CIATB Chapter 58 is all?
Chapter 58 is all?
The interior of the Treasure Pavilion was even more luxurious than Zhang Yan had imagined.
The ground was paved with solid white marble, so shiny it was like a mirror, and the air was filled with a faint, elegant scent, a blend of sandalwood and books.
The walls are covered with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists; any one of them would be enough to make those so-called collectors outside fight tooth and nail for it.
This place doesn't resemble an auction house; it's more like a heavily guarded private museum.
Zhang Yan, carrying a backpack and dressed in an ordinary white T-shirt and jeans, looked out of place in this magnificent environment, like a drop of clear water falling into boiling oil.
The hostess in the cheongsam who led him still had a professional smile on her face, but the fleeting look of disdain in her eyes was becoming more and more obvious.
Want to see the appraiser directly without an appointment?
Do you really think the Treasure Pavilion is some kind of place?
Is it a farmers' market?
She led Zhang Yan to a reception area separated by a sandalwood screen, poured him a cup of tea, and although her tone remained polite, it had taken on a formulaic distance.
"Sir, our chief appraiser, Mr. Wang, is currently receiving distinguished guests. If it is convenient for you, you may wait here for a moment."
The implication is that it's unclear how long the wait will be.
Zhang Yan wasn't in a hurry. He sat down, picked up his teacup, and prepared to sort out his thoughts.
He needs a top-quality jade stone, preferably an uncarved, exquisite raw stone.
He was preparing to carve a unique birthday gift for Nie Qingcheng himself.
With the ultimate understanding of structure and aesthetics granted by the [Divine Painting] skill, coupled with the sculpting skills that the system might reward him with in the future, he was confident that he could create a work worthy of being passed down through generations.
Just as he was pondering, footsteps came from outside the screen, along with a conversation that was deliberately lowered but still couldn't hide its contempt.
"Brother Kai, you see, I told you, these days any Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to come to Duobao Pavilion."
"Could a poor student who takes a taxi afford even a single paving stone here?"
Immediately afterwards, a gloomy young man in a gray suit, with a pale face, led his follower around the screen and walked straight in.
The gloomy young man, Zhou Kai, had his gaze sweep over Zhang Yan like two sticky, venomous snakes, making no attempt to conceal it.
That look in his eyes was filled with a morbid curiosity, scrutiny, and a condescending, playful disdain, as if he were looking at a plaything.
"You are Zhang Yan?"
Zhou Kai got straight to the point, his voice hoarse, like sandpaper being rubbed.
Zhang Yan raised his eyelids, glanced at him calmly, and said nothing.
The lackey immediately jumped out, like a lapdog eager to show off, pointing his finger at Zhang Yan's nose and cursing.
"Hey kid, our Brother Kai's asking you a question! What the hell are you pretending to be mute for?"
"I heard you've been quite the troublemaker lately, even messing with that idiot Li Zifeng?"
"What, just because you've climbed up to Sister Qingcheng's high branch, you really think you're someone important?"
Zhang Yan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He disliked the feeling of being scrutinized in public, and he disliked even more people mentioning Nie Qingcheng in such a frivolous tone.
He put down his teacup, stood up, and prepared to wait somewhere else.
"Trying to leave?"
Zhou Kai moved with lightning speed, like a ghost, and blocked Zhang Yan's path.
He was taller than Zhang Yan, and looking down at him from above, a cruel smile crept onto his sickly pale face.
Did I let you leave?
He reached out and slowly pulled a checkbook and a Parker gold pen from the inside pocket of his suit.
"I've investigated you: an orphan, a poor student, surviving by delivering food and receiving handouts from women."
Zhou Kai's tone was full of charity as he spoke, scribbling something on the check.
"Name your price. How much will it take for you to leave Nie Qingcheng and get out of Jinghai?"
The hostess, seeing this, turned pale with fright. She wanted to come over and persuade them, but dared not.
She knew Zhou Kai better than anyone else who he was.
This young master of the Zhou family is a notorious madman in Jinghai City, known for his unpredictable temper and ruthless methods.
Zhang Yan looked at the young man in front of him who was talking to himself and couldn't help but find it a little funny.
Come again?
Is this "I'll give you five million to leave my daughter" scenario playing out all the time lately?
Just as he was about to speak, the cold, mechanical voice arrived in his mind as expected.
[Ding! Host detected experiencing financial humiliation; hidden quest triggered!]
[Task Name: Receive a Gift!]
[Task Requirements: Accept all the money given by the other party and make them feel the joy of being a "money-giving boy".]
[Task Rewards: Depends on task completion rate.]
Zhang Yan's expression instantly became somewhat subtle.
Accepting gifts?
How can you make the other person feel happy?
This system is getting more and more sophisticated.
Just then, Zhou Kai finished writing the check and tore it off with a "rip".
He didn't hand it over, but instead held it between two fingers as if he were holding something dirty, and then flicked his wrist.
The thin piece of paper, carrying a sense of humiliation, flew lightly towards Zhang Yan's face.
"Take it."
Zhou Kai raised his chin, his eyes filled with disdain, as if he were looking at a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy.
Five million.
"Get out of Jinghai. This money is enough for a piece of trash like you to live comfortably for the rest of your life."
The check floated down and landed at Zhang Yan's feet.
The entire reception area was eerily quiet.
The henchman wore a cruel, expectant smile.
The hostess held her breath nervously.
Everyone assumed that what followed would be a scene of furious resistance or humiliating acceptance.
However, Zhang Yan's reaction exceeded everyone's expectations.
He showed neither anger nor hesitation.
He simply bent down calmly.
Under the increasingly disdainful gazes of Zhou Kai and his henchmen, Zhang Yan reached out and picked up the check.
"That's right, a wise person knows when to yield..."
Before the henchman could finish his sarcastic remark, the words caught in his throat.
Because Zhang Yan did not immediately put the check in his pocket after picking it up.
He held up two fingers, pinched one corner of the check, and examined it carefully against the light, as if he were authenticating an antique.
Then, he flicked the check lightly with his thumb and forefinger.
"Smack."
A crisp, rhythmic sound.
After doing all this, Zhang Yan raised his head. In his clear eyes, there was no anger at being humiliated, but rather a pure and serious confusion.
He looked at Zhou Kai and asked a question that made everyone present instantly freeze.
"this one?"
Zhou Kai's smug smile froze.
"What?"
"I said..." Zhang Yan waved the check in his hand, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather, "Just five million?"
He paused, and a genuine disappointment, which Zhou Kai found extremely jarring, flickered in his clear eyes.
"Nie Qingcheng is in your heart..."
"Is it really worth this price?"