Trafford’s Trading Club

Auntie Zi Ling completely lacked the artistic sensibility to appreciate these so-called master-level works.

In her opinion, all these paintings looked the same. After all, it was hard to tell the real from the fake, and the art market was notoriously deep. Even her office had a replica of a world-famous painting hanging on the wall… It looked just like the real thing.

"That's the chairman of the local Chinese Painting Association… and that's a relatively famous new-school freehand painter! Oh, right, he's the one who had an affair with his student earlier this year!"

While she couldn't recognize any of the paintings on the walls, Auntie Zi Ling seemed to know the attendees like the back of her hand.

In Li Zi's opinion, Sister Ren's eyes were truly amazing, almost like super high-definition lenses… Maybe that's just the professional quality of a media person?

…Hmm, the chocolate forest they're serving here is delicious!

"Haven't found her yet?"

"I'm sorry, we're intensifying the search!"

"A bunch of useless people!"

Two men who looked to be in their forties walked past, talking in hushed tones… Li Zi, who was holding a silver fork, twitched her ears slightly.

She heard them speaking in the island country's language, and even in the Kansai dialect.

It seemed that the organizer of this exhibition was a company from the island country… Had something been lost?

Li Zi blinked, and sticking to the principle of 'less trouble is better than more,' she immediately pulled Auntie Zi Ling, who was still searching for valuable targets, away.

"Auntie, there are a lot of people over there, let's go see what's going on!" She pointed to the crowd not far away and said quickly, "It looks lively."

Auntie Zi Ling hadn't found any interesting targets either, so she let Li Zi pull her along.

At this moment, she suddenly thought of her son's insistence on choosing the super-cold archeology major back then. With a thought, she snapped a few photos of the scene and sent them over.

—Came to see the art exhibition today to improve my cultural literacy!

…

…

At the same time, in a lounge in the venue, Song Ying was meeting with several representatives of the Daidoji Consortium—but at this time, the expressions of several people from the consortium seemed a little anxious.

The female assistant was communicating with them, and both sides had brought translators, so there were no problems with communication.

"Miss, I've inquired," the female assistant quickly returned to Song Ying's side and explained the situation. "The Daidoji Consortium's young lady is missing."

"Missing?" Song Ying frowned subconsciously. "Missing here with us?"

The female assistant nodded with a slightly solemn expression. "Yes, everyone is staying at our hotel. They were fine at first, but as the event approached, they discovered that the Daidoji family's young lady was not in her room and is currently uncontactable."

"Check the surveillance footage," Song Ying said coldly.

"We've already sent people to investigate."

"Appease these people," Song Ying nodded. "Also, the salon is about to begin, ask them whether to postpone it or cancel it outright. Don't keep the guests waiting."

"No need, Miss Song." A representative of the Daidoji Consortium walked over at this time and said in fluent Mandarin, "This art exhibition is very important, please be sure to assist us in starting it as scheduled. We will find someone to replace Miss Yu Jia's opening remarks."

Song Ying sized up the other party and nodded, "Since you insist, I have no problem here, and I will also assist you in finding Miss Yu Jia as soon as possible. After all, she disappeared in the Song Dynasty Hotel, and we also have a responsibility."

"I am Chi Tian Xiu Fu, and I will leave everything to Miss Song." The representative of the consortium bowed very sincerely.

His attitude was very good, and he didn't even make things difficult because the person disappeared in the hotel. His cautious attitude made Song Ying feel that the other party probably knew something.

Moreover, according to reliable information, the Song family also seems to have [Transcendent] support behind them.

At this time, a hotel manager knocked on the door and came in, quickly walked to Song Ying's side, bent down and whispered a few words… Song Ying nodded, and looked at Chi Tian Xiu Fu calmly, "Mr. Chi Tian, the person who is negotiating with you is here, what do you say?"

Chi Tian Xiu Fu said solemnly, "This meeting is very important, Miss Song, please arrange for us to meet as soon as possible… I will explain the situation in person."

"Prepare a conference room for them," Song Ying waved her hand and ordered.

…

Chi Tian Xiu Fu, as the deputy of this delegation, went to contact the people on the government side, and at the same time dispatched another man from the delegation to give a speech on his behalf, so that the event could start on time.

Song Ying did not participate in Chi Tian Xiu Fu's meeting. According to Song Hao Ran's instructions, she only needed to do a good job in the reception.

Instead, she brought people to the surveillance room.

