[[[CP|W:210|H:140|A:C|U:http://file1.qidian.com/chapters/201212/6/2510132634903824667384965189436.jpg]]]“Mr. Fang...”
Seeing Fang Mingsheng approach, Gao Dequan and the others greeted him with smiles.
“Heh heh, everyone’s here,” Fang Mingsheng replied with a cordial smile, shaking hands and chatting warmly with the assembled group. After a moment of pleasantries, he said with a grin, “Old Qian, Old Zhou, Old Zhang—they’ve arrived too, they’re in the Treasure Appreciation Room.”
“Oh, the elders are here as well? Then let’s hurry over to pay our respects.”
As they spoke, the group surged toward the Treasure Appreciation Room. This room, located on the second floor, was less a room and more a small hall, perhaps seventy or eighty square meters—easily large enough to hold a hundred people.
Besides, the total number of people attending the antique exchange meet was only about thirty or forty. Even factoring in a few staff members hovering nearby to pour tea, it wouldn't feel crowded at all.
Inside, several sofas and chairs were arranged. When the crowd entered, there was an exchange of deferential gestures and yielding before they finally settled down, forming loose circles.
However, the three finest chairs, positioned right in the center, remained conspicuously empty; no one dared to sit in those seats.
As soon as he was seated, Wang Guan was surprised to notice that Yu Feibai’s expression seemed oddly agitated, restless in his seat.
“What, can’t hold it anymore? If you need to go, hurry up and take care of it,” Wang Guan murmured quietly. Being near the corner, leaving through the back door wouldn't disturb anyone.
“No.”
Yu Feibai quickly shook his head, subtly gesturing, “I saw an acquaintance. I’m not sure if I should go over and say hello.”
“Mm!”
Wang Guan nodded slightly, following the line of Yu Feibai’s gaze, and instantly froze. From this angle, several people were seated opposite them, but the most striking figure was the beautiful woman with the surname Su.
Her long, naturally bright hair was lightly coiled atop her head. Beneath her exquisite, delicate eyebrows, a pair of brilliant, dazzling eyes were hidden behind large, jet-black framed glasses. At this moment, she held a black briefcase with both hands, sitting slightly sideways, displaying a figure of infinite grace that invited contemplation—she exuded an aura of scholarly elegance.
Just the addition of the glasses, a mere touch of adornment, made her completely different from the aloof demeanor she had worn earlier. She truly seemed like a person of a thousand faces, each form imbued with a distinct charm.
“It really is her,” Wang Guan murmured softly to himself.
In fact, when he heard Lin Hai call out at the entrance, he had already guessed that this beauty must be attending the exchange meet. Seeing her inside the hall now wasn't strange. What was curious, perhaps, was whether the acquaintance Yu Feibai mentioned was her.
Thinking this over, Wang Guan finally asked, “Who are you referring to? The beautiful woman?”
“Not just her, but the person next to her too.”
Yu Feibai whispered, “That’s an elder of mine. I never expected him to be here.”
Only then did Wang Guan notice the man seated beside the beauty: a middle-aged gentleman dressed impeccably in a Western suit, possessing a gentle and refined appearance. Simultaneously, the beauty opposite them seemed to have noticed Yu Feibai as well; she immediately leaned over and whispered something into the middle-aged man’s ear.
The refined gentleman immediately looked up and nodded gently toward Yu Feibai in acknowledgment. Judging by the attire and bearing of the beauty and the middle-aged man, they looked distinctly like a CEO and his personal secretary.
Although such pairings were increasingly common in society, at that moment, Wang Guan felt a faint twinge of disappointment. After all, whenever a man sees a beautiful woman, there is always a flicker of hopeful longing, yet countless realities constantly remind everyone that life is harsh and dreams are meant to be shattered.
Of course, this wasn’t a major setback; Wang Guan quickly readjusted his attitude. Just as he was about to say something to Yu Feibai, the door to the Treasure Appreciation Room opened, and three elderly men walked in.
“Old Qian, Old Zhou, Old Zhang…”
Upon seeing them, everyone rose immediately to greet them, shaking hands and exchanging warm regards.
After the lively greetings subsided, Gao Dequan returned and said quietly, “You all know Old Qian, so I won’t elaborate much. See the one in the middle, the slightly taller one? That’s Old Zhou, and the one next to him is Old Zhang. These three are nationally renowned appraisal masters.”
“I know that much,” Yu Feibai chuckled. “Old Qian specializes in ancient porcelain. He has an extremely deep and thorough understanding of the five thousand years of ceramic development in our country. As for Old Zhou, I’ve heard of him; he has great research in historical jewelry and ornaments. Moreover, he possesses a high level of connoisseurship in calligraphy and painting, particularly figure painting.”
Wang Guan nodded thoughtfully. Since Old Zhou was a university professor specializing in the evolution of historical ethnic attire, those elements would naturally be reflected in figure paintings.
“But I’m not familiar with Old Zhang.”
Suddenly, Yu Feibai leaned in and inquired softly, “Uncle De, what’s Old Zhang’s specialty?”
“Old Zhang is a major expert in miscellaneous antiques, especially ancient Buddhist and Taoist sculptures and decorative pieces—he has thoroughly mastered them all,” Gao Dequan whispered. “He can almost instantly determine authenticity just by picking something up.”
“That’s impressive,”
Yu Feibai’s eyes lit up with admiration. “I wonder when we’ll develop skills like that.”
“Keep learning, slowly,” Wang Guan smiled. “If you study for a lifetime, you’ll surely get there.”
While the two were whispering, Fang Mingsheng, the host, stepped forward and announced loudly, “Thank you all, especially our three elders, for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend our exchange meet today…”
“Clap, clap, clap…”
The others were very obliging; as soon as Fang Mingsheng paused, they erupted in warm applause.
Fang Mingsheng looked proud, his face flushed with excitement. He waved his hands enthusiastically and raised his voice again, “Thank you everyone, thank you all. I won’t waste any more time with pleasantries. First, I invite Old Qian to present a treasure for everyone’s admiration.”
Wang Guan was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit confused. “Is Old Qian participating in the treasure contest?”
“No,” Gao Dequan shook his head and explained in a low voice. “The three of them are judges; they don’t participate in the judging. However, they possess even finer items. So, every year, they bring some pieces for everyone to appreciate and exchange insights.”
Wang Guan nodded slightly, sensing that the three elders served more as the anchor of the event.
At that moment, Old Qian stood up and smiled slightly. “Today, I have brought a set of Underglaze Blue and Polychrome Twelve Flower Goddess Cups for everyone’s appreciation and evaluation.”
“What…”
“It’s the Underglaze Blue and Polychrome Twelve Flower Goddess Cups!”
“It seems we are in for a magnificent visual feast today.”
Upon hearing Old Qian’s announcement, the crowd reacted intensely, many eyes gleaming with excitement. However, a few faces shifted, showing a hint of disappointment or subdued melancholy.
“Underglaze Blue and Polychrome Twelve Flower Goddess Cups!”
Wang Guan fell into contemplation. He vaguely recalled seeing a description of this set of cups somewhere before.
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