The morning sun was warm and bright.
Tang Hao sat in the classroom, next to the window. He was bored with the lecture.
The excitement of going to college had worn off, and he eventually found the classes boring.
Jiang Wanying stood on the podium conducting the lecture, as though last night’s incident had never happened.
Occasionally, she would steal a glance at Tang Hao.
After class, Tang Hao went to the cafeteria with his classmates.
Suddenly, his phone started ringing. He saw from the call notification that Qin Gang had called him.
“Hey! What’s up?” Tang Hao answered the call.
“How’s college life, Younger Brother-in-law? Isn’t it exciting?” Qin Gang’s familiar voice was heard on the other end of the call.
“Not bad!” Tang Hao said.
“Sigh, I used to be young like you! Too bad that I’m a middle-aged uncle now!” Qin Gang lamented.
Tang Hao found it a little creepy.
Suddenly, he heard Qin Gang’s perverted voice again. “Wow, what a hottie!”
Tang Hao immediately rolled his eyes.
“I miss college life! I see nice, long legs everywhere!” Qin Gang lamented.
“You’re in college now?” Tang Hao said.
“I’m at the main entrance!” Qin Gang said excitedly.
“Why are you here for?” Tang Hao said a little impatiently.
“Oh! I nearly forgot about why I called you.” Qin Gang’s tone of voice became serious. “I’ll be going to the antique street later. They told me that they’ve received a batch of interesting things, and I want to take a look. Are you interested in coming along?”
“Antiques?” Tang Hao was surprised. His interest was piqued.
Back in Westridge District, he had gone to an antique trade meet with Elder Ma. He made a small fortune, not to mention that he obtained a rare Artifact.
Westridge District was a small place compared to Provincial City. Provincial City’s antique street must be much bigger in scale than that of Westridge District. He might be able to find more rare things there too.
“Alright, I’m coming now!”
Tang Hao excused himself and went to the main entrance of the university.
He noticed Qin Gang’s car parked not far away. Qin Gang’s head was stuck outside of the window ogling at the female college students.
“You’re here, Younger Brother-in-law!” Qin Gang waved his arm at Tang Hao.
“I miss college life!” Qin Gang lamented again. Then, he looked warily at Tang Hao, “I say, Younger Brother-in-law, remember that you shouldn’t do anything that would betray my little sister. I gotta keep an eye on you for her.”
Tang Hao rolled his eyes. “Let’s go!”
Then, he sat in the car.
Provincial City’s antique street was named East Pavilion Street. It was located on the east side of the city. Some of the items on sale at the many antique stores there were rare, but on the other hand, there were also many imitation items.
Antique collection was not a hobby meant for everyone. One needed to have a keen eye, otherwise, they would be easily scammed.
Qin Gang was from a wealthy family and owned a factory at a young age. With his riches, he dabbled in collecting antiques and precious stones.
They arrived at East Pavilion Street in less than twenty minutes.
On both sides of the street were buildings built in a classic fashion. The street was crowded with pedestrians.
There were also stalls selling trinkets on both sides of the street.
After they parked their car, they walked along the street.
“I’m considered a regular customer here. The stores know who I am, and they’ll invite me over whenever they receive new goods,” Qin Gang said as he pointed around him.
Soon, they arrived at an antique store called Spirit Atelier.
It was the biggest antique store on the street.
A worker came to greet them as soon as they stepped inside. He saw Qin Gang and broke into a wide grin. “You’re here, Young Master Qin! And this is…?”
The worker turned to examine Tang Hao.
“His surname is Tang. You can call him Young Master Tang!” Qin Gang said.
The worker’s eyes sparkled. He bowed gently and performed a welcoming gesture. “Please step inside, two Young Masters!”
Qin Gang smiled at Tang Hao, then brought him inside.
“Young Master?” Tang Hao was feeling a little uneasy.
“Ha, it’s just a title! Not many people can have this privilege. They only greet rich people as Young Masters,” Qin Gang said.
Tang Hao nodded.
They walked through a corridor and past a door. Soon, they found themselves in a big hall.
Many people were gathered in the hall. All of them looked like rich people.
He estimated that there were about thirty or forty people there.
Long tables were placed around the hall. There were more than a hundred pieces of antiques placed on those tables.
“So many!” Tang Hao was shocked.
“There are many items, but not all of them are good. All these items are obtained from dirt-skimmers. They were cleaned and placed here.
“Most of the items are genuine, but there are also imitation items. Look, there are price tags on each of the items. If you want something, you pick it up and pay the money. Otherwise, you shut up and move on. It’s a test of your appraisal skills,” Qin Gang explained as he pointed at the antiques next to them.
“If multiple people have their eyes on the same item, then they’ll have to bid for it.”
Tang Hao nodded in understanding.
As the two people walked around, many people looked at them.
“Isn’t this Young Master Qin?”
A short, middle-aged man with a potbelly came over. He looked to be about forty years old. His face was round and flabby, and he looked very rich.
He wore jade accessories on his wrist and his neck.
“Dammit, this bastard is here too!” Qin Gang muttered under his breath.
“Who is he?” Tang Hao asked curiously.
“His surname is Diao, and people call him Master Diao. You can see from all the jade he wears that he is quite loaded! He is also quite the pest. Whenever someone finds something they like, he would step in at the last minute and outbid them.
“He’s already snatched a few things from me,” Qin Gang leaned over and whispered to Tang Hao.
“Oh! I don’t think I’ve seen this young man before!” The fat man named Diao came over and said with a wide grin on his face.
“He is Young Master Tang!” Qin Gang said.
“Oh, he’s a Young Master! Not bad, not bad at all! It must be your first time here, right? Look around and you might learn something! You’ll need years of experience before you can achieve my level!”
Fatty Diao boasted as he slapped his chest.
Then, he glanced at Qin Gang and sneered. “Young Master Qin here isn’t experienced at all. He’s still a newbie at this. You’d better not learn from him!”
Qin Gang was immediately angry. “What are you saying, Fatty Diao? Do you think that you’re so great?”
“I’m no one special! I’m very modest, but I’m still better than you!” Fatty Diao wore a pretentious smile, and his tone of voice sounded mocking.
“Alright, that’s enough talk for now. I’ll go around and have a look.” Then, Fatty Diao turned around and walked away.
“He managed to pick up a bargain once because he was lucky. There’s nothing to be proud about,” Qin Gang said indignantly.
“Let’s go, Younger Brother-in-law. Let’s look around the place too!”
Then, he led the way and started walking.
