
Bai Hanyun nodded. "Understood."
The elevator rose steadily, the soft hum of the machinery echoing in the tense silence. Soon, it reached the top floor. As the doors slid open, they walked out and returned to the presidential suites.
When Hua Yuyu closed the door behind them, Bai Hanyun noticed that the others were already waiting, their gear ready.
Wu Jun looked at her and said, "Miss Bai, we will bring your suitcase with us." ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel•fire.net
Bai Hanyun nodded, then asked, "Without me in your team, will those assassins really be fooled by our plan?"
Wu Jun’s expression remained steady as he explained, "We have already called one of our female members to disguise herself as you. She should have arrived by now."
With everything in place, Hua Yuyu said, "Miss Bai, we will leave first."
"Alright. Be careful," Bai Hanyun reminded them with a hint of worry in her voice.
Before leaving, Hua Yuyu turned to Bao Shengjie and Ouyang Zhuangyu. He ordered, "Wait ten minutes after we go before you leave."
Both men nodded in unison and replied, "Yes, Captain."
After giving the final orders, Hua Yuyu glanced over his team, then said, "Let’s move."
Without another word, they left the presidential suites, their footsteps fading into silence.
Bai Hanyun watched the door close, her brows furrowing slightly.
Sensing her unease, Bao Shengjie said reassuringly, "Miss Bai, please don’t worry. They will be fine."
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. After a brief silence, she said, "Mhm. I will check if I left anything behind."
Ten minutes passed slowly, heavy with anticipation. Finally, Ouyang Zhuangyu glanced at his watch and said, "Miss Bai, it’s time to go."
When Bai Hanyun came out of the bedroom, she had changed out of her ancient-style Hanfu and took off the jade jewelry. Now dressed in a simple t-shirt and pants, with sports shoes, a mask, and a cap, she looked nothing like the elegant woman from before—just another traveler ready to blend into the crowd.
Carrying her backpack, Bai Hanyun looked at Ouyang Zhuangyu and said, "I’m ready."
Since they couldn’t go out through the main entrance, Bao Shengjie took out his tablet, fingers dancing rapidly over it as lines of code scrolled across the screen. The faint glow reflected in his sharp eyes.
"Surveillance disabled," he calmly said ten seconds later. Looking up from his tablet, he said, "Let’s go."
At his signal, Ouyang Zhuangyu pulled the door open, and the three of them slipped into the hallway, moving swiftly toward the emergency exit.
The stairwell was empty, and the echo of their footsteps filled the surroundings.
As they rushed down, Bao Shengjie glanced at the digital map on his tablet. "We will exit on the 30th floor."
"Got it," Bai Hanyun and Ouyang Zhuangyu answered in unison.
They descended quickly, but after fifteen floors, Bai Hanyun was gasping for air, her legs burning with fatigue.
Before she could react, Ouyang Zhuangyu seized her wrist and, in one fluid motion, lifted her onto his back.
"Brother Ouyang, I can still run—" she said in surprise.
"It’s faster if I carry you," Ouyang Zhuangyu said calmly without slowing down.
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun pressed her lips together and said nothing. She had promised to follow their lead, and arguing now would only slow them down.
Five minutes later, they reached the 30th floor. Bao Shengjie pushed the emergency door open just enough to peek outside, then motioned for Ouyang Zhuangyu to move through first.
The corridor beyond was eerily quiet.