"Ah, Mr. Li is here!"
Jin Buhuan, gazing at the shimmering river surface of the port, was momentarily lost in thought. Hearing Li Yang's voice, he quickly snapped back to attention and exclaimed with pleasant surprise, "How long have you been here? I didn't keep you waiting, did I?"
"No, I just arrived," Li Yang replied with a smile.
Jin Buhuan glanced behind him and asked, "Where is Boss Shui?"
"She's feeling a bit unwell and can't travel long distances these past couple of days," Li Yang explained with a smile. "So, we decided I'd represent both of us and accompany Boss Jin on this trip."
"Oh, I see. That's why she didn't come," Jin Buhuan nodded. "Alright, let's depart then."
"Mr. Li, you don't need to drive your car. Please ride with us. When we return, I'll come back with you."
"Come back together? Doesn't Boss Jin visit Jiangcheng only once a quarter?" Li Yang asked, surprised.
Jin Buhuan gave a wry smile. "After that incident, many plans have to change. We need to speed up cash flow and the pace of making money. Otherwise, we won't be able to pay off all the debts."
"This trip to Kunming City won't take more than three days. If all goes smoothly, we'll return to Jiangcheng in a day or two. Mr. Li, this won't interfere with any of your plans, will it?"
"No, it won't. Where is the car?"
"Over there. Please get in, Mr. Li."
They got into the car, and a helper drove. Jin Buhuan offered Li Yang some fruit. "Although my hometown is Ruili, I prefer fruits from Kunming City. Look at these grapes, aren't they big and delicious?"
"Juicy and tasty," Li Yang said, popping one into his mouth and immediately giving a thumbs-up.
Indeed, the land could nurture its own fruits, which were likely unavailable elsewhere.
Seeing his praise, Jin Buhuan happily said, "Once we reach our destination, I promise to let you taste more of Kunming City's delicacies, Mr. Li."
"It's a pity things are so urgent. Otherwise, I would definitely invite you to my hometown in Ruili and have my mother personally cook for you, so you could taste authentic Ruili cuisine."
"There will be plenty of time for that. With so many delicious things, there's always time to eat," Li Yang smiled.
As they chatted and laughed, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed.
As evening approached, an airplane landed at Jiangcheng International Airport. Xu Zhongding, whose arm was wrapped in white gauze, immediately asked the person beside him upon hearing the roar of the descending aircraft, "Is my brother arriving soon?"
"It's this flight, correct. Boss, there's a middle-aged man walking over. He looks a bit like..." The store clerk accompanying him saw a middle-aged man with an unusual demeanor and couldn't help but ask.
Before he could finish speaking, the man spotted Xu Zhongding. "Little Brother Xu!"
"Big Brother Wang, you've finally arrived! Come," Xu Zhongding quickly walked forward.
The person who arrived was Wang Dongsheng. He hugged Xu Zhongding, feeling that seeing him in person was even more tragic than watching him on video. "How did you end up like this?"
"Let's not talk about that for now. Big Brother Wang, we haven't seen each other for years. Let's go to a restaurant first, and I'll host a welcome dinner for you," Xu Zhongding said.
Wang Dongsheng angrily retorted, "No! How can we eat before dealing with business? Take me to that brat right now. I'll kill him for you and get revenge, then I'll eat and rest. It's not too late!"
"This..."
"Take me!"
Wang Dongsheng's rage was uncontrollable. However, as he stormed out of the Li Hao Antique Shop, he learned that Li Yang was no longer in Jiangcheng.
"What did you say? That brat isn't here? Is he hiding because he's afraid of me? Coward, despicable scoundrel, shameless wretch, insidious and cunning..."
"Hey, hey, hey, are you done yet?" Erdou Dong quickly interrupted him. "Our Boss Li was invited to Kunming City for appraisal. How is that him being afraid and hiding from you?"
"Besides, do you think everyone is as idle as you are, always looking for trouble with someone every day? You're such a drama queen!"
"You, you brat, how dare you! Do you know who I am?" Wang Dongsheng was furious. In Beijing, which store clerk or owner would dare speak to him like this?
Erduo Dong said coldly, "If you want to challenge the store, wait until our boss returns. We can discuss it then. For now, you can scram. You're not welcome here."
"If you wish to spend money, then you are a customer. As the store manager, I prioritize my boss's profits. You are most welcome!"
"Hmph!" Wang Dongsheng grunted and glared at him coldly.
Erduo Dong, however, was not afraid and met his gaze directly. After all, he was someone who had weathered storms. This time, he wasn't as flustered as when Xu Zhongding came to challenge the store last time.
He also had a near-blind admiration and trust in Li Yang.
No matter who you are, Xu Zhongding or Wang Dongsheng, if you encounter our Boss Li and want to challenge the store, you're just asking for trouble, courting death!
What was there to be afraid of?
"Good, you're very good!" Seeing that he wasn't afraid of him at all, Wang Dongsheng became even angrier. His eyes swept over the antiques in the store, and he sneered, "Fake one, pay ten, right?"
"That's right, fake one, pay ten. Our Boss Li said it, and he always keeps his word!" Erduo Dong replied.
Wang Dongsheng sneered coldly, "Good, good, good. Since that brat is hiding from me, I'll make sure this store collapses first!"
Saying that, he walked into the store, his eyes constantly scanning the shelves. He saw a wide variety of antiques, including jade and porcelain, calligraphy and paintings, bronzes, and various miscellaneous items.
As the saying goes, too much to chew can choke you. Antique appraisal is a vast and profound subject. For an appraiser to master a small branch within a category is already expert-level skill.
For example, bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, or porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Appraisers who master an entire category, such as bronzes, porcelain, jade, or calligraphy and paintings from all periods, are considered master level.
Xu Zhongding was at this level.
Wang Dongsheng was even more formidable, mastering both bronze and jade categories simultaneously, making him a top figure among masters.
Seeing such a wide variety of antiques in the store, he sneered because he was convinced that no one could appraise everything perfectly.
And this Li Hao Antique Shop, reportedly, only had Li Yang, a young man in his early twenties, responsible for appraisals. There must be flaws!
As long as I find these flaws, I'll see how you, this master, can get away with it!
Thinking of this, he almost burst into laughter.
However, as time passed and he examined each item carefully, his confident smile grew fainter, and the sweat on his brow increased. By the end, his fingers even began to tremble.
How could this be!
How is it possible that there isn't a single fake item!
Could that brat be a once-in-a-million, all-around appraisal master!