Old Yu actually took a liking to this Peace Buckle? It seemed like something like this hadn't happened in ten years!

The venue immediately erupted in a whisper of speculation, countless people turned their heads at the news, and some even quickly abandoned their seats, hurrying toward where Yu Yan and Wang Zhuo were seated.

Jing Tianhui's seating was only about ten meters from Wang Zhuo's table, separated by just three other tables. When he heard the news being passed around, his expression immediately darkened.

The layman watches the excitement, but the expert watches the underlying mechanism. Just as the vast majority in the hall assumed that Elder Yu had set his sights on the Twin Dragon Peace Buckle, Jing Tianhui immediately discerned a different flavor to the action.

The old man wasn't simply delighted by a rare treasure; he was using this moment to support Wang Zhuo!

Logically, this was the first formal interaction between Yu Yan and Wang Zhuo, and Yu Yan had no reason to favor this unfamiliar junior. However, Jing Tianhui knew that Elder Yu held strong opinions on the recent jade market trends. He had stated on various occasions that excessively hyping up jade was equivalent to draining the pond to catch the fish, and it would inevitably destroy the collecting hobby and the market itself.

Although Yu Yan was a titan in this field, he was, after all, merely a collector, not a regulator or an industry practitioner. No matter how much cold water he poured, he couldn't stop the vested interests of the entire industry: regulatory departments needed revenue, industry insiders needed profit, and the media needed sensational news. With everyone fanning the flames, even with his high status, he couldn't sway the overarching market trend.

It was like a major stock market bull run: the entire nation was shouting "Up, up, up!" Even if Yu Yan shouted it alone, no matter how loud his voice, who would pay attention?

And the flat-rate selling by Shengshi Wangchao, while perhaps not deliberate, genuinely acted as a cooling agent for the sector. While the entire industry was hoarding stock in anticipation of price hikes, Shengshi Wangchao was moving large quantities, achieving half the total sales volume of all stores in Jiangzhou with just four outlets. Wasn't this like pulling the rug out from under them?

In this light, Wang Zhuo had inadvertently become Yu Yan's ally. Yu Yan advocated for the industry's healthy development, focusing on business rather than speculation. In reality, Wang Zhuo had speculated more fiercely than anyone else in the field, but he was selling at prices slightly lower than his peers. At least from this perspective, he was positively reinforcing Yu Yan's viewpoint.

Six months prior, Yu Yan had tried to persuade Jing Tianhui to take the lead in curbing the improper practices in the industry. But Jing Tianhui was a vested beneficiary, and he certainly wasn't willing to play along. After debate, neither convinced the other, and no conclusion was reached.

In truth, Yu Yan was also a vested beneficiary; the more feverish the speculation, the larger his unrealized gains became, eclipsing everyone else. Take, for instance, the hundred famous paintings Ji Lin donated to Peking University: if a single Qi Baishi painting doubled in price at a recent auction, many collections across the entire calligraphy and painting market would see comparative appreciation. Imagine the result if all one hundred paintings doubled—that would represent at least a billion in conceptual wealth!

As people age, their personalities often shift; being eccentric, stubborn, and unapproachable are common traits. Old Yu was exhibiting this very affliction, and he had decided to wage war against this industry, determined to cool down the jade speculation.

Whether hoarding stock and being reluctant to sell was right or wrong was inherently a matter of opinion. But Old Yu’s stubborn streak had kicked in; he was insisting that this practice was fundamentally wrong and had somehow mistaken Wang Zhuo—the most cunning merchant among cunning merchants—for a kindred spirit. This left Jing Tianhui and others utterly stunned, yet completely helpless!

Beneath the Presidium, the area around Elder Yu's table was crowded three layers deep. However, everyone present was a person of stature, so they couldn't cluster around like fishwives fighting in the street. Consequently, order was maintained beautifully, and there was no pushing or shoving.

"It is my honor, and the honor of Shengshi Wangchao and this buckle, that Elder Yu has taken an interest in this Peace Buckle."

Wang Zhuo smiled and spoke, "This buckle was fashioned from rough material I personally gambled for during my trip to Myanmar earlier this year. The designer is Ms. Qi Fei, the chief designer at Shengshi Wangchao, and the craftsman is Master Feng from Jinlongfang in Hong Kong."

"So it is the craftsmanship of Fourth Brother Feng, no wonder," Yu Yan chuckled lightly and nodded.

Hearing that the material was personally gambled for by Wang Zhuo, some onlookers believed him, some didn't, and others were half-convinced. Designer Qi Fei, however, was almost universally known—she was the industry's most famous beauty and talent, practically the sector's brand ambassador!

But when they heard the craftsman was Master Feng from Jinlongfang, more than half the audience had never heard the name, and those who did were highly surprised.

"Fourth Uncle Feng from Jinlongfang? Doesn't he never take external commissions?"

"This small buckle being the work of Old Fourth Feng—that's truly bizarre!"

"Who is this Mr. Feng? And what is Jinlongfang? Is it very famous?"

"I only heard that there's a Feng Si in Hong Kong renowned as the best dragon-carving master in the industry, but I don't know anything else."

