Forced to Marry a Female Billionaire CEO-Chapter 560

Everyone turned to look at Xie Jiancheng, who had just spoken.

Xie Jiancheng said with a smile, "Now that the auction has concluded, I imagine you all will be returning to Tianhai. As your host, it is only right that I do my part and show some proper hospitality."

These words were directed at Shi Hongda, the Yin-Yang Elders, and Xu Ke. He had actually wanted to extend the invitation to Tang Yingchang as well, but unfortunately, Xu Ke hadn't brought him along.

"Thank you, Mister Xie."

For once, Xu Ke and Shi Hongda's group were in rare agreement. They raised their glasses and clinked them with Xie Jiancheng's.

After the toast, the faces of Shi Hongda and the Yin-Yang Elders soured. Xu Ke, however, just grinned and said, "It's rare for us to drink together. Don't wear such long faces. Cheer up."

Shi Hongda snorted. "You have no respect for your elders!"

"It's not the first day you've known me," Xu Ke retorted, tipping his head back and downing the drink in one go.

Shi Hongda and the Yin-Yang Elders glared at Xu Ke. They seemed to want to say something, but after a moment of hesitation, they shut their mouths and drank as well. There was no point in arguing with him; it was better to just drink in silence.

Seeing three powerful, long-established experts like Shi Hongda's group rendered speechless and sullen by Xu Ke made Bai Lejing cringe. Barring a direct conflict of interest, one was expected to treat a powerhouse of Shi Hongda's caliber with the utmost respect. Offending them was simply not an option. And yet, Xu Ke treated them so dismissively, and they dared not say a word in protest…

Just how terrifying must the power behind Xu Ke be?

Xie Jiancheng, on the other hand, wore a knowing smile.

Just as I thought. With that person backing him, it's perfectly normal for Xu Ke to be so "arrogant."

After the four visitors from outside the city finished their drinks, Xie Jiancheng said, "Besides seeing off the four of you today, we are also sending off three young talents from the Northern Dragon Guard."

"Sending them off?" Shi Hongda and the Yin-Yang Elders were the only ones who knew nothing about this, and they were taken aback.

Although Xu Ke knew exactly what was happening, he feigned ignorance, asking in surprise, "Where to?"

Seeing Xu Ke act this way, Duan Zhuo'e and Bai Qian'er were left speechless.

Don't you already know everything? You're acting even more clueless than Shi Hongda and his men!

Bai Lejing smiled slightly. "As it happens, they are going to the same place as you: Tianhai! They will be staying in Tianhai for a while, so I hope the Qin, Huang, and Wang Families can look out for them."

This was clearly a father trying to find powerful patrons for his daughter.

"Why?" Shi Hongda exclaimed in astonishment. People from the Northern Dragon Guard were coming to Tianhai? What for?

"Elder Shi, Madame Yu has given us a task. Our mission is to locate a lost Seasoned Envoy Pass. If you or your family happen to see it, we hope you can notify us," Bai Qian'er said to Shi Hongda, her tone respectful.

The expressions on the faces of Shi Hongda and the Yin-Yang Elders changed instantly. "How did the Seasoned Envoy Pass go missing?"

"Isn't that something Madame Yu always wears on her person?" Just as Chen Xiong had known the pass was something Madame Yu personally wore after Xia Wenfeng revealed the mission, the trio naturally knew as well.

However, what made Duan Zhuo'e's lip twitch was Xu Ke also crying out in alarm, "What happened? How could something so important have been lost? Did Madame Yu run into trouble on her way back from Tianhai?"

Before Bai Qian'er could respond, Shi Hongda cut in sharply. "Enough with the 'Madame Yu' this and 'Madame Yu' that. Are you two so close? You're nothing but a failure who was eliminated by the Northern Dragon Guard."

Finally finding Xu Ke's sore spot, Shi Hongda mocked him mercilessly. So what if Xu Ke was influential in Tianhai? He had still been summoned and then discarded by Ki Qinyin on a whim. His failure to enter the Northern Dragon Guard was now the biggest joke among their three families.

