Under the relentless questioning from the crowd, Old Meng couldn't help but glare. "Old Sha, I haven't provoked you, so why are you always picking a fight with me? It seems you didn't come here for tea today, but specifically to expose my secrets."

"How would I dare?" Sha Qingfeng chuckled. "But since Brother Meng has already started, why not just lay all your cards on the table? No need to tease us by holding back."

"Exactly, exactly," the others naturally nodded in unison, their gazes full of eager anticipation. The mainland's population base was enormous. Even knowing someone had stumbled upon a massive bargain, the thought of finding that person was incredibly difficult—unless there was a crucial clue...

Of course, their urging was merely surface-level; they weren't actually pressing him hard. They were all colleagues and understood the etiquette. Discovering confidential information was your own skill; if you were willing to share it, they would be immensely grateful, but if you chose not to disclose it, no one would force you.

After all, Confucius said it best: Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. No one wanted the information they had painstakingly gathered to be handed over so easily. They could pressure Old Meng now, but tomorrow it could easily be their turn. So, even if Old Meng ultimately refused outright, they would at most sigh a few times and then return to their own affairs.

However, Old Meng was clearly a generous sort. After a moment of hesitation, he chuckled lightly, "If I tell you, will you cover my dining expenses for the next week?"

The crowd immediately rejoiced, and someone readily agreed, "No problem."

"One day each, a full service, guaranteed to satisfy you," others chimed in, urging Old Meng to stop stalling and get to the main point.

"I'm not taking advantage of you all for free. You must know, to dig up this information, I had to purchase these terracotta figures—which I don't even need—at a high price from one of the knowledgeable dealers in the know, just to get a little whisper," Old Meng sighed, shaking his head.

"I thought so. You never mess with ceramics, how could you suddenly change your ways?"

"And you even lied to us, saying you found it at a roadside stall and snagged a small bargain. Truly deceiving yourself..."

Old Meng’s sigh earned him no sympathy, but rather a round of gentle condemnation, leaving him somewhat speechless.

"Do you still want to hear it or not? If not, forget it," Old Meng threatened, which immediately changed everyone’s expressions. They quickly started smoothing things over. Do not doubt it; in these times, one’s integrity isn't worth much. Only after hearing their promises of benefits did Old Meng nod with considerable satisfaction and continue.

"The contact information for the person who found the bargain, the dealer who sold me the Han figurines didn't reveal it. But he did tell me clearly that the person who found the bargain is also someone in the trade, and he operates an antique shop in Beijing." Old Meng frowned. "But you all know too well. There are far too many antique shops in Beijing. Trying to find someone with just this information is like looking for a needle in a haystack."

"That's right, Old Meng, you were fleeced," someone agreed with a nod.

"Not only was he fleeced, but he fleeced us along with him," another expressed his dissatisfaction. "This little bit of news isn't worth even one day's dining expenses... Wait, Old Meng, you haven't been holding back another card, have you?"

"Highly possible," Sha Qingfeng agreed wholeheartedly. "Knowing Old Meng's character, he absolutely wouldn't do something where he loses out."

"Alright, alright!"

Under the crowd's suspicious gazes, Old Meng decisively declared, "The man’s surname is Wang. He isn't very old, and his antique shop is located in Liulichang, Beijing. Are you satisfied now?"

The crowd was naturally pleased. With two constraints established, the search radius had suddenly shrunk considerably. All they needed was to take a trip to Beijing when they had time and diligently inquire for ten days or half a month, and there would surely be results.

Moreover, they weren't worried Old Meng was lying, as there was no necessity for it. If he didn't want to speak, he could simply remain silent, and they wouldn't have complained. Why go through the trouble of setting up a complicated deception?

"Old Meng, you're truly a good fellow," one person, having noted the information down, immediately said with a smile. "No arguments here. Old Sha pays tonight, and I'll take over tomorrow."

However, someone else teased slyly, "Not so fast. Old Sha has to treat for at least two days before it’s your turn."

"Got it, got it, no need for the special reminder..."

As they spoke, Sha Qingfeng suddenly noticed the strange smile on Pi Qiu's face next to him and snorted, "Fatty Pi, you don't need to gloat, nor should you try to find an excuse to skip out on paying just because you can leave Hong Kong. You need to treat Old Meng, and you need to treat all of us too!"

"On what grounds?" Pi Qiu naturally objected. "I'm the guest. You local magnates should be enthusiastically hosting me as the landlord."

"Even the landlord runs out of grain sometimes..." This person had clearly watched mainland movies.

"Looking at your physique, we know how much you've eaten off us over the years. It's time to give back a little," another retorted.

After some light banter, someone finally got to the point: "Brother Pi lives in Tianjin, adjacent to Beijing, and you have wide connections. What are your thoughts on what we just heard?"

"Heh, so this is where you were waiting for me," Pi Qiu smiled, glanced at Wang Guan, and immediately shrugged, "It doesn't matter. I'll treat. I’ll have to eat it back sooner or later anyway."

