Seeing Wang Zhuo actually imitating Stephen Chow on the main stage and joking with everyone present, Jing Tianhui could no longer control his blood pressure.

To save his old life, he reluctantly signaled to a judge beside him to call for Jing Yunquan, and then, under everyone's gaze, he was helped out of the venue.

The ordinary members took this scene as an accident, but those standing opposite Wang Zhuo in this "Hongmen Banquet" all knew that Old Jing had been literally infuriated by Wang Zhuo—the measures he had personally prepared had not only failed but had instead become a stage for Wang Zhuo to display his might, so it was no wonder he was so enraged.

Watching Jing Tianhui being escorted away, Wang Zhuo feigned an expression of regret. A sweep of his X-ray vision immediately revealed Jing Tianhui's physical condition.

At that moment, Jing Tianhui's blood pressure was very high, and his heartbeat was like he had just finished a strenuous workout. Within his cranial cavity, a tiny blood vessel had ruptured, but the damage was not severe and showed no signs of expanding.

Wang Zhuo, having studied medicine, knew this situation would not be life-threatening, nor would it cause paralysis or other serious symptoms; it would heal on its own after some time. However, without timely corrective measures, some after-effects might linger.

It seemed Jing Tianhui was not the obstinate, illness-denying old man like Qin Jingzhong. Wang Zhuo paused, deciding not to chase after him with a reminder. After all, Old Jing would have the cranial symptoms detected when he arrived at the hospital, so there was no need for him to go the extra mile.

“President Jing seems to have caught a bit of a cold; a little rest should fix him right up.”

The host also knew that Jing Tianhui's condition was far more serious than a simple cold, but maintaining calm among the attendees was paramount, so this explanation was offered.

“Next up is the award ceremony. Please welcome Wang Zhuo, Chu Sheng, Ms. Ma Xin, Mr. Lin Tingfeng… to the stage!”

A manager from Southern Holiday Travel Agency presented Wang Zhuo with a voucher on the spot. With this voucher, Wang Zhuo could arrange a seven-day trip for two to the Maldives at any time. Wang Zhuo accepted with a knowing smile, and Siyuan beamed with joy.

The co-second-place winners and those who had scored points also received rewards. The prize for second place was a five-day trip to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, which was quite good. Other contestants who had earned points only received a symbolic 2,000 yuan refueling card. Furthermore, the association had not anticipated so many winners in this category and had only prepared five cards, so they had to note down the addresses of some contestants to mail the rest later.

In truth, traveling to the Maldives was a piece of cake for Wang Zhuo. Just two months ago, his father, Wang Zhengdao, had taken a female student there for quite a while—chartering yachts and renting villas, truly living it up in style.

But this stone appraisal competition reminded him that, given his net worth, he shouldn't spend all his time idling in a small place like Jiangzhou. He ought to go out, see the world, and have some fun.

Maldives trips offer visa-on-arrival, but a passport must be obtained in advance. Wang Zhuo actually didn't have one. Reflecting, it seemed everyone around him, except Siyuan, possessed a passport—even that fellow Feilong, who had finished applying for his last month, planning to go to Vietnam soon with some photography friends to shoot scenery!

“Oh, beautiful Ao Dai lady, here I come!” This was Feilong’s declaration before heading abroad.

According to Feilong, among the photography buddies he associated with for private shoots, there was an older gentleman who worked in Vietnam year-round and knew the situation there extremely well. In Vietnam's capital, Ho Chi Minh City, there were many high-end clubs where the prettiest Ao Dai beauties only charged a 100 yuan (RMB) table fee, and for just 1,000 yuan, one could experience ten beautiful women keeping them company over flower wine. Feilong and the others were immediately tempted, and those without passports rushed to get theirs sorted.

Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country where gambling, prostitution, and drugs are illegal. But just as Beijing has the 'Heaven on Earth,' Vietnam certainly has similar establishments. For small-time bourgeoisie like Feilong, going there was an opportunity to play the big spender a few times, act like a foreigner, and enjoy a life of luxury.

The gathering reached its final reception phase. Qi Fei and Guan Yingying sent congratulatory messages, felicitating Wang Zhuo for winning first place in the stone appraisal competition. The two were currently chatting online and listening to music at Wang Zhuo's mansion, enjoying a life of homebody luxury.

“I haven’t even called to announce it yet; how did you two find out already?” Wang Zhuo sounded somewhat surprised.

Qi Fei replied with a smile, “Siyuan texted us! You probably missed it when you were on stage accepting the award?”

Guan Yingying snatched the phone at that moment and asked, “She said you guessed the value of all four rough stones perfectly, down to the last cent—is that true?”

Wang Zhuo grinned smugly. In truth, for the last rough stone, he had initially intended to write 5,000, but then felt that guessing too accurately was almost defying heaven, so he wrote 10,000, thinking that 10,000 would still securely beat Ma Xin’s 13,000; winning was the main goal.

It turned out that after multiple considerations, the judges valued it exactly at 10,000, coinciding perfectly with the figure he had casually written down, resulting in the miraculous perfect score.

