"Mr. Li, I apologize for the fright you experienced today. That Ma Shihao is the son of an old friend of mine. He's always been arrogant and overbearing, but he still shows me some respect. If you encounter him in the future, there's no need to pay him any mind."
After Ma Shihao and his subordinates left, Bai Jingchang walked over and spoke to Li Yang.
Li Yang smiled faintly and nodded, "Alright, Elder Bai. I understand. Thank you for standing up for me today."
"It is I who should thank you. You saved my life. Mr. Li, your abilities are truly admirable," Bai Jingchang said very politely to Li Yang. He then took out a brocade box from his person and handed it to Li Yang, saying, "Mr. Li, I came specifically to thank you for saving my life."
"This box contains a pure yang jade. I obtained this jade by chance, and its value is immeasurable. I hope Mr. Li will not find it too humble and will accept it."
"How can I accept this? Elder Bai, you don't need to be so polite. You helped me just now, so we are even." Li Yang quickly declined.
"Mr. Li, please, you must accept it, or I won't be able to sleep. To repay kindness is my principle, Bai, in all my dealings," Bai Jingchang said solemnly.
"Alright, since Elder Bai insists, I will accept it."
After Li Yang considered it, unable to refuse further, he finally accepted the gift.
Seeing Li Yang put the box in his pocket, Bai Jingchang's face lit up with a smile. He then thought for a moment and asked, "By the way, Mr. Li, are you free tomorrow? I, Bai, am hosting an antique commercial exchange fair at Wulong Plaza."
"If you are interested, you are welcome to attend. Here is the invitation."
As he spoke, he took out an invitation from his person and handed it to Li Yang.
Li Yang smiled slightly and replied, "I have a treasure appraisal competition tomorrow. If I have time after that, I will attend."
"Very well, then I shall await Mr. Li's arrival. Mr. Li, Miss Long, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now. Please feel free to do as you please!"
Bai Jingchang said, cupping his hands in farewell to Li Yang.
After he left, Long Lingling looked at Li Yang with a look of surprise. "Li Yang, I didn't expect you to be on such good terms with Elder Bai. Elder Bai is a top figure in the antique industry in the provincial capital."
"I met him by chance, and we aren't too familiar. By accepting his gift today, we are even."
"Is that so? Then let's go. It's all Ma Shihao's fault, that scoundrel. Otherwise, we would have been in the thick of it by now."
Long Lingling pulled Li Yang along. Li Yang couldn't help but ask curiously, "By the way, what was that thing he asked you for earlier? Is it that important to him?"
"Hmph, that guy wants everything good he sees. I just got lucky at an auction and bought a royal calligraphy and painting. I didn't expect that guy to insist on snatching it from me. After failing to persuade me through soft tactics, he started finding people to trick me into buying it, and now he's resorting to direct threats."
"The more he wants it, the less I'll give it to him. I'll just drive him crazy with anxiety!"
"I see. Do you have that calligraphy and painting with you? I think this matter might not be as simple as you think," Li Yang said, stroking his chin in thought.
"What do you mean?" Long Lingling asked, confused.
"I think that item might hold some secret that ordinary people don't know. If it were just an ordinary lucky find, he wouldn't go to such lengths to fight you for it," Li Yang continued.
"I suspected that before, but I've had several appraisers look at it. There's nothing too extraordinary about it; it's only worth a few million."
"However, the item isn't with me; I left it at home. If you're in a hurry, I can take you home first," Long Lingling said with a smile.
"Alright, let's go home first."
Li Yang felt it was necessary to understand the importance of the item to avoid bringing further danger to Long Lingling.
The murderous intent on Ma Shihao's face as he left hadn't escaped Li Yang's keen perception.
Long Lingling, however, took Li Yang's eagerness as an excuse to avoid romance. She suddenly pointed at Li Yang's nose and said, "Are you sure it's because you want to see the antique? Not for some other reason?"
"What other reason?" Li Yang asked, confused.
"What else could it be? Worried you won't be able to give me your 'rations'? Who knows if your weapons have been used? Afraid I'll inspect them!" Long Lingling rolled her eyes.
She felt that Li Yang was so outstanding, and he hadn't informed her when he arrived in the provincial capital, so he must have come with women.
She didn't mind Li Yang having other women, but she minded if Li Yang couldn't satisfy her when she wanted him to.
Li Yang couldn't help but chuckle. He flicked her nose and said, "If you're worried, when we get home later, we can go to the bedroom, and you can inspect them as you please."
"You said it!"
Hearing this, Long Lingling finally felt at ease and immediately took Li Yang home.
When she arrived home, only the housekeeper was there. Seeing that her father wasn't around, she felt relaxed and happy. She lightly touched Li Yang's face and said, "Li Yang, wait here for me. I'll go get the calligraphy and painting for you."
"After you've appraised the calligraphy and painting, we'll go upstairs and have some romance in the bedroom."
"Okay!" Li Yang's heart ignited as he saw her alluring gaze.
A moment later, she came downstairs with a scroll. When the scroll was presented before him, his gaze instantly deepened.
He couldn't help but reach out and touch the edge of the scroll. After a moment, he nodded and said, "No wonder that young Master Ma was so eager to get the scroll back. You didn't just get a lucky find with this; you've found a national treasure."
"Ah? Surely not?"
Long Lingling looked at Li Yang with a surprised expression and asked, "Is there anything special about this calligraphy and painting?"
"Yes, this calligraphy and painting looks ordinary, but it actually hides a secret. Get me a needle," Li Yang said confidently.
"Okay, I'll get it for you."
Long Lingling, full of curiosity, quickly fetched a tea needle and handed it to Li Yang.
Taking the needle, Li Yang first removed the jade rollers from the front and back of the scroll, then gently used the needle to pick open a layer of oiled paper on the surface of the scroll.
As he broke through the oiled paper and reached out to lift the first layer, a rustling sound was heard, and a piece of parchment fell out.
Long Lingling looked on with curiosity. She hadn't discovered that such a thing was hidden inside before.
She picked up the parchment with great curiosity and opened it to examine it closely. She found that it was written entirely in strange, ancient characters that she couldn't recognize.
She handed the parchment to Li Yang and asked, "Li Yang, what is written on this?"