My perception of Yan Hongguang changed significantly as I looked at his expressionless face.
This man’s depth of calculation was far greater than I had imagined.
Had he helped me in Guangling back then just to set a trap for me?
So that I would come looking for him one day, only to be used by him?
If that were the case, this man was truly a master of disguise…
“Xiao Fei, as long as you can reach the finals, I will help you with Zhao Wei, or with cracking the deciphered map you’re after,” Yan Hongguang said with a kind smile. “Even if you have any problems in the future, you can come to me without hesitation.”
“Uncle Yan, could you tell me more about the election for the Guanggu Association?” I asked.
Yan Hongguang replied, “The Appraisal Convention always acquires lost national treasures from overseas. After the convention concludes, these treasures are donated to the state. This year is no exception. I recently brought back a statue of Guanyin of the Water Moon from overseas, and that’s why.”
He continued, “The funds for acquiring this Guanyin of the Water Moon were jointly provided by the members of the Guanggu Association. And the person who controls the association’s funds is its president…”
He paused here. “During my tenure as the president of the Guanggu Association, I did a lot for the association. However, no matter how much I did, I still have to face the triennial election rule. I find this rule unreasonable…”
I licked my dry lips and asked, “Uncle Yan wants to change this rule?”
“Precisely! Instead of holding an election every three years, it would be better for a capable person to hold the position permanently.” A sharp glint flashed in Yan Hongguang’s eyes. “Rules are rigid, but people are adaptable… When I proposed this suggestion this year, two of the four major families opposed it, while another remained neutral. Thus, we agreed that whoever’s representative wins the Appraisal Convention this year will have the final say.”
Looking at the man in front of me, who was over fifty, I suddenly regretted participating in the Appraisal Convention. How did I get entangled in this mess?
However, things had already reached this point, and I couldn’t just back out.
Not to mention the matter of the deciphered map was still unresolved, and I was still waiting to meet Sister Ying.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “Uncle Yan, I will take this matter seriously. However, I can’t guarantee that I’ll reach the finals and win the top spot, as there are too many variables involved.”
Yan Hongguang chuckled, “Xiao Fei, as long as you reach the finals, you’ll have helped me immensely. You don’t need to worry about winning the top spot.”
I nodded and agreed.
The third round of competition today was entirely different from the previous ones. Not only was the venue different, but there were also many more participants.
The heads of the four major families were all present, and each of them wore a serious expression.
After about forty minutes, the competition officially began. The representatives of the four major families took turns drawing lots, and soon the match list was ready.
And my opponent was none other than Zheng Shuxuan!
This outcome surprised me. How could it be such a coincidence?
For a moment, I was unsure of what to do. One of the reasons I participated in the Appraisal Convention was to help Yang Hanxue switch the Guanyin of the Water Moon. And now, I had become opponents with Sister Ying.
What should I do?
Should I lose or win?
After the match list was arranged, everyone had a two-hour break to prepare.
Fatty and I sat in the waiting area, my mind in turmoil.
Several times I thought about calling Yang Hanxue, but I hesitated.
If I didn’t reach the finals, I would have to deal with Zhao Wei’s troubles and the issue of deciphering the map. But if I reached the finals, wouldn’t that disrupt Sister Ying’s plan?
Although I didn’t know how she intended to switch the Guanyin of the Water Moon, if she didn’t reach the finals, let alone switch it, she might not even have a chance to see the Guanyin of the Water Moon.
Thinking of this, my head ached, and I was caught in a dilemma.
“Master Xiang, what’s wrong?” Fatty asked me. “You look a little unwell?”
I sighed, “I’m going to the restroom.”
After saying that, I stood up and left the hall for the restroom.
Upon entering the restroom, I splashed water on my face. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I sighed helplessly, my face etched with worry.
Just then, a figure approached me and bumped into me lightly. By the time I came to my senses, the person had already left, leaving only a receding figure.
Seeing that familiar figure, I wanted to chase after him, but I realized something was in my pocket.
I took it out and found it was a wallet.
I glanced around, went to a secluded spot, and opened the wallet. Inside, there was a note and a key.
The note read: Toilet cistern, backyard safe.
I didn’t quite understand what this meant. The person who had bumped into me was none other than Yang Hanxue.
I tore the note into pieces and put the key in my pocket.
Returning to the restroom, I found it was a unisex facility that could only accommodate one person.
After locking the door, I stared at the toilet in front of me.
What did the note mean by “toilet cistern”?
After a long look, I hesitated. I opened the toilet cistern and found a plastic bag inside.
When I took out the plastic bag, there was a Guanyin statue about ten centimeters tall. Although I had never seen this Guanyin statue before, I was very familiar with it. I must have seen its drawing before.
It was the drawing that Lei Guan had taken.
Toilet cistern, backyard safe…
Was Yang Hanxue asking me to switch the Guanyin statue?
Thinking of this, my heart began to pound wildly.
This sort of thing was not my forte, but there was no time for me to ponder further.
After all, when the break was over, if I didn’t return, problems would surely arise.
With that thought, I tucked the Guanyin statue into my clothes. After leaving the restroom, I took a side path to the backyard.
There were several security guards standing at the entrance to the backyard.
It seemed that entering the backyard was not easy.
I glanced at my watch, lit a cigarette, and pretended to be strolling around the area.
The backyard wall was over two meters high. I estimated that it would be difficult to climb over it with bare hands.
Soon, more than half of the cigarette was smoked, and the security guards had already noticed me.
One of them stared at me for a while. I slowly walked over.
“You can’t come in here,” the man said.
I smiled and replied, “I’m just looking around, I don’t intend to go in.”
As I spoke, I took out cigarettes and offered one to each of them, but they declined.
I finished the last puff of my cigarette and turned to leave.
Just then, an alarm suddenly blared. Looking in the direction of the alarm, I saw a column of thick smoke rising into the sky…