I don't feel a particular dislike or like towards Bai Hanyan.
Although she is quite beautiful, after interacting with her a few times, I found her to be too willful, probably spoiled by her family.
"You can come, so why can't I?" I replied.
Bai Hanyan smiled and asked, "What? Are you still angry about what happened before?"
I ignored her and pulled Hong Yunpeng, preparing to look around elsewhere.
Just as we were about to leave, Bai Hanyan stopped me. "You seem unconvinced?"
"I don't bicker with people who don't keep their word," I retorted curtly.
"Who didn't keep their word?"
I said, "Last time you swore you wouldn't hit me with a club, but what happened?"
Her words left her momentarily speechless. After a pause, she said, "That was a special circumstance last time."
"Special circumstance?" I sneered. "What isn't a special circumstance when it comes to you? Can you not have any shame?" 138 Reading Network
"You!"
Bai Hanyan gritted her teeth and glared at me. "Aren't you very capable? Then today, this young lady will give you a chance to regain your honor!"
"What chance?"
Bai Hanyan looked at the An Yuan Tang not far away and said, "An Yuan Tang is reopening with an 'opening red prize'. If you have the skill, try to win the grand prize! As long as you can win it, I will apologize to you!"
I didn't understand what "opening red prize" meant and had no intention of arguing with her, so I was about to ignore her and leave when Hong Yunpeng grabbed me and gave me a look. "Xiao Fei, agree to it!"
I was stunned, not understanding what Hong Yunpeng was up to.
Seeing Bai Hanyan with her arms crossed, looking at me with a half-smile.
I hesitated and said, "Alright, since you want to apologize, I'll give you a chance."
"Then it depends if you have the ability," Bai Hanyan said with a grin, waving goodbye to me. "See you later, Xiang Fei."
After she left, I couldn't help but ask Hong Yunpeng what was going on.
He explained, "The 'opening red prize' is an old custom in Guangling. When large antique shops open, they have an 'opening red prize' to create excitement and bring good luck."
I still didn't understand, so Hong Yunpeng continued to explain.
This "opening red prize" is also called the "opening prize." It means that when a shop opens, the owner will offer some antiques as prizes. Whoever can find the most valuable item among those antiques will win the grand prize.
The shop owner will then gift that antique to the person who wins the grand prize.
The purpose of doing this is, as Hong Yunpeng just said, to create excitement and attract customers, and to bring good luck.
Actually, I think there's another layer to it: building good relationships.
Think about it, those who can win the grand prize are usually people with a certain level of appraisal skill.
As the saying goes, treasures are bestowed upon heroes, which is probably the meaning here.
You can't refuse someone after taking their favor.
If you win the grand prize, then later when someone asks for your help, you can't refuse.
But I couldn't understand why Hong Yunpeng wanted me to participate in such an event.
As if sensing my confusion, Hong Yunpeng said, "Xiao Fei, you have to help me vent my anger this time!"
"Vent your anger?"
"Yes!" Hong Yunpeng said. "I can't stand that Liu Hun more and more. Think about it, if you win the grand prize, where will their faces be then?"
After hearing this, I finally understood. It was all about a competition.
"Usually, when shops hold an 'opening red prize' to attract popularity, they also collaborate with some skilled appraisers... If you can win the grand prize, then..."
Hong Yunpeng trailed off, grinning and raising his eyebrows at me.
"Brother Hong, if that's the case, then we probably can't win the grand prize," I said.
Hong Yunpeng looked confused. "Why?"
"They collaborate with people, so they'll already know which items are valuable. How can we win?" I asked.
Hong Yunpeng smiled. "Don't worry, that won't happen!"
"Are you that sure?"
"This 'opening red prize' is no child's play. If people find out you cheated, you won't be able to make a living in the Guangling antique circle anymore," Hong Yunpeng said confidently.
I thought about it, and what he said made sense.
"Xiao Fei, I'm really asking this of you," Hong Yunpeng said seriously.
I took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay! But Brother Hong, I can't guarantee that I can win the grand prize. I can only do my best."
"If even you can't win the grand prize, then no one in Guangling can!"
I was amused and speechless, not expecting Hong Yunpeng to think so highly of me.
For some reason, I suddenly remembered my father.
In his twenties, he was already famous throughout Jiangdong, and I am nothing now. It's truly a bit shameful.
Whether it was to follow in my father's footsteps or to help Hong Yunpeng vent his anger, I suddenly felt a surge of fighting spirit.
I've decided, I'm winning this grand prize today!
After the opening ceremony of An Yuan Tang concluded, many people rushed inside.
The hall outside was suddenly crowded, and everyone was busy.
After a quick tour outside, Hong Yunpeng and I went to the inner hall.
There were fewer people in the inner hall, and most of those who could enter were familiar faces from the Guangling antique circle.
An Yuan Tang was still An Yuan Tang, but the people inside had all changed to strangers.
Hong Yunpeng and I found a spot and sat down. Someone poured us tea.
About ten minutes later, the new owner of An Yuan Tang, Liu Hun, entered the hall wearing a grey Tang suit.
To be honest, the Tang suit didn't suit him at all; wearing it made him look very awkward.
He was already stout, with dark skin and a short forehead and triangular eyes. He looked like a bandit from the old days. Seeing him in a Tang suit was unbearable.
"I'm very happy that you've all come to support us today!" Liu Hun clasped his fists and greeted everyone. When he saw Hong Yunpeng and me, he didn't seem surprised at all, his gaze sweeping over us indifferently.
Perhaps in his eyes, Hong Yunpeng and I were just insignificant minor figures.
"An Yuan Tang is reopening, and I am fortunate to become the owner here. This is all thanks to Mr. Bai's help..."
Liu Hun spoke a few polite words for nearly two to three minutes. I heard them in one ear and out the other, but Hong Yunpeng looked furious.
It made sense. Uncle Hong was still in the hospital.
How could anyone swallow the insult of their father being beaten?
"To ensure that you all haven't come in vain, An Yuan Tang has prepared an 'opening red prize' today!" Liu Hun said with a smile. "I wonder who will be fortunate enough to win this grand prize today. Of course, for those who don't win a prize, I've also prepared some small gifts..."