Ye Fan listened quietly to Sun Yilang’s reflections from the past few days, nodding repeatedly.
“Elder Sun, it is truly commendable that you could arrive at these insights. Indeed, the antique trade is profound and vast, and no one dares claim complete mastery over it.”
Seeing such a positive change in Sun Yilang, Ye Fan was immensely pleased.
“Elder Sun, I’ve asked you here because I want you to continue managing the Bogu Studio. Are you interested?”
Upon hearing Ye Fan’s words, Sun Yilang shot up from his seat, staring at Ye Fan in utter shock.
“You, what did you say?”
He doubted his own ears.
Ever since the Bogu Studio was forced to close, Sun Yilang had never imagined he would return to it.
Ye Fan smiled, “You heard correctly. I plan to reopen the Bogu Studio and have you continue managing it. I just wanted to know your thoughts.”
Sun Yilang’s body trembled violently. “I’ll do it. I’ll do it even if you only let me be a receptionist.”
The Bogu Studio was his life’s work, a testament to his immense effort.
As long as he could return to the Bogu Studio, he was willing to give everything.
Seeing Sun Yilang’s resolute attitude, Ye Fan was even more satisfied.
“This is your only chance, and I hope you cherish it. I can overlook what happened before, but if you engage in any wrongdoing in the future, do not blame me for being ruthless.”
Ye Fan’s expression gradually turned cold, his eyes glinting with frost.
This was not an empty threat; it was a sincere warning.
Sun Yilang nodded heavily. “Thank you.”
…
After settling things with Sun Yilang and seeing him off, Shen Tianyin looked at Ye Fan with confusion.
“Why are you still using him?”
Sun Yilang had previously acted unscrupulously, collaborating with Shen Shiyun and others to disrupt Jiangcheng’s antique market.
If not for Ye Fan’s exceptional abilities in turning the tide, the entire Jiangcheng antique circle might have been taken over by them.
Therefore, Shen Tianyin found Ye Fan’s decision perplexing.
Ye Fan smiled slightly. “Although Sun Yilang is narrow-minded, he is quite capable. Moreover, having learned from past mistakes, I doubt he would dare to act out again. Such a person, as long as your ability surpasses his, will obediently act like a dog. However, if his ability exceeds yours, he will undoubtedly bite you fiercely. Therefore, to deal with such individuals, one must possess sufficient capability.”
Ye Fan saw Sun Yilang clearly through his understanding of human nature.
Seeing Ye Fan’s determined gaze, Shen Tianyin said no more.
After Sun Yilang left, Elder Lei arrived.
“Young friend Ye, thank you for your care during this trip to Jiangcheng. I am deeply grateful. If you ever come to Jiangnan, be sure to find me so I can fulfill my duties as a host.”
Elder Lei had come to bid farewell.
He had come from Jiangnan specifically for the mysterious treasure. Now that everything had settled, he naturally wouldn’t linger.
Ye Fan nodded. “Elder Lei, you are too kind. This time, during the treasure hunt at Thousand Buddha Mountain, we encountered so much together, sharing life and death, facing hardships side-by-side. We are no longer strangers. If I come to Jiangnan in the future, I will undoubtedly trouble you.”
Ye Fan made no pretense of politeness. Despite the old man’s outwardly harmless and amiable demeanor, he was a rogue at heart.
This old man had stubbornly refused to leave his Taoran Pavilion back then.
Therefore, Ye Fan naturally wouldn’t be overly polite with him.
“Oh, right, since Elder Lei is leaving, I have a grand gift for you.”
Saying this, Ye Fan slowly rose and pulled Ye Xuanyuan over.
“This is my sister, Ye Xuanyuan. She wishes to learn about antiques. Elder Lei, are you interested in taking her as a disciple?”
Everyone present was stunned by this statement. Shen Tianyin’s mouth dropped open, and Elder Ji’s eyes widened in shock.
Even Ye Xuanyuan and Elder Lei himself looked at Ye Fan, puzzled.
“In Dong Village, Elder Lei’s disciples suffered losses. It would be perfect if you could take my sister as your last disciple. I believe Elder Lei’s legacy needs to be passed on, doesn’t it? My sister is intelligent and quick-witted. If she can follow a renowned master, she will undoubtedly make a name for herself in the antique world in the shortest possible time.”
Ye Fan enthusiastically promoted his sister, causing Elder Lei to break out in a cold sweat.
If his sister were truly that outstanding, why would Ye Fan introduce her to him?
However, he couldn’t refuse Ye Fan’s request without appearing discourteous.
With no other choice, he nodded. “Since Young friend Ye praises her so highly, it would be impolite of me not to accept such kindness. Therefore, I will accept Miss Ye as my last disciple.”
Following this, Elder Ji personally organized the disciple-initiation ceremony, and from then on, Ye Xuanyuan became Elder Lei’s disciple.
With such a formidable figure as her backing, Ye Xuanyuan would undoubtedly be able to navigate the antique circle with ease in the future.
…
On the morning of the third day, Ye Fan and Ye Xuanyuan drove to the Bogu Studio.
Today marked the grand reopening of the Bogu Studio, with strong support from Tianyin Pavilion. Almost all the influential figures in Jiangcheng had received invitations to attend.
Looking at the newly renovated Bogu Studio, Sun Yilang’s face was filled with joy.
He looked excitedly at the antique shelves within, displaying one genuine piece after another. Sun Yilang felt as if he were dreaming.
All of this was brought about by Ye Fan, so in his heart, he already revered Ye Fan as a deity.
“Oh, isn’t this Ye Xuanyuan?”
As Ye Fan and Ye Xuanyuan alighted from the car, a sarcastic voice sounded from the side.
Ye Xuanyuan immediately frowned, while Ye Fan looked over with a puzzled expression.
Behind them, a young man was walking slowly with his female companion.
The young man was dressed flamboyantly, with an arrogant demeanor, the typical appearance of a spoiled rich second generation.
“Do you know him?”
Ye Fan asked Ye Xuanyuan, who stood beside him, with a frown.
Ye Xuanyuan gritted her teeth and gripped Ye Fan’s arm tightly, clearly showing how much hatred she harbored for the newcomer.
“My ex-boyfriend,” Ye Xuanyuan said coldly.
Ye Fan’s expression instantly darkened, and his mind replayed memories related to Ye Xuanyuan’s ex-boyfriend.
Soon, those memories that didn’t quite belong to him began to resurface.
“Chen Qiang, the eldest son of the Chen family. The Chen family is a second-tier family in Jiangcheng, owning several antique shops. As the eldest son of the Chen family, Chen Qiang is a typical prodigal second-generation heir. He has quite a reputation in Jiangcheng. Furthermore, at such a young age, this kid is already a Level One Appraisal Master, indicating genuine capability.”
It was important to note that appraisers could attain ranked levels, making them outstanding individuals, enough to serve as the chief appraiser for some smaller antique shops.
For someone like Chen Qiang to achieve a ranked level at such a young age was indicative of a promising future.
However, it was precisely this that made Chen Qiang arrogant and dismissive of everyone.
“You can just ignore people like him and not let them ruin your mood,” Ye Fan said with a faint smile.
After all, today was a truly auspicious day for them, and Ye Fan didn’t want such a good-for-nothing to affect his sister’s spirits.