“It’s not early,” Hao Baolai explained. “After all, some people are genuinely busy, and it’s not easy for them to attend the birthday celebration in person. Naturally, we need to entertain them properly and then see them off. Of course, for those who aren’t in a rush, they can enjoy this meal and then stay for the evening banquet.”

Although Elder Su’s birthday banquet wasn't the extravagant affair seen at some nouveau riche celebrations—a sprawling, multi-day feast for guests from every corner—serving two full meals a day was certainly manageable. Moreover, it was certain that most attendees were not primarily there for the food.

Wang Guan understood at once, then smiled. “In that case, let’s go. We shouldn't keep the host waiting.”

“No rush, it’s just an early heads-up. They’re probably still preparing,” Hao Baolai said with a chuckle. “Right now, I’m far more interested in what you have there.”

“Looks like tortoiseshell,” Gao Dequan laughed. “Such a large piece—you might as well have it made into a platter.”

“Uncle De, you’re mistaken. This isn't tortoiseshell…” Wang Guan shook his head, smiling faintly. “It’s Hawksbill shell.”

“Hawksbill?”

The two men started. Hao Baolai was quicker, immediately reaching out. “Is that so? Let me see.”

Wang Guan smiled, handing the item over to Hao Baolai. He then stepped down from the reef onto the sand, helped Bei Ye down, and, with a wave, slowly headed toward the pontoon bridge.

Hao Baolai walked along, examining it, and soon exclaimed with mingled surprise and delight, “It really is Hawksbill!”

“Let me see it too,” Gao Dequan reached out and took the piece. After studying it closely for a moment, he nodded, confirming it was authentic, though a strange look crossed his face. “The thing seems to have been ground down…”

“If I’m not mistaken, this piece is the very central scale out of the thirteen scutes on the back of the Hawksbill.”

Gao Dequan pondered. “But those thirteen scutes are shield-shaped, with distinct angles. This piece, however, is oval; the edges and corners have clearly been meticulously trimmed and polished.”

“So what?” Hao Baolai didn't quite grasp it.

“Don't understand? That means you’re slow.”

Gao Dequan chuckled. “Didn't we just discuss it? The scutes are plate-sized. But whether ancient or modern, such large pieces of Hawksbill shell are rare, let alone their immense value—they must be incredibly expensive. If that were you, would you waste such a large piece of material just to make a simple plate?”

“Absolutely not,” Hao Baolai declared firmly. “Anyone who did that, I’d have them shot.” As the head of a jewelry company, he valued thrift and maximizing profit, naturally despising such wastefulness.

“Exactly.”

Gao Dequan fell silent in thought. “Hawksbill products are common—small screens, vases, incense burners, brush pots, penholders, bracelets, fans, powder boxes, even combs and hairpins, all renowned for their exquisite smallness. It’s rare to see a plate-shaped object. Could it truly be a dish?”

“Uncle De, you’re too close to see the picture,” Wang Guan interjected with a smile. “Don’t just focus on the edges; look at the grain in the center as well.”

“The grain?”

Gao Dequan started, his gaze shifting to the center of the Hawksbill scute, observing the dark brown markings carefully. At first glance, he hadn’t paid much attention, just thinking the markings were normal, nothing special.

But Gao Dequan wasn't inflexible. He adjusted his angle to observe further. At that very moment, his gaze froze, replaced by a sense of awe.

“What a priceless heirloom!”

Gao Dequan marveled, then asked in astonishment, “Wang Guan, where did you conjure this from?”

It was no wonder he was surprised. They had arrived together, and Wang Guan had been carrying nothing, without even a bag; his pockets were too small to possibly hold a plate-sized Hawksbill scute. Yet, in the blink of an eye, Wang Guan held this large object. It naturally invited suspicion.

“I picked it up,” Wang Guan chuckled. “Earlier, while Bei Ye was watching the waves on the reef, a large wave crashed over, leaving this object on the rock. Bei Ye spotted it…”

For a moment, Gao Dequan and Hao Baolai exchanged glances, sensing Wang Guan wasn't joking, which gave them an indescribable surge of emotion, almost bringing them to tears.

“Your luck is truly heaven-defying…” Gao Dequan couldn't continue. He feared that if he said more, he might blurt out words fueled by envy and resentment.

Wang Guan’s smile never wavered. He could guarantee this was purely luck. It seemed the first thing he should do upon returning to Shanghai after the banquet was buy a lottery ticket.

“When we get back, remember to help me pick a lottery number,” Hao Baolai said with a grave expression, then sighed with mock regret. “If I had known, I would have gone to watch the waves with you earlier.”

