"You wouldn't know this, but what's written here is the hidden location of a treasure," Li Yang said with a smile.
"Treasure? Are you sure it's real?"
Long Lingling was greatly surprised, her eyes widening like sunflowers. She couldn't help but exclaim, "This treasure is hidden inside a painting? It couldn't be a prank, could it?"
"No, if it were a prank, no one would go to great lengths and expense to hide it within a genuine calligraphy and painting."
"This calligraphy and painting was created by a famous artist from the Song Dynasty. It would be treasured in any era. And to create a hidden compartment within it and insert a treasure map would be something only an extraordinary person could achieve."
"And the person who could do this would certainly not be doing it as a mere prank," Li Yang explained seriously.
"Then, if the treasure map is real, doesn't that mean we just need to follow its location to find the treasure?" Long Lingling asked joyfully.
"Indeed, that's correct. However, the treasure map we see is not a complete one; it's only one-eighth of the whole."
Li Yang's expression turned grave as he continued, "If we want to find the treasure, we need to find the other seven parts. If even one part is missing, we won't be able to find the treasure."
"I see! I was wondering why it wasn't so easy to find the treasure!"
Long Lingling stroked her chin, pondered for a moment, and then said with a smile, "It seems Ma Shihao wasn't looking for the calligraphy and painting itself, but for the treasure map hidden within it. He must have known the painting's secret long ago."
"Why don't we restore the painting now? If he comes looking for it again, I'll sell it to him."
"Good idea, but selling it at the original price seems to let him off too easily. I suggest you send this painting to a friend of mine. She can find a way to inflate the price of this calligraphy and painting and sell it to Ma Shihao at a high price," Li Yang suggested after some thought.
"Great! If we can really rip him off, I'd be more than happy to," Long Lingling said decisively.
Immediately, Li Yang gave her Shui Xiang's contact information and asked her to handle the matter.
Long Lingling was extremely excited. After jotting down the number, she hugged Li Yang tightly and kissed him on the cheek. Then, sitting on his lap, she said, "Li Yang, you're truly my lucky charm. Tonight, I want to fight you for a thousand rounds."
"You go wait for me upstairs. I'm going to take a shower and I'll be right back."
"Okay, but be quick!"
Li Yang was also aroused by her, wanting to have a good time with her.
Unexpectedly, just as he stood up to go upstairs, Old Master Long suddenly opened the door and walked in from outside.
His appearance caused both Li Yang and Long Lingling to freeze on the spot!
The scene Long Lingling feared the most had occurred!
If her father returned, she wouldn't be able to indulge in wild behavior with Li Yang in the villa. Her face immediately showed a look of distress, and she walked over, saying unhappily, "Dad, why are you back at this hour? You usually don't come back when you go out at night."
"You little girl, why aren't you welcoming your father back?"
Old Master Long turned his head and saw Li Yang sitting there. A smile appeared on his face as he said, "Mr. Li is here too. Welcome. Little girl, why didn't you tell me earlier that Mr. Li was coming to our house?"
"If I had known Mr. Li was coming to the provincial capital, I would have come back to see him long ago."
"Who wants you to see me!"
Long Lingling pouted and complained, making Old Master Long pause in surprise and ask, "What did you say?"
"I said, Mr. Li just came to help me look at an antique. It's nothing important, so I didn't call you back," Long Lingling replied with a forced smile.
"Is that so? Has Mr. Li eaten? Shall we go out for a meal later?" Old Master Long asked politely upon hearing that Li Yang was there to help.
"No need, Patriarch Long. I've already eaten. Well, I've finished looking at the antique for Lingling, and I have other matters to attend to later, so I'll be taking my leave," Li Yang said.
Knowing that Patriarch Long had returned meant that his and Long Lingling's plans were now impossible, so Li Yang took the initiative to say goodbye and got up to leave.
Long Lingling's eyes darted around, and she immediately said, "Dad, I'll escort Mr. Li home. You should rest early."
"Wait a moment!"
Patriarch Long decisively stopped Long Lingling and said seriously, "Dad needs to talk to you about some company matters. I'll have someone send Mr. Li back. You don't need to go."
"Ah?"
Long Lingling exclaimed in dismay, but seeing her father's serious expression, she knew there was no hope. She had no choice but to turn back and let Li Yang leave first.
After Li Yang walked out of the villa, Patriarch Long personally arranged a car and driver to take Li Yang to the entrance of the Tang family villa.
As soon as he got out of the car, Li Yang received a text message from Long Lingling.
Long Lingling asked him to meet again tomorrow night and set the location at a hotel, so they wouldn't be disturbed. Li Yang casually replied with an "Okay," waved goodbye to the driver, and turned to enter the villa.
It was already late. When he returned to the villa, Tang Xinyu had already gone to sleep. The lights in the living room were off. He changed his shoes, turned on the lights, and walked towards the bathroom.
Unexpectedly, halfway there, as he passed a bedroom, he suddenly heard a faint female voice from within.
Instantly, Li Yang stopped curiously and tiptoed towards the bedroom door.
He reached the door and saw that it was not fully closed. He gently pushed it open and peered inside curiously.
What he saw made Li Yang's blood boil!
He saw Tang Xuejian lying on her side on the bed, wearing thin pajamas. She wasn't asleep yet but was lying by the side of the bed, looking at her phone while doing something that excited Li Yang.
Indeed, women are like tigers at forty!
He hadn't expected Tang Xuejian, who appeared so noble and aloof during the day, to have such strong desires at night.
However, he could understand Tang Xuejian's actions. After all, Tang Xuejian had been a widow for many years, and it wasn't easy for her to remain alone for so long.
Li Yang stood outside, mesmerized!
Just as he was drooling and his mind was filled with fantasies, Tang Xuejian inside suddenly turned over. Startled, Li Yang flinched and immediately hid behind the wall, too scared to move.
His heart pounded several times faster than before. He couldn't help but swallow, and his mind went blank. If he were discovered, it would be the end!
Fortunately, after a moment of silence, Tang Xuejian inside did not notice him outside. He gradually relaxed.
But just as he was about to move away from the doorway towards the bathroom, a voice suddenly came from behind him: "Brother-in-law, what are you doing?"