“None of your business!” Tang Xinyu glared at him, but knowing that gnawing on her food would be unladylike, she quickly resumed eating in small bites.
She didn’t want to lose face in front of Li Yang.
After the meal, seeing Li Yang clearing the table, Tang Xinyu said, “Let me. I can’t have you cook the meal and then wash the dishes and clear the table.”
“You’re a guest, there’s no such thing as asking a guest to help with housework.” Li Yang shook his head and pushed her aside.
“That won’t do, I’m not eating your food for free.” Tang Xinyu said.
“Last night, no, with our relationship, there’s no need to be so polite.” Li Yang corrected himself, but he still mentioned last night.
Angrily, Tang Xinyu lifted her delicate foot and kicked his calf, then walked towards the kitchen with the plates.
Was she being coy?
Li Yang couldn’t help but smile knowingly, feeling that this place had a sense of home again. “I’m serious, I can handle it.”
“Stop rambling, it’s just washing dishes.” Tang Xinyu took the plates from his hands and turned to run water and squeeze dish soap.
Watching her focused expression as she washed the dishes, Li Yang’s heart warmed, and he hugged her from behind.
Tang Xinyu’s delicate body stiffened, “You, don’t mess around.”
“Don’t worry, last, cough, that was an accident. Without your consent, I won’t do that to you again.” Li Yang rested his head on her fragrant shoulder, smelling the scent of her hair, and said, “Miss Tang, no, can I call you Xinyu?”
“Mm.” Tang Xinyu felt his solid male physique, her heart beating uncontrollably faster.
If this guy isn’t going to do *that* to me, what does he want?
Li Yang said gently, “Be my girlfriend, okay?”
“Okay, okay your head! I’m a career-driven woman, I don’t want to be in a relationship. At least not until I’m thirty, I haven’t even thought about dating, don’t get any ideas.” Tang Xinyu was about to nod subconsciously, but then realized she was giving him too much, and immediately changed her mind.
Li Yang chuckled, “That’s perfect, I’m also planning to embark on a great venture recently. Even if I were with you, I wouldn’t be able to take good care of you.”
“Then let’s just see how things go, and we can talk about dating when you’re thirty.”
“You wish! Why would I wait for you to date?” Tang Xinyu said, half amused and half annoyed, bumping him with her arm.
Li Yang laughed, “I don’t care then. Anyway, don’t even think about getting rid of me in this lifetime.”
After washing the dishes, they rested for a while before heading to the antique street.
“Yo, handsome guy, beautiful lady, we meet again, what a coincidence.”
After they had been browsing for a while, Old Man Huang spotted them and waved them over, “Are you satisfied with that big golden Buddha from yesterday?”
“Quite satisfied.” Li Yang’s lips curved slightly as he smiled.
Tang Xinyu leaned her head on his shoulder, secretly smiling.
Exchanging ten thousand for twenty million, who wouldn’t be satisfied?
Hearing this, Old Man Huang’s eyes lit up, sensing another opportunity today. He immediately said with a warm smile, “That’s great, your satisfaction is my honor.”
“By the way, I just received a new batch of goods this morning. There are a few treasures you might want to see. If you like them, I’ll give you a fair price.”
“Sure, let me see.” Li Yang said with a smile.
Old Man Huang immediately took out a scroll from a large bag and carefully unrolled it on a piece of cloth. It was a landscape painting.
“Please take a look, the brushstrokes are fluid, the colors are vibrant, the mountains and rivers are lifelike, and at first glance, it feels like you’re there. Only a master painter could achieve such an effect.”
“It’s just the inscription that’s a pity, it’s too blurry to make out which ancient master painter’s work it is. Otherwise, this painting would definitely fetch a very high price.”
“Li Yang, the inscription is Tang Bohu,” she said softly, right after he finished speaking.
The inscription was indeed quite blurry, but she could still make out a few characters. Tang Xinyu recognized two characters: Tang Yin.
This Tang Yin was Tang Bohu.
The same person, just a different name.
She immediately became a little excited, “This boss hasn’t discovered it. Should we buy it quickly and leave?”
“No rush.” Li Yang shook his head and asked, “Since it’s such a good painting, what’s the owner’s asking price?”
“Ah, as the saying goes, familiarity breeds friendship. We’re not strangers anymore, so the price is negotiable.”
Old Man Huang smiled and held up five fingers, saying, “A fixed price, five hundred thousand, not a cent more.”
“Too expensive.” Li Yang shook his head. “If it’s five thousand, we’ll buy it.”
“No way, only five thousand? This is a really good painting. Fifty thousand is definitely a bargain for you.” Old Man Huang shook his head, “If you still think it’s expensive, then forget it.”
Saying that, he began to roll up the painting.
Tang Xinyu immediately became anxious, “Boss, wait…”
“Xinyu, let’s go look at other shops.” Li Yang interrupted her and pulled her hand as they walked away.
Tang Xinyu was surprised, “What are you doing? I saw the inscription very clearly, it’s definitely Tang Bohu’s painting. Fifty thousand is already very cheap, we’ve found a great bargain.”
“Trust me, don’t rush.” Li Yang still held her hand and led her elsewhere.
As they were about to walk away, Old Man Huang’s hand stiffened. He gritted his teeth and was about to call them back when a voice suddenly came from the side, “Excuse me, boss, could I take a look at the painting in your hand?”
“Oh, of course, sir, please take a look.” Old Man Huang was a little surprised. He turned to see a middle-aged man in a suit, dressed quite formally.
This man wore gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, had a fair complexion, and looked like he worked in a respectable profession.
Old Man Huang immediately handed him the scroll and repeated the same story he had told Li Yang and Tang Xinyu.
“Sir, although the inscription is unclear, the painting itself is definitely a rare good item. So my price won’t be too low, but it won’t be too high either. A fixed price, five hundred thousand, what do you say?”
“Oh, it is indeed a good painting.” The middle-aged man glanced at the inscription, a flicker of joy in his eyes, then pretended to be calm and said, “Seeing as you’re doing business, I won’t haggle. Five hundred thousand it is.”
“Ah, thank you, sir.” Old Man Huang was overjoyed and nodded quickly.
Seeing this, Tang Xinyu became very anxious, “Li Yang, they’re about to close the deal.”
“Heh, excuse me, we’ve already agreed on this painting. According to the rules, you can’t interfere, unless I don’t buy it.” The middle-aged man glanced at them and immediately transferred five hundred thousand to Old Man Huang.
Li Yang smiled slightly, “Don’t worry, I understand the rules.”
“Haha, it’s good that you understand.” With the deal done and no risk involved, the middle-aged man laughed triumphantly and stared at him, saying, “Young people have poor eyesight. You’ll miss a treasure even when it’s right in front of you. Take my advice, go out less often and practice at home more, haha.”