I knew the task Wu Tingxiu assigned me wouldn't be simple. As expected, this time she wanted me to "find a needle in a haystack!"
Wu Tingxiu sighed and said, "I know this is difficult, but I believe in you. You'll surely find a way."
"I'll find a way?" I chuckled wryly. "You think too highly of me. What way could I possibly have?"
Wu Tingxiu offered, "Here's another clue: Yang Hanxue is also very interested in antiques, especially in strange and peculiar items."
"What kind of clue is that? There are plenty of people in this world interested in strange and peculiar things," I retorted, annoyed.
"I know it's difficult to find him with just these clues, but it's the only way we have now." A hint of melancholy flickered across Wu Tingxiu's embroidered brows.
A thought suddenly struck me, and I asked, "You don't mean you want to share that box with your second uncle through Yang Hanxue, do you?"
Wu Tingxiu smiled faintly. "Xiang Fei, I have to admit, you're very smart."
Her compliment left me unfazed. "So, does that mean your second uncle and the others are probably looking for this person too?"
Wu Tingxiu nodded. "His people have likely already set out."
I was speechless. "Everyone else is already a step ahead of us. How can you possibly believe we can find Yang Hanxue before your second uncle?"
Wu Tingxiu stared at me. "I believe in your treasure appraisal skills, so you're bound to find Yang Hanxue first."
I began to understand her plan. She wanted me to go to Yanjing to find antiques, especially those odd and unusual ones, which would draw Yang Hanxue out.
But Yanjing was so vast. Forget finding strange and peculiar antiques; even finding ordinary genuine antiques was difficult.
Take Hongyuan for instance. There were so many antique shops, but how many of them actually made a living selling genuine items?
Most people just sold "crafts" to get by. Relying on finding treasures by chance was as difficult as climbing to heaven.
As for myself, while my treasure appraisal skills were indeed good, could I guarantee I'd find a treasure every time?
Finding treasures was a matter of luck and opportunity.
"Beautiful Wu, I feel like you're giving me an impossible mission," I sighed.
A flicker of helplessness crossed her eyes. "I know this is difficult, but besides you, I can't find anyone else to do this."
I knew there was no use in saying more. This trip to Yanjing was inevitable.
However, I was alone and lacked the strength, and I wasn't very confident.
"I'll have Song Bing accompany you this time. He can look out for you," Wu Tingxiu said.
Speaking of Song Bing, I had a good impression of him, especially his skill in tomb raiding, which was top-notch.
"Then thank you," I said resignedly. "When should I leave?"
"Ideally, tonight."
As Wu Tingxiu spoke, she handed me a bank card. "Here's some money for your travel expenses. Take it. If you encounter any financial needs in Yanjing, call me anytime."
I didn't stand on ceremony and pocketed the bank card.
"Oh, there's something I forgot to ask you."
Wu Tingxiu looked at me. "What is it?"
"How did you get Liu Hun to sign the transfer agreement?"
This question had been on my mind since we were at the Bai family's place, but I hadn't had the chance to ask.
Wu Tingxiu smiled. "I've heard all about the feud between you and Liu Hun. He attacked your people, and you set a trap for him. Keeping him in Guangling would also be a threat to you... so..."
She paused, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.
I was startled. "Did you kill him?"
"How could that be?" Wu Tingxiu exclaimed, amused. "I'm not a murderer. Besides, this is a society of laws. Murder is punishable by death."
"Then what did you do to him?"
Wu Tingxiu explained, "I bribed some people and handed over evidence of his past misdeeds to the police. If nothing unexpected happens, he's already a wanted criminal."
I blinked in surprise, and after a moment, I gave her a thumbs-up. "Impressive!"
"Don't worry, he now has only two paths: either continue to flee or be arrested. He poses no threat to you anymore, and you can assign your own people to manage Anyuantang." Wu Tingxiu assured me.
I sighed. "President Wu, you've gone to great lengths to get me to help you find someone."
"Didn't you say before that we are friends? Since we are friends, we should help each other. Previously, when you wanted to deal with Liu Hun, you didn't need to go through all that trouble. If you had called me directly then, you wouldn't have had to put in so much effort."
She then chuckled. "But your scheme was quite interesting."
"How come everyone knows I set a trap for him?" I asked.
Wu Tingxiu raised an eyebrow. "Have you forgotten? This is Guangling... As far as I'm concerned, there are no secrets in Guangling that can be hidden from me."
I secretly thought, "What a boastful claim. If you're so powerful, why are you still being led around by your second uncle?"
"This time, go with peace of mind. Once you find Yang Hanxue, I'll give you a great gift upon your return," Wu Tingxiu promised.
I scoffed. "Oh? If I bring back Yang Hanxue, are you going to give me Yipinzhai?"
Wu Tingxiu grinned. "If you want Yipinzhai, it's not impossible, but I'm afraid the Bai family wouldn't be willing to sell..."
She then smiled mysteriously. "The great gift I'm talking about concerns An Ying. You've always been thinking about her, haven't you? I heard that after she ran away, you often lost your appetite thinking about her."
"Who lost their appetite thinking about her? Sister Ying is my benefactor. When I first arrived in Guangling..."
Mid-sentence, I suddenly realized. "What did you just say? The great gift you're giving me is about Sister Ying?"
Wu Tingxiu arched her eyebrows. "Mmm-hmm."
"About what regarding her?" I couldn't help but ask.
"As long as you find Yang Hanxue, I'll tell you when you return."
Damn it, she's playing this game with me again!
It seems this woman has me cornered, but how does she know I've been thinking about Sister Ying?
Could Wang Yang have told her?
It's quite possible. That guy might have used me as a pretext to pry information out of Wu Tingxiu.
Otherwise, how could Wu Tingxiu know about such things?
Wang Yang, Wang Yang, you left troubles for me even after you're gone. When I see you again, I'll definitely teach you a lesson.
In the afternoon, I went back to pack my things and then went to find Uncle Hong. I wanted him to help me manage Anyuantang.
He was the most suitable person. As for Hong Yunpeng, it wasn't that I didn't trust him, but he was simply too young and lacked experience in many matters.