"Brother Ye, how exactly did you design this mechanism? Why is it so ingenious?"
Jiang Zhong asked quietly in Ye Fan's ear.
This scene had indeed shocked him.
Ye Fan chuckled, "It's just a few little tricks. If Brother Jiang is interested, I'll explain it to you in detail later."
Ye Fan truly regarded Jiang Zhong and Elder Lei as friends, and he would never hide anything from his friends.
"Alright, it's a deal."
Jiang Zhong was greatly intrigued by Ye Fan's so-called little tricks and was determined to master them.
Seeing Jiang Zhong's fervent gaze, Ye Fan gave a wry smile. It seemed the Vice President of the Antique Association had this particular hobby.
The Antique Association was the legitimate authority in the antique industry of Jiangnan City. Therefore, every high-ranking member of the association had been thoroughly studied.
For instance, everyone in the Jiangnan City antique circle knew that Elder Lei loved exotic and novel items.
Once he encountered something new, he would be like a glutton meeting a delicacy, unable to move.
Thus, many people catered to his preferences.
However, everyone only knew about Elder Lei's fondness for novel items; no one had ever heard of any particular hobbies of Jiang Zhong.
Today, Ye Fan felt as if he had discovered a new continent.
Sensing Ye Fan's odd gaze, Jiang Zhong guessed Ye Fan's thoughts and gave an awkward smile.
"Young Master Feng, do you have anything else to say?"
At this moment, Elder Lei stepped forward, looking at Feng Xiao and asking sternly.
The matter had come to this, proving Feng Xiao's defeat.
He had come with great enthusiasm, expecting that by presenting an unparalleled treasure, he would undoubtedly claim the championship and become the center of attention.
However, he never expected to become a laughingstock.
The treasure he cherished turned out to be a fake, and the forger was right before him.
How ludicrous was this situation?
With bitterness etching his face, Feng Xiao shook his head and walked off the stage in disappointment.
His state of mind had collapsed. Simultaneously, his hatred for Ye Fan reached its peak.
At this moment, he had made a decision: he must kill Ye Fan at all costs.
Even if it meant paying a great price, he could not allow Ye Fan to live.
Without looking at Ye Fan again, Feng Xiao sat in his seat, narrowing his eyes and deep in thought.
Seeing Feng Xiao's dispirited appearance, Ye Fan sneered repeatedly. Such a fool deserved this predicament.
However, this feeling of revenge was indeed exhilarating.
Ye Fan was never a saint, incapable of tolerating everything.
What he wanted was retribution for every grievance, and he never waited.
If people called him petty-minded, so be it. He had never aspired to be a sage.
Therefore, anyone who dared to harm him would have to face his wrath.
Seeing Feng Xiao had wisely retreated, Elder Lei nodded with satisfaction, thinking to himself, "It's good that you're sensible. If you dare to linger here, I'll show you what I'm made of."
A faint smile appeared on his face, and Elder Lei spoke with a smile, "Everyone here is truly a distinguished talent from Jiangnan City, possessing exceptional discernment. To be honest, even I couldn't tell if that item was real or fake just now, but everyone here could distinguish it. Your eyesight truly impresses me. However, in antique appraisal, it's best to proceed step by step and never break the rules. This appraisal fair has already seen three fakes, which truly grieves my heart. Have the talents of Jiangnan City really devolved to this point, needing to use fakes to participate in appraisal fairs? If this is the case, I fear the antique industry of Jiangnan City is truly doomed."
As he spoke, Elder Lei's expression was filled with sorrow.
His eyes even turned slightly moist.
Undoubtedly, Elder Lei was genuinely heartbroken at this moment.
However, whether it was feigned or sincere, perhaps only he himself knew.
At least, Ye Fan was not moved by Elder Lei's actions. He understood the old man quite well.
While this old man indeed valued the Jiangnan antique circle greatly, he wouldn't go so far as to let unrelated people affect his emotions.
His reaction was likely mostly an act.
However, Ye Fan truly admired Elder Lei's ability to display emotions at will.
Being able to control his emotions and express them as he pleased was not something just anyone could do.
This required a strong heart, and even sufficient rich experience to achieve.
Casting an envious glance at Elder Lei, Ye Fan chuckled, "When did this old man acquire such a skill? If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have known he had such capabilities."
A moment later, the sorrow on Elder Lei's face gradually subsided, and then he smiled through his tears, "Old age brings sentimentality. The older one gets, the more easily moved they become. I must have made you all laugh."
The crowd below applauded, and Ye Fan joined in, but his heart was filled with helplessness.
This old man's acting was becoming more and more realistic. He would go to any lengths to gain applause.
Elder Lei raised his hand, signaling everyone to cease.
"Our appraisal fair must continue. Next, it will be the City Lord's Mansion. Please, Mr. Fu from the City Lord's Mansion, come to the stage."
His gaze turned towards Mr. Fu, and Elder Lei's face held a smile.
Compared to the King's Mansion, the old man had a rather good impression of the City Lord's Mansion.
After all, he had a good relationship with City Lord Li, so he wouldn't make things too difficult.
Mr. Fu smiled and nodded, then ascended the stage with his attendants.
The item Mr. Fu brought was wrapped differently from those presented by the previous individuals; it was wrapped in oil paper.
Seeing the attendant take out the oil paper package from his embrace, Ye Fan's heart tightened, and he thought, "Jade."
He instantly straightened his posture, and the flippant expression on Ye Fan's face vanished without a trace, replaced by a solemn demeanor.
Jiang Zhong, standing beside him, felt it most deeply. Seeing Ye Fan's immediate change in demeanor, he was momentarily stunned.
"How did you know it was jade?"
But to his surprise, Ye Fan did not reply. Instead, his eyes were fixed intently on Mr. Fu, or more precisely, on the oil paper package in his hand.
The oil paper package was wrapped into a perfect square, as if the owner had obsessive-compulsive disorder, with sharp, distinct corners.
Red silk threads were wound around it, very neatly.
Mr. Fu personally began to carefully unwrap the silk threads.
His hands were fair and delicate, like a woman's hands.
His movements were gentle, as if he were afraid of damaging the item within.
As the silk threads were slowly unwound, the oil paper opened even more gently.
Ye Fan's expression grew increasingly serious, and even his breathing became somewhat rapid.
Jiang Zhong was secretly amazed. What had Ye Fan discovered?
But this was no time to ask. He quickly turned his attention back to the stage.
At this moment, the oil paper was finally peeled away, revealing the item within.