The heavens set sail from the courtyard

While Xu Zhisen and Mi Lixiong exchanged pleasantries, Lu Tao seemed a little awkward, especially when facing Mi Lai. Lu Tao always felt guilty, unsure whether to leave or stay.

"Mi Lai, long time no see. I heard you're going to study in the United States." After thinking for a long time, Lu Tao finally mustered up the courage to run over and greet Mi Lai.

"Lu Tao," Mi Lai replied casually, her right hand unconsciously linking with Wang Gang's arm.

When Lu Tao saw Mi Lai's actions, his pupils contracted involuntarily, and his gaze towards Wang Gang became increasingly hostile.

Wang Gang smirked and said, "Lu Tao, I heard your adoptive father has been suspended from his job and is under investigation. Are you alright?"

Lu Tao clenched his fists, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

"Gao Qiang, stop gloating."

"Lu Tao, are you mentally unstable? Can't you understand what's good and bad? When have I ever been gloating? I'm just concerned about Uncle Lu!" Wang Gang sneered.

"Lu Tao, don't be unreasonable." Mi Lai stared at Lu Tao with an unfriendly expression.

Lu Tao opened his mouth, feeling a dryness in his throat.

"Mi Lai, don't be fooled by Gao Qiang. He has ulterior motives in approaching you," Lu Tao said anxiously.

"Hmph! My affairs are none of your business." Mi Lai said unappreciatively, "I know Gao Qiang better than anyone else what kind of person he is."

Seeing Mi Lai's "stubborn" attitude, Lu Tao felt a pang of heartache.

Mi Lai tugged at Wang Gang's arm and said, "Let's go over there! I don't want to talk to people I hate."

Wang Gang laughed and said, "Okay, let's go get some drinks."

After saying that, Wang Gang took Mi Lai's arm and left, completely ignoring Lu Tao's liver-colored face.

The organizers at the club prepared bottled water, and Wang Gang gave Mi Lai a bottle.

Mi Lai took two big gulps to calm down her anger.

"I'm not angry anymore," Wang Gang said with a smile.

“I can’t stand hearing Lu Tao say anything bad about you,” Mi Lai said coldly.

"Now you know how good I am!" Wang Gang joked.

Mi Lai pouted and said, "I was blinded by a ghost before, okay!"

Wang Gang smiled but didn't say anything.

In the past, Mi Lai only thought that Lu Tao was the best and most outstanding person in the world, and that no one could compare to him.

But the more Mi Lai interacted with Wang Gang, the more she realized that Lu Tao was all show and no substance.

Without those two fathers, Lu Tao would be nothing at all, and he might still be a loser who can't find a job.

On the contrary, although Wang Gang did not get his degree and almost did not graduate, he earned hundreds of millions of dollars through his own abilities, which makes him a truly remarkable man.

As Mi Lai spent more time with Wang Gang, she appreciated his good qualities more and more. Looking back at other men, she naturally couldn't compare.

“Lu Tao’s father is probably a formidable opponent in this land auction,” Wang Gang reminded Mi Lai.

“Xu Zhisen wants to compete with us for the same piece of land?!” Mi Lai asked in surprise.

"It should be right. Of all the locations where the bidding started this time, the Ossie area has the best location, so naturally it's attracted a lot of attention," Wang Gang said.
"Xu Zhisen has always wanted to cooperate with the Liu family because he is interested in the land in Ossie."

Anyone with a keen eye in the capital's business district knows that property prices will inevitably rise after the Olympics, and they all want a piece of the pie.

But land is limited, and there are only so many good locations. Manny's father had a keen eye and bought the best piece of land several years ago, but he has been holding onto it without developing it, waiting for this day.

With the passing of Manny's father, many people have set their sights on Liu's company, including Xu Zhisen.

However, with Wang Gang's investment in Liu's company, and Mi Lixiong's explicit commitment to cooperating with Liu's company in real estate development, many ill-intentioned people backed down.

Xu Zhisen was different from those people. He was an outsider with shallow roots in the capital. The best way for him to gain a foothold was to cooperate with the local bigwigs.

The land being auctioned today is the stepping stone for Xu Zhisen to seek cooperation.

That piece of land is closely connected to the land owned by the Liu family, and its location is excellent. If Xu Zhisen can acquire it, he can then negotiate with the Liu family.

