Despite it being evening, Wu Sansheng, along with Wu Xie and others, headed to Zhang's Antique Shop.
The streets were quite crowded in Beili.
As the group walked down the street, they seemed rather conspicuous, especially Wu Xie and Han Shao, who had returned from studying abroad. Their demeanor was different from that of ordinary people, leading to Wu Xie and the others drawing a lot of attention.
"Look, that person is so handsome."
"Don't stare, people like that, judging by their attire, are clearly not to be messed with."
"They seem to be heading towards Zhang's Antique Shop. Are they going to buy something?"
Some people on the street quietly observed Wu Xie and the group, their gazes occasionally lingering on them. Wu Xie paid no mind, merely quickening his pace.
Soon, Zhang's Antique Shop came into view. It was not a large antique shop, and compared to the Wu family's establishment, it was truly a case of "a witch's broom compared to a grand palace."
*Clang...*
Uncle San did not hesitate and entered directly. The bell at the entrance rang with a clear sound. Inside, a middle-aged man wearing glasses slowly looked up. It was Zhang Tian's cheap old dad, Zhang Yufei.
"Hello, can I help you with anything?" Zhang Yufei asked with a smile, his gaze deep yet serious.
"Shopkeeper, we're just browsing," Han Shao said, as they looked at the antiques around them.
"Uncle San, it doesn't seem to have that feeling here," Wu Xie frowned slightly, looking puzzled. He clearly felt that strange sensation before, so why couldn't he find it this time?
Uncle San looked around. He examined the antiques. Zhang's Antique Shop indeed had many valuable items, possibly worth over a hundred million in total. However, he didn't see a single divine artifact.
"Are you sure you're not mistaken? Who was in charge at the time?" Uncle San frowned, his voice serious.
"I remember it was a young man named Zhang Tian, everyone called him Young Master Zhang," Wu Xie recalled. "And he said if I wanted the jade pendant, I'd have to spend millions to buy it, otherwise he'd put it up for auction." Wu Xie recounted everything he knew.
"How much?" Uncle San asked.
"Five million," Wu Xie replied. Uncle San seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
"If he could name a price of five million, it means he doesn't know what's inside the jade pendant, and he's just an ordinary person. We can buy it directly later." Uncle San said, feeling somewhat relieved. This way, Zhang Tian's jade pendant would only cost them money. Five million wasn't actually that expensive. If it were put up for auction, it would at least triple in price.
"What? Uncle San, five million, not five hundred yuan. Isn't it a bit foolish to just buy it?" Han Shao spoke his mind quite directly.
"No, if you knew its use, you wouldn't think that way. If this kind of item were put up for auction, even tens of millions would be considered low." Uncle San said, his eyes deepening, and he gave Han Shao a displeased look. He intended to find a bargain.
"Um, excuse me, is your son at home?" Uncle San looked at Zhang Yufei.
"That brat hasn't been home for days, I don't know where he's gone. Why are you looking for him?" Zhang Yufei's expression turned serious, his brow furrowed. He hadn't seen these people before and worried they might be up to no good with Zhang Tian.
"Is that so? Well, if your son comes back, please tell him that the Wu family has something to discuss with him," Wu Sansheng said. Zhang Tian's father nodded.
"Mm, I understand." He said it casually, but his heart was greatly shaken. The Wu family had been reclusive for many years and had begun to legitimize their business. Old Master Wu was extremely shrewd, and by Wu Xie's generation, if Wu Xie hadn't found the notebook, his Wu family would have long since become completely legitimate. As someone in the antique industry, Zhang Tian's father knew the Wu family well, and there was even some connection from his childhood.
"It seems Xiao Tian has gotten into some trouble," Zhang Yufei's expression changed after these people left. If the Wu family's interaction with Zhang Tian was purely business, that would be fine, even good. But judging by their demeanor, it didn't seem like a business transaction.
"Forget it, I'll ask him properly when he gets back. If he's offended anyone, I'll have to clean up his mess," Zhang Yufei thought to himself. He tilted his head and lay back on the chair, as if he had forgotten about the recent events.
Outside, Wu Sansheng looked at the street. "I never thought a jade pendant could appear in such a small shop. It's truly strange," Uncle San mused with some emotion.
"I remember when it was discovered before, an old man went in first, and I followed. That Young Master Zhang probably didn't recognize the jade pendant," Wu Xie explained. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have put it up for sale. He should be considered a businessman." Uncle San nodded in agreement.
"This person is a good businessman. If possible, our Wu family could cooperate with him, but only if he gives us the jade pendant." Uncle San's words clearly indicated its importance, as he kept mentioning the jade pendant.
"Alright, let's go back and wait for him to return," Uncle San said, and they all left.
After they departed, a tall man in a suit, with his hair obscuring half his face, entered the antique shop.
"What's going on today? So many people?" Zhang Yufei muttered, looking at the strange man with confusion. "Little Brother, what do you want?" he called out. The visitor did not speak but merely stared at the antiques, sniffed the air, and his gaze shifted upwards.
*Ding ling...*
After the bell rang, the Little Brother left the antique shop.
"What is it today? I've encountered so many strange people," Zhang Yufei wondered. First the Wu family, and now this strange man. Did his antique shop have no dignity, that people could just come and go as they pleased? What kind of decorum was this, with people entering and exiting constantly? The more Zhang Yufei thought about it, the more annoyed he became, so he simply closed the shop and stopped doing business. Yes, he was that willful.
The Little Brother stood outside, and his figure flickered as he ascended directly to the second floor. He opened the window to Zhang Tian's room and entered almost in an instant. He sniffed the air. Tilting his body, he looked under Zhang Tian's bed. Sure enough, under the bed, there was a patch of black residue.
"Shibiao!" Seeing this mark, the Little Brother's usually icy expression creased slightly. He then searched Zhang Tian's drawers and finally found the used jade pendant in a small box. Looking at the jade pendant, the Little Brother put it back.
"Someone is keeping Shibiao in a mere antique shop?" he thought, his expression unchanged. The reason the Little Brother was able to find this place was that he had vaguely sensed corpse qi when he passed by earlier. So, he decided to investigate. He hadn't expected to find someone actually raising Shibiao and even cultivating it. After his inspection, the Little Brother quietly left. If Zhang Tian knew about this, he would absolutely be furious. His home, so casually entered and exited? Fortunately, Zhang Tian had taken all his important belongings with him, otherwise, it would have revealed flaws.
Time passed quickly.
A day later.
At the train station, Zhang Tian and Fatty, along with others, slowly disembarked from the train. All of them wore smiles.