Li Yang smiled contemptuously and walked directly into the shop.
As soon as he stepped inside, a distinct aroma of bronze wares wafted out. The shop was crowded with customers, all drawn by the shop's assurance of authentic bronze artifacts.
A sign at the entrance promised a tenfold compensation for any fake item sold, a bold claim that usually indicated confidence in one's antique collection.
Li Yang browsed the shop casually and found the items to be quite decent. Most were relatively inexpensive, but genuine bronze ornaments.
Judging by the merchandise, the shop owner didn't seem like the kind of unscrupulous merchant who would associate with Tang Yilong.
This piqued Li Yang's curiosity. He had intended to cause trouble, lure out the shop owner, and then extract information about Tang Xinyu's whereabouts.
However, the current situation struck him as rather peculiar.
"Hello, sir. What can I help you with? I can introduce you to our items," a beautiful saleswoman approached him with a smile.
"I'm looking for someone. Is your boss here? And this item, does it belong to your shop?"
Li Yang took out the bronze talisman he had found and presented it to the saleswoman.
"This... Sir, how did you come to possess our boss's bronze talisman?" the saleswoman asked, visibly surprised.
"Oh, I found it on the road by accident. Someone mentioned it belonged to your shop, so I came specifically to return it to your boss," Li Yang fabricated an excuse.
"I see. You can just give it to me. Our boss isn't home right now," the saleswoman said, understanding dawning on her face.
"I'm sorry, I can only give this to your boss. Since he's not here, I'll wait for him to return," Li Yang refused.
"Sir, giving it to me is just as good. This item isn't worth much. If you're hoping to get a reward from our boss, your wish might not be fulfilled. However, if you give it to me, I can offer you some discount coupons," the saleswoman continued.
"Do you think I look like someone who lacks money? Am I here to seek rewards from you?" Li Yang asked with a cold smile, noticing the mocking expression on the saleswoman's face.
"Isn't that the case? It has nothing to do with how you look, but rather with your actions. You've brought the item here, yet you refuse to hand it over and insist on waiting for our boss. This can only mean you want our boss to thank you in person and give you a reward."
The saleswoman said mockingly, shrugging her shoulders. "I've seen many people like you. If you're determined to seek a reward, you can take this item and leave now."
"If you weren't trying to drive me away, I might have left. But the more you act like this, the less I intend to leave."
Li Yang smiled faintly and added, "I have plenty of time. I'll leave when your boss returns."
"You..."
Seeing his stubbornness, the saleswoman couldn't persuade him and decided to ignore him. "Since you want to wait, then wait. Our boss probably won't be back until dark."
"Then I don't mind waiting until dark!" Li Yang replied calmly.
The saleswoman frowned, said nothing more to Li Yang, and turned away.
Li Yang found a stool and placed it in the center of the shop, blocking the path for many people, and sat down, crossing his legs, waiting patiently.
Time ticked by, and Li Yang occasionally stretched his limbs, much to the annoyance of the surrounding customers.
The saleswoman, seeing this, was furious. She walked up to him again, hands on her hips, and said, "Hey, can you sit somewhere else? Can't you see that by sitting here, you're blocking everyone's way?"
"What does that have to do with me? This is your shop, and it's small. Don't forget, I'm also a customer. I'll sit however I please; it's my freedom," Li Yang said dismissively.
"You..."
The saleswoman was once again rendered speechless by Li Yang's infuriating behavior.
She glared at Li Yang, pouting, and said, "You just wait. I'll see how long you can keep sitting there."
With that, she headed upstairs to report the situation to the manager.
Upon hearing the report, the manager's face turned instantly furious. "Outrageous! A mere youngster dares to extort us here. He's tired of living!"
"Take me downstairs to see him. I'll make sure this kid knows our power."
"Yes, Manager!"
The saleswoman led the way, accompanying the manager downstairs.
She thought that once the manager intervened, this fellow would surely get what he deserved.
When they arrived downstairs, the situation was even more dire than before. Several customers, displeased with Li Yang's actions, had attacked him. As a result, all the customers were lying on the ground, with a crowd of onlookers gathered.
"Bold thief, who allowed you to fight in our shop? You have no regard for the law!"
The manager strode forward, pointing an angry finger at Li Yang. "You, for a mere few reward fees, not only sat here disrupting our business but also dared to beat our customers. You, what crime do you commit?"
"Are you the one in charge here?"
Li Yang observed him, dressed in a suit with a plump face and ears, and the saleswoman standing behind him. He presumed this was the authoritative figure in the shop.
"That's right, I am the shop manager. You, kid, are causing trouble in our shop. You must have a death wish. I'll have you thrown out now. Someone, come here!"
At the manager's command, the shop's security guards rushed forward.
Li Yang calmly surveyed his surroundings and said dismissively, "Even if they were ten times more numerous, they wouldn't be my match. I'm not here to cause trouble today, but to ask your boss a question."
"As the manager, shouldn't you resolve the doubts of a VIP? Attacking a VIP directly, what kind of hospitality is that?"
"Hmph, you think you're a VIP in our shop? I think you're overestimating yourself!"
The manager completely disregarded Li Yang's words, his eyes narrowing. With a wave of his hand, he ordered his subordinates to attack Li Yang.
Li Yang frowned and turned slightly, preparing to act, when a cold voice suddenly came from outside the shop: "Stop everything!"
"Boss, you're back!"
The manager turned and saw Boss Wang Tong walking in sternly from outside. He quickly ordered his subordinates to stop and went to greet him personally.
"What happened in the shop? Who allowed you to bring so many people to fight inside?" Wang Tong asked coldly.