Just as Lin Hai was threatening Wang Guan, a gleaming, luxurious sedan pulled up in front of the hotel entrance. A moment later, the car door opened, and out stepped a stunningly beautiful woman whose grace captivated all.

Hearing the commotion, everyone turned, and for a moment, several people were momentarily stunned. Wang Guan, in particular, felt a jolt of surprise because this beauty was the very person he had encountered by the elevator doors just a few days prior.

Today, the woman was dressed similarly to the other day: a white blouse, a short black skirt, and sheer stockings wrapping her long legs. As she walked forward against the breeze, she swayed like a willow branch in the wind, exquisitely beautiful.

At this point, Lin Hai forgot all about Wang Guan and rushed forward, a broad, ingratiating smile on his face. “Excuse me, are you Miss Su?”

The woman seemed somewhat aloof, not even glancing at Lin Hai, and walked directly into the hotel.

It is often the case that beauty commands special treatment. At this moment, not only Lin Hai but even the servers nearby seemed to forget their duties, making no move to stop her or ask if she had an invitation.

“Miss Su, I was specifically instructed by Mr. Fang to come out and greet you.” Simultaneously, Lin Hai snapped back to attention, hastily calling out, and hurrying to follow her.

However, Lin Hai suddenly seemed to recall something. He stopped abruptly, turned back, pointed at Wang Guan, and barked, “You people listen up! I suspect this loiterer at the door has ill intentions. For security purposes, get him thrown out.”

As he spoke, Lin Hai trailed after the beautiful woman and disappeared around a corner of the hotel.

The security guards, however, exchanged glances after receiving the order, slowly moving towards Wang Guan. Seeing this, Wang Guan’s eyebrow twitched slightly, and a spark of anger began to ignite within him.

“Jingle-jingle-ling…”

Just then, his phone rang. Wang Guan quickly answered it; it was Gao Dequan calling back.

“Wang Guan, where are you? The symposium is about to start, hurry up and get over here.” Gao Dequan’s voice was loud, echoing from the phone’s speaker, causing the security guards to pause their movements.

“Uncle De, that kid Feibai is so scatterbrained. On the way, he realized he forgot the jade belt and had to turn back. But the invitation is on him, and I’m already at the hotel entrance, yet I can’t get in,” Wang Guan complained helplessly.

Hearing this, the security guards and servers looked uncertain and doubtful.

“That kid really keeps one worried,” Gao Dequan sighed. “Wait there, I’ll come and escort you in.”

Wang Guan nodded, deliberately speaking loudly: “Alright, Uncle De, you better hurry, or the guards at the door are going to treat me like a troublemaker and kick me out.”

The call ended, and Wang Guan hung up, giving the slightly embarrassed security guards a smile as he waited patiently. Before long, Gao Dequan emerged. The security guards were very understanding and immediately dispersed as if nothing had happened.

It was their duty, and naturally, neither Gao Dequan nor Wang Guan intended to cause them trouble.

“Let’s go, come inside with me. I’ll introduce you to some people.” Gao Dequan beckoned.

At the same moment, a taxi sped up the small road outside the gate. Before the car had even fully stopped, Yu Feibai was already sticking his head out of the window, shouting, “Uncle De, Wang Guan, wait for me!”

“That kid finally made it,” Gao Dequan grumbled softly.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

Yu Feibai then got out of the car, clutching a box, and hurried over, grinning broadly. “Oh, Uncle De, why the grand welcome? You actually came to the door to wait for me…”

“Wait for you? What are you talking about?” Gao Dequan was annoyed, but since they were in front of outsiders, he couldn't scold Yu Feibai too harshly, so he just kept a stern face. “Did you bring the invitation?”

“The invitation? Yes, I brought it.”

Sensing Gao Dequan’s tone was unfriendly, Yu Feibai quickly pulled out the invitation and, following a subtle hint from Wang Guan, handed it to the server standing nearby.

“Alright, everyone’s here. Let’s go in together,” Gao Dequan’s expression softened slightly, and he turned to lead the way.

Wang Guan and Yu Feibai quickly followed.

At that moment, the server gently opened the gold-inscribed invitation. Inside, a few lines of bold, flowing calligraphy detailed the time and location of the symposium, along with the names of the invited attendees. Beneath the three names, highly formal and precise photographs of Gao Dequan, Yu Feibai, and Wang Guan were affixed.

Seeing this, the server breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to the security guards, indicating that these three were indeed guests of the symposium. Only then did one of the guards take out his walkie-talkie and report quietly, lifting the surveillance placed on the trio. Their extreme caution was understandable; the figures attending the exchange and the artifacts they brought could not afford the slightest mishap. If any error occurred, they would be unable to bear the responsibility.

Focusing back, under Gao Dequan’s guidance, Wang Guan and Yu Feibai arrived in a vast circular hall. This hall was at least two to three hundred square meters, exceptionally spacious. Usually, this space would certainly be used for hosting balls or banquets, but now, it had been set up as a small exhibition hall. Numerous paintings hung on the snow-white walls, and dozens of glass display cases were artfully arranged throughout the room, showcasing various types of vessels.

Wang Guan examined the display closely and suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu regarding these items. He then realized—these were clearly the collection pieces from Fang Mingsheng’s villa.

Discovering this, Wang Guan’s interest immediately waned.

However, since this symposium was privately hosted, and the attendance was not vast, the small exhibition hall felt rather sparse. At a glance, only a few people were watching nearby, lending the space an air of emptiness.

“Come on, let’s go to the lounge first and put our things down.”

Gao Dequan spoke then. “Afterward, I’ll take you around so you can meet some people.”

Wang Guan and Yu Feibai certainly didn't refuse. They followed Gao Dequan up the hall’s stairs to a comfortable room where they set down the box containing the jade belt. Then, they proceeded down the second-floor corridor.

A short while later, in a small reception room on the second floor, several middle-aged men sat chatting jovially. Seeing Gao Dequan arrive, they immediately stood up, greeting him with smiles.

After a round of pleasantries, Gao Dequan began the introductions. Truthfully, Wang Guan had little impression of these individuals, and he was certain that neither he nor Yu Feibai would be easily remembered by them either. Camaraderie couldn't be established after a single meeting. Nevertheless, no matter what, they now possessed a vague impression, and with time, through continued, gradual contact, a network would eventually form.

After the introductions, Gao Dequan and the other gentlemen continued their lively conversation, exchanging not only experiences in antique collecting but also amusing anecdotes from the collecting world—who found a bargain, who misjudged an item, who acquired what excellent piece, and so on.

Wang Guan and Yu Feibai listened nearby, not finding the conversation tedious.

However, about half an hour later, when Fang Mingsheng walked in with a smile, Wang Guan knew that the long-awaited treasure exchange was finally about to begin.

............... This is the third update, please collect and recommend. Finally, thanks to book friends Youyou Baidu, Duan Jian Sheng, and Qinghai Qingmo for their tips.