"Feng Si's largest piece is a clock, and his smallest is a bowl. It seems this buckle breaks his record for the smallest piece." Amidst the murmurs, Wang Zhuo, seated near the center of the crowd, scratched his head with a sheepish smile. "Elder Yu, it's not that I, Wang Zhuo, am ungrateful, but this buckle has already changed hands. It belongs neither to Shengshi Wangchao nor to me anymore. Therefore, I cannot let you have it. I can only offer my apologies."

How could this guy be so unappreciative?!

Among the onlookers, a few were even indignant. Wang Zhuo's words sounded clearly like an excuse to refuse. Besides, it didn't matter if the item wasn't his; the other party was the esteemed Elder Yu. Would it kill the young man to make a phone call to the buckle's owner? Didn't he have any sense of propriety?

To everyone's surprise, after hearing Wang Zhuo's statement, Yu Yan only blinked in momentary surprise. He showed no sign of regret but instead laughed heartily, as if recalling something pleasant.

"Wang Zhuo, your Shengshi Wangchao doesn't even keep such a masterpiece as a store treasure? It seems you have even better things! I will pay a personal visit someday; don't try to fool this old man."

Yu Yan's words surprised Wang Zhuo again. He had heard the old man had a peculiar and unapproachable temper; why was he suddenly so agreeable today? Was it the saying that such sudden warmth signals ulterior motives? Or perhaps the elder found Wang Zhuo as pleasing to his eye as a turtle finding a green bean?

"Elder Yu's willingness to grace us with a visit truly brings glory to Shengshi Wangchao!" Wang Zhuo replied with an enthusiastic smile. "When you arrive, I will certainly present my most treasured possessions to await your esteemed presence!"

After exchanging a few words with Wang Zhuo, Yu Yan departed early. Jia Weimin and Bao Tianhui, among others, personally escorted him downstairs and saw him into his car—the level of deference left Siyuan speechless.

Returning to the hall, Wang Zhuo feigned needing to buy something and took Siyuan to the hotel's convenience store for a turn. When they came out, he personally helped her put the Peace Buckle back on.

Siyuan stuck out her tongue, made a funny face, and giggled, "I thought that old man was so formidable, I figured you'd sell him the buckle."

"How could I?" Wang Zhuo chuckled nonchalantly. "This is something I promised to give you. Unless you stop liking it in the future, no one—not even for a hundred million—could buy it from me."

Siyuan was immediately touched, her eyes sparkling with emotion. These words were more effective than any love poem. At this moment, if Wang Zhuo had produced a bottle of sleeping pills and suggested they consummate their affection, she would undoubtedly open the cap and down half the contents without a second thought!

Watching the girl's deeply moved expression, Wang Zhuo felt a mixture of amusement and helplessness. He hadn't expected that simply speaking his true thoughts would move Siyuan so profoundly. Did he possess the potential to be a romantic hero?

He didn't realize that what he had just said was something all women in the world found irresistible. "As long as you like it, we wouldn't sell it even for a hundred million"—what a dramatically cliché line from a romance story! When people read such things in novels or watch them in films, they only feel nauseous, but when a man in real life sincerely says these words to a woman, it absolutely makes her cling to him even more fiercely.

"Director Wang, I want it now…"

Wang Zhuo froze, not understanding what Siyuan meant.

Seeing his confused gaze, Siyuan charmingly hooked his hand: "I said, I want it now…"

Now Wang Zhuo understood! He could hardly believe his ears. Why had this girl suddenly become so bold?

"Ahem!" He quickly composed his somewhat inflated thoughts and cleared his throat, murmuring softly, "Stop joking. If you really ignite a fire in me, how will we manage to return to the hall later?"

Wang Zhuo meant to signal to Siyuan that he couldn't withstand temptation, and if he got an erection, it would be trouble.

"Let's go over there, and I'll help you put out the fire," Siyuan said, her eyes full of seductive promise, nudging him with her shoulder and tilting her head toward the nearby emergency exit.

Wang Zhuo followed her suggestion and glanced in that direction. He felt a stirring of temptation at the audacious proposition. He pictured himself, with hundreds of people waiting for his return in the main hall, while he was sneaking downstairs in the safety corridor, enjoying the 'fire-extinguishing service' from the beautiful young woman—what an exciting prospect!

But his enthusiasm quickly waned because, using his X-ray vision, he scanned the corridor and spotted two surveillance cameras installed on every floor. It seemed this hotel had quite thorough security measures!

"Uh…" Wang Zhuo helplessly scratched his head, leaned down close to Siyuan’s ear, and whispered, "There are cameras there."

Siyuan burst into laughter and made a gesture of resignation.

Wang Zhuo smiled, patted her head, and led her toward the elevator.

When the pair returned to the venue, the cocktail reception was nearly over. Due to the commotion caused by the Twin Dragon Peace Buckle, only the Hundred Treasures Golden Toad had been showcased among the four treasures scheduled for the reception; the other three owners had urgently withdrawn them.

On the Presidium, a large display board had been set up, detailing the rules and prizes for the upcoming Stone Gambling Competition segment.