Upon arriving at the Yan family estate and meeting Yan Hongguang in his study, I felt as if he had transformed into an entirely different person.
The gentle and refined demeanor he previously displayed was replaced by an evident impatience.
His brow was furrowed, and he sat behind a large tea table, his fingers tapping rhythmically, or perhaps absentmindedly, on the surface, his entire being consumed by weighty thoughts.
I sat down feeling somewhat apprehensive, unsure if he was troubled by the theft of the Water Moon Guanyin.
"Xiao Fei, you're here?" Yan Hongguang looked up at me, forcing a smile.
"Uncle Yan, has something happened?" I asked.
He glanced at Yan Yuhe, who stood behind me, and gestured for her to leave.
Once we were alone in the room, he began, "Do you remember what I told you yesterday?"
"About the Guanggu Association?" I inquired.
He nodded. "I made extensive preparations for this appraisal convention... but I never imagined the Water Moon Guanyin would be stolen right under my nose..."
A thought flickered through my mind: what did Yan Hongguang want with me?
Could he possibly suspect I had something to do with the theft of the Water Moon Guanyin?
With that in mind, I spoke, "Uncle Yan, you needn't worry. Since the Water Moon Guanyin was lost at the appraisal convention, it will surely be recovered."
He offered a wry smile. "It's not the recovery of the Water Moon Guanyin that worries me now..."
"Then what is it you're concerned about?"
"Due to the loss of the Water Moon Guanyin, the prior agreement between the four major families is void. The position of Chairman of the Guanggu Association must now be decided through the original voting process."
Yan Hongguang explained to me, "The Guanggu Association has twenty-three core members. To become Chairman, one needs the support of more than half of them, and to obtain the association's inherited artifact."
My understanding of the Guanggu Association had been superficial before this. Under Yan Hongguang's detailed explanation, I finally grasped some of the specific matters concerning the association.
Although the Guanggu Association was a private organization, it had a history spanning over a hundred years, and had consistently held a significant position in Guangbei.
As a century-old organization, it naturally possessed certain rules.
The position of Chairman was not merely about managing the Guanggu Association. To put it plainly, whoever became Chairman of the Guanggu Association would effectively control the entire antique circle of Guangbei.
This authority was unimaginably vast, extending not only to Guangbei locally but also to auctions in Hong Kong and abroad, all of which the Chairman of the Guanggu Association would liaise with.
In essence, the Chairman of the Guanggu Association wielded the power and wealth of the entire Guangbei antique circle.
This was precisely why members of the four major families were keen on becoming Chairman. In the years Yan Hongguang served as Chairman, the Yan family had naturally reaped substantial benefits.
Of course, as Yan Hongguang mentioned, while he had gained benefits, his contributions to the association were also significant.
Matters such as nurturing talent within the association each year and collecting membership fees were all handled personally by him.
To hold the position of Chairman of the Guanggu Association, one must first gain the support of the majority of the association's members, and in addition, possess the association's inherited artifact: the White Dragon Jade Horse.
The White Dragon Jade Horse was not in the possession of the current Chairman but was kept by a dedicated individual within the association.
"Last year, due to a decision I made, I offended many core members of the association. That's why I proposed using the appraisal convention as a pretext to elect the next Chairman..." Yan Hongguang confessed to me. "Xiao Fei, the position of Chairman concerns the future of the entire Guanggu Association. I have dedicated years of effort, and I do not wish to see it all come to naught at this juncture, do you understand?"
I nodded, thinking to myself, what does this have to do with me? You want to be Chairman, you want what you want, it has nothing to do with me. Why are you telling me all this?
A shadow of gloom appeared in Yan Hongguang's eyes. "If it comes down to a vote, I have no chance of winning. The only way for me to continue as Chairman now is to obtain the White Dragon Jade Horse."
As he spoke, he suddenly looked up at me. "Xiao Fei, you are a capable young man. I hope you can help your uncle."
I was taken aback. "Uncle Yan... I'm afraid I can't help you with this."
"Xiao Fei, how did your father really die?" he suddenly asked me.
I was somewhat taken aback. I had previously told him my father had died of illness, so why was he asking me this again?
"You can deceive others, but you can't deceive me," Yan Hongguang said. "As far as I know, before your father passed away, did someone go to see him?"
Hearing this, I jolted, and instinctively stood up from my chair. "Uncle Yan! Do you know who those people were?!"
My father's death was a deep-seated knot in my heart. For countless nights, I had longed to find those people and avenge my father!
Yet, after almost a year away, I had found no leads.
At this moment, it felt as if I had been walking in pitch-black darkness, and suddenly someone had handed me a flashlight.
I stared at Yan Hongguang with intense anticipation, while he calmly smiled. "Xiao Fei, as long as you help me obtain the White Dragon Jade Horse, I will tell you everything you wish to know."
I took a deep breath, suddenly realizing this was a trap set by Yan Hongguang.
To put it plainly, this was an open conspiracy, and I had no choice but to agree.
After a moment of contemplation, I gritted my teeth. "Alright! I promise!"
Yan Hongguang smiled. "As long as you bring back the White Dragon Jade Horse, I will answer all your questions regarding your map and your father's affairs."
I didn't know why he wanted me to find this White Dragon Jade Horse, but at this point, I couldn't afford to overthink it.
Even if he was just trying to deceive me, I had to agree, because my father's matter was too important to me!
As I walked out of the Yan family villa, my mind was still somewhat in a daze.
Although my father had been strict with me when I was young, his place in my heart was irreplaceable.
Thinking back on those times, my heart ached.
Those childhood moments, when my father took me to admire antiques, taught me knowledge, and every word of his guidance – these were the most precious things in my life.
Many times, I had told myself that I must uncover the truth about my father's affairs, and about the people who came to see him.
If not for them, my father would not have fallen ill and ultimately passed away.
If my father were still alive today, perhaps everything would be entirely different.
As I thought about it, my eyes couldn't help but moisten.
When Yan Yuhe came to my side, she seemed to notice my emotional distress and handed me a tissue. "I've asked you to dinner several times, but we never had the chance. How about I take you to try some of our local specialty dishes later?"
I didn't take the tissue, but instead rubbed my eyes and turned, offering a smile. "Sure, it's my treat."
She grinned and motioned for me to get in the car.
As I opened the door and settled into the passenger seat, I looked at the receding villa in the rearview mirror and told myself, I will definitely get that White Dragon Jade Horse!