Tokyo Knights: The Odd Jobs X Files

Li Xin felt somewhat ashamed. Was he really helping? He was just greedy for money.

"Don't mention it, I'm just doing this for money."

Li Xin said somewhat embarrassedly.

Uncle Yongshi smiled slightly and said nothing more, quietly driving the car into the underground parking lot of a building.

Led by a waiter, the three of them went down to the tenth basement level of the building. In front of a door, they were thoroughly scanned by some kind of instrument. Although Li Xin remained expressionless while being checked by the instrument, he was somewhat nervous inside.

The inspectors quickly finished checking Li Xin and then signaled that he could proceed.

Little Ai Niu○!

Li Xin gave a barely perceptible smile, which was noticed by Lai Sheng Lei. She smiled and said, "Ah Xin, did you think of something happy?"

Li Xin nodded slightly: "Yes."

Uncle Yongshi's gaze swept back and forth between Li Xin and Laisheng Rui. He had only heard that the three sisters had met a powerful helper, but now it seemed that it was more than just a simple "meeting".

As the butler of the Heinz family, Uncle Nagaishi, who raised the three sisters, can be considered their de facto parent. And every parent would likely have the same attitude towards a pig trying to steal their cabbage.

However, Uncle Yongshi was aware of his own position. He could offer some advice to Laisheng Lei, but he couldn't make decisions for her directly. So for now, he could only help Laisheng Lei observe Li Xin more closely to see if this pig was worthy of his beautiful cabbage.

"Sir, we have checked everything and you can pass now."

Seeing that Uncle Yongshi remained standing still after the inspection, the inspectors had no choice but to remind him.

"Oh, I'm sorry, that was rude of me."

Uncle Yongshi apologized to the inspector very politely, which made the inspector feel flattered - people who can come to this place are all rich and powerful, so who would be polite to an ordinary staff member like him?

After being checked, the three entered a place that resembled an opera house, except that this "opera house" had no ordinary audience seats, only layers upon layers of VIP seats.

Lai Sheng Lei, Li Xin, and Uncle Yong Shi arrived at a VIP section. Each VIP section had only one seat, which was naturally Lai Sheng Lei's seat. Li Xin and Uncle Yong Shi stood next to Lai Sheng Lei.

Once all the VIPs were seated, the curtain in front was slowly drawn back, revealing an oil painting hanging inside.

"This painting is..."

The auctioneer began to introduce the painting to the VIPs. After the introduction, the VIPs, who were seated in the high seats, began to bid. Before long, the painting was bid up to an extremely high price.

Upon hearing these asking prices of several million dollars, Li Xin couldn't help but exclaim, "Are these paintings really worth that much money?"

"Half and half."

"Later Tears" replied.

"Half and half? What does that mean?"

Li Xin asked in confusion.

"In many banks, artworks can be appraised and used as collateral through auction records. By purchasing artworks at auction for a large sum of money and then using them as collateral at the bank, one can obtain a loan of the corresponding amount."

Lai Sheng Lei explained to Li Xin.

What's the point of doing this?

Li Xin was even more puzzled. With the auction house taking a cut after the artwork changed hands so many times, and the bank certainly wouldn't provide a loan based on the full price of the artwork, but would definitely offer a discount, wouldn't that be a huge loss?

“Auction houses allow large cash transactions.”

"Tears of the Next Life," she said softly.

Oh, I see, it's used for money laundering.

Li Xin understood, and at the same time sighed, "Money laundering really is everywhere."

Lai Sheng Lei smiled slightly and said, "If the auction requires art transactions to be conducted via bank transfer, then I think the prices of these artworks will be halved."

After thinking for a moment, Lai Sheng Lei added, "It might be more than that."

In the art market, while some buyers may genuinely appreciate art and certain artworks may indeed possess high artistic value, in most cases, it is simply a business transaction, an investment.

Once Li Xin started treating art as a business, he quickly understood why these artworks could fetch such astronomical prices.

One painting after another was brought up for auction, and soon it came to lot number sixteen, which was immediately bid up to a price that Li Xin could hardly believe.

"Thirty million US dollars!"

But this figure only lasted a moment, almost immediately followed by a bid that surpassed thirty million US dollars.

"Thirty-one million US dollars!"

