My words drew everyone's attention.
I knew my statement had offended Bai Zhujing and everyone present.
But I was speaking the truth!
"Oh? Could it be that I misjudged?" Bai Zhujing picked up the magnolia cup and examined it again.
After a moment, his gaze remained uncertain, and he finally looked at me.
Bai Zhujing had always been polite to me. Although we had clashed before when I was with Sister Ying, it wasn't to the point of dislike.
From our few interactions, I found that his research into bronzes and calligraphy and paintings was quite profound, making him a top expert.
My purpose here today was to help Hong Yunpeng get even with Liu Hui, and I didn't need to offend Bai Zhujing.
So, I pointed to the crack on the magnolia cup and said, "Master Bai, please take a closer look here."
Bai Zhujing brought the magnolia cup closer and examined it carefully. After a moment, his expression changed, and he looked incredulous. "This is..."
"That's right, this is Hetian yellow jade," I said.
My words stunned everyone.
"Not only is the material of this magnolia cup Hetian yellow jade, but it also dates back to the Ming Dynasty..." I added.
Bai Zhujing scrutinized it for a moment, then had someone bring a flashlight. He shone it on the magnolia cup and instantly took a deep breath. "It truly is Hetian yellow jade!"
With Bai Zhujing's confirmation, a clamor erupted!
Wang Yang couldn't help but walk over, wanting to verify it himself.
As for Bai Hanyan, her expression was truly a sight to behold.
She had been smug moments ago, but now she looked like she was facing a formidable enemy.
I didn't bother to dwell on it. Whether she apologized or not was irrelevant to me.
Liu Hui, who had been sitting by, heard Bai Zhujing's words and quickly stood up to join us.
He took the magnolia cup and looked at it for a long time, clearly captivated by it.
"Master Bai, can you give me an appraisal now?" I asked.
Bai Zhujing looked at me and gave a wry smile. "Considering the condition and material of this cup, it can indeed be called the supreme among cups. It would easily fetch a million in the market."
"Then, according to Master Bai, this first win of the day is mine?" I said with a smile.
Bai Zhujing looked at Liu Hui. The latter reluctantly placed the magnolia cup on the table, looking as if he had something to say but hesitated.
"Mr. Liu, what's wrong? Are you not planning to honor your promise for this first win?" I asked.
Hong Yunpeng also came over, staring at Liu Hui with indignation.
It seemed as if Hong Yunpeng would attack the moment Liu Hui said "no."
"Of course, I will honor it, but not right now," Liu Hui said. "I will have someone send this magnolia cup to you later. For now, everyone has worked hard for the day. I'll treat everyone to a meal at the Drunken Immortal Tower."
With those few words, Liu Hui shifted everyone's attention.
I didn't know what he was up to, but since he had said it, I couldn't say much more.
After all, he hadn't said he wouldn't give me the cup.
Hong Yunpeng wanted to say something, but I pulled him back and gave him a look.
I signaled that this was someone else's territory, and we should be content with what we had.
Hong Yunpeng clearly understood, though he still looked somewhat displeased.
"Brother Xiang, would you grace us with your presence for dinner?" Liu Hui asked me with a smile.
"Since Mr. Liu has extended the invitation, I respectfully accept," I replied.
"Alright then, everyone rest for a while. We'll meet at the Drunken Immortal Tower later," Liu Hui said, turning to leave.
Bai Zhujing followed him out. Within seconds of them leaving, someone came and took the magnolia cup from the table.
Seeing this, Hong Yunpeng and I prepared to step outside to talk.
"Xiang Fei!"
Bai Hanyan's voice was now very familiar to me.
When I heard her call me, I pretended not to hear and walked out with Hong Yunpeng.
"Xiang Fei!" she called again, this time rushing forward to block our path.
"What is it?" I couldn't help but ask.
"You won," she said with clear displeasure.
"And then?"
"I said if you won, I would apologize to you..." Bai Hanyan gritted her teeth, looking extremely unwilling.
Seeing her like this, I said, "If you don't want to apologize, it's fine. Just stay away from me in the future."
She shot me a glare. "A bet is a bet. I'm sorry."
"I don't accept."
"Why don't you accept?"
I found her question amusing. "If it were you, and I hit you with a brick, and then came to say sorry, would you accept it?"
"Didn't I say that the situation was special at the time, and I thought you and An Ying were a team..."
I interrupted her. "As I said earlier, it doesn't matter whether you apologize or not. Just stay away from me in the future."
Hearing this, she looked wronged. "Why are you like this?"
I replied, "I tend to hold grudges."
She gritted her teeth, glanced around, and then picked up a brick from the corner of the courtyard wall. "Here, you can hit me back if you want!"
Seeing her like this, for some reason, I found her a bit endearing.
I took the brick. "Alright! You said it."
"I did say it! Hit me!" she declared, as if she had nothing to lose.
I weighed the brick in my hand and raised it. Hong Yunpeng's eyes widened, and he blinked at me, as if asking, "Are you really going to hit her?"
I gave him a reassuring look. Looking at Bai Hanyan, who had her eyes closed, I tossed the brick into a flower bed and clapped my hands.
Hearing the sound, Bai Hanyan opened her eyes and looked at me. "You..."
"From now on, we are even. Let's go our separate ways. You walk your sunny road, and I'll cross my single-plank bridge."
With that, I grabbed Hong Yunpeng and left An Yuan Tang.
Outside, Hong Yunpeng asked if I wanted to go to the Drunken Immortal Tower for dinner that night.
I replied, "What's the point? Seeing Liu Hui, do you still have an appetite?"
Hearing my words, Hong Yunpeng nodded. "True. Sooner or later, I'll find a sack and stuff that guy in it for a good beating."
I smiled. "Brother Hong, let's go get something to eat first. I'm starving."
Hong Yunpeng nodded and said he'd take me to eat some specialty snacks.
Weaving through alleys, he led me into a small lane off the ancient street, eventually arriving at a small noodle dumpling shop.
After ordering two bowls of noodle dumplings, they were served, and I unceremoniously began devouring them.
I must say, these noodle dumplings were indeed delicious.
"Slow down. I'll order more if you run out," Hong Yunpeng said with a smile.
Just as I was burying my head in my food, someone sat down at our table.