544: Chapter 539 Did they install a tracking device on me?

She quickly withdrew her gaze.

She deeply suppressed the inappropriate emotion.

She was his subordinate.

Nothing more.

The two-and-a-half-hour flight passed in a flash.

The plane began its descent.

Outside the cabin window, a stretch of azure sea appeared.

Emerald-like islands were scattered across the ocean surface.

In the distance lay the world-famous concrete jungle composed of countless skyscrapers.

Hong Kong City had arrived.

The plane taxied to a stop.

The black Alphard, which had been waiting on the tarmac, carried the two of them into the city's traffic flow.

The vehicle crossed the cross-sea bridge.

The dazzling scenery of Victoria Harbour unfolded outside the car window.

Wu Ya looked out the window and said softly,

"It's a beautiful city."

Shen Yan did not look at the scenery.

He put down the tablet in his hand and rubbed his temples.

"No matter how beautiful a city is, it still abides by the most savage law of the jungle,"

he stated plainly.

"Prey and hunter."

Wu Ya's heart tightened.

She knew Shen Yan had entered the zone.

A new hunt was about to begin.

The black Alphard, like a drop of ink, silently merged into Hong Kong City's twilight traffic.

The doorman at the Peninsula Hotel opened the car door, and a warm breeze carrying the scent of the ocean rushed toward them.

Wu Ya followed Shen Yan to check in.

When the front desk manager saw the black and gold card, he bowed slightly, his attitude becoming even more respectful.

Two room keys, presented in exquisite leather holders, were handed over.

"Mr. Shen, your Victoria Harbour Panoramic Suite is ready."

The elevator ascended smoothly.

Wu Ya watched the changing numbers, mentally calculating the upcoming work schedule.

The suite door opened.

Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows was the dazzling night view of the entire Victoria Harbour.

The lights had just come on, city neon interwoven with starlight, like a galaxy poured down upon the mortal world.

Wu Ya did not let herself be distracted by the view.

She put down her luggage, took out her laptop from her carry-on briefcase, and began setting up a temporary communications hub at the desk in the living room.

Shen Yan took off his suit jacket and casually draped it over the armrest of the sofa.

He walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself half a glass of whiskey, but did not drink it.

He walked to the window and looked down at the colorful lights below.

The heartbeat of this city seemed irrelevant to him.

He took out his phone and scrolled through his contacts to find a number.

It was Ning Ke.

He dialed the number.

After a few rings, a voice with a hint of flippant amusement came through,

"Oh, Boss Shen, what made you think of calling me? Did the sun rise in the west?"

"Are you in Hong Kong City?" Shen Yan got straight to the point.

The person on the other end clearly paused for a moment, then chuckled,

"Mr. Shen's intelligence network is quite efficient. I just landed, and your call follows right behind. What, did you put a GPS tracker on me?"

"Your sister's birthday is next Wednesday,"

Shen Yan's voice was steady.

"Every year around this time, you come to Hong Kong City to pick out a gift for her."

"Jewelry."

Ning Ke let out a dry laugh on the other end.

"Alright, you win. You've figured out all my secrets."

"Spit it out, what do you need me for? Don't tell me you're also here to pick a gift for my sister."

Shen Yan swirled the amber liquid in his glass.

"I need an invitation."

"What invitation?"

"The bankruptcy auction for Victoria Jewelry."

Ning Ke's voice took on a playful tone.

"Victoria? That mess belonging to the He Family? Shen Yan, since when did you become interested in such an outdated jewelry brand?"

"I remember you mostly let your sister and future sister-in-law pick out their own jewelry."

"Do me a favor,"

Shen Yan did not answer his question.

"With your connections as Young Master Ning, getting an invitation in Hong Kong City shouldn't be difficult."

Ning Ke was silent for a few seconds.

"It's not difficult. But why should I help you?"

"That piece by Zhang Daqian, 'Lone Fisherman in the Mountains and Rivers,' that I mentioned to you last time, is in my possession."

The breathing on the other end instantly deepened.

Ning Ke was a broker, but a refined one.

He cared little for gold and silver, only loving antiques and calligraphy.

"...Really?"

"Four o'clock this afternoon, Hong Kong Jockey Club. I'll give it to you,"

Shen Yan stated the time and location.

"Deal!" Ning Ke's voice immediately became brisk.

"I'll send the invitation over. But speaking of which, don't stir up trouble in this small pond of Hong Kong City, you great Buddha."

"We'll see."

Shen Yan hung up the phone.

He downed the whiskey in his glass.

The spicy liquid slid down his throat, but his gaze remained cold.

Three-thirty in the afternoon.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

This was the true arena of fame and fortune in Hong Kong City, where members were either extremely wealthy or highly influential.

Shen Yan sat down at a window-side booth.

He hadn't brought Wu Ya, only a long, brocade box.

Four o'clock sharp.

Ning Ke's figure appeared punctually.

He was wearing a light beige linen casual suit, his hair meticulously combed, and a Patek Philippe watch on his wrist. The man exuded a carefully cultivated air of nobility.

"Boss Shen, sorry to keep you waiting."

Ning Ke sat down opposite Shen Yan with a smile.

He glanced at the brocade box on the table, a flicker of eagerness crossing his eyes, but he didn't touch it immediately.

"You really know how to keep me in suspense. You know my old man loves Zhang Daqian's splash-ink landscapes."

A waiter came over to take their order.

Shen Yan only asked for a glass of plain water.

Ning Ke skillfully ordered a pot of top-grade Pu'er tea.

"Tell me, you, who deals in high technology, why are you suddenly interested in a jewelry auction?"

Ning Ke picked up his teacup and blew on the steam.

"Your Stellaris Tech is currently making waves. You just poached the crown prince of the Vance Group. The entire Silicon Valley is talking about you now."

"Acquiring a jewelry brand doesn't seem to fit into your future plans, does it?"

Shen Yan pushed the brocade box over.

"Take a look."

Ning Ke set down his teacup and carefully opened the brocade box.

The moment the scroll unfurled, the unique ink charm and majestic momentum made his eyes light up.

"A masterpiece, truly a masterpiece!"

He exclaimed, lightly tracing the edge of the scroll with his finger, completely captivated.

Shen Yan picked up his water glass and took a sip.

"The item is genuine."

"Of course I know it's real,"

Ning Ke looked up and pushed a gold-embossed envelope toward Shen Yan.

"Here is your invitation."

Shen Yan took the envelope but did not open it.

Ning Ke carefully put away the painting and looked back at Shen Yan, his expression becoming somewhat serious.

"Shen Yan, we are friends, so let me give you some friendly advice."

"The He Family's situation is very murky. Internally, they fight like bickering crows, and several uncles are eager to sell the brand quickly and divide the money."

"That He Wanqing is the only backbone of the He Family, and she has a notoriously fierce temper. She won't yield to anyone, nor will she give face to anyone."

"Several capital groups in Hong Kong City want to buy low, but they all hit a wall with her."

Shen Yan listened quietly, offering no comment.