"Don't worry, I'm not a frivolous man. I just can't help but praise beautiful women when I see them," Li Yang said with a smile, his hand instinctively reaching for Qin Bingqin's beautiful leg.
Before he could caress it, Qin Bingqin immediately slapped his hand away. "Hey, what are you doing?"
"I haven't done anything excessive. Is it not even allowed for me to touch it?" Li Yang said playfully, moving his hand back up.
This time, Qin Bingqin only felt unaccustomed but didn't resist further. After all, she did have feelings for Li Yang, and now that she was his girlfriend, it seemed a bit much to not even allow him to touch her.
So, all the way there, she tried her best to accept Li Yang's advances. Li Yang, on the other hand, enjoyed the entire journey, and by the time they reached the entrance of the underground antique market, he still felt unsatisfied.
After getting out of the car, Qin Bingqin pushed his hand away and said coldly, "Hey, stop touching. I'm warning you, there are many shady dealings in this underground antique market. If you don't find anything you like, don't casually touch anything."
"Once you touch something and someone claims you broke it, you'll have to pay an exorbitant compensation."
"It's fine. Whoever tries to extort me, I'll make sure they regret it. In Jiangcheng's antique circle, I'm not afraid of anyone," Li Yang said dismissively.
"You don't understand. Whether you're afraid is one thing, but what if they have a powerful influence and surround you? If you fight back, you'll be kicked out of the venue immediately, and then you won't be able to find the Dragon Seal." Qin Bingqin shook her head helplessly, explaining to him again.
"Is that so? It seems you know quite a few rules in the antique world. Then I'll listen to you. Once we go in, I won't act rashly, nor will I get into any fights," Li Yang replied with a slight smile, turning to agree.
Not long after, they arrived at the underground antique market together. It was located on the basement level of a shopping mall. It was originally a jewelry supermarket, but because many illicit antique transactions took place there, over time, it became a widely recognized underground antique venue.
On the surface, there were shops selling jewelry and drinks, just like any normal underground supermarket. However, at intervals, one could see stalls selling antiques. These people were the main players here. Some were scammers who made money through deception, but others genuinely sold authentic items. Whether one could find a genuine treasure here depended on personal luck.
As an experienced treasure appraiser, Li Yang could discern the origin of items without even touching them, so even if someone tried to stage an accident, they wouldn't have the opportunity. Such low-level tactics as staging accidents were beneath Li Yang's notice.
"Li Yang, look, there are over a dozen stalls set up consecutively ahead, and that's where the most people are. Why don't we go take a look there?" Qin Bingqin said, leading Li Yang inside and pointing to a crowd ahead.
"Sure. As long as the beautiful Qin accompanies me, I believe tonight's luck will be excellent." Li Yang replied jokingly, then looked at Qin Bingqin and asked with a smile, "Beautiful Qin, you're being so proactive in bringing me here tonight. I suspect it's not just to accompany me, is it?"
"What do you mean?" Qin Bingqin turned and asked.
"I saw your gaze constantly drifting towards the items on those stalls, as if you were also looking for something. Why don't you tell me what you're looking for? Perhaps I can help," Li Yang said directly.
"No need. I can find it myself." Qin Bingqin trusted her own judgment. If there was something she needed, she would recognize it herself.
Li Yang, however, was dismissive. He felt Qin Bingqin's skill was limited, and she might not even be able to distinguish between genuine and fake items even if they were placed in front of her. However, since she didn't want his help, there was no need to force it.
So, he said nothing more, only diligently searching for the Dragon Seal along the way, which was the key reason for his visit tonight. They soon reached the crowded area. The items on these dozen or so stalls were all diverse in form and material.
However, Li Yang could tell at a glance that most of these stalls were selling fakes, with very few genuine items. If one couldn't discern the authenticity of the items, their expressions could also be telling. The owners of stalls selling fakes would boast about their items to the heavens and allow customers to pick them up and examine them freely.
But a few stall owners looked particularly peculiar. They were taciturn, and their faces were clouded with gloom, as if someone owed them five million. For such people, the chances of their stall having genuine items were higher.
Indeed, not far into his walk, Li Yang's gaze fixed on a stall ahead. On it was a dragon-shaped ring made of bronze, which had been cleaned so thoroughly it looked as good as new. But Li Yang noticed something different about the ring, and with a slight curl of his lips, he walked towards it alone.
He squatted down and pointed to the ring on the stall, asking, "Boss, how much for this ring?"
"Young man, this ring is for sale at a price determined by fate. If your destiny isn't strong enough, I advise you not to touch it." The stall owner was a middle-aged man with a deep scar across his face, giving him a fierce appearance. His icy eyes seemed as if he had killed before.
Li Yang smiled calmly and casually asked, "What do you mean? Does this ring have some background?"
"A very significant background. If you sincerely want it, I can give you this ring for free. However, once the seal on this ring is broken, I will charge ten million, otherwise, taking this ring will surely cost you your life." The stall owner said profoundly, "Before you came here, several people who didn't believe in superstition tried it, but each time they lost their lives because of this ring, and the ring would eventually return to me."
"Heh, ten million? Boss, you might as well go rob someone." Li Yang shook his head and smiled, then extended five fingers and continued, "My offer is five hundred thousand. I'll take the ring, and I don't need you to break the seal or take responsibility. But you are not allowed to go back on your word later and demand the ring back."
"If you agree, I'll take the ring. If you can't agree, then consider it unsaid."
"Young man, it seems you have a lot of courage. I won't take this five hundred thousand. If you like it, feel free to take it, but I guarantee you'll face a fatal disaster within an hour," the stall owner said with a sinister smile.
"Is that so? But I really don't believe in such superstitions. Since you don't even want five hundred thousand, I'll really take the ring. Write me a receipt on the spot, so you don't accuse me of stealing your item later and demand ten million from me," Li Yang said with a light laugh.