Even if they can't reach an agreement in the end, developing it themselves will still be extremely profitable. Xu Zhisen will also have the resources to negotiate a loan with the bank. Once the loan is secured and the project starts, even if Xu Zhisen dies, Lu Tao will have no worries.

Xu Zhisen is now racing against his illness, making the most of every moment and resource to pave the way for his son, Lu Tao.

Therefore, he was determined to win this land auction. Wang Gang guessed Xu Zhisen's intentions and was no longer in a hurry.

"When the auction starts, you'll be the one to raise your paddle," Wang Gang said with a wicked grin, handing the number paddle to Mi Lai.

Miley was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What do you want to do?"

Wang Gang laughed and said, "You've never tried holding up a sign before! This is the perfect opportunity for you to have some fun."

Miley asked suspiciously, "I always feel like you're up to no good."

Wang Gang leaned close to Mi Lai and whispered a few words. The next moment, a wicked smile appeared on Mi Lai's face.

When Mi Lixiong returned after exchanging pleasantries with Xu Zhisen, he saw the expression on his daughter's face and felt a chill run down his spine, causing him to shiver.

As the time for the land auction drew near, everyone took their seats in the main hall. Xu Zhisen and Lu Tao sat not far to the right of Wang Gang.

Lu Tao turned around and glared fiercely at Wang Gang.

Wang Gang ignored Lu Tao, thinking to himself that Lu Tao would be crying later.

The land auction officially began, and the first plots to be auctioned were all in relatively remote locations and were small in size. Everyone was not very enthusiastic, except for Milai, who had never done it before. She tried to raise her paddle and bid, and had a lot of fun.

Most people at the scene knew Mi Lixiong and treated Mi Lai as their playful niece, so they let her do whatever she wanted.

Wang Gang took a fancy to a relatively small plot of land and asked Mi Lai to bid. Unexpectedly, Lu Tao followed suit and raised the original reserve price of 300 million to more than 500 million.

In the end, even Mi Lai became a little scared and dared not raise her sign anymore, growing increasingly disgusted with Lu Tao.

"Hmph, we didn't provoke him, yet he's targeting us." Milai angrily slapped her leg.

Wang Gang laughed and said, "Lu Tao is targeting me, it has nothing to do with you."

Mi Lixiong frowned and asked, "Gao Qiang, what is the Liu family's budget for that piece of land in Ossie?"

Wang Gang pondered for a moment and said, "Ten billion, anything over ten billion is fine."

Mi Lixiong gritted his teeth and said, "Xu Zhisen is clearly targeting us. I'm afraid 1 billion won't be enough."

Wang Gang laughed and said, "If he wants it, just let him have it."

Mili Xiong was taken aback and asked in surprise, "You gave up? That's why you bid for that plot of land in a remote location."

Wang Gang shook his head and said, "Everyone knows that land in Ossie is a golden goose that lays golden eggs, and the competition is fierce. Although the Liu family is not under much pressure in terms of cash flow now, there is no need to gamble everything. Although a more remote location may earn less, the land is cheaper!"

Mili Xiong nodded and said, "It's best if you think that way. I was worried that you might fight with Xu Zhisen and Lu Tao to the death because of a moment of anger."

“We must fight for it; it’s only polite to reciprocate,” Wang Gang sneered.

Ossie's land was soon brought out as the grand finale, and everyone's eyes lit up when the auctioneer took out the map.

The auctioneer first introduced the location and size, and then began bidding.

"The starting price for this land is 680 million, and each bid must not be lower than..."

Before the words were even finished, someone had already raised a sign.

"Seven billion!"

Once one person started, signs were quickly raised one after another.

"Seven hundred and ten million."

"Seven hundred and fifty million."

"A billion."

The price soared to one billion in just a few minutes. Xu Zhisen and Wang Gang did not make a move and remained on the sidelines. Mi Lixiong had completely given up and was sitting on the sidelines watching the show.

Finally, when the price reached 1.15 billion, the number of people raising their paddles instantly decreased by 90%, and Lu Tao raised his paddle for the first time.

"1.16 billion".

Wang Gang gently patted the back of Mi Lai's hand.

"1.2 billion." Miley instinctively raised her sign.

"Milai, what are you doing?" Mili Xiong's eyes widened. (End of Chapter)