Unfortunately, it wasn't convenient to share these inside details with them, so Wang Zhuo just chuckled and told Guan Yingying it was just luck.

“We absolutely have to celebrate this properly!” Guan Yingying said happily. “How about tomorrow night? Don’t you dare have other plans then!” “Why not tonight?” Wang Zhuo asked.

“Our sister’s period…”

Guan Yingying only got halfway through when the signal abruptly cut off, apparently Qi Fei had accidentally hit the disconnect button while grabbing the phone.

Wang Zhuo looked at his phone with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to wait for them to call back.

At this point, the protective amulet provided by Jing Tianhui was being auctioned on the main stage, already fetching 400,000 yuan, with a tendency to climb higher.

Wang Zhuo couldn't help but be stunned. He hadn't expected a simple amulet Jing Tianhui took off his person could fetch such a high price. Back then, he thought it would be worth at most eighty or ninety thousand yuan, tops.

“That protective amulet… it doesn't seem worth this much, does it?” a short young man next to Wang Zhuo asked his companion doubtfully.

His companion considered for a moment and replied, “I’d say it’s worth maybe 200,000 at most. The bidders are probably doing it out of charity, I guess?”

Wang Zhuo once again directed his X-ray vision toward the main stage. After a detailed analysis, he assessed the peace talisman's market value to be around 300,000, confirming that the 400,000 price tag was indeed inflated.

“Mr. Zhou bids 460,000! Is there anyone willing to go higher?!” the host stirred up the crowd's excitement.

“Yes, 480,000!” The host suddenly pointed toward a spot in the audience. “Mr. Deng has bid 480,000! Before the auction, he mentioned that if he secured this peace talisman, he would present it to the most beautiful and charming lady present!”

While many people were curiously guessing who that lady might be, Wang Zhuo already knew. This middle-aged tycoon named Deng intended to give it to Ning Yao, as Ning Yao seemed to be discussing some collaboration with him, and he hoped to win the beauty’s favor in the process.

Then, someone else called out from the audience: “Yes, 500,000!”

“I understand!” Siyuan suddenly gasped softly, drawing the attention of several people around them.

“Understand what?” Wang Zhuo asked curiously.

“I understand why that jade talisman is fetching such a high price!” Siyuan whispered excitedly. “President Jing was perfectly fine while wearing it, but less than half an hour after taking it off, he was carried away. And that jade talisman happens to be a peace talisman. This incident proves it’s working its magic!” A peace talisman showing its power? Hearing Siyuan’s words, Wang Zhuo smiled and shook his head. If there were any real spirits in this world, why couldn’t his X-ray vision see them?

He was just about to critique Siyuan’s superstitious belief when an aunt nearby, who had also overheard Siyuan’s analysis, suddenly raised her hand and declared clearly, “I bid 600,000!”

This aunt was also wealthy and powerful; the solid green bracelet on her wrist was worth several million. Hearing Siyuan claim the peace talisman was showing its power, she unhesitatingly added another 100,000 to the bid.

The matter of the talisman "showing its power" was initially noticed only by a few astute individuals—some dismissed it with a smile, others continued bidding discreetly—but Siyuan was the first to voice it, and the idea spread rapidly.

In fact, the auctioneer was the first to think of the spiritual manifestation angle, but he couldn't exactly say to incite higher bids: “See? Vice President Jing collapsed right after taking off this jade charm, everyone bid higher!”

So, he had to swallow his words and conduct the auction formally, even carefully avoiding any mention of its supposed protective qualities to prevent any implication regarding Jing Tianhui, who had just been carried out moments before.

Now, the news had wings, spreading throughout the venue. Everyone who could afford to be at this event was certainly not short on cash, and the price immediately skyrocketed, finally settling at 1.9 million yuan, which was secured by a young man with an honest expression.

“I want to give this to my grandpa; my grandpa always has nightmares when he naps,” the young man said after coming on stage.

What a filial child! The failed bidders muttered amongst themselves....

The wealthy man surnamed Deng, who was determined to buy the peace talisman for Ning Yao, stopped bidding after the price surpassed 1.5 million yuan. Wang Zhuo analyzed that it wasn't a lack of funds, but rather a concern that Ning Yao wouldn't accept it if the price went any higher, so he stepped back.

“Instructor Wang, shall we slip out?” Siyuan quietly leaned close to Wang Zhuo, her voice thick with unsuppressed desire. “I can’t wait anymore!” The warm breath she exhaled tickled his ear, instantly sending a rush of heat through Wang Zhuo. He softly responded with an "Mm," gave her a look, and headed towards the direction of the restrooms.

Siyuan immediately followed, her little heart already sprouting wings and floating lightly.

Every time they passed someone they knew, Wang Zhuo would smile, conveying with his eyes that he was just heading to the restroom, thus avoiding a barrage of pleasantries. He led Siyuan to the facilities located toward the back corner of the venue.

Since they were there anyway, the two used the restrooms, then hand-in-hand, they slipped out behind the partition next to the washrooms, exiting the venue in a short while.