Chapter 41: The Wealthy Circle of Nanzhen Town

Yu Quan glanced sideways at Sui Yi, who remained impassive, betraying nothing in his expression.

“Go to hell! Sui Yi is a valuable asset I worked hard to find. She’d never follow you to the Hussehai to make trouble!” Old Tang blew his moustache and glared, spitting out nothing but sharp words. Everyone knew him as the most roguish pawnbroker around, while Lin Zhengdao, despite his upright name, was anything but. He ran his business in the shadows, dealing in the illicit, with money, connections, and influence. In Nanxun, he was a notable figure, though he had disappeared for some days without warning, only to reappear today in unusually good spirits.

As for his sudden interest in Sui Yi, perhaps only Old Tang and Sui Yi herself understood it. The others were left puzzled, noting Sui Yi’s youth, beauty, and exceptional bearing...

Zhou Ran’s eyes darkened as he quickly glanced at Sui Yi, saying nothing.

Besides Yu Quan, Old Lin, and Old Tang, there were four others present, each with their own distinguished aura. Of these four, Sui Yi recognized two.

Old Tang knew Sui Yi was familiar with these men, and they knew her—after all, she had worked at Old Tang’s shop for quite some time. But today warranted formal introductions.

He pulled Sui Yi over and pointed to the white-bearded elder seated nearby.

“Sui Yi, come here. This is Mr. Wang, owner of Jade Luster Pavilion, also a member of the Nanxun Chamber of Commerce. He deals in jade and such—you know him. Old Wang, do you remember this girl?”

Mr. Wang, perhaps in his fifties, was frail but spirited, his bright eyes scrutinizing Old Tang’s gesture with curiosity. He replied, “Oh, yes, this girl. I remember... She’s even lovelier now.”

“Hmph, as if you needed to say it!” Old Tang snorted, then moved to introduce the next three. “This is Elder Han, the proprietor of Scholar’s Fragrance House. He’s a senior; recently, he bought a scroll of ‘Nan Tang Strategies’ from our shop—you remember that…”

Elder Han, likely the eldest at over sixty, didn’t look his age. Stroking his white beard, he smiled warmly at Sui Yi, a gesture of friendliness.

As for the other two…

Old Tang grew more serious, as they did not know Sui Yi.

“This is Mr. Qian of Fuquan Jewelers—the largest jewelry merchant in Nanxun, with branches elsewhere, and a fellow member of the Chamber. And this is Mr. Quan, patriarch of the Golden Tripod family, owner of many antiquities. As for these two—”

Behind Mr. Qian and Mr. Quan stood two young people: a tall, slender young woman, and a pale, bespectacled young man sporting a thin mustache. Their attire spoke of privileged lives.

The girl was Mr. Qian’s only daughter, Shuangyu Qian; the young man, Mr. Quan’s nephew, Ling Quan.

After the introductions, the merchants were puzzled by Old Tang’s formality, and even Sui Yi sensed something unusual.

What was Old Tang up to?

“Old Tang, are you planning to take on an apprentice?” Old Lin asked bluntly, glancing at Sui Yi.

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Early or late, why now? Had he changed his stripes?

“No apprentice. It’s just that, as I grow older, some things are beyond me. I need someone to handle matters. You all know Sui Yi; it’ll make business easier in the future,” said Old Tang, half truthful, half evasive. The others paid his words little mind, except for Yu Quan and Old Lin, who exchanged knowing smiles.

Shuangyu Qian shot Sui Yi a quick, disdainful look, while Ling Quan, intrigued, raised his phoenix eyes and glanced at Sui Yi several times.

Sui Yi soon took her place behind Old Tang, dutiful and reserved. Zhou Ran leaned in, whispering, “Sui Yi, is Old Tang really… taking you as his apprentice?”

His tone was gloomy, hinting at something unspoken.

Sui Yi turned her head slightly. “No…”

“Is that so…” Zhou Ran smiled, saying nothing more.

