"Mr. Huang, if you have something to say, just say it directly," Li Yang chuckled.
Huang Bai asked, "I wonder if Boss Li has heard of the Spring and Autumn Chaotic Battle Assembly?"
"I know quite a bit about the historical stories of the Spring and Autumn period, but I have no idea what this assembly is about," Li Yang replied, shaking his head slightly and looking at him with curiosity.
Huang Bai took out a gold-embossed letter from his drawer and handed it to him. "Our Jiangcheng has two major events. One is the Jiangcheng Jade Antique Association's competition, held every three years. Those who rank in the top ten can receive the titles of Expert and Master. It's a great opportunity for many obscure appraisers to become famous."
"The other is the Treasure Basin Assembly, which gathers prominent figures in the antique circle. However, they are rather old-fashioned, adhere strictly to old rules, and have very tight control over participants, so it's considered niche. But it represents a group of appraisers in Jiangcheng with the highest professional ethics."
"What does this have to do with the assembly you mentioned earlier, Mr. Huang?" Li Yang asked curiously.
Huang Bai smiled and said, "I mentioned these two assemblies in Jiangcheng first just to tell Boss Li that even if you combined these two and multiplied them by ten, they wouldn't compare to the Spring and Autumn Chaotic Battle Assembly."
"Only by winning the championship at the Spring and Autumn Assembly can one be awarded the title of Grandmaster Appraiser. Mr. Zheng Xibei, the elder Zheng, was a champion of a certain session of the Spring and Autumn Assembly."
"Oh?" Li Yang's interest piqued. "So, does that mean there will be many antique masters at this assembly?"
"Indeed. In the past, the two most famous participants from our Jiangcheng were Chairman Feng of the Antique Association and Boss Lou of the Bronze Sword Iron Horse Tower."
Huang Bai's face showed a hint of melancholy as he said, "Unfortunately, although both of them possessed exceptional appraising skills, neither managed to win the championship, nor even entered the top three."
"That impressive," Li Yang inhaled sharply, envisioning the number of top-tier appraisal masters at this assembly.
Hearing that there were so many masters in the world participating in a single assembly, a fiery passion ignited within him.
"What are the conditions for participating in this assembly?"
"There is only one condition: pass three trials with a credential." Huang Bai waved the letter in his hand and smiled. "This is the credential, originally issued to my grandfather. But my grandfather fell seriously ill and passed away six months ago, making this credential useless."
"Now that I know how strong your abilities are, Mr. Li, if you don't venture into the Spring and Autumn Assembly, you will eventually be buried in this mere Jiangcheng."
"Therefore, I hope you can give me an opportunity to be your guide and help you through the three trials."
"I couldn't ask for more!" Li Yang said happily.
Hearing his immediate agreement, Huang Bai was also pleased. "Then it's settled. When the preliminary selection for the Spring and Autumn Assembly begins in a week, I'll call Boss Li."
"I'll await your call," Li Yang said with a smile, giving him his contact information.
The two chatted for a while longer in the office about matters related to the assembly, after which Li Yang left.
As soon as he got downstairs, he suddenly spotted a somewhat familiar figure.
"Huh? Mr. Li?" The familiar figure also recognized him and showed a look of surprise. Striding towards him in a pair of wine-red high heels.
Looking at the tall, sexy, and beautiful woman with long flowing hair, dressed fashionably, Li Yang was momentarily stunned before asking, "Miss Bao, are you also here for this exhibition assembly?"
"Yes, I come every year. I must say, you people in Jiangcheng know how to host events. Because of this, I've made quite a lot," Bao Baoli said with a dazzling smile, revealing two rows of fair and beautiful teeth.
Although they had only met a few days ago, her beautiful eyes looked at Li Yang with the tenderness of an old acquaintance whom she hadn't seen for three autumns.
Li Yang found her gaze a bit overwhelming and turned his head slightly elsewhere. "Where is Miss Bao's exhibition booth? I didn't see it earlier."
"It's over there. I'll take you to see it," Bao Baoli said with a smile, then reached out and took his arm, completely unconcerned about the gazes of others.
Li Yang felt a little embarrassed. After all, Shui Xiang was also present, and if she saw this, it would be difficult to explain.
"Miss Bao, you don't need to hold my arm. Just lead me there."
"How can that be? As the saying goes, make guests feel at home. It's as if I'm taking you to my own home, and you're like my family," Bao Baoli said, tightening her grip on his arm with her jade-like hand. "What's so strange about family members walking hand in hand?"
"Uh," Li Yang truly didn't know how to refute. Primarily, Bao Baoli's soft bosom and sweet scent were irresistible to him.
What man could refuse such a delicacy?
Soon, Bao Baoli led him to a booth that was antique in style, with dancers dressed as ancient beauties. She smiled and said, "This is my booth. What do you think? Is it a bit different?"
"So this is your booth," Li Yang exclaimed in surprise. He had stopped here earlier and was ambushed.
"It is indeed exceptionally different. Is this Miss Bao's design?"
"Yes." Bao Baoli's face flushed with happiness upon receiving the compliment. "Mr. Li, are you free for lunch? I'd like to treat you to a meal."
"I don't accept favors without reason. Do you need me to do something for you, Miss Bao?" Li Yang asked.
Bao Baoli shook her head and said, "They say the more you meet, the more familiar you become. We've met twice now, right? We're already acquaintances, even friends."
"Does one need a reason to treat a friend to a meal?"
"No."
"Then are you free?" Bao Baoli asked with a smile.
Li Yang hesitated for a moment, then said, "I am free, but I'm not here with anyone this time."
"But I only want to invite you to dinner," Bao Baoli said, gazing at him quietly, awaiting his response.
This was truly a predicament!
When a woman says something like this to a man, as long as the man isn't brain-dead, he should understand the underlying meaning.
Li Yang was certainly not brain-dead or foolish. He immediately understood that Bao Baoli had developed different feelings for him.
This surprised him. "Miss Bao, between us..." Is there some misunderstanding?
Before he could finish his sentence, an angry shout came from the side: "Baoli, what are you doing? Who is this man!"
"Liu Xing, why are you here?" Bao Baoli turned her head and saw a young man dressed somewhat luxuriously. Her expression suddenly changed.
This was the future fiancé her family had arranged for her, the person she couldn't escape from in a family marriage!