Looking at Elder Gu’s grateful gaze, Ye Fan quickly waved his hand with a smile, "Elder Gu is a veteran of the antique industry in Jiangnan City, and one of the few remaining first-tier appraisal masters. Ye is new here. Although I have been lucky recently and gained some fame, my foundation is still too shallow. Therefore, I hope Elder Gu can lend me a hand."
Ye Fan's gaze was sincere, and his words were full of earnestness.
Looking at Ye Fan, Elder Gu suddenly burst into laughter after a long pause.
This laughter stunned everyone, who didn't understand why.
Elder Li, Elder Wang, Brother Dong, and the others simultaneously looked at Elder Gu, awaiting his answer.
Elder Gu looked at Ye Fan meaningfully, "I knew you, kid, wouldn't have good intentions towards me. However, you didn't need to take such a risk for this old man. This old man has lived most of his life and has seen through many things. For years, although I've been guarding Xiao Ran Ge, besides appraising treasures, I've rarely interfered in other matters. My heart has grown indifferent, so even if I were willing to stay, I wouldn't be able to help you much."
Elder Gu spoke calmly. It was evident that the old man's heart had indeed grown indifferent.
But for Ye Fan, as long as Elder Gu was present, his name alone explained a lot.
With Elder Gu's prestige, reputation, and connections, as long as he stayed at Xiao Ran Ge, Xiao Ran Ge would rise rapidly in a very short time.
Especially combined with Ye Fan's current reputation, it would attract a large number of people's attention.
"People often say that having an elder at home is like having a treasure. As long as Elder Gu is willing to stay at Xiao Ran Ge, he will support Xiao Ran Ge's reputation. Therefore, Ye Fan earnestly requests Elder Gu to stay."
If this old man stayed, he would not only become the bedrock of Xiao Ran Ge but also guide others, which was what Ye Fan valued.
With his words, Ye Fan had fully expressed his sincerity. If Elder Gu still refused, Ye Fan would have nothing more to say.
Looking at Ye Fan, Elder Gu finally nodded after a long pause.
"Anyway, this old man has nowhere else to go. It's good to stay. I've been in Xiao Ran Ge for so many years; if I leave, I'll truly be reluctant."
The old man smiled, a smile from the heart.
Although Ye Fan had saved his life, before that, he hadn't had any special feelings for Ye Fan.
Ye Fan had tricked him once and saved his life, so they were even. Thus, Elder Gu didn't truly feel grateful to Ye Fan.
But this time, Ye Fan's sincerity moved Elder Gu.
If he continued to hesitate and refuse, it would be too disrespectful. Not only would Ye Fan feel uncomfortable, but everyone present would likely feel imbalanced.
After all, Ye Fan had sacrificed too much for him.
Taking the actions of tonight as an example, although Ye Fan spoke lightly, Elder Gu was very familiar with the Feng family's pawnshop.
Stealing the safe from there was likely a matter of life and death.
Even when Ye Fan saved him, it hadn't been as dangerous as tonight.
He, Elder Gu, was not a fool and naturally knew what to do and when.
Finally receiving Elder Gu's agreement, Ye Fan's face was filled with a joyful smile.
As for Elder Li and Elder Wang, they stood up simultaneously.
"Congratulations, Elder Gu. From now on, Xiao Ran Ge will surely shine brightly and become the number one antique shop in Jiangnan City."
These two were well aware of Elder Gu's abilities, so knowing that Elder Gu had definitely decided to stay, they were naturally overjoyed.
Seeing the sincere smiles on the faces of the two old men, Elder Gu quickly waved his hand.
"My two old brothers, we don't need to be so formal with each other. Moreover, the tedious appraisal work in the future will still rely on you two. This old brother can only be a hands-off manager."
Watching the three old men humble themselves and show respect to each other, Ye Fan's mood was greatly uplifted.
Previously, he had been worried that if he brought these people together, no one would be convinced by the other.
After all, whether it was Elder Gu, Elder Wang, or Elder Li, they were all old antiques in the antique industry.
Such people were the most arrogant, could not tolerate the slightest fault, and were adept at finding fault.
However, the outcome greatly exceeded his expectations. These three old men not only did not distrust each other but also got along extremely harmoniously.
Furthermore, this was just the beginning of their interaction. If they were given some time, their relationship would likely become even deeper.
This was definitely the best sign for Xiao Ran Ge and for Ye Fan.
Meanwhile, at the Feng family's pawnshop, Feng Xiao's entire face had turned ashen.
"You all deserve to die."
Looking at the security guards standing in front of him, Feng Xiao’s body trembled.
Since taking over the family business, Feng Xiao had never been so furious.
Especially regarding the pawnshop, he was very proud of it.
Although the Feng family's pawnshop had deep roots in Jiangnan City, its revenue had been gradually declining in recent years.
However, after Feng Xiao took over, he managed to double the pawnshop's profits in just two years.
Such a feat was enough to earn praise.
Even though these profits were due to his selling of fakes, the profits were genuine.
Therefore, although some high-ranking members of the Feng family were aware of the inside story, they simply turned a blind eye. In this day and age, money was the most important thing. As long as money could be made, selling fake goods was not important.
It had to be said that the decline of a great family began from here.
Everyone in the family only cared about profit and forgot the fundamental principles of doing business. If integrity was not upheld, the ultimate outcome would be the disintegration of the family, with all its members losing the family's protection, eventually becoming destitute and disappearing into the dust of history.
"Young Master Feng, this matter seems suspicious."
Fatty Chen rushed over, and upon learning that the ledger was lost, he immediately frowned.
"What do you want to say?"
Feng Xiao asked angrily.
"Elder Gu was just rescued, and tonight the pawnshop was broken into, and the ledger was stolen. All of this clearly shows preparation. According to my subordinates' investigation, it was undoubtedly Ye Fan who rescued Elder Gu. Therefore, could it be that Ye Fan is also the one who caused trouble at the pawnshop tonight?"
Fatty Chen frowned, his eyes filled with coldness.
Hearing Fatty Chen's words, Feng Xiao suddenly turned his head.
"Ye Fan?"
It seemed only he harbored such deep hatred for the Feng family.
Over the years, although the Feng family had done many evil deeds in Jiangnan City, those who were bullied were mostly afraid to speak out.
There were only a handful of people with such courage to dare to break into the pawnshop, and the most suspicious one was Ye Fan.
"Take your men and go to Xiao Ran Ge."
Feng Xiao roared furiously. As his words fell, the dozens of security guards behind him rushed out with a whoosh, following him.
This time, it was their negligence that led to the theft at the pawnshop, so they had to reclaim their honor.