Though the scene appeared harmonious, every person here was a merchant—some even rivals. It was impossible for there to be no friction. Sui Yi watched from the sidelines as they drank tea and chatted, soon discerning the true purpose of today’s gathering.

The Nanxun Cultural Antiquities Conference was a major event for the town—indeed, for the Jiangnan region. It would bring in cultural exchanges, countless relics and antiques, and commercial opportunities. Even the authorities would be involved, and local merchants were expected to set an example and handle arrangements.

Today was thus a meeting—and a treasure appraisal contest.

Since the conference was about antiquities, everyone wanted a share of the spoils, and the question was: who would lead, and who would assist? That depended on individual ability, specifically their expertise in evaluating antiques. Otherwise, how could they preside over the event?

Thus, today’s gathering.

Sui Yi found the verbal sparring among these seasoned elders rather amusing.

Within half a cup of tea, a portion of the conference’s matters was settled. Mr. Quan, always blunt and not particularly old, grew impatient and spoke first: “That’s enough discussion. Let’s get to the main event—let’s each bring out our treasures and compete!”

Mr. Quan had grown up a streetwise hustler, dabbling in antiques and rumored to have participated in tomb-raiding. Upon catching a break, he went legitimate, settling into the antiques trade. Even now, his temperament was fierce and his words sharp.

Elder Han and the others, being older and more refined, did not object. They each had their assistants bring out briefcases.

“Zhou Ran, bring it over,” Old Tang said cheerily, indicating Zhou Ran should fetch the small case.

Earlier, Sui Yi had overheard the rules of the appraisal contest. Old Tang, Yu Quan, Old Lin, Elder Han, Mr. Wang, Mr. Qian, and Mr. Quan would each present an item. Every party was to evaluate the authenticity of each item, and whoever had the most accurate judgments would win the right to speak.

Of course, the true nature of each item was known only to its owner, and collusion was forbidden. If discovered...

It depended on the integrity of each participant.

But after years immersed in the trade, none would easily risk their reputation—being shunned and losing business was a heavy price.

Sui Yi also noted that all were Chamber members, with complex relationships, and unlikely to play with fire.

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This was not a competition, nor an official event—just a tacit arrangement among the seven. No heated disputes: a loss was a loss, a win was a win.

Zhou Ran took Old Tang’s case; Old Tang walked over, unlocked it, and brought out the item. Sui Yi watched, her gaze drifting to the person beside Old Lin, who was carrying a briefcase.

What did Old Lin call him? Ah A...

A peculiar name.

He placed the case on the table, and as Old Lin entered the code, he stepped away.

Passing by Sui Yi...

Ah A looked eighteen or nineteen, with a delicate, unruly air, starkly different from the reserved Zhou Ran. Despite his youth, he exuded a seasoned confidence.

Sui Yi paid him little mind, tilting her head to look at the seven cases.

Old Tang’s item surprised her.

It was "Collection of Side Hats"!

As for the others...

Before Sui Yi could examine them, footsteps echoed outside the hall. The door swung open.

A woman in a cheongsam stepped forward, bowing slightly and gesturing to those entering behind her. “Ladies and gentlemen, the president has arrived.”

President?

After announcing, the woman straightened, closed the door, and stood to the side, as the group entered and drew everyone’s attention.

Almost instinctively, everyone’s gaze was drawn to one spot.

Not attitude, but human nature: the eye always seeks out the brightest presence first.

It was a woman.

She was tall—at least one meter seventy. Her frame was elegant, and she wore a snow-white off-shoulder blouse, her skin smooth as porcelain, collarbone exquisite, long legs clad in black low-waisted cropped suit pants, feet in gleaming silver stiletto heels. Her slender fingers gripped a black, patterned leather clutch. With a few simple steps, she exuded the effortless sophistication of a high-end Western fashion venue!

Four parts dignified, three parts graceful, and three parts the commanding aura of a woman in power!

From the moment she entered, Yu Quan and all the men were captivated!

Even Shuangyu Qian, dressed to impress, was instantly overshadowed—sent straight to Siberia!

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