“Then it’s settled.” Yu Feibai said with a warm smile, “Once we reach Shudu, we’ll storm the Xianqiao Market immediately and pick up every single overlooked item. Especially those unassuming stone carvings, wood carvings, and clay figurines—buy them all, then smash them open. Who knows what magnificent surprise awaits.”
“Dreaming in daylight, sheer delusion.”
Gao Dequan snorted, his expression hardening slightly, and cautioned with a grave face, “The chances of striking a bargain are already slim, not much different from winning the lottery. Furthermore, for an unparalleled treasure like a rare black sandalwood bead, the odds are minuscule. After Wang Guan’s case, it’s basically impossible for lightning to strike twice.”
“Oh, and Wang Guan, there’s you too. If Feibai hadn’t reminded me, I’d have forgotten.”
Gao Dequan reminded him, “Although the Three-Legged Golden Toad isn’t worth a fortune, it’s still an antique relic passed down for hundreds of years. Yet, simply because you got restless for a moment, it was utterly destroyed, ruined in your hands. Of course, you could argue that compared to a rare black sandalwood bead, what is a mere Three-Legged Golden Toad figurine?”
“I admit, if I had known beforehand that there was a treasure like the black sandalwood bead inside, it wouldn’t have been excessive to smash a hundred toad figurines. The issue is that this time you were lucky, accidentally discovering jade hidden within stone. But next time? The time after that? Can you guarantee your luck will hold out like this forever?”
Wang Guan could actually guarantee it, but Gao Dequan didn't know that. He continued to preach earnestly and patiently, educating him, “So, I hope you think this over carefully. What if there was no black sandalwood bead inside the Three-Legged Golden Toad, and you smashed it anyway? Wouldn't you have destroyed a relic passed down for hundreds of years?”
“An object, regardless of its value, surviving the centuries and reaching our hands is an incredibly rare and difficult feat.”
Gao Dequan concluded with deep feeling, “The artifacts we see today, especially those with clear provenance, were meticulously protected by people long ago so they could be passed down through generations. If they are ruined or lost in our hands, it’s akin to a crime. How can we face our predecessors?”
Knowing that Gao Dequan’s admonishments were for his own good, Wang Guan felt no resentment. Instead, he said sincerely, “Uncle De, rest assured. I know I was wrong, and I will take this as a lesson going forward.”
“Now that you say that, I’m relieved.”
Gao Dequan looked somewhat pleased, then turned to Yu Feibai, frowning, “But I know you, kid, won’t give up that easily. You’ll definitely find an opportunity to try again.”
“Uncle De, do you trust me that little?” Yu Feibai complained.
“You have a prior record; it’s hard to fully trust you.” Gao Dequan snorted and instructed, “Wang Guan, when you go to Shudu, keep an eye on him for me. Don’t let him run wild.”
“Heh heh…” Wang Guan could only laugh; he didn’t believe he could actually control Yu Feibai.
Gao Dequan seemed to read Wang Guan’s thoughts. He glanced into the rearview mirror and said calmly, “I’ll contact his father first to give him a heads-up, and then I’ll give you his father’s contact number. If he refuses to listen to your advice, you call that number, and someone will certainly deal with him.”
“Uncle De, must you be so severe?” Yu Feibai wailed, then slung an arm around Wang Guan’s shoulder, flashing a sly grin, “Of course, I trust Wang Guan not to be the type to tattle.”
“That remains to be seen,” Wang Guan chuckled lightly. “It depends on your performance.”
Yu Feibai hesitated, “Can I interpret that as you trying to extort me…”
“It’s obvious,” Wang Guan said, smiling. “You offered yourself up; if I don’t fleece you, who will?”
“Haha, that’s exactly how it should be…” Gao Dequan agreed.
Amidst laughter and banter, the three returned to the Visitor Center.
Yu Feibai also displayed a certain decisive speed. Considering Wang Guan’s current situation, he immediately changed their original plan, intending to head to Shudu a few days early.
“Doing this has two benefits. First, it lets Wang Guan avoid those nuisances. Second, since we’re making a rare trip to Shudu, we can’t just visit the antique markets. We should see the other scenic spots too, and maybe meet some beautiful local girls—that would be perfect.”
Yu Feibai looked utterly entranced, making one seriously doubt what his primary objective for going to Shudu really was.
Regardless, since the decision to go to Shudu was made, Wang Guan didn’t dawdle. He immediately packed his luggage and, after asking Gao Dequan to mail the souvenirs he’d bought over the past few days back home, left with Yu Feibai by car.
As for Gao Dequan, he stayed behind, planning to return with Elder Qian. Moreover, during this time, he needed to discuss the matter of the Mao porcelain with Su Wenyi and couldn't easily slip away.
Not long after, Wang Guan and Yu Feibai arrived at the station, bought tickets to the provincial capital, waited briefly, boarded the train, and arrived smoothly. The two did not stop there; under Yu Feibai’s lead, they headed straight for the airport.
At the airport, things were simpler; presenting their ID cards was enough to purchase airline tickets. Coincidentally, there was a flight bound for Shudu around three in the afternoon. A plane ticket cost only a little over a thousand yuan, which was pocket change for Yu Feibai. He swiped his card and bought two tickets instantly.
Then came the wait. Fortunately, the plane wasn’t delayed, allowing the two to board smoothly.
To be honest, this was Wang Guan’s first time flying in his life. Amidst his curiosity, there was also a touch of nervousness. Especially when seated in the cabin, that feeling of uneasy apprehension was fully visible on his face.
Seeing this, Yu Feibai asked, “First time flying?”
“Yes,” Wang Guan nodded slightly, feeling a bit weak. “It should be very safe, right?”
“Definitely.” Yu Feibai smiled and whispered, “Haven’t you heard? The probability of a plane crash is actually about the same as striking a bargain.”
“I know that saying, but people say it in reverse,” Wang Guan mumbled. “The problem is, I’ve already struck a bargain three times.”
“Trying to deliberately humiliate me, are you?” Yu Feibai pouted, then whispered again, “I’ll teach you a way to ease the tension.”
“What?” Wang Guan quickly asked.
Yu Feibai smiled without answering, suddenly waving his hand, “Flight attendant!”
A moment later, a tall flight attendant, clad in an alluring uniform, her hair swept up, approached with a sweet smile and beautiful features, asking softly, “Sir, how may I assist you?”
“This is our first time flying, and we’re a bit nervous. What should we pay attention to?”
At this moment, Yu Feibai adopted an expression of nervous tension, his handsome and charming face tilted up forty-five degrees in a look of bright melancholy, gazing tenderly at her.
‘This kid, so experienced, must be flirting with beautiful flight attendants often,’ Wang Guan thought to himself, though his tense feelings did ease slightly.
.................... Thank you to the book friend "Kāixīn Luòbā" for the generous tip. Uploading this chapter brings the book to two hundred thousand words. The book is plump, ready to be devoured! Seeking collections and recommendations. C