Facing the wary gazes of the stall owners, Li Yang was taken aback for a moment, then he understood. It must have been the previous incident that made everyone recognize him.
He was now a big celebrity here.
Although he had some fame in this area as Young Master Li before, he had been indulging in gambling stones for a long time. People had heard of him but hadn't seen him, so they wouldn't be so wary of him.
Now, it was different. The moment they saw him, they guarded against him like thieves. He suspected that no matter what he wanted to buy, someone would quote an exorbitant price.
"Exorbitant price" was also an industry term in the antique circle. It not only meant a very high price but also implied that the seller didn't want to sell the item to you and deliberately quoted a high price.
These were often bids like ninety-nine million or several hundred million.
What item was worth such a price?
Despite their wariness, when the stall owners saw Li Yang approaching, they still greeted him enthusiastically, smiling and saying, "Boss Li, congratulations! What would you like to buy? I'll give you a preferential price!"
"Young Master Li, come and have a look at my stall. All my items are very good. Feel free to choose, and I guarantee to sell them to you at a low price."
"Heh heh." Li Yang gave a few wry smiles. These people were wicked. He wouldn't believe them.
If he really liked something, they would refuse to sell it to him at an exorbitant price, and then take the item to other experts for appraisal!
"Are you all doing well? I'm just taking a walk, not buying anything. Goodbye."
"Hey, don't go, Boss Li. Come and take a look." Some stall owners still wanted to keep him there, hoping to get some free appraisal and make a windfall.
Li Yang ignored them and turned to leave even faster.
Just as he returned to the shop entrance, coincidentally, Murong Xue, the head of the first team of the security group, called.
"Hello, is this Li Yang?"
"It's definitely me," Li Yang replied with a smile. "What's up, Team Leader Murong? Are you inviting me to dinner?"
"That's right. Hurry to the Fatty's Happy Restaurant on East Street, near the security group's office. I'll wait for you there until twelve o'clock. If you're late, I won't wait. Don't blame me, Murong Xue, for not keeping my word if you miss out," Murong Xue said.
Li Yang smiled, "Don't worry, a beauty's invitation, I'll be there right away, I promise I won't keep you waiting."
"You'd better be."
Murong Xue hung up the phone and muttered, "So glib. Just like a businessman. What beauty? He's not being honest at all."
"Beautiful lady, is your boyfriend making you angry? How about you have dinner with us? We'll treat you." Seeing Murong Xue's cold, pretty face, a few men in the restaurant felt a surge of excitement. This woman was too stunning!
Murong Xue glanced at them with icy eyes, took out her identification, and said, "I think it's better if I treat you. I'll treat you to a cup of tea at the security group."
"Holy cow! From the security group!"
"Sorry, we've had too much to drink. We're leaving now!"
These men were startled and hurriedly fled outside. They never dreamed that such a cold and beautiful woman was the head of the first team of the security group!
If they angered her, arresting them would be a simple matter!
"Hmph, a bunch of scoundrels," Murong Xue grunted.
A胖子 walked out from behind the counter and smiled, "Team Leader Murong, you've scared them away again? Perhaps they were just casually inviting you to dinner?"
"Looking at them, they're not good people. A group of men inviting a woman to dinner, can they be good people?" Murong Xue said.
The胖子 laughed heartily, "That's true. But Team Leader Murong, you always have such a cold expression. My son is so scared that every time he comes home from school, he has to peek inside from the doorway first. Only when he sees you're not here does he dare to come in."
"You say how scary that is. What man would like that? How will you ever find love or get married?"
"Wouldn't it be fine if I didn't date or get married?" Murong Xue glanced at him and said, "Uncle Peng, why are you talking so much lately? Did my mother ask you to say this?"
"No, absolutely not!" The胖子 quickly waved his hands, clearly indicating that it was true.
Murong Xue snorted, "Tell my mother not to worry about my affairs. As for you, Uncle Peng, I have a guest coming for dinner. Please help me prepare a few of your signature dishes."
"Okay, okay, okay." Uncle Peng smiled sheepishly and turned to go to the kitchen.
The Peng family and the Murong family didn't actually live together. However, Murong Xue's father, the former head of the first team of the security group, often brought his family here to eat. Over time, they felt that each other's character was good and became friends, exchanging greetings during festivals.
However, Uncle Peng was a man of discretion. He knew that he was just a common citizen, and befriending the Murong family was definitely a step up. Therefore, he did not interfere too much in their affairs.
Sometimes, he would only help Murong Xue's mother convey a few words urging her to get married.
Seeing that she was unhappy, Uncle Peng naturally didn't ask whether this guest was male or female.
After a while, he walked out of the kitchen and saw a young man walking in. He immediately greeted him, "Sir, hello. I am the owner here. What would you like to eat?"
"Hello, boss. I have a friend here, named Murong Xue. I wonder if you... Oh, I see her." Li Yang walked a few steps, saw Murong Xue sitting inside, and walked past Uncle Peng with a smile.
Murong Xue glanced at her watch and then looked at him, saying, "You're really slow. It's been forty minutes. The food will be cold by the time you get here."
"My dear Team Leader Murong, I don't live close to here. The roads are congested, and it usually takes over an hour to get here. It's quite fast to arrive within forty minutes, isn't it?" Li Yang walked over with a wry smile and sat next to her. "Have you ordered yet?"
"I've already ordered. You just eat," Murong Xue said.
Li Yang said, "You're really bossy. As a guest, I don't even have the right to order a dish."
"Eat it or don't," Murong Xue said, looking at him. "By the way, before we eat, tell me how you knew what item Zhao De was hiding yesterday?"
"It's been a whole night, and you still haven't figured it out?" Li Yang smiled and poured himself a glass of water.
Murong Xue said, "Stop playing coy and tell me quickly. Otherwise, I'll pack up and leave."
"Hey, what a fiery temper! Men like you won't be liked," Li Yang quickly called out to her. This woman's personality was very different from Tang Xinyu and Shui Xiang, so he had to placate her a bit.
"Be careful, you'll be single forever."
"Exactly, Team Leader Murong. It's rare to have a friend dining with you. Please be a little nicer," Uncle Peng quickly came over and said with a smile, "Sir, we have several kinds of drinks and alcohol here. Which one would you like? I'll get it for you right away."