"You're tough," Sha Qingfeng conceded with a shake of his head. Then he suddenly looked toward Wang Guan and casually asked, "Young man, you're in Beijing. Have you heard anything about this matter?"

"Hmm?"

Wang Guan was slightly surprised, but more so he was at a loss for words, not quite knowing how to respond.

"You actually asked him..."

Just then, Pi Qiu couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Old Sha, oh Old Sha, I truly admire you."

"What do you mean?" Not only was Sha Qingfeng bewildered, but the others were also utterly confused, unable to fathom why Pi Qiu was laughing so strangely.

"Mystifying," Old Meng shook his head, raising his teacup for a sip, a bit curious himself. "Is the young man from Beijing? What do you usually dabble in?"

"Ceramics," Wang Guan smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "But I also opened a shop, and I fiddle with a little bit of everything else. I ask all you seniors to look out for me in the future and throw a meal my way."

"Don't be so polite, we look out for each other, look out for each other," Old Meng said with a chuckle. "Where is the shop? After I spread the word, these fellows will certainly make a trip to Beijing. I'll tell them to stop by your place to support you then."

From these words, one could see that Old Meng was a man of good heart, possessing the righteousness of the ancients. Since he had said as much, the others felt awkward about not patronizing the shop.

At this point, before Wang Guan could reply, Pi Qiu grinned widely again. "Indeed, you must support him. In fact, if you go, it'll be hard not to support him."

"Brother Pi, it sounds like you have something more to say," an onlooker frowned, catching the unusual implication.

"Do I? You must be overthinking," Pi Qiu laughed. "Brother, hand out your business cards, so they don't have trouble finding you."

Wang Guan hesitated for a moment, then followed Pi Qiu’s suggestion, handing a card to everyone present.

Their reactions varied. Some casually took the cards, glanced at them fleetingly—not even sure if they read the contents—and tucked them straight into their pockets. Others were more serious, taking the card and examining it carefully.

Upon a quick look, someone exclaimed in surprise, "What a coincidence."

"What coincidence?" someone naturally asked.

"The young man shares the surname Wang, and he runs an antique shop right in Liulichang," that person laughed. "Shi Yi Ge (—Pavilion for Picking Up Relics), the name has a bit of flair to it..."

Clang!

In that instant, Old Meng’s hand trembled slightly, and the lid of his teacup knocked against the cup. Simultaneously, Wang Guan happened to place his card before Old Meng and said with a light smile, "Mr. Meng, please take care of me."

"Uh..."

Old Meng quickly set down his teacup, took the card, and focused his eyes. His pupils immediately contracted slightly, then he looked up at Wang Guan, his face filled with shocked delight.

In reality, perhaps the others didn't know, or perhaps they knew perfectly well, but Old Meng had indeed kept a final piece of information back. Although the dealer who sold him the Han figurines hadn't disclosed Wang Guan's name or contact details, Old Meng had learned the name of Wang Guan's shop in Beijing from another knowledgeable shop owner.

Truth be told, that knowledgeable owner was cunning; he only mentioned the shop name but revealed nothing else. The problem was that Old Meng was a step ahead; with a little synthesis of the information...

"Surname Wang, not very old, antique shop in Liulichang named Shi Yi Ge!" Old Meng compared the information he had gathered with what was on the card; they matched up almost perfectly.

In that moment, he was overwhelmed with mixed surprise and joy, feeling as if he’d been struck by a pie falling from the sky.

Just then, a thoughtful look crossed Sha Qingfeng’s eyes, and he couldn't help but test the waters, "Old Meng, why are you grinning foolishly at that card for no reason?"

"What foolish grin?"

Old Meng reacted quickly, instantly suppressing his thoughts, and turned to glare. "It's getting late. You should start thinking about where you're treating us later."

"That's right, how about the Furama?"

"The Four Seasons is good too..."

"If all else fails, let’s go to the Grand Hyatt!"

The others quickly shifted their focus, each suggesting a more extravagant place. Since it wasn't their money, they certainly didn't mind spending.

"You bunch of scoundrels..." Sha Qingfeng was helpless. "Alright, alright, the Grand Hyatt it is."

"Since it's settled, what are you waiting for? Call and book a private room quickly," someone urged. Once Sha Qingfeng had secured a room, he rallied everyone to leave immediately.

"Is there such a rush?"

"I have things to do tonight, but I’m not willing to miss out on your treat..." Hearing this explanation, Sha Qingfeng was close to tears and laughter, so he simply said nothing more and ushered everyone out.

Sha Qingfeng was naturally the one to sign the bill upon leaving. Then they proceeded to the parking lot, where everyone produced their car keys. At that moment, Old Meng smiled broadly and gently beckoned toward Wang Guan, "Young man, why don't you ride with me?"

"Brother Meng, no need to trouble yourself," at the same time, Sha Qingfeng said with a broad smile, "He came with me, so naturally, he’ll go back with me."

Incidentally, the car that Pi Qiu used to give Wang Guan a ride was borrowed from Sha Qingfeng’s... (To be continued) No Pop-up Novel Network www.RT