"Miss, this is the surveillance footage of Miss Daidoji checking in. After she checked into the suite on the 69th floor, she never came out again. There were only two room service visits and three room service orders during the period."

"How did she disappear?" The female assistant frowned. "Can a work cart like the one used for room service hide someone?"

"Of course not," the head of security said unhappily, "You know what we do, how could we leave such a security risk? All the carts are unobstructed, okay…"

The head of security was naturally an old man from the Song family's [Village]. The [Kirin City] hotel is such an important industry, of course they have to use their own people.

"You think you're so smart?" The female assistant glared at him unhappily.

The head of security shrugged and looked at Song Ying, "Miss, I actually investigated as soon as something happened. Inside and out, this matter is really strange. A living person can't disappear silently, especially in [Kirin City]."

"Could someone have tampered with the surveillance?" Song Ying thought for a moment.

"Absolutely not, the surveillance room is such an important place, it's all our own brothers," the head of security said in a deep voice, "Who dares? I'll send him back to the village to be punished immediately!"

"Be civilized," Song Ying gave him a cold look.

"It's really not there," the head of security said quickly, "Miss, if you don't believe me, you can find professional technicians to analyze it frame by frame."

"Have you checked the room that Daidoji Yu Jia checked into?" Song Ying suddenly asked.

"I've checked it," the head of security said with a helpless expression, "Unless she can turn into a mouse and crawl away from the ventilation duct? Otherwise, she would have jumped off the 69th floor!"

Song Ying thought for a moment and said, "Find more people to inquire about the hotel… Also, tell the people of the Daidoji Consortium about these things that have been investigated so far, that's all we can do for now."

She left the surveillance room and immediately called Song Hao Ran to explain the situation.

"…Jumped off the 69th floor, is it possible that she is actually still hiding in the room?" Song Hao Ran immediately asked back.

In front of the elevator door, Song Ying stopped and subconsciously pressed the button for the 69th floor, which she was planning to go to the activity floor, "I'll go take a look… Wait, what are you doing, why are you panting?!"

"That's called Tiger-Leopard Thunderous Roar, okay?"

"You better be!!"

Soon, Miss Ying and her female assistant arrived in front of the suite on the 69th floor… The Daidoji Conglomerate people aren't stupid; they know to station someone to guard the place. However, it's just a young man who looks inexperienced and doesn't even speak Mandarin.

After the female assistant communicated with the young man, he reluctantly let them in, but kept a close eye on them the entire time.

Song Ying immediately started a video call, inspecting the room while staying in contact with Song Haoran—actually, the security chief had already come in and checked once.

This time, they still didn't find any useful clues… If there were hidden mechanisms in the room, wouldn't the hotel know?

"Has only Miss Yuga been staying here alone?" Song Ying suddenly asked the young man.

Translated.

"Our Miss doesn't like having people around, so she's used to being alone. She only calls for us when she needs something."

Song Ying nodded, pinching her brow in slight helplessness. She sat down directly on the sofa in the room and said to Song Haoran in the video with annoyance, "Well, Detective, did you find anything? I certainly didn't see anything wrong!"

The latest novels are first published on 6_9_shu_ba!

"Do you really think I have golden eyes?" Song Haoran rolled his eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "Has the hotel arranged for anyone to clean the exterior walls these past few days? Has anyone been sent to check the roof? Are there any traces left behind?"

"No," Song Ying shook her head. "I've thought of all that… Could it really be a supernatural event?"

Song Haoran found it amusing. "That would ruin the prestige of 'Qilin City'."

"Annoying!" Song Ying frowned. "Can't I just ignore this matter?"

"Don't be impatient. You're a very smart girl to begin with. Calm down and think carefully," Song Haoran coaxed earnestly. "Do you think there are any other suspicious places?"

"Don't want to think!" Song Ying rolled her eyes. "Why should I care about the affairs of a Japanese island conglomerate's miss? Even if we find her, will I become prettier or live longer?"

Basically, Song Ying was in a state where she was not far from going berserk. Not to mention that Song Haoran was thousands of miles away at this time, he would be helpless even if he were there in person.

This uncle of hers had no bloodline suppression whatsoever.

"How about this, I'll try to contact the person in charge on the government's side," Song Haoran pondered. "You can leave this matter to Xiong-ge and the others. I'll also take the initiative to contact the Daidoji Conglomerate. Today, you just need to keep an eye on the event venue and make sure nothing else goes wrong."

Xiong-ge is the name of that security chief.

Song Ying paused, took a deep breath, and said, "… Forget it, I'll continue to follow up. I'll let you know if there's any news."

She was just throwing a little tantrum; it wasn't like she really didn't know what was important.

"Miss, something happened at the venue!"

"?"

"Don't come any closer!! Otherwise… otherwise, I'll burn this painting! I'm serious! Don't come any closer!!"

At the salon venue, the staff was alarmed. More than a dozen security guards from the [Song Dynasty Hotel] had rushed in with batons, surrounding an exhibition area.

The security guards formed a circle, and beyond them were guests who had stopped to watch.

"That's the national treasure [Lakeside Seclusion]! Be careful, don't damage it!" An old man with a cane shouted in anguish, "Put it down! Li Dongnan! What are you doing! Put the painting down! You're crazy!!"

"Don't come any closer!"

A man with a panicked expression was holding up an ancient painting, a kerosene lighter in his hand already lit… On the ground was a pile of shattered glass, and a ceremonial attendant who should have been standing next to the ancient painting was curled up on the ground with a rather deep wound on her arm.

The ceremonial attendant seemed to be scared silly, her makeup already ruined by tears.

"You bunch of bastards! This painting is ours! Ours!" The man holding the painting roared, "Why should it be auctioned here! Our things, why should we have to buy them back ourselves!"

"Sir, you've misunderstood! This is a charity auction, and all the proceeds will be donated to the [Qilin City] museum!" A man who had temporarily replaced the Daidoji Conglomerate representative to give a speech quickly persuaded, "We've come with sincerity. Please calm down. No matter what, don't harm this work!"

"Bullshit, you're not that kind! Stay back!" The man… Li Dongnan instantly moved the lighter closer.

Immediately, there was a collective gasp of cold air.

Even the slightest damage to this painting would be an irreparable loss.

When Song Ying arrived, she saw this stalemate… Miss Ying, who was already having a headache over the inexplicable disappearance of Daidoji Yuga, felt like her head was about to explode.

Did she not check the almanac or tear up the Tong Sheng before going out today?

"What's going on here?" Miss Ying's voice was somewhat dry and hoarse.

The venue manager hurriedly said, "That man seems to be called Li Dongnan, a somewhat well-known painter in the city. He entered with the Chinese Painting Association… But I don't know why, he suddenly rushed up, snatched the painting, and then it became like this. It looks like… he's lost his mind?"

"How are you handling things?" Song Ying frowned instantly.

The venue manager was about to turn into a bitter gourd. "This… We checked everyone before they entered, and we wouldn't let anyone in without an invitation list. Who knew this guy would suddenly…"

Song Ying waved her hand, signaling the other person to stop talking, and turned to whisper to the female assistant, "Call Xiong-ge over."

"Miss, I'm here!"

Then she saw the security chief Xiong-ge push through the crowd and quickly walk to Song Ying's side.

Song Ying nodded, covering her mouth and speaking into Xiong-ge's ear, "How is it, are you confident?"

"Leave it to me," Xiong-ge nodded. With a flip of his palm, a small knife with a red tassel slipped from his sleeve into his palm. "Dare to cause trouble here, I'll cripple him!"

Song Ying frowned. "Don't hurt anyone!"

Xiong-ge paused, his murderous aura immediately subsiding slightly, and nodded.

His palm suddenly waved, and the red tassel darted out, piercing through the air… Without any true energy or magic power, it was purely wrist strength, the pinnacle of skill!

Li Dongnan suddenly screamed, and the kerosene lighter in his hand was knocked down. A bloody mark was revealed on the back of his hand!

Taking advantage of this moment, Xiong-ge threw another wine glass, hitting Li Dongnan on the head. The wine glass shattered, and Li Dongnan instinctively hugged his head and screamed.

The surrounding security guards saw this and rushed out together, quickly pinning Li Dongnan to the ground.

"Painting! Painting!"

The representative of the Daidoji Conglomerate hurriedly rushed over at this time, picked up the ancient painting, and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief before slumping to the ground.

… …

Click!

In the crowd, Zi Lingma instantly captured this scene, with everyone's expressions varied, like a ukiyo-e painting.

"It was worth coming today!" Zi Lingma didn't skimp on the camera's memory, "However, this Li Dongnan is also a somewhat famous person in the art world. What happened today… A rare sight!"