Zui Xian Lou was a grand, four-story restaurant, exuding an impressive air.
Upon entering, before I could even take a proper look, I heard the sound of water. A gentle stream flowed down from a nearby staircase, forming a massive artificial water curtain.
Below the water curtain was a circular pool where koi carp swam in intricate patterns.
A colossal crystal chandelier glittered dazzlingly at the apex of the main hall.
The floor was paved with marble, covered by a red carpet. Following the spiral staircase to the second floor, the walls were adorned with antique carvings, and occasionally, a few renowned paintings could be spotted.
Although I knew these were replicas, I had to admit the place was exceptionally well-decorated.
A server led us to the entrance of a private room and opened the door for us.
Inside, the room was spacious, divided by a screen. The outer area featured dining tables, while the inner section contained a tea table and sofas.
It was clear the inner section was for conducting business, and the outer for dining.
At this moment, only Hong Yunpeng and I were in the room; Sister Ying and the others had not yet arrived.
Finding a sofa, I sat down. Hong Yunpeng raised an eyebrow at me, "What do you think? This place is nice, right?"
I nodded, "This is my first time in such a high-class restaurant."
Hong Yunpeng chuckled, "The owner of Zui Xian Lou is also a collector. Many significant deals in Guangling are negotiated here."
"Brother Hong, do you come here often?" I asked.
"How often? I've only been here three times with Sister Ying, so this is the fourth," Hong Yunpeng said with a smile. "Sister Ying usually arranges to dine here only for major business. After all, no one dares to cause trouble here."
About half an hour later, Sister Ying and Uncle Hong arrived.
Seeing me, Sister Ying didn't say much, instead instructing Hong Yunpeng to take good care of me.
Shortly after, the buyers also arrived.
There were three people on their side. The leader was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a prominent belly, his face full of fleshy folds, his eyes almost disappearing when he smiled.
Accompanying the portly man were a man and a woman. The woman was young and beautiful, around Sister Ying's age, likely the man's secretary.
The man was refined and scholarly, exuding an aura of bookishness, most likely an appraiser.
After entering the room, they proceeded to the negotiation area behind the screen.
Seeing this, I glanced at Hong Yunpeng. He seemed to read my mind, smiling as he put an arm around my shoulder, "If you want to go in and watch, go ahead. Just don't say anything foolish."
I nodded and walked to the negotiation area, finding a corner seat.
I had never witnessed a transaction of antiques before, and today was a rare opportunity, so I naturally wanted to broaden my horizons.
The portly man and Sister Ying sat opposite each other at the tea table. Sister Ying poured him a cup of Kung Fu tea, "Mr. Zhang, I apologize for making you wait for so many days."
"What are you saying, Boss An? Good things come to those who wait. As long as what you have is good, I'm willing to wait ten days, or even a year," Mr. Zhang said, picking up his teacup and taking a sip.
"However, I heard that the item Boss An has might be a fake?" Mr. Zhang said with a knowing tone, putting down his teacup.
Sister Ying smiled, "Who did Mr. Zhang hear that from?"
"Just a few friends."
"Friends?" Sister Ying said with a half-smile, "It seems Mr. Zhang should be more cautious when choosing friends in the future. The antique world is a very deep game. If you choose the wrong friends, not only will they be unable to help, but they might even cause trouble that leads to disaster."
Mr. Zhang frowned, "Boss An, as the saying goes, there's no smoke without fire. Some things are not just groundless rumors."
"If what I have is a fake, would I still be sitting here drinking tea with Mr. Zhang today?"
Sister Ying put away her smile, fiddled with the tea set, and said slowly, "I have always been straightforward in my business dealings and dislike deception. Furthermore, you and I signed a non-repudiation agreement... I believe Mr. Zhang also knows the rules. Once a non-repudiation agreement is established, any party that breaches it will have to pay a price."
Mr. Zhang laughed, "I understand, I understand. Since Boss An says the item is fine, what else can I say? Right? How about, Boss An, let me see the goods?"
Sister Ying winked at Uncle Hong, who then brought over a brocade box.
"Mr. Zhang, please inspect the item."
Mr. Zhang's expression was somewhat uncertain as he looked at the brocade box. He called over the man accompanying him.
After the man stepped forward, he put on white gloves, carefully opened the brocade box, and took out the Xuande Incense Burner.
The man examined it for a long time, sniffing it, tapping it, and inspecting it thoroughly.
"Mr. Zhang... this Xuande Incense Burner is genuine."
As the man's words fell, Mr. Zhang showed a flicker of surprise, but it was momentary.
"Mr. Zhang, since the item is fine, please pay," Sister Ying said.
Mr. Zhang pursed his lips and leaned in to look at the Xuande Incense Burner himself.
"Are you sure this is real?" he asked the man beside him.
The man looked somewhat troubled and nodded, "It's genuine."
"What? Mr. Zhang isn't reassured?" Sister Ying smiled. "If Mr. Zhang is not at ease, I can find someone to authenticate it for you. I know quite a few experts in Guangling."
Mr. Zhang's expression was somewhat uneasy. He kept touching his phone on the table, as if waiting for something.
After about a minute or two, seeing that Mr. Zhang remained silent, Sister Ying said, "Mr. Zhang, as we agreed, you would take the burner for one million. You feared I would go back on my word, so you even made a non-repudiation agreement with me. Everyone in the antique industry in Guangling knows about this now. Now that I have brought the item, isn't it time for you to pay?"
Sister Ying's voice was not loud, but it conveyed an irrefutable tone.
"I said ten days ago..." Mr. Zhang mumbled.
"I was delayed by some matters ten days ago. I will calculate the late payment interest as agreed, and I also informed you in advance, and you agreed to the delivery today."
Sister Ying continued, "Now that I have made time and shown you the item, Mr. Zhang, you're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"
At this point, Sister Ying chuckled, "It's fine to go back on your word. According to the non-repudiation agreement, you will pay me double compensation, two million, and this matter will be concluded."
"A non-repudiation agreement does not have legal effect," the young woman next to Mr. Zhang suddenly interjected. "Even if we go to court, you can't claim double compensation..."
As soon as the woman finished speaking, Sister Ying's expression turned cold. Though she still had a smile on her face, her eyes were filled with chilling intent!
It was the first time I had seen such a stern look on Sister Ying's face, and I couldn't help but shiver.
Sister Ying slowly leaned back, resting against the chair, her arms crossed. She said lightly, "Then, according to Mr. Zhang's meaning, you intend to treat me like a monkey?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Hong Yunpeng walked in, his expression stern, as if he would immediately subdue Mr. Zhang if Sister Ying gave the slightest order.
Hong Yunpeng was over 1.8 meters tall, with a muscular build. Although I had never seen him fight, I knew he possessed some martial arts skills.
After all, during the few days I stayed in the warehouse, I noticed his knuckles were very prominent, his hands were calloused, and his arm veins were thick.
I had no doubt that if he punched Mr. Zhang, the latter would likely be half-dead on the spot.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room became tense and confrontational!
I glanced sideways at Uncle Hong. His expression had also turned cold.
"Doing business is always a back-and-forth. That non-repudiation agreement is merely a verbal understanding..."
The young woman beside him, seemingly unaware of the gravity of the situation, continued to speak. However, before she could finish, Mr. Zhang slapped her hand back, "Shut up!"
The slap was sharp and clear. I saw five finger marks instantly appear on the woman's face.
The woman looked stunned, staring at Mr. Zhang in disbelief.
"I'm discussing business with Boss An, why are you interrupting?!" Mr. Zhang yelled.
Sister Ying looked unimpressed and gave a cold laugh, "Since Mr. Zhang wants to play the fool, I will accompany him to the end!"
At these words, Mr. Zhang's face turned extremely grim, and he subconsciously swallowed.
Sister Ying slowly stood up, placed her hands on the tea table, and looked down at him, saying in a low voice, "I'd like to see if the person who treats me like a fool has the ability to leave Guangling!"