"I’m embarrassed to accept so much…" Wang Guan demurred, after all, the other party was a major patron, and courtesy was in order when it was due.

Su Wenyi waved his hand slightly and explained with a light laugh, "Actually, the reason I came to Dragon Tiger Mountain this time, aside from discussing business with Boss Fang, was also to visit Elder Qian in Porcelain City afterward. I also wanted to invite Manager Gao to Shanghai to help look over a few things. I never expected such a coincidence, that you all would be here—what fate."

"Mm!"

Those who understood, like Elder Qian, nodded quietly. Those who didn't, like Wang Guan and Yu Feibai, were left muddled, unsure what motive Su Wenyi had for inviting Gao Dequan to Shanghai.

Regardless, Su Wenyi had a favor to ask, and it was perfectly reasonable for him to pay a visit. This meant that the visit to Gao Dequan was the real purpose; purchasing the ancient ink was merely incidental, perhaps just a pretext for negotiations.

Wang Guan kept his speculations to himself and said no more.

At the same time, Elder Zhou glanced at the time and rose as well. "I need to head to the provincial capital to catch a flight. You two, make sure to visit Sijiu City when you have time, catch up with old friends..."

"We were just there the year before last," Elder Zhang countered. "You speak as if we haven't visited in decades. Besides, what's so great about Sijiu City? Our mountains and rivers are much clearer, the scenery more picturesque. When you get back, tell them they should visit us often; it’ll certainly help them live to a hundred."

"Dongfeng is absolutely right," Elder Qian chimed in with a smile. "You are welcome to come here for recuperation, or even to settle down."

"We’ll see," Elder Zhou said, looking tempted. "In a couple of years, once I'm fully retired, I might consider it..."

"Consider what? It’s settled then," Elder Zhang declared firmly. "When that time comes, I’ll find you a prime location with excellent Feng Shui and build you a grand estate. How does that sound?"

"Not so great," Elder Zhou laughed. "Prime Feng Shui location and a grand estate—it sounds awkward when I hear it."

"Hey, you men of culture always have too many elaborate thoughts. Such simple words, and you find some kind of hidden meaning."

"I think you’re doing that on purpose..."

Amidst their banter, everyone stood up to see Elder Zhou off. After he got into his car heading toward the airport, Elder Qian and Elder Zhang would certainly accompany him all the way to the airport. However, Wang Guan and the others hadn't reached that level of camaraderie with Elder Zhou, so they stopped at the hotel entrance.

As the sedan drove away, the banquet in the hotel dispersed. At this point, Gao Dequan exchanged farewells with Fang Mingsheng, then took Wang Guan to the treasure chamber to retrieve the Li Mo, preparing to return to the Dragon Tiger Mountain Visitor Center.

"Where’s Feibai?"

After retrieving the Li Mo, Wang Guan looked around but couldn't spot Yu Feibai.

"He went off to catch up with Mr. Su," Gao Dequan explained. "Don't worry about him; let's go first."

"Alright."

Wang Guan nodded, got into the car with Gao Dequan, and sat beside him in the back seat. A moment later, the driver started the engine, and the vehicle pulled away slowly. Fifteen minutes later, they arrived back at the Visitor Center.

Upstairs, back in the room, Gao Dequan praised him, "I couldn't say much earlier with outsiders present. But your performance today was truly excellent. Keep it up, but never become complacent."

"Thank you, Uncle De. I will continue to work hard," Wang Guan replied sincerely.

"That’s good to hear."

Gao Dequan chuckled. "You reek of alcohol. Go take a shower. It’s impressive you didn't get drunk after all that forced drinking."

"Heh, I am now immune to alcohol," Wang Guan joked. After a brief chat, he returned to his room. When he stepped out of the shower, he saw Yu Feibai already back, curled up on the living room sofa watching television.

"Oh, you’re back already?" Wang Guan asked, slightly surprised. "I thought you were catching up with Mr. Su."

"Quick? Hardly," Yu Feibai pouted. "He just said we were elders, but we don't see each other often. Everyone felt awkward. After a few sentences, we ran out of things to say. The rest was just polite, meaningless chatter. I was bored to death and quickly found an excuse to bolt."

"That’s how relatives are. You only connect with those you are close to. Those you don't visit often are practically strangers," Wang Guan remarked. "At least you got to feast your eyes on the beautiful secretary."

"Don't even mention it..."

Yu Feibai waved his hand, his face etched with forced struggle and helplessness. "I thought so too, initially. But after I stole a second glance, he actually introduced her to me as my cousin."

"Haha, that must have been difficult for you," Wang Guan chuckled, not feeling particularly surprised. After all, he had personally heard Lin Hai call the beautiful secretary Miss Su, and comparing that with Su Wenyi’s surname, he had already guessed there was likely some familial connection between them.

"I was wondering about that at the time. How dared he bring his beautiful secretary to a meeting with me, wasn't he afraid I’d snitch and let his aunt unleash a torrent of fury?" Yu Feibai sighed. "Now I finally understand—there’s always someone better. I not only misjudged my uncle's fidelity regarding marriage and family, but I also underestimated my aunt's control over her husband."

"Mmm-hmm…" Wang Guan nodded, deeply agreeing.

"Sigh, these are private matters of the elders. I shouldn't bring them up, lest my own family finds out and reprimands me for lacking the proper deference of a junior."

Yu Feibai shook his head, then suddenly asked, "By the way, Wang Guan, that guy Lin Hai outside the side room just now, what exactly was going on with him?"

"You all heard that?" Wang Guan sounded astonished. "I thought the soundproofing in the side room was so good that not even a hint of commotion could get through."

"There was crying and shouting outside, and the door was left slightly ajar. How could we not hear it?" Yu Feibai countered. "It's just that everyone was giving Boss Fang face by not pressing the issue."

"Since you know, why ask?" Wang Guan replied calmly. "In this day and age, there's never a shortage of people with an inflated sense of self-importance. Furthermore, in workplace power struggles, anyone trying to climb the ladder is either stepping on others or being stepped on. It’s just that Lin Hai was unlucky and ran headfirst into a hard obstacle."

"That makes sense," Yu Feibai laughed. "But speaking of which, you showed far more restraint. You gave him three chances. If it were me, being framed like that, I would have drawn my blade and gone after him long ago."

"Are you genuinely confused, or pretending to be dense?"

At this point, Wang Guan’s expression turned rather strange. "If I had a family background or connections like yours, who would dare frame me? Conversely, without that background, if someone frames me, what recourse do I have other than to swallow my anger? This is a society governed by law. If I couldn't restrain myself and actually drew a knife, I’d be the one ending up in trouble."

"Oh!"

Yu Feibai was stunned, silent for a long time.

"Truthfully, I am also clear on this," Wang Guan stated softly. "The only reason Fang Mingsheng trusted me so readily and punished Lin Hai so decisively was because of your face, Uncle De’s face, and even Elder Qian’s face. I was merely leveraging influence. In his eyes, I might still be an insignificant nobody who can't hold his own."........................

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