However, Li Chonglou was not in a hurry about Zhou Tong's proposal to become sworn brothers. Zhou Tong was excited for the moment, and Li Chonglou feared he might have concerns later.
"Let's discuss the important matters first. In any case, I've made up my mind to be your friend!"
Li Chonglou patted Zhou Tong on the shoulder.
"That's fine, but I'm serious about becoming sworn brothers. Brother Li, just tell me when you feel it's time!"
Zhou Tong thought Li Chonglou was worried and went along with him, even changing his address to Brother Li.
For a moment, the two felt as if they had returned to their previous lives.
Afterward, Li Chonglou and Zhou Tong went to a high-end restaurant and booked a private room, where he explained the purpose of investigating the Wu family.
Zhou Tong did not hesitate and immediately agreed, "No problem, leave this to me."
Li Chonglou smiled with relief and raised his glass, "I trust Brother Zhou's abilities, thank you for your trouble."
"What are you saying?"
The two raised their glasses and drank, chatting about everyday matters, becoming more and more cheerful as they talked.
After the meal, Li Chonglou intended to return directly to the hotel, but at Zhou Tong's insistent invitation, he went back to Zhou Tong's studio in Panjiayuan to taste some of the fine teas Zhou Tong had collected for many years.
Finally, with Zhou Tong still reluctant to part, Li Chonglou said goodbye and left the studio.
Walking along the small path in Panjiayuan, Li Chonglou suddenly had the urge to look around.
"It's a famous place in Shangjing, there should be plenty of treasures."
Li Chonglou thought and turned into the main road nearby, wandering with the crowd.
"Huh, it seems the boss is also knowledgeable. Why not go to Xing Street to find treasures?"
In a conversation with the owner of an antique shop, Li Chonglou heard the name Xing Street for the first time.
After a brief inquiry, he learned that it was a high-end antique street that had only emerged in recent years. Due to its exorbitant prices and a large number of rare treasures, Xing Street had quickly become the hottest area in Panjiayuan.
However, it was also the place most frequented by top collectors, and ordinary people were not qualified to enter.
This was somewhat different from his previous life, and Li Chonglou immediately became interested. After asking for the general direction, Li Chonglou soon found its entrance.
However, he was stopped by a staff member.
"Hello sir, you need a pass to enter Xing Street."
Li Chonglou frowned slightly and asked, "How do I get this pass?"
Xiao Liu sized up Li Chonglou, and seeing his casual attire that didn't even seem to be of a recognizable brand, he was immediately disappointed. Still, he bent down and started moving a box.
"There are ten replica samples inside. You can get a pass if you can tell their origins."
Xiao Liu said casually, as if he was certain Li Chonglou wouldn't be able to identify them, and was just going through the motions.
When taking out the samples, he impatiently dumped them all onto the table.
"You have ten minutes, let's begin."
After speaking, Xiao Liu picked up his phone to start the timer and sat aside.
He had become accustomed to encountering people like Li Chonglou – those without financial means or capability but who wanted to enter. They often couldn't even pass the entry test, wasting his time.
Although this was his job, he actually received a commission for every new person who entered. When there were too many people just looking for a spectacle, he couldn't help but feel unbalanced.
Li Chonglou, of course, was unaware of these details and didn't care about Xiao Liu's attitude. Instead, he directly picked up a sample from the table.
It wasn't a very difficult item. Li Chonglou picked it up and put it down, repeating the action several times.
However, in Xiao Liu's eyes, it was even more displeasing. Others at least pretended to examine them seriously, rather than doing it so obviously as if it were a game.
Xiao Liu looked at Li Chonglou speechlessly. Just then, two customers walked up behind Li Chonglou.
Xiao Liu recognized one of them at a glance and quickly stood up enthusiastically, saying, "Boss Wen is here, you're a bit early today."
The man referred to as Boss Wen was a balding man in his forties or fifties, with a kind face.
He smiled and nodded in response to Xiao Liu's greeting, saying, "A friend wanted me to bring his son to broaden his horizons, so I came a bit early today. By the way, the rules haven't changed, right?"
Xiao Liu immediately nodded, "No, no change..."
Xiao Liu paused as he spoke and then said to Li Chonglou as a matter of course, "Hello, please excuse me."
Li Chonglou frowned and said, "I think I was here first, wasn't I?"
Xiao Liu was stunned, not expecting Li Chonglou to be so tactless. He immediately put on a stern face and asked, "Have you finished looking then?"
Li Chonglou unhurriedly replied, "Not yet."
To his surprise, Xiao Liu directly reached out and snatched the sample away, saying coldly, "Alright, your qualification is revoked. Come again next time."
After speaking, Xiao Liu turned to the balding man with a flattering smile and said, "Boss Wen, you can go ahead."
Li Chonglou's expression turned cold. At this moment, the balding man spoke, "This doesn't seem right, after all, someone else was here first."
"If they were genuinely trying to get a pass, I would certainly welcome them. But we can't waste other people's time with those who are just here to cause trouble or join the fun," Xiao Liu said, looking at Li Chonglou without any pretense, his eyes filled with disdain