After being reborn, I refused to be a sucker, and my whole family was dumbfounded.

Chapter 668

After hanging up the phone, Song Luoling collapsed onto the sofa.

Her face was pale, her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, and her back was soaked with sweat.

Seeing this, Lu Yi quickly went to her side and hugged her tightly.

"Honey, are you okay?"

Lu Yi asked with concern.

Song Luoling shook her head, trying to calm her breathing.

She held Lu Yi's hand tightly: "I'm fine, I'm just... just a little scared."

Lu Yi gently stroked her hair and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here, I will protect you."

Song Luoling was under tremendous pressure all along.

Lu Yi hated himself for not being able to protect her, for letting her be hurt time and time again.

"Honey, can we really get rid of them?"

Song Luoling raised her head, looked into Lu Yi's eyes, and felt somewhat uneasy.

Lu Yi nodded: "We must trust President Lin. As long as we act according to President Lin's plan, we will definitely make the Shi brothers pay the price!"

Looking at Lu Yi, Song Luoling's fear gradually subsided.

"Well, husband, I believe you."

Song Luoling rested her head on Lu Yi's shoulder and said softly.

The next day, the sun shone brightly and a gentle breeze blew.

The square in front of the Shi family villa was brightly decorated and bustling with activity.

Luxury cars slowly drove in, and well-dressed guests stepped out one after another, exchanging pleasantries.

This banquet, organized by the Shi family, was unprecedented in scale, and almost all the prominent figures in Nanzhou were invited to attend.

Inside the banquet hall, the dazzling crystal chandelier illuminated the entire hall with a golden glow.

The elegant long table was laden with all sorts of delicious food and wine, making one's mouth water.

Shi Gandang, as the host, stood at the door to greet the guests, dressed in a sharp, custom-made suit.

With a smile on his face, he shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with each guest present, displaying the demeanor and poise of a true host.

"Mr. Li, welcome, welcome!"

"Mr. Zhang, long time no see! How's business lately?"

Shi Ganxian sat in a corner of the banquet hall, quietly observing everything.

Those so-called celebrities and gentlemen, all impeccably dressed and chatting amiably, were actually each harboring their own ulterior motives.

"These hypocrites, all of them, are trying to profit from our Shi family!"

Shi Ganxian muttered to himself, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

This banquet, ostensibly a charity auction, was actually orchestrated by Director Wang of the Land Resources Bureau to pave the way for his own wealth accumulation through the Shi family.

The economic development zone in the northern suburbs of the city has long been considered by these powerful and wealthy individuals as their own.

This auction was merely a formality, a way to present the distribution of profits in a seemingly reasonable manner.

A woman dressed in an elegant cheongsam, holding a glass of red wine, slowly walked to a middle-aged man in a suit and gently touched his arm.

"Mr. Wang, I heard that you're determined to get that piece of land in the northern suburbs this time?"

The woman lowered her voice and asked with a hint of probing.

The man smiled slightly, but instead of answering directly, he asked, "Madam Zhao, aren't you interested in that piece of land?"

Mrs. Zhao gently swirled the wine in her glass, the red liquid reflecting a captivating luster under the light.

“I’m just a woman, how would I know about these things? But I did hear that there will be a Qing Dynasty jade ruyi at this auction, Mr. Wang, please keep an eye out for it for me.”

Mr. Wang laughed and patted Mrs. Zhao's hand: "Don't worry, Mrs. Zhao, as long as you like it, I will definitely help you win the bid."

The two exchanged knowing smiles, everything understood without a word.

Not far away, several entrepreneurs from Nanzhou were gathered together, talking quietly.

"I heard that the Shi family has really gone all out this time to acquire a piece of land."

"The Shi family is nothing compared to the Lu family, who are truly wealthy and powerful. I heard they've already spoken to Director Wang and are planning to acquire at least two plots of land this time."

"Two plots of land? How much would that cost?"

The younger man asked in surprise.

"Hmph, what's so special about that? Do you know the rules? If you spend ten million to buy an antique, Director Wang will get a million in kickbacks, and then, naturally, he'll allocate an acre of land to your family. This deal is a sure thing!"

The short, stout man explained smugly.