"Boss, isn't it a bit too much to ask him to attend a conference of this caliber?" Xiao Liu asked in surprise.
The Jubao Pen Conference was an internal exchange event that most people had never even heard of, and only seasoned experts in the field were qualified to attend.
Such exclusive events for insiders had existed since the Republic of China era. Back then, antique collectors were generally discerning, and wealthy individuals were often cultured. They all adhered to a set of principles and seldom targeted local customers. Therefore, any items traded within these gatherings could always find buyers.
However, things were different now. In the age of information networks, news spread incredibly fast. People competed fiercely for clients, and there were fewer individuals with integrity. Many, with just a smattering of knowledge, dared to present themselves as bosses. Such internal transactions ultimately led to these items becoming unsellable burdens in the hands of these so-called insiders.
Consequently, such internal exchange meetings had almost disappeared.
But the Jubao Pen Conference had continued to this day, primarily due to its stringent qualification criteria. Only ten esteemed elders could recommend one person to attend every five years. If the recommended individual had any issues, the recommending elder would face punishment, or even have their membership revoked and be permanently expelled from the Jubao Pen Conference.
"Moreover, Boss, didn't Mr. Xu from Hanbao Zhai approach you before, and you seemed interested in recommending him?"
"Xu Zhongding seemed alright in the past, but lately, he's been quite disappointing," Lou Dong shook his head. "People change. A month ago, the number of counterfeit items in his shop was still within a reasonable range."
"But I secretly visited last night, and he's already started falsifying things."
"Ah, is that so!" Xiao Liu exclaimed in surprise.
Xu Zhongding had a reputation in the industry. Any appraiser with a title was no ordinary individual.
He hadn't expected him to succumb to the allure of money.
Lou Dong said, "Alright, send the invitation first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Boss."
Xiao Liu nodded, recalling Li Yang's youthful face. He wondered if this Jubao Pen Conference would cause a significant stir.
Lou Dong was well aware that Li Yang was too young, but he valued the keen eyesight and character Li Yang had displayed. He hoped to guide him onto a better path before society corrupted him.
Thinking of Xu Zhongding in his youth, he felt a sense of regret. "What a shame for such a promising young man. If someone had guided him earlier, he might not have become so sordid and despicable."
"Sigh."
Parking the car, Li Yang returned home. Just like the previous two days, he sensed that the place had been searched. Although Su Qianqian and her daughter tried their best to conceal it, it still escaped his notice.
He pretended as if nothing had happened, showered, and went to bed.
The next morning, as the sun shone in, Li Yang went to the antique shop as usual. Er Dong excitedly hurried over and said, "Boss, great news."
"What is it?"
"Brother Liu from Tong Jian Tie Ma Lou is here to deliver an invitation for you!" Er Dong said excitedly.
Li Yang looked up with some suspicion. He saw Xiao Liu walking in from inside, smiling at him. "Young Master Li, this is an invitation from my boss, inviting you to the Jubao Pen Conference next Wednesday."
"Boss Lou is truly hospitable. I will definitely be there," Li Yang said, accepting the invitation with a smile. He felt a coolness in his hand and was somewhat surprised.
Upon closer inspection, it was made of high-quality Song brocade. The craftsmanship was excellent. Opening it, he saw a few lines of elegant Chinese characters embroidered with gold thread: "Jubao Pen Conference Elder, Jiangcheng resident Lou Dong's invitation."
Strange, he was invited, but only Lou Dong's name was on it, with no address.
"Xiao Liu, where will this Jubao Pen Conference be held?"
"You don't know, Young Master Li?" Xiao Liu was a bit bewildered. Logically, the Li family was a renowned antique family, and both the Li family patriarch and Li Yang's father were members. It was unlikely that Young Master Li wouldn't know.
But seeing that Li Yang wasn't joking, he immediately replied, "Since twenty years ago, the conference has been held at the private villa of Jiangcheng's wealthiest man, Mr. Tian Feng, at the Ting Feng Wang Yue Tower."
"You only need to present this invitation, and someone will attend to you."
Held at the residence of Jiangcheng's wealthiest man?
It seemed that the Jubao Pen Conference was of a high caliber. No wonder the invitation was so extravagant, made from high-quality Song brocade that was difficult to acquire on the market.
The gold thread was genuine pure gold thread, not ordinary silk dyed gold.
Such a small invitation would cost no less than ten thousand yuan.
He should have realized earlier that it was no ordinary conference.
"I understand. Thank you," Li Yang said with a smile, tucking the invitation away.
Xiao Liu smiled and said, "You're too kind. If there's nothing else, I'll head back to the shop."
"Thank you for coming all this way. Travel safely," Li Yang said.
After seeing Xiao Liu off, Li Yang turned to go back into the shop.
Just then, Er Dong tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Boss, the guy surnamed Qin is here again."
"Hmm?"
Li Yang turned his head and saw a man with a cold expression walking down the street. It was indeed Qin Yuliang.
He couldn't help but chuckle. "Boss Qin, why aren't you staying in the hospital for a few more days? You're out so soon. What if you have another episode? It could be life-threatening."
"Hmph, Li Yang, you should worry about yourself," Qin Yuliang said with a cold laugh.
Li Yang looked suspicious. "What, are you bringing something over today, wanting to smash my signboard?"
"You've got it wrong. I'm not here to smash your signboard; someone else is going to trash your shop," Qin Yuliang said with a cold smile. "You seem completely unaware. Did your staff not tell you?"
"What's going on?" Li Yang looked at Er Dong.
Er Dong quickly said, "Boss, I didn't mean not to tell you, but this matter doesn't concern you directly, so I didn't mention it."
"Tell me about it."
"Actually, it's not complicated at all. The previous Boss Lin took a ten-million-yuan deposit from a major client, promising to sell him an imperial green jade. However, Boss Su returned with a box of powder as the delivery, enraging the client. He threatened to return in three days, and if he didn't see the imperial green jade, he would tear down the shop." Er Dong explained immediately.
Li Yang's heart stirred, and he understood everything. No wonder Su Qianqian and her daughter wanted to give him the shop; they wanted him to take the blame.
"So, today is the third day?"
"Yes, Boss," Er Dong nodded. "But this was caused by them, the mother and daughter, and has nothing to do with you. Even if that big client is unreasonable, there's still the law. He shouldn't tear down the shop."
"Haha, ignorant. Do you know who that big client is?" Qin Yuliang sneered.