Of course, Hao Baolai was joking at first, but when Gao Dequan guided him to observe the Hawksbill grain, he genuinely felt regret. He recalled wanting to look at the sea view from the reef when they first arrived at the island, but he abandoned the thought upon seeing Wang Guan and Bei Ye were already there.

He hadn't expected that this tiny hesitation would cause him to miss out on a treasure.

“Sometimes you have to admit that fortune is something you can’t envy. Perhaps if you had gone to the reef, the object would have washed up at their feet on the beach,” Gao Dequan said, patting Hao Baolai’s shoulder in comfort.

“Heh, maybe so.”

Having seen his share of ups and downs, Hao Baolai quickly regained his composure. His expression then grew serious. “It must be fate… Wang Guan, I want this. Name your price.”

“Hm?” Wang Guan was momentarily surprised, then relaxed, naturally understanding Hao Baolai’s intention in wanting the Hawksbill scute.

At the same time, Gao Dequan deliberately stepped a few paces away, giving them space to negotiate. Then, under Hao Baolai’s expectant gaze, Wang Guan paused, thought for a moment, and smiled. “You can have it, and it won’t cost money.”

Hao Baolai’s expression remained unchanged; he continued to listen intently, knowing Wang Guan surely had a condition.

“However, Uncle De mentioned that Uncle Hao has a vault full of fine treasures…” At this point, Wang Guan smiled meaningfully, and Hao Baolai understood perfectly.

“A bad friend ruins people,” Hao Baolai muttered, glaring sharply at Gao Dequan before conceding readily. “Fine. I’ll let you pick something out of there later.”

“Then it’s settled,” Wang Guan said happily. “In that case, the Hawksbill scute is yours.”

“I feel like I’ve been tricked,” Hao Baolai grumbled softly, taking the scute and turning it over in his hands, a smile spreading across his face. Based on his understanding of Wang Guan, he knew Wang Guan wasn't greedy; even in a trade, he would choose something of equal value.

Although the items in the vault were his cherished possessions, and parting with one brought a pang of heartache, seeing the naturally formed patterns on the Hawksbill scute made him feel it was all worth it.

As the two finalized their agreement, the group walked across the pontoon bridge, returned to the mountaintop of the large island, and slowly descended the steps back into the manor.

Led by a servant, the group arrived at the venue for the birthday feast. It was a vast hall where the arrangement of tables and chairs, as well as the lighting, mimicked a five-star hotel.

Stepping onto the plush red carpet into the hall, they saw it packed with guests: portly, successful businessmen, elegantly dressed women, and, naturally, many handsome young men and beautiful young women. They gathered in clusters of three or five, conversing softly, punctuated by bursts of laughter…

Everything indicated that paying respects to Elder Su was only one objective; the real purpose was likely using the occasion as a social venue for networking and strengthening ties.

The setup resembled a buffet. Wang Guan casually picked up two drinks, handed one to Bei Ye, and then smiled toward Gao Dequan. “Uncle De, there are quite a few familiar faces here.”

Wang Guan had indeed spotted several acquaintances, such as Qiu Wenzhong, the general manager of a subsidiary of the Su Group, who wouldn't miss such an occasion. There was also Fang Mingsheng and Li Yifeng, with whom he had previously dealt…

Naturally, there were also other wealthy individuals, some famous and some not. To put it hyperbolically, if someone managed to bomb this location with a missile, China’s economy would likely suffer a recession for several months before entering a new phase of growth. It was easy to understand: once the top positions were vacated, those beneath would rush to fill them. Competition fosters vitality and dynamism, stimulating economic development…

“They are familiar faces.”

Gao Dequan smiled then. “Why don’t you go over and say hello?”

“Forget it, no point in inviting boredom.” Wang Guan was self-aware. Although some people might address him intimately in private, in such a formal setting, especially in front of business partners, they would certainly put on a different face. They might not completely ignore him, but their reception would surely be cool.

“It’s not that bad,” Gao Dequan said with a smile. “I saw a few friends from my circles too. I’ll take you over to meet them later.”

“Thank you, Uncle De.” Wang Guan nodded; that was acceptable. Then, his gaze shifted among the guests, and he noticed someone, looking somewhat surprised, beginning to observe them unconsciously.

At that moment, Bei Ye’s voice came from beside him. “Are you thinking the little girl is very pretty?”

“What…” Wang Guan snapped back to attention, quickly turning to explain. “Definitely not as pretty as you. It’s just that I’ve seen her before, and Uncle De has too. I didn’t expect her to be here too…”

“Who?”

Gao Dequan followed his gaze and had a moment of realization. “Oh, it’s her, that little girl named Xiao Jing from yesterday. I don’t know her background, but she demanded twenty million for your Black Ding Tea Cup the moment she opened her mouth.”