Are there more experts?

Li Xin was shocked. Even though he knew that these artworks could eventually be converted into cash, hearing such high prices one after another still left him somewhat dazed.

Is this money... still money?

Li Xin was puzzled.

Forty million US dollars!

Another price call that challenged Li Xin's understanding appeared, and the voice that shouted this price was extremely close to Li Xin; it was Lai Sheng Lei.

No, Xiao Lei, this is forty million US dollars, not forty million yen, and you're doing legitimate business, you don't need to launder money!

Seeing that the price of the Tears of the Afterlife was so high, Li Xin couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Lai Sheng Lei felt Li Xin's gaze, looked up at him and smiled slightly, indicating that Li Xin should not be in a hurry.

"Fifty million US dollars!"

A bombshell dropped: the bid of fifty million US dollars caused not only Li Xin to gasp in surprise, but also the other buyers at the auction.

Dude, with a price this high, aren't you really afraid of being stuck with it?

Fifty million US dollars—that price is almost enough to put it in the top ten highest auction prices for oil paintings worldwide. Even if these people treat buying and selling art as a business, they wouldn't dare to just take out such a large sum of money. After all, these paintings need a catalyst to sell. It could take six months to a year at the fastest, or even ten years at the slowest, before any sucker is willing to take them on. Such a huge financial burden is not something anyone can bear.

Even the auctioneer was taken aback by such an outrageous bid, but quickly recovered and, after three hammer blows, announced that Mr. Luca Rox had become the owner of the painting.

At this moment, Uncle Nagaishi, who had been silent all along, suddenly said, "Luca Rox II is a giant in the world shipping industry and a super-rich man. When he was young, he wanted to be a painter, but his dream was shattered, so he took pleasure in collecting artworks. From his youth to the present, his fervent love for art has never changed."

Lai Sheng Lei nodded slightly and said, "And Dad's painting 'Elegant Noval' is in his hands."

Uncle Nagaishi nodded: "Yes, Miss, but so far, no one knows where Luca Rox's vast art collection is located."

"Didn't you check his mansion and villa?"

Tears of the next life ask.

"I've checked, but I haven't found it."

Uncle Yongshi replied.

Other gold and silver jewelry would be fine, but paintings require regular maintenance and upkeep. Luca Rox's collection consisted of more than just one or two paintings, so he definitely needed a dedicated team to maintain and care for his valuable collection. Based on this, it becomes clear that Luca Rox's mansion and villa did not store his collection.

"Is that so? Then it seems we have no choice but to let him take us to his treasure vault."

Lai Sheng Lei smiled slightly, appearing very confident.

Chapter 84 ○○ gave it a thumbs up

As the auction ended and the guests began to leave, the wealthy Luca Rox, who had spent a fortune to buy the painting, was no exception.

"Mr. Luca Rox, please wait!"

A voice called out to Luca Rox. He turned around casually, but his eyes lit up when he saw who it was, and he couldn't help but show an admiring look.

The person who called out to Luca Rox was none other than Rui Kisaki. She gracefully approached Luca Rox, bowed to him first, and then smiled and said, "Thank you for staying, Luca Rox. May I trouble you for a few minutes?"

"of course can."

Luca Rox looked pleased.

This Luca Rox was a middle-aged man in his fifties with a clean and tidy beard. Although he was a very wealthy man, his clothes were not flashy or ostentatious, but rather very understated. Of course, all the clothes he wore were custom-made by famous designers, and their prices were anything but understated.

Lai Sheng Rui smiled slightly and said to Luca Rox, "Please allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Hoshino Eriko, and I am an art dealer."

Luca Rox seemed to remember something and said to Laisheng Rui, "Oh, I remember now, you're the lady who asked for forty million dollars before, right? Your voice is charming, I remembered it immediately. However, I won't part with that painting, so please give up on that idea."

Lai Sheng Lei smiled and nodded: "Mr. Luca Rox is too kind. As for the painting you mentioned... Mr. Luca Rox, I am an art dealer. My job is to find people who can appreciate paintings. The fact that the painting has become part of Luca Rox's collection means that it has found its home. I naturally won't do anything unnecessary."

"Then why did you come to me?"

"Luca Rox asked."