Xu Ke raised an eyebrow. "Are we talking about me now? Can't you even figure out what's important, old man? Is derailing the conversation with nonsense all you're good for?"

Most people present were either on good terms with him or were his enemies, so he didn't mince words and attacked Shi Hongda openly.

"What did you say?" Shi Hongda's eyes bulged with rage.

Fang Caizhe saw his chance and was about to join Shi Hongda in mocking Xu Ke. However, Bai Qian'er seemed to sense his intention and shot him a glare. Fang Caizhe instantly clamped his mouth shut, feeling extremely aggrieved.

"Gentlemen, please, calm down." At this, Bai Lejing stepped in, forcing a smile to play peacemaker. "We are indeed discussing the matter of the Seasoned Envoy Pass. It has nothing to do with Mister Xu."

Hearing this only made Shi Hongda want to curse. Bai Lejing was supposedly mediating, but his words were clearly siding with Xu Ke and putting him down...

"Alright, Elder Shi is just a bit hot-tempered. I don't blame him."

What made Shi Hongda nearly jump up in fury was Xu Ke adding that sentence.

"First you take the advantage, then you pretend to be magnanimous?!" the Yin-Yang Elders said in unison through gritted teeth.

Xu Ke simply waved a hand. "Let's get back to business."

At this point, the faces of the three old men were nearly as dark as Master Jintong's.

Meanwhile, Xie Jiancheng paid no mind to their bickering, lost in his own thoughts.

Eliminate Xu Ke? Could the Northern Dragon Guard have made such a misjudgment? This is actually for the best. If Xu Ke had joined their ranks, he would surely have dominated everyone. His power would have become far too great.

"We don't know why Madame Yu lost her pass," Bai Qian'er said, a helpless look on her pretty face. "Regardless, our job is just to search for it in Tianhai. So, we hope the seniors here will look after us."

Duan Zhuo'e and Fang Caizhe raised their cups. "Seniors, we'll be counting on you."

The two said the same words, but they were looking at completely different people. Duan Zhuo'e stared only at Xu Ke, while Fang Caizhe did the exact opposite.

"No problem," Shi Hongda and the two elders replied with an arrogant laugh, raising their glasses to the trio from the Northern Dragon Guard.

Xu Ke, however, wore a subtle expression.

At that moment, Bai Lejing glanced at Bai Qian'er. While taking a sip of wine, she gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Helplessness flickered in Bai Lejing's eyes and the corners of his own eyes drooped for a moment. Then he suddenly smiled. "In that case, Seniors, might I trouble you to travel with my humble daughter to Tianhai tomorrow? It would be good for her to have some company and protection on the road."

Having just put down their cups, Shi Hongda and the Yin-Yang Elders didn't agree immediately. They exchanged a look, the same doubt flashing through their minds. On the side, Xie Jiancheng glanced at Bai Lejing in astonishment.

The doubt in all their minds was the same: the great Bai Family needed outsiders for an escort? Isn't that a bit strange?

Shi Hongda was just about to ask a question.

Just then, Bai Qian'er preempted him, her voice sharp with anger. "Dad, I told you I don't need a protector! Stop meddling in my affairs!"

A look of profound helplessness crossed Bai Lejing's face. "You're going to join the Northern Dragon Guard, and your grandfather was already... ahem, never mind. There's no point discussing it. Why should I have to explain myself to you?" He then turned to Shi Hongda. "Elder Shi, can I ask you for this favor? Please escort my daughter."

Hearing this, a curious glint flashed in Shi Hongda's eyes. He chuckled. "I suppose I could, but I hope Mister Bai can give this old man a reason."

This exchange between the Bai father and daughter clearly held some kind of secret. As it happened, he was very interested in the secrets of the Bai Family.

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There will be one more chapter tomorrow. I'm too sleepy.