The Beautiful CEO’s Dragon Blood Bodyguard
Chapter 340: The Hegemon of Qingdong

Chapter 340: Chapter 340: The Hegemon of Qingdong

Long Fei and An Xiaoke entered the city and didn’t rush to visit Hundred Herbs Hall; instead, they checked into a five-star hotel.

The ancients often said, "It’s easy to switch from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality."

Long Fei deeply understood this; ever since he had stayed in the presidential suite, now when he comes out, he simply cannot look down on other rooms.

It’s like having slept with a stunning beauty, and then being given an average woman—utterly tasteless indeed!

The hotel was by the seashore and also a tourist spot.

An Xiaoke had originally planned to book two separate rooms, but when she saw that one night cost 18,888, she finally decided to save some money and squeeze in with Long Fei.

The presidential suite had two bedrooms.

In fact, there wasn’t any squeezing necessary at all, it was just that she felt somewhat uncomfortable staying alone with a man.

After sorting out these matters, the two of them went to Hundred Herbs Hall.

In this way, even if Young Master Zheng traced them here, he wouldn’t involve the local Hundred Herbs Hall.

The store manager, as soon as he saw the young lady come in, personally served tea and water and ushered them to sit in the main hall.

An Xiaoke asked him, "Uncle Wang, we would like to attend the Ginseng King auction tonight. Do you have a way to get us in?"

The store manager was named Wang Quan, and he was a disciple of An Taiyan.

He furrowed his brows and asked An Xiaoke, "Young lady, how did you come to know of this event?"

"I heard about it on the train."

An Xiaoke took a sip of her tea and calmly stated.

"No wonder!"

Wang Quan muttered to himself, then looking at Long Fei, he clasped his fists and said, "May I ask who this gentleman is?"

An Xiaoke originally wanted to introduce him as her grandfather’s master, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it and simply stated that Long Fei was a friend of hers, accompanying her to get familiar with the local herbal medicine market.

Wang Quan said, "That makes it difficult, I only have one spot available. Since the young lady wants to go, I’ll give it to you!"

Since Long Fei wasn’t any important figure, he didn’t bother to go out of his way to ask for favors.

He also wanted to broaden his horizons at this Ginseng King auction, so he hadn’t even informed his master about it.

Now that An Xiaoke had learned of this event, he had to reluctantly part with the opportunity and give it to her.

Long Fei and An Xiaoke exchanged glances, and looking at Wang Quan, asked curiously, "Is it so difficult to get a spot for the auction? Can’t you get in if you have money?"

Wang Quan replied, "Of course, you can get in with money, but you must first verify your assets. Anyone with less than a billion has no qualification to attend."

An Xiaoke was astonished and exclaimed, "Goodness, are they trying to rob people with that ginseng?"

Wang Quan gave a bitter smile, "Young lady, you still don’t understand our line of work. These Ginsengs, Deer Antler Velvets, Snow Lotuses, and such, they’ve always been scarce. Not to mention a two-hundred-year-old Wild Mountain Ginseng. This stuff isn’t something that just anyone can enjoy."

An Xiaoke took a deep breath and glanced at Long Fei.

Long Fei spoke calmly, "A gentleman doesn’t take what is beloved by others. Since Manager Wang only has one spot, let’s find another way!"

A thrill ran through Wang Quan’s heart, thinking that this young man indeed understood some principles.

He asked Wang Quan, "Do you know the Zheng Family from Qingdong City?"

"The Zheng Family?"

Wang Quan’s eyes widened with recognition as he nodded vigorously, "Of course, I know them. Who in Qingdong City doesn’t know about the Zheng Family?"

An Xiaoke was anxious and pressed, "Then tell us quickly—how powerful is this Zheng Family here?"

Wang Quan explained, "Of course they’re powerful. The Zheng Family is the top power here. Just like Binhai City, Qingdong City is also a major port city. The Zheng Family is in the port trading business, with a legitimate shipping company publicly, and they engage in smuggling all kinds of things in the shadows. Their assets are at least over ten billion. It is said that their ancestors were cousins with Zheng Chenggong, and they have the blood of pirates in their bones. In our Qingdong City, no one dares to provoke them."

He spoke with such zeal, as if he witnessed it all with his own eyes.

Wang Quan took a sip of tea and asked curiously, "Why do you ask?"

An Xiaoke chuckled dryly, a bit embarrassed, "Nothing much, we just happened to beat up Young Master Zheng on the train!"

Wang Quan spit out his tea, nearly choking to death.

He glared with wide eyes and muttered, "Miss, you’re not pulling my leg, are you?"

An Xiaoke shrugged her shoulders, "Do I have a habit of joking?"

Wang Quan was close to tears as he asked her, "Which Young Master are you talking about?"

An Xiaoke replied, "He said his name was Zheng Bin, really ill-mannered. Taking off his shoes in public was one thing, but he also verbally harassed me. I’m not sure if he’s from the Zheng family."

Upon hearing that, Wang Quan confirmed, "No need to think further, it’s definitely him."

"Why?"

An Xiaoke asked, curious and frowning.

Wang Quan explained, "Because Zheng Bin is notoriously ill-mannered and lecherous, always harassing women when he has nothing better to do."

An Xiaoke and Long Fei both laughed at his words.

Wang Quan, sweating nervously, stood up and called out to them, "Young Miss, how can you still laugh? I’m going to send someone to take you back to Binhai City right away. If we leave late, I bet every exit will be blocked by them."

"Really?"

An Xiaoke clicked her tongue in disbelief.

Wang Quan exclaimed, "Of course! An important merchant, who had a big reputation in South Yangtze, offended Zheng Bin at a club. When he tried to flee that night, all the city exits were blocked by the Zheng family’s men. The guy ended up with broken legs, and it cost him millions to settle the matter."

"Doesn’t anyone care?"

An Xiaoke was incredulous.

Wang Quan shouted, "They’re rich and powerful, have connections in both shady and legitimate circles, who would want to mess with them? Even if someone did intervene, it would most likely just end with a payoff. In Qingdong City, they are essentially ’the’ power below the surface."

He gave a thumbs up, then urgently said to An Xiaoke and Long Fei, "Let’s not talk anymore. Come with me, we’re leaving the city right now."

An Xiaoke glanced at Long Fei, who was calmly sipping his tea, showing no signs of nervousness.

He said to Wang Quan, "Ms. An is under my protection, you needn’t worry. All you need to tell us is where the auction is taking place."

"Is that okay?"

Wang Quan frowned, thinking if anything happened to An Xiaoke, he could kiss his manager job goodbye.

An Xiaoke wasn’t one for thrills, but now she had this inexplicable desire to stick with Long Fei.

She reassured Wang Quan, "Uncle Wang, just pretend we were never here. You won’t be held responsible if anything happens."

That said, Wang Quan remained concerned.

He was about to advise further, but An Xiaoke stood up decisively, signaling she was ready to leave.

Wang Quan, left with no choice, agreed, "Fine, since the Young Miss is insistent on staying, I won’t force you. However, you must promise me to stay by my side from now on. I’ve been a doctor in Qingdong City for many years and have some clout. In case of trouble, at least I can handle it to some extent."

"Agreed!"

Long Fei didn’t want to argue about these matters and nodded in agreement.

He called a clerk to drive the bakery’s van, taking the two to the auction venue.

He was actually curious to see how much money Long Fei had and if he dared to undergo a financial verification.

If the young man couldn’t get inside and lost face, he would naturally obediently return to Binhai City.

What he worried about the most now was the fear of Zheng Bin also attending the auction.

If they encountered each other there, it would certainly be entertaining.