"I've heard that Mr. Luca Rox is interested in paintings like 'ukiyo-e'. I have a painting of a succubus in my possession. I wonder if Mr. Luca Rox would be interested?"

Lai Shengrui looked directly at Luca Rox.

"The Nightmare? You mean that dreamlike ukiyo-e master, the Nightmare? Of course I'd love to have his paintings. Are you willing to transfer them to me?"

Luca Rox said happily.

Lai Sheng Lei smiled and said, "That's right, one million US dollars. That price shouldn't be much for Mr. Luca Rox, right?"

Luca Rox laughed and said, "Of course, shall we go pick up the painting now?"

Lai Sheng Lei said, "Meeting Mr. Luca Rox this time was completely unexpected, so I wasn't prepared. How about tomorrow night?"

Luca Rox nodded and said, "It's a bit of a shame that we can't have the Nightmare Master's painting right away, but... well, let's do it tomorrow then."

Lai Sheng Lei took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Luca Rox, then said, "Tomorrow night, Luca Rox can contact me when he's ready. I'll be waiting for you."

Luca Rox took the business card but didn't put it away. Instead, he looked at Li Xin behind Kisaki Rui and asked, "Ms. Hoshino, who is this young man behind you...?"

"This is my bodyguard."

Lai Sheng Lei smiled and said, "I am a woman, and I am a little scared to be in a place with so many men, so I had to ask my butler and bodyguards to bolster my courage. Mr. Luca Rox, is there any problem?"

"There's no problem, it's just... um..."

Luca Rox stroked his chin and asked Kisugi Rui, "Miss Hoshino, will your bodyguard be present at the transaction tomorrow?"

Lai Sheng Rui was a little puzzled as to why Luca Rox would have such a question, but in order not to arouse his suspicion, she said, "Of course not. How could such an important person as Mr. Luca Rox make things difficult for a weak woman like me? I have complete confidence in Luca Rox."

Luca Rox laughed and said, "You absolutely have to be there, I'd be very happy if you were."

What kind of logic is that?

Lai Shengrui had some doubts in her heart. Could it be that this Luca Rox was gay?

Luca Rox accepted the business card from the man who would later give him tears, and left with a smile.

Lai Sheng Lei looked at Li Xin and said to him, "Ah Xin, it seems I'll have to trouble you again tomorrow night."

Li Xin nodded and said, "No problem."

In fact, even if Lai Sheng Lei hadn't said anything, he had planned to volunteer himself.

After practicing the Mingyu Gong, Li Xin's senses became exceptionally sharp. He clearly felt that although Luca Rox ultimately required him to be present, his attention never left Lai Shenglei for a single moment.

And the look in his eyes when he gazed at Lai Sheng Lei wasn't the greedy look a man has for a beautiful woman; rather, it was more like... more like...

Li Xin couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he just felt that this person was problematic and dangerous.

Looking at the two who seemed to have a great understanding with each other, Uncle Yongshi felt that his family's cabbage was in a precarious situation.

....................................

The following evening, in an art gallery, Luca Rox looked at a huge ukiyo-e print with a look of surprise on his face.

"It's a perfect painting, I love it!"

Luca Rox looked fascinated, while Li Xin, standing beside him, looked extremely uncomfortable as he examined the ukiyo-e print titled "Hell."

Even with Li Xin's amateur perspective, he could tell that this was an extremely impressive painting because it was so immersive.

The hideous demons are devouring humans, and the mountains of knives are piercing people's bodies. The painful struggle is just like hell.

If you showed this painting to a child, it might scare them to tears. However, Li Xin simply couldn't appreciate this kind of painting.

In stark contrast to Li Xin, the wealthy Luca Rox was extremely satisfied with the painting, praising it highly. He snapped his fingers, and a subordinate came over carrying a box. When the box was opened, it was full of US dollars.

"Here is one million US dollars. Please check it."

Luca Rox wept for the next life.

Uncle Yongshi stepped forward to check and quickly nodded, saying, "The number is correct."

Lai Sheng Rui also smiled and said, "It's truly delightful to do business with a collaborator like Mr. Luca Rox!"

Luca Rox smiled and said, "Now that we've had such a pleasant collaboration, how about we have a drink together?"

“That would be great. I look forward to working with Mr. Luca Rox again.”