"A big shot from the capital?"
Li Yang hadn't expected such an important figure to visit the small museum in Jiang City.
Since Director Qi was busy, Li Yang didn't want to disturb him further. He nodded and sat down, striking up a conversation with the manager.
The manager was a good-natured man who had been at the museum for over ten years. He hadn't made any significant contributions but had also avoided making mistakes, content with job security.
However, when Li Yang praised his stable job for ensuring family happiness and peace, the manager shook his head deeply and confided in Li Yang, "Mr. Li, you wouldn't know, but although my job is stable, my home is in constant chaos."
"What's going on? Does your wife dislike your job? There aren't many stable workers like you in Jiang City," Li Yang asked curiously.
"It's not about the job. It's the mother-in-law relationship. My wife argues with my mother every day, and the house is a mess. I don't even want to go home after work. As soon as I do, they'll start complaining to me," the manager said with great helplessness.
"Every family has its own troubles. Keep your chin up, brother. If you work hard enough and earn enough, conflicts will naturally disappear. If you want to earn some extra money, why not introduce some clients to me? You must know many big names in the antique world from your work at the museum, right?"
"If you can introduce them to my shop to buy or sell antiques, I'll give you a commission. One thousand for an unsuccessful transaction, and ten thousand for a successful one. What do you think?" Li Yang's eyes twinkled as he asked the manager.
"Really?"
The manager looked astonished, never expecting Li Yang to offer him help. They hadn't had any prior interactions, and he had only heard about Li Yang's capabilities.
He deeply admired Li Yang, a master of antique appraisal!
But he never imagined Li Yang would proactively offer assistance; it was truly unexpected!
"Of course, it's true. I have no reason to deceive you. If you're willing, then it's settled," Li Yang said with a smile.
"Alright, thank you, Boss Li. I don't know how to repay such a great kindness. If Mr. Li needs anything in the future, just ask, and I'll do my best to help," the manager said gratefully.
"You're too kind. We're brothers from now on. You help me, and I'll reward you. It's only right!"
Li Yang patted his shoulder reassuringly, thinking that he had gained another channel for clients, making business increasingly easier.
As they chatted, the sound of two people talking came from upstairs.
Qi Tongwei spoke very politely to a middle-aged man, "Director General, please rest assured. I will do my utmost to cooperate with the general office's work and will not disappoint them."
"That's for the best. If you have any progress in your work, contact me immediately, and I will come to see you."
The middle-aged man finished speaking sternly and was personally escorted to the door by Qi Tongwei.
Unexpectedly, just as they stepped out, Li Yang suddenly walked over from a distance and looked seriously at the middle-aged man, saying, "Sir, please wait. You cannot leave yet."
"You are..."
The middle-aged man turned his head and looked at Li Yang, asking sternly.
"My name is Li Yang, and I am a friend of Director Qi. I have something very important to remind you. If you leave the premises now, something will happen within ten minutes," Li Yang said earnestly as he approached.
"What did you say?"
The middle-aged man frowned, his expression instantly becoming stern. He completely disbelieved Li Yang and snorted, "What nonsense! Director Qi, I can't believe you know such a charlatan. I am truly disappointed in you."
"Director General, it's not like that. Mr. Li has indeed made great contributions to our museum, and Mr. Li's abilities are very impressive in Jiang City," Qi Tongwei quickly explained to Li Yang.
"How impressive? I know many well-known figures in Jiang City's antique appraisal circle, but I've never heard his name."
The middle-aged man's face was stern. He pointed at Li Yang and said, "Quickly distance yourself from this kid. Befriending someone like him will eventually ruin you and perhaps even damage the museum's reputation."
"If your reputation is tarnished because of this, you can expect to be fired."
"Director General, I..."
Qi Tongwei was unable to explain. He turned to look at Li Yang and whispered, "Mr. Li, please apologize to our Director General quickly. His position is very high, and this is not a joke you can afford to make."
"I am not joking with him. Now that he hasn't left here, he has lived two more minutes. If he goes out now, he will still encounter an accident in ten minutes. If I'm not mistaken, someone has set a trap in advance, waiting to assassinate him," Li Yang said seriously.
"You, you still dare to spout such nonsense!"
The middle-aged man was furious. He glared at Qi Tongwei on the spot and said, "You immediately throw this charlatan out and never let him step into the museum again. If you don't comply, I'll fire you on the spot."
"Director General, please calm down. I will have Mr. Li leave now."
Qi Tongwei, sweating profusely, turned back and secretly bowed, whispering, "Mr. Li, please stop talking. If you continue, I'll lose my job."
"Why don't you leave the museum for a while, and come back after the Director General has left? What do you think?"
"Alright, I didn't expect your Director General to be so foolish. Since he wants to court death himself, even if I wanted to help him, I can't," Li Yang said, shaking his head helplessly, and turned to leave.
The Director General looked at him coldly, not bothering to argue further, and left the premises.
However, even though he had left, Qi Tongwei was still worried. He had witnessed Li Yang's extraordinary abilities. Li Yang's sudden claim that the Director General would encounter an accident was likely not without reason.
So, he immediately called his subordinate and instructed, "Immediately arrange for a few capable men to discreetly follow the Director General. If the Director General is in any danger, rescue him immediately."
"Yes, Director Qi."
The manager agreed and immediately carried out Qi Tongwei's request.
A short while later, Qi Tongwei voluntarily walked out of the shop to look for Li Yang.
Li Yang was walking on the road when Qi Tongwei quickly ran up to him, smiling apologetically, "Mr. Li, I'm truly sorry about earlier. Our Director General is just like that; he finds it hard to take advice from others."
"However, he's not a bad person. Over the years, he has protected many national treasures at the General Museum. I hope Mr. Li doesn't mind what happened just now."