Chapter 78: Planning a Big Heist

The newly prosperous nation of East Continent is eager to surpass Celestial Continent in various aspects of soft power, but it still needs time. However, when it comes to hard targets achievable with money, they spare no effort. Nations and cities compete to build the world’s tallest skyscrapers and construct numerous high-rise buildings; affluent individuals lavishly purchase branded clothing, luxury cars, and fine wines... Collecting antiques has always been a costly endeavor. Whether for investment purposes, personal appreciation, or showcasing one’s taste, playing at a certain level requires substantial financial backing.

Upon hearing Sonia’s words, Li Yan basically understood the overall environment. However, when it comes to specifics like antiques’ artistic value or investment value, he wasn’t very knowledgeable. His father-in-law Zhang Tianyi, on the other hand, had quite a few antiques at home.

"Are you really just interested in the transaction trends of that mysterious stone?" Li Yan casually asked, already feeling somewhat tempted. If the price was right, he intended to buy it. He had a premonition that this item might have a complementary effect on his "Heart Demon." Perhaps possessing it could resolve the side effects he’s been experiencing.

Sonia hesitated for a moment before speaking earnestly, "Frankly, if we could obtain it, we’d be willing to collect it. It’s just that it’s not well-known in the antique world, and we’re not in a position to appear publicly. If we only bid for this stone without purchasing other items, it would easily arouse suspicion. Once more people learn about the stone’s benefits, its value will skyrocket, and potentially trigger many chain reactions. However, buying a large number of antiques to cover this up is challenging for us due to limited resources, and we’re not naturally inclined or interested in such investments."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan vaguely sensed that Eva might be just an excuse, or one of the reasons; the real intention was for ’Rose’ and her group to want him to know and be involved!

Thinking along these lines, Li Yan felt somewhat displeased. Although he wasn’t aware of their exact plans, he already felt like he was being used. "Miss Sonia, don’t give me superficial talk. You’ve been making great efforts to find me and intentionally pique my interest—what’s your true agenda?" He had a suspicion but didn’t voice it.

Sonia was somewhat surprised, not expecting him to see through everything. "Fine! Since buying is costly and easily suspicious, what we want... is a heist! To rob as many of the auctioned antiques as possible, even if we can’t take them all, even selling a portion at a low price would enable us to retire, and that stone could be taken away for research without anyone paying attention!"

Indeed! What a bad idea!

Li Yan shook his head and laughed, "If that’s the case, I won’t participate. I’m not interested and wouldn’t engage in something outside my expertise!"

Sonia, however, looked into his eyes, smiling, "When someone is willing to pay the price, even assassins targeting SIA or Si Country agents... people like this claim no interest; I generally interpret it as insufficient interest! As long as the benefits are ample, I believe nothing’s impossible!"

Li Yan shook his head, "A few months ago, an incident occurred in S City; I don’t know if you’ve heard of it..."

Sonia continued for him, "As a result of Clover hiring people, including members of your led ’them’ organization, you became enraged and decided to clean house, even bombing their headquarters in Borola."

"Do you understand my stance now?" Li Yan lit up a cigarette.

"Quite the opposite! You also know Clover is just a middle link, yet you didn’t rashly pursue the potential financial giants behind it. Your actions and statements demonstrate that what infuriated you was Clover Organization’s audacity to involve members of ’them’ in such deeds." Sonia pointed to the core of the issue. "This time is different. No one’s manipulating us, and the benefits can be freely divided. You can lead your team, and after one heist, perhaps we could all retire."

Li Yan chuckled, smoking without saying a word.

And this was under the premise of no casualties. Should injuries or death occur, especially if significant, the situation would become much more severe.

"Since you have such plans, I’m sure it’s not just the two of you; there must be other partners involved. Whether I’m in or not doesn’t matter. But rest assured, you needn’t worry about me turning against you as a local power. As you just said, I only care about myself. Just don’t provoke me, and I won’t create trouble for you!"

Sonia wasn’t too bothered by Li Yan’s attitude and simply offered a piece of advice, "King, perhaps you really haven’t focused on antiques due to lack of expertise or interest. There’s still time, maybe you could learn more about the situation. In any case, how to dispose of the items, we have contacts to assist with it, and your involvement would give us more confidence in controlling the overall situation."

By this point, Li Yan had an updated perspective on Sonia; her attitude was pleasant, but her words were vague and untrue, revealing layer by layer up to now, it seemed she approached Eva almost incidentally. Perhaps encountering Li Yan and recognizing him was purely coincidental, and robbing the antiques was indeed her, and their, true goal!

At this point, Li Yan had no desire to mingle with them. "You continue with your plans, no need to include me; I’m going to check out now."

As Li Yan extinguished his cigarette and prepared to leave, Sonia picked up one of the phones, quickly removed its SIM card. "This is the card from your earlier call; if you make any new decisions, you can call there, and my number will have been dialed." She seemed to be avoiding suspicion, as the phone might be bugged, but a SIM card can’t have a bug.

As she tossed it over, Li Yan caught it effortlessly. Then he waved, leaving the hotel room.

While checking out and holding the SIM card Sonia provided, Li Yan recalled that his phone hadn’t rung since he contacted Guan Ziyi after turning it on.

He remembered the excuse he made to Yurong when leaving home last night: because of Jiang Xueyin, he claimed he would be out drinking and would return late. Much like last week, Yurong seemed to trust him thoroughly, not even asking further questions, which left him feeling guilty and heavy-hearted. This time wouldn’t be like last week; last night’s celebration with Xiao Di made it to the news. Yurong might have seen it, and though others might be clueless, she’d know immediately what went on!

Now he could only hope she’s only focused on financial news and hasn’t looked at local social and livelihood news. Once he checked out, Li Yan immediately drove home. On his way, he considered calling Zhang Yurong first but hesitated over what to say. He decided it would be better to meet her face-to-face and determine the situation from there.

(Thanks to the brothers who rewarded yesterday: Book Friend from Taiwan, Cp Pampas, jK Liang, zjun971210, dongmin8061, Ding Chongchong) (To be continued, for more developments, please visit www.qidian.com, with more Chapters supporting the author, supporting legitimate reading!)