Chapter 282: Ambush
Stretching out her hand, Bai Hanyun greeted Chi Limin with a smile, "Assistant Chi, how have you been? I hope everything is well."
Chi Limin smiled and shook her hand. "I’m glad to see you in good health, Miss Bai."
Gesturing for him to have a seat, Bai Hanyun asked, "Are you here for the antiques, Assistant Chi?"
"Yes." Chi Limin nodded and explained, "As per the rules, I’m here to collect your antiques for appraisal."
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun turned to Hua Yuyu and asked, "Brother Hua, can you help me get the wooden box from my bedroom?"
"Sure." Hua Yuyu stood and went into her bedroom. Before long, he returned carrying a wooden box. After placing it on the low table, Hua Yuyu sat back down beside Bai Hanyun.
Sitting across from her, Chi Limin took out his phone and snapped a picture of the wooden box. After that, he put on a pair of white gloves.
Chi Limin then carefully opened the wooden box and took another photo of the antiques inside.
After closing the wooden box, Chi Limin said, "Miss Bai, there are three bronze vases, two calligraphy scrolls, three paintings, and one Huanghuali wooden box. Is that right?"
Bai Hanyun nodded. "That’s right."
Having confirmed the items, Chi Limin removed his gloves and smiled. "Miss Bai, I will inform you again once the appraisal masters have finished evaluating your antiques."
Seeing that he was about to leave, Bai Hanyun also stood up and responded, "Thank you for your help, Assistant Chi."
Chi Limin smiled at her words and responded, "You are too polite, Miss Bai. This is what I should do."
Turning to the bodyguards, he instructed, "Handle these antiques carefully during transport."
The bodyguards nodded, then carefully packed each antique into separate boxes lined with soft material.
Five minutes later, the packing was complete.
Chi Limin then said, "Miss Bai, we will take our leave for now. A banquet will be held two hours before the auction begins. If you have time, you are welcome to attend and enjoy the food."
Recalling the banquet she was invited to attend after the last auction, Bai Hanyun nodded. "Alright."
After seeing Chi Limin and the bodyguards out, she closed the door and returned to continue watching her historical drama.
Meanwhile, as Chi Limin and the Gu Bao Auction House staff were busy preparing for the auction and banquet, more and more guests began arriving.
By the time the western sky turned orange, most of the guests had arrived.
Seeing that it was almost time, Bai Hanyun stood up to shower.
An hour later, she came out of her bedroom dressed in an ancient-style Hanfu, adorned with the jade jewelry given to her by Feng Xiyan.
The moment she stepped into the living room, Hua Yuyu and Gao Gong looked at her in admiration.
Turning in a circle, Bai Hanyun asked, "How is it?"
"You look beautiful," Hua Yuyu said with a smile. "The clothes and jewelry suit you perfectly."
Gao Gong nodded in agreement while giving her a thumbs-up.
Pleased by their praise, Bai Hanyun returned to her bedroom to fetch the antique mirror and her backpack. Just then, the doorbell rang.
Ding~ dong!
Hearing this, Gao Gong got up to check. Peering through the peephole, he saw Bao Shengjie and the others. Unlocking the door, he stepped aside to let them in.
"What happened to you guys?" he asked, surprised as he looked at their weary faces.
Walked past him, Bao Shengjie waved his hand tiredly. "It’s a long story."
After everyone entered, Gao Gong shut the door and followed them to the living room.
Bai Hanyun, surprised to see them in such condition, asked as her eyes swept over their dirt-stained faces and clothes, "Are you all alright?"
Placing their bags on the carpet, Bao Shengjie and the others slumped onto the couch.
Without a word, Gao Gong and Hua Yuyu handed them bottles of water.
After downing half a bottle, Bao Shengjie let out a long sigh. "Fuuh... I finally feel alive."
Hua Yuyu waited until they had drunk enough before asking, "Wu Jun, what happened?"
As the strategist, Wu Jun was responsible for making plans and commanding his team’s movements when Hua Yuyu was not around.
At Hua Yuyu’s question, he calmly explained, "When we were nearing Shang Du City, more than forty assassins from the Xue Wu Gang blocked our path. As we expected, after last night’s encounter, they decided to eliminate us first before going after Miss Bai."
"Fortunately, we anticipated their plan and made enough preparation, so we managed to escape from their ambush. But since they failed this time, their next attempt will be even fiercer."
He paused briefly before adding, "Captain, tonight’s battle will be tough."
After listening to his report, Hua Yuyu pondered for a moment and then asked, "Have you prepared a strategy for tonight?"
"Yes." Wu Jun nodded, pulling his laptop from his backpack.
Once it booted up, he typed quickly, then turned the screen toward Hua Yuyu. "Captain, this is the escape route I have planned for Miss Bai."
Hearing this, Bai Hanyun realized what he meant. Frowning slightly, she asked, "What about you guys? Won’t you come with me?"
Wu Jun shook his head at her words and explained, "Based on the Xue Wu Gang’s recent moves, I predict their main target tonight will be us. Therefore, we will split into two teams."
"Miss Bai, you will leave secretly with Shengjie and Brother Zhuangyu, while the rest of us stay behind to draw their attention."
"That’s too dangerous," Bai Hanyun protested, her brow deeply furrowed.
At her words, Hua Yuyu reassured her, "Miss Bai, we have completed missions far more dangerous than this. Don’t worry about us. All you need to do is follow Zhuangyu’s instructions, and leave the rest to us."
Seeing the determination on their faces, Bai Hanyun fell silent. A moment later, she nodded. "Alright."
With her agreement, Wu Jun continued, "Shengjie, Brother Zhuangyu, since you are both non-combat specialists, you must avoid any direct confrontation at all costs."