From her appearance, Wu Tingxiu didn't at all seem like a boss who owned so many businesses.
After all, not only was she young, but most importantly, she was also beautiful.
She rather resembled a canary kept by some rich tycoon.
She sat on the sofa opposite me, leaning back lazily, a thin ladies' cigarette between her fingers, taking puffs as she looked at me. "Don't you have anything you want to tell me?"
"Tell you what?" I chuckled.
"You suddenly went to Yanjing, and then to Shangdu..." She paused, "What have you been busy with recently?"
"Nothing much, just some friends' matters," I replied.
Seeing that I didn't want to elaborate, she didn't press further. Instead, she said, "Next month, I'll need you to make a trip to Guangbei. You should prepare in advance."
"What is there to prepare for this?" I asked.
Wu Tingxiu replied, "Although your appraisal skills are indeed very strong, just to be safe, I've already collected some materials about past appraisal conferences for you. Take some time to look through them when you can."
"Isn't this appraisal conference just a grassroots organized event? Do we need to be this cautious?" I questioned.
Wu Tingxiu smiled and said, "The appraisal conference is a grand event in Guangbei. Almost all the appraisal masters in Guangbei will gather together... Whoever can make a name for themselves at the appraisal conference will be showered with fame and fortune."
Hearing this, for some reason, I felt both anticipation and a little nervousness.
Actually, participating in the appraisal conference was entirely my personal motive.
After all, Wu Tingxiu didn't know that I was acquainted with Yan Hongguang.
"Don't worry, I will definitely do my best," I said.
Wu Tingxiu added, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself..."
As she spoke, she slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "All you need to do at the appraisal conference is to get acquainted with Yan Hongguang and build a good relationship with him. Leave the rest to me."
"Are you going to Guangbei too?" I couldn't help but ask.
She smiled and replied, "It depends. If it's really unavoidable, then I'll have to make a trip."
"How has your second uncle been recently?" I inquired.
Wu Tingxiu said, "He seems to be trying to find someone to decipher the imperial map."
"He won't approach Yan Hongguang, will he?" I asked.
"Don't worry about that, he won't."
"Why not?"
Wu Tingxiu paused before continuing, "Because my second uncle has had a grievance with the Yan family."
"What grievance?"
She hesitated, evading the question, and said, "Just do as I say. Once the imperial map is deciphered, I plan to cooperate with the Bai family to integrate the Gu Ling antique circle and establish a Gu Ling Antique Association. You can be the vice-chairman then."
Hearing this, I was slightly taken aback.
Me, be the vice-chairman of the Gu Ling Antique Association?
The matter wasn't even settled yet, and she was already promising me such great benefits. This woman's skill in managing people was truly masterful.
"For this Gu Ling Antique Association, I will allocate a special fund each year for the association's internal collection purposes. Additionally, some of my businesses will also cooperate with the association, offering certain preferential treatments..."
Listening to the string of conditions Wu Tingxiu offered, I couldn't help but be secretly amazed.
She smiled at me slightly and said, "And I've also prepared a big gift for you..."
"What big gift?" I asked.
She gave a mysterious smile and replied, "Once this matter is handled well, you'll know."
"Such theatrics."
I muttered, picked up the ladies' cigarette she had placed on the table, and lit one. I found the cigarette to be very mild, but the taste was quite pleasant.
"Right, about the two million you lent me last time, I'll transfer it to you in the next few days. Please give me your account number."
Wu Tingxiu said, "You don't need to return that two million to me. Consider it your travel expenses for handling matters in Guangbei."
"Isn't this travel expense a bit too high?" I laughed.
"Is it high?" She chuckled. "I don't think so. I actually feel it's a bit less."
I smiled and replied, "I wouldn't mind the travel expenses being even higher."
...
After dinner, as we left the hotel, Fatty and I both went to Hong Yunpeng's place.
We had originally planned to get a hotel, as the house wasn't renovated yet. However, Hong Yunpeng suggested we stay at his place, and I couldn't refuse.
When we arrived at his house, Uncle Hong had already prepared rooms for Fatty and me.
Upon returning to Gu Ling, I felt much more at ease. I lay on the bed and fell asleep not long after.
The next day, I got up before dawn. I first had breakfast nearby, then went to browse the market.
I'm used to waking up early. No matter how late I sleep, I wake up around five or six in the morning and can't fall back asleep.
This habit might have been influenced by my grandfather. He always told me since I was young that one should never oversleep, as it would make a person lazy.
When I was little, I believed his words implicitly, which resulted in me feeling guilty every time I overslept.
I got back after buying groceries, and it wasn't even ten o'clock yet. Fatty's snoring could be heard from the living room.
Hong Yunpeng and Uncle Hong had already gone to the shop. I washed the vegetables, watched TV for a while, and just as I was about to start cooking, my phone rang.
When I picked it up, I saw it was an unknown number.
"Brother Xiang!" Fu Honglang's voice came from the phone.
"Brother Fu?"
"You're back in Gu Ling, right?" he asked.
"I'm back."
"I've been too busy these past few days. I only managed to sort out Shi Tou's funeral yesterday... I'm calling you as soon as I had some free time today."
"What is it, Brother Fu?"
Fu Honglang chuckled and said, "Brother, have you forgotten? I still owe you money. Give me your account number, and I'll transfer the two million I owed you last time."
"Brother Fu, I'm not in a hurry. If you need the money urgently, you can postpone it."
"My wife has handed over the household finances to me. Your Brother Fu isn't short of money now. Hurry up and don't dilly-dally, give me the account number. Xiao Liu will transfer it to you shortly."
"Alright, I'll text you my account number."
"Okay, I won't talk for now. I still need to go see Shi Tou's wife."
After hanging up the phone, about half an hour later, I received the transfer notification.
Although Fu Honglang is a rough fellow, he handles things very properly.
After cooking, I called Fatty up to eat together.
"Lord Xiang, I didn't realize you could cook!" Fatty said, picking up his chopsticks and taking a mouthful of rice.
"There are many things you haven't realized," I replied.
While wolfing down the food, Fatty asked, "What are we going to do next?"
"We'll rest well for the next few days. If you're bored, you can go around and explore. I'll give you an advance on your salary later," I said with a smile.
"That sounds great! What about you, Lord Xiang? What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to meet a friend for a chat later."
"Male or female?"
"Why do you care if it's male or female? Eat your meal."
"Hehe..." Fatty grinned and said, "Alright, I won't ask anymore. I'll go explore later. I've been to Gu Ling before, but I haven't really explored it."