"Mr. Li is too kind."
President Feng led Li Yang upstairs.
Fang Xiaoqing watched the group of people flee in disarray, feeling incredibly satisfied. People like those detestable individuals deserved their comeuppance.
However, with Li Yang offending the Wu family today, President Feng couldn't help but worry for him.
Halfway up, President Feng spoke, "Mr. Li, you've offended the Wu family today. I'm afraid they will retaliate. You must be careful!"
"President Feng needn't worry. I don't put a mere Wu family in my eyes," Li Yang said confidently.
If the Wu family dared to cause trouble again, Li Yang would ensure they paid dearly.
They soon arrived at the second floor. As soon as they entered the private room, Li Yang saw many senior figures from the antique appraisal world seated inside. Some he had seen on television but never in person, while others were renowned big shots who frequently appeared on Antique Street.
Upon seeing President Feng return, they all rose to greet him.
After all, President Feng was the president of the Antique Association, holding the highest position in the antique appraisal world, and everyone deeply respected him.
"President Feng, today is your birthday. You are the most important person here. We toast you, wishing your status in the antique appraisal world continues to soar."
"We will toast President Feng. I'll go first."
Everyone stood up, raised their glasses, offered blessings, and then drank their wine in one go.
President Feng's face was beaming. He was happy to have made so many close friends.
Just then, a very young appraisal master stepped forward, holding a wine glass with both hands and a smile. "President Feng, this junior also toasts you with a glass of wine, wishing you good health and all the best."
"At the same time, this junior hopes President Feng will guide me more in the antique appraisal field in the future. I will certainly regard President Feng as my lifelong learning role model."
"Very good, Nephew Zhao. You are truly sensible. You are already the youngest genius appraisal master in the Northern Province and have apprenticed under Master Wang Zhongsheng. Your future achievements are immeasurable, and it's quite possible you will surpass me."
President Feng patted his shoulder and praised him, a brilliant smile on his face.
All the appraisal masters present also praised him, considering him the hope of the future antique appraisal world.
"By the way, President Feng, I have a humble request that I hope you will grant."
A moment later, Zhao Chen's eyes flickered, and he said to President Feng.
"Oh? What is it?" President Feng asked curiously.
"I've actually liked Xiaoqing for a long time. Xiaoqing and I grew up together as childhood sweethearts. Taking advantage of this good opportunity today, I want to confess my feelings to Xiaoqing and hope to receive your support, President Feng." As Zhao Chen spoke, his gaze involuntarily turned towards Fang Xiaoqing.
Fang Xiaoqing was taken aback and couldn't help but say, "Zhao Chen, are you feeling unwell? When did I ever say I liked you? Didn't you always treat me like a sister? You actually want me to be your girlfriend?"
"Xiaoqing, I've actually had a crush on you for a long time, but I never had the courage to say it," Zhao Chen said with a smile, looking at Fang Xiaoqing. "Today is a rare opportunity, and I finally have the courage to confess to you. I hope you will agree to be my girlfriend. I will definitely treat you well for the rest of my life."
"I'm sorry, but I already have a boyfriend. He is my Big Brother Li Yang, so I apologize!"
Fang Xiaoqing refused without hesitation, pulling Li Yang in front of her.
Li Yang smiled slightly and extended his hand, saying, "Hello, my friend. My name is Li Yang, and I am Xiaoqing's boyfriend."
"What? Bo-boyfriend?"
The smile on Zhao Chen's face vanished instantly!
He looked at Fang Xiaoqing in surprise and asked, "Xiaoqing, are you joking with me? When did you start dating? Why didn't I know?"
"What is my relationship with you? It's my freedom to date, why should you know!"
Fang Xiaoqing rolled her eyes dismissively, then advised, "Zhao Chen, I only see you as an ordinary brother. I have no romantic feelings for you, so don't force it. A melon twisted by force is not sweet."
"Besides, there are so many wonderful girls in the world. For a man as excellent as you, someone will surely like you."
"Then why don't you like me?"
Zhao Chen was very unconvinced. He turned to look at Li Yang and pointed at him, asking, "What makes this kid better than me? I am the youngest genius appraisal master in the entire Northern Province."
"You are President Feng's granddaughter. Our strong alliance is a match made in heaven."
"That's just what you think. My Big Brother Li Yang is also an appraisal master, and his appraisal skills are far superior to yours. He's also better looking than you. Why should I choose you?"
Fang Xiaoqing didn't intend to deliberately put him down, but she wanted to make things clear to him and make him give up early, which would be good for both of them.
However, her words only intensified Zhao Chen's resentment!
Even the other appraisal masters present showed looks of doubt!
They looked at Li Yang, thinking that he was just a young kid with no significant achievements in Tianjiang, so why should he be compared to the genius youth Zhao Chen?
"Haha, Xiaoqing, to make me give up on you, you can tell such a big lie. Among the young appraisal masters in the entire Northern Province, I, Zhao Chen, am unique. No one can surpass my status, and no one can surpass my appraisal skills."
"You actually say this kid's appraisal skills are above mine. Ask anyone present if they believe it," Zhao Chen retorted on the spot.
"Zhao Chen, do you know what your biggest flaw is? It's that you are too immodest. The antique appraisal world is vast, and there are always people better than you. My Big Brother Li Yang's appraisal skills are so high, yet he has never boasted.
"But you, just because someone called you a genius, you've become arrogant and ignorant."
Fang Xiaoqing shrugged helplessly and looked at President Feng again. "Grandpa, since he doesn't believe it, why don't you tell us who has higher appraisal skills between them."
"This..."
President Feng stroked his chin, unable to speak for a moment.
This was because Zhao Chen's grandfather, Zhao Shixin, was also present. He was of the same generation as President Feng and was the vice president of the Antique Association, holding a position equal to his.
If he belittled his grandson, wouldn't that offend him and make him lose face?
As President Feng hesitated, Zhao Shixin took the initiative to speak. "President Feng, why are you still hesitating about this matter? Just tell everyone the result directly."
"My grandson has been working in the antique appraisal world for four to five years and still has no match. Even if that kid studies for a few more years, he will be far inferior to my grandson."
"Old Zhao, that's not entirely correct!"
After a period of silence, President Feng decided to speak the truth, stating directly, "Zhao Chen's appraisal skills are indeed outstanding among the younger generation, but compared to Mr. Li, he is worlds apart!"