Even Wang Jingwu's eyes widened in disbelief.
A deep reverence arose in his gaze.
Xiang Wenbin was in for a world of hurt today; the scene was all too familiar.
Li Chonglou's impact on him had grown stronger with each encounter, and now he had become his own boss.
Thinking back to his past arrogance in challenging Li Chonglou was utterly ridiculous.
"Since you've spoken, not accepting your offer would be disrespectful," Li Chonglou said nonchalantly, unfazed by the astonished looks of the crowd. "I've gathered everyone here today to collect items."
"Bring out five antique pieces valued at over a million, and we'll call it even."
Five million-dollar antiques!
Li Chonglou's demand was audaciously terrifying.
Wasn't this outright extortion?
"You damn extortionist!" Xiang Wenbin's face changed instantly. He bared his teeth, about to stand up and confront Li Chonglou again.
He had been beaten by his own father for no apparent reason and felt even more indignant.
But as soon as he moved, his father kicked him back to the ground.
"Master Li, rest assured. The five items will be delivered within two days at the latest. Thank you, Master Li, for not holding a grudge." Shang Jian, on the contrary, looked relieved, showing no signs of being extorted.
What were five million worth of items to him?
It was even less of a concern for Li Chonglou, whose possessions auctioned at the Lu family were beyond the valuation of a few million.
Shang Jian had been present then and was one of the few who understood the true extent of Li Chonglou's affairs.
His company was currently on a downward trajectory. Although it hadn't reached the brink of bankruptcy, the situation was not optimistic.
If he could use this opportunity to establish a connection with a god-like figure like Li Chonglou, five million wouldn't be much, even ten million would be worth it!
This was no simple act of extortion. Given Li Chonglou's unrestrained personality, such words clearly offered him a way out.
While others might not understand, Shang Jian certainly did.
This turn of events utterly bewildered everyone.
Shang Jian, a seasoned and astute businessman, was not only respectful to Li Chonglou but also eager to comply with his requests.
What extraordinary connection or secret existed between the two of them?
Everyone, including Xiang Wenbin, was consumed by this unresolvable mystery.
Shang Jian certainly wouldn't explain. None of the people present were on that level; a different circle was like a different world, and more words would be useless.
Li Chonglou said nothing further. He nodded and gestured for Shang Jian to take his leave with his entourage.
Shang Jian quickly pulled his son up, ignoring his wails, and dragged him out of the private room like a dog.
Everyone's gaze towards Li Chonglou now was vastly different from before.
The beautiful woman who had been sitting next to Xiang Wenbin deliberately edged closer to Li Chonglou, only to freeze with a smile as he shot her a look, daring not to move.
"Since everyone knows the purpose of today's gathering, please present your items. I'm very busy," Li Chonglou said impatiently, getting straight to the point.
Before the meal officially began, he wanted to collect the items and leave.
He would leave the rest to Wang Dehai to handle.
No one dared to question him. They all took out the items they had brought from their bags.
Li Chonglou scanned them with a glance. Many were fakes, and only three were genuine.
After all, they weren't mainstream antique collectors. These nouveau riche were the biggest victims of antique replicas. Once they had some money, they lost their sense of self, and the ambition to buy culture with money was a form of self-humiliation.
Being cheated and making poor judgments was only natural.
However, among these three genuine items, one made Li Chonglou's eyes gleam slightly.
It was a box containing chocolate-bean-shaped objects. The box had a rich and deep patina, crafted from Gui Yan Hai Huang wood, with intricate carvings.
It was mixed in with several fakes.
Its owner was a plump man with a large black mole near his nostril.
Li Chonglou deliberately avoided looking at the "chocolate" box and ignored the fat man, first collecting the other two genuine items.
Then, he pointed at the modern glazed snuff bottle in the fat man's hand and asked, "Give me a price."
"Mr. Li, this is a Qing Dynasty glazed snuff bottle. You're an expert, so I wouldn't dare to overcharge. How about eighty thousand?" The fat man smiled slickly, like a dishonest vendor in an antique market.
If it weren't for the "chocolate" box, Li Chonglou wouldn't have spared him a second glance.
He casually glanced at the chocolates and asked, "Whether this thing is from the Qing Dynasty is debatable, but what is that?"
"This is a treasure. It's a Hai Huang box passed down from my ancestors, and inside are elixirs. It's over a hundred years old, worth at least a hundred thousand," the fat man said, his eyes gleaming with cunning as he fabricated the story.
This item was indeed passed down from his ancestors, but he had no idea what the chocolate beans inside were.
They smelled faintly of tea. Fearing death, he dared not try them. He had asked many people, but no one recognized them.
To sell the box, he brought them along.
Upon hearing this, Li Chonglou smiled. "Although it is indeed Gui Yan Hai Huang, it's quite small. I'll take both items for one hundred thousand."
"For research."
He knew that the fat man had no idea what the contents of the box were.
A rare treasure was in his hands, treated as trash; he didn't deserve to possess such an item.
He was determined to acquire this bargain.
This kind of intellectual superiority was insurmountable.
"You should give a bit more," the fat man said with an awkward smile.
"I'm upfront with everyone; whatever I offer is my limit. It's up to you whether you sell it or not," Li Chonglou said, playing hard to get.
Since they were here, everyone wanted to sell their items; otherwise, why would they come?
To freeload?
"Fine, let's consider it me making a friend of you. Deal!" The fat man gritted his teeth and pushed the box and the bowl towards Li Chonglou.
Before even bringing it to his nose, he caught the rich aroma emanating from the "chocolate" inside the box.
It was like a pot of authentic Lao Ban Zhang ancient tea, releasing a powerful fragrance after being steeped in hot water for half an hour.
Yet, it lacked aggression, being pure and crisp.
Li Chonglou promptly paid the money and asked Wang Jingwu to take the other items to Wang Dehai. He then casually pocketed the box and its contents.
As he left the hotel, the sky had already darkened.
Returning to the hospital, he chatted with his mother, and the night passed.
The next morning, he headed straight to Donglin.
Lin Ying was personally overseeing affairs at Donglin today, having gone nowhere. Dressed in a qipao, she was alluring and radiant.
She was engrossed in making tea, appearing to be one with the tea set.
"Senior Sister!" Li Chonglou burst into the shop, his steps quicker than usual, lacking his usual composure.
"What's got you so happy? Your steps are practically flying," Lin Ying raised her beautiful eyes. Seeing the hint of excitement hidden beneath Li Chonglou's calm expression, her curiosity was piqued.
Although she hadn't interacted much with this junior disciple, his composure far surpassed that of ordinary people.
Even when he occasionally showed a touch of childlike innocence in her presence, his steadfast demeanor remained unchanged.
Why was he a bit floaty today?
"See what this is?" Li Chonglou pulled out the Hai Huang box and "chocolate" and placed them before Lin Ying, asking.
Lin Ying's smile faltered. Without even looking at the Hai Huang box, she picked up a "chocolate" and sniffed it.
Her beautiful eyes suddenly lit up. "Where did you get this treasure?"
"Qing Dynasty imperial court-made authentic Pu'er tea concentrate," Li Chonglou replied excitedly, not answering her question. "I struck a massive bargain today."
"It's for you!"
His senior sister lived for tea.
Archaeology was a duty and responsibility she had to inherit, while tea was her lifelong passion.
She had put considerable effort into collecting various famous teas.
Li Chonglou had always wanted to give her something to repay her kindness from two lifetimes, but he couldn't find anything suitable or worthy.
Now, encountering this tea concentrate, he had finally fulfilled a wish from two lifetimes.
"Junior disciple, your gesture is so grand it makes Senior Sister feel flustered." Lin Ying's pretty face was filled with shock, unable to speak for a long time.
She suppressed her churning emotions with all her might, holding the tea concentrate in her hands, and murmured, "Tea concentrate originated in the Tang Dynasty, appearing in Lu Yu's 'The Classic of Tea,' and was as renowned as tribute tea and officially baked tea."
"It continued until the Qing Dynasty, when Pu'er tea concentrate emerged."
"During the Qianlong period, with the unstable situation in Yunnan Province, to prevent poisoning, the production of tea concentrate was moved into the imperial palace, and the process was improved."
"This box of tea concentrate is indeed a supreme product personally made by Emperor Qianlong!"
"Its current price is sold by the gram, much more expensive than gold."
"This entire box is worth at least a million on the market and will be eagerly sought after. What a gift you've given!"
"Tell me, what do you need from Senior Sister?"
With just a few words, Lin Ying revealed the preciousness of this "chocolate" bean.
Compared to its value, the Gui Yan Hai Huang wooden box it was contained in seemed insignificant, no wonder Lin Ying hadn't even glanced at the box.
However, very few people knew about this kind of tea concentrate. Even most seasoned tea enthusiasts had only heard of it but never seen it firsthand.
Li Chonglou managing to find such a treasure to give her genuinely touched her deeply.
"Senior Sister, what are you saying? Do I need a reason to give you something?" Li Chonglou said seriously. "If it weren't for you and Master, I probably wouldn't even be as good as a beggar now."
"Great kindness is beyond words; this small gift cannot express my gratitude."
"That serious?" Lin Ying listened, bewildered, her pretty face full of doubt.
Given Li Chonglou's capabilities and personality, even without her and her father, he would undoubtedly be a dragon among men.
How could he be worse than a beggar? This was too exaggerated.
Li Chonglou smiled and didn't explain further.
Lin Ying, of course, didn't know he was referring to his previous life.
This matter would eventually be revealed to his Master, Senior Sister, and wife, but now was not the time.
The future was uncertain, and his Master was still imprisoned and in danger.
The fewer people who knew, the safer it would be.
"Senior Sister, a week from now, I'll go see Master again. Is there anything you need me to bring?" Li Chonglou changed the subject and discussed his Master, Lin Zhendong, with Lin Ying.
After they chatted for a while.
Lin Ying received a phone call, and her expression gradually turned serious.
After hanging up, she said to Li Chonglou, "Junior disciple, I'll accompany you to see my father in a week."
"After visiting him, we'll fly to Shuzhou."
"Professor Dai has made a significant discovery. You are now a member of our team, and there are certain things you need to understand."
Li Chonglou's eyes lit up. "Is it related to Shi Boqiong?"
"No, it's something else. You'll know when the time comes," Lin Ying said vaguely.
Li Chonglou didn't press further. He knew his Senior Sister's character; she wouldn't be hesitant about telling him what she could.
They arranged to visit Master first in a week and then fly to Shuzhou.
After leaving Donglin, Li Chonglou went straight to the place where Xu Lie was hospitalized to visit him.
He had to admit that this guy's physical constitution was truly extraordinary. Despite such severe injuries, he could already sit up and eat after only a day and two nights.
For anyone else, it would have been unthinkable.
"Brother Xu, I'll be going away in a week. To help you recover faster, I have something for you!" Li Chonglou sat by the bed, asked Xu Qianqian to step aside, and said solemnly.