"Uncle Huang, hello. Thank you for waiting for us here. I'm so sorry. These are some small pastries I bought on the way. Although I know you can have anything you want, I still want to express my personal gratitude."
After speaking, Li Yang glanced at Zhang Xiaona with a smile. The girl immediately held a gift bag with both hands and walked forward, saying crisply, "Hello, Uncle Huang."
"Hello, little girl," Huang Yiping thought it was a bit strange; the intelligence report did not mention these two girls. However, he remained very amiable on the surface, smiling as he accepted the gift bag. The items were indeed not expensive, only a few hundred yuan, a far cry from the value of the lavish meal he was treating Li Yang to.
But inwardly, he was pleased. This represented Li Yang's gesture of goodwill, indicating his willingness to befriend him.
This was more valuable than at least eighty grand meals.
"Second Uncle, these are Li brother's sisters. This one is Zhang Xiaona, the elder sister. This is the younger sister, Zhang Xiaoxue," Huang Bai introduced. "Sister Xiaoxue is a bit shy and doesn't talk much, but in my opinion, quietness has its advantages, don't you think?"
"Haha, yes, I remember you were quite taciturn when you were young, and you got better after growing up," Huang Yiping said with a smile, knowing that this was his reminder that the two sisters had different personalities and should be treated differently.
He was also reminded that these two held significant importance in Li Yang's eyes and should not be underestimated.
"Since the two young ladies are meeting me for the first time, I must show some appreciation. Otherwise, if word gets out, everyone will laugh at me, Huang Yiping, for being stingy, or even say that our Huang family is cheap."
"Someone!"
He clapped his hands.
The manager from before immediately led a group of people over. Each of them held a gift box. The manager smiled and said, "Master Huang."
"Show these to the two young ladies and see if they like them. If not, bring me a new batch of gifts. Make sure the two ladies are satisfied," Huang Yiping said with a smile.
"Yes, Master Huang."
The manager smiled slightly, then faced the Zhang sisters. With a *snap*, seventeen or eighteen gift boxes were opened one after another, revealing exquisite and beautiful ornaments made of gold, silver, jade, and emeralds, all exceptionally attractive and captivating.
Of course, their value was also considerable.
Li Yang only glanced at them briefly, knowing that not a single item was worth less than a million yuan. Moreover, they were all accessories that could be worn by both men and women, so there was no risk of giving the wrong gift.
This showed that Huang Yiping had prepared this batch of gifts specifically when he learned that Li Yang would be bringing two people.
Zhang Xiaona's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment. She looked at Li Yang somewhat helplessly, unsure whether she should accept them. She dared not take them, but if she refused, she feared it would displease Huang Yiping and harm the friendly relationship between Li Yang and Huang Yiping.
"Xiaona, choose one. You must not disappoint Uncle Huang's kind intentions," Li Yang said with a smile. He glanced at his sister Zhang Xiaoxue, who was tightly holding his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, said, "May I help you pick one?"
"It's too precious," Zhang Xiaoxue's heart trembled. She looked at him, then lowered her head again.
Li Yang smiled, "You just need to answer me, yes or no."
"Of course," Zhang Xiaoxue could not refuse Li Yang.
Li Yang's lips curved into a smile, "Alright, I'll choose the 'Butterflies in Love with Flowers' for you. I hope that in the future, like that butterfly, no matter what you encounter, you will always pursue the fresh flowers of spring, the beautiful things in the world, and always face the light with a bright and beautiful heart."
"Thank you," Zhang Xiaoxue's small face turned red, and her heart pounded.
Zhang Xiaona sighed inwardly, "My dear sister, don't be foolish. Boss Li is a good person, but we sisters are not worthy of him."
Seeing that both girls had chosen gifts, Huang Yiping's smile widened. He announced loudly, "Boss Li, two beautiful young ladies, please come in and be seated."
"Thank you, Uncle Huang," Li Yang smiled.
As they walked in, Huang Yiping introduced him to some of his friends, including Professor Zhuang, as well as merchants, collectors, and appraisers from the antique circle.
Some of these people were local to Jiangcheng, while others came from different places. Upon learning of Li Yang's deeds, they paid special attention to him.
Now, seeing the attitude of the Huang uncle and nephew towards him, everyone was naturally more willing to maintain a friendly relationship with him, and some even extended invitations to him.
One person, with a wry smile, approached with a wine glass to toast, "Boss Li, we meet again."
"Oh, Expert Cai?" Li Yang raised an eyebrow. This man approaching to toast was none other than the expert he had met on the same day he encountered Lü Fang at the wet market.
Expert Cai's face flushed with shame as he said, "I dare not accept such praise. In front of a true expert master like you, I am not even fit to carry your shoes. How can I dare to call myself an expert? Please, Boss Li, do not mock me."
"Don't be too humble. Although your eyesight is indeed not as good as Boss Lu's, it is still not ordinary," Li Yang said with a smile, raising his wine glass towards him. "Cheers?"
"Cheers."
Expert Cai immediately downed the wine in his glass and said excitedly, "Thank you for your compliment. I will definitely study antique knowledge more diligently in the future and strive to be worthy of your praise as soon as possible."
"You are already worthy now," Li Yang said, patting his shoulder with a smile.
Expert Cai was deeply moved, almost to tears. He hadn't expected Li Yang, who was so young yet possessed appraisal skills surpassing masters, to be so humble and polite, treating him, a disgraced individual, with such kindness. He was choked with emotion and unable to speak.
At this moment, Professor Zhuang walked over and said with a smile, "Boss Li, I've heard a lot about you. When do you have time to help out at Jiangcheng University?"
"I'm just an antique dealer, what help can I offer a university?" Li Yang asked suspiciously.
Professor Zhuang said, "It's like this, I'd like to invite you to be a visiting lecturer at the university, to guide the students in the archaeology department and broaden their horizons."
"Professor, are you joking with me?" Li Yang asked in surprise.
Professor Zhuang, however, said with a serious expression, "Absolutely not a joke. Boss Li, I know that your skills are passed down through generations and are not easily taught to others. Therefore, I only hope you can impart something more useful than textbooks to the students."
"You may not know, but the textbooks in various universities are still from many years ago, and some school textbooks are even extremely outdated, completely unable to keep up with the rapid development and needs of modern society. But you are different; you are a living and current textbook. Your experiences can surely enlighten the students, and even the lecturers and professors in the archaeology department, benefiting them for a lifetime."
"So, please help us!"
Saying this, a respected and socially acclaimed elderly university professor actually bowed to Li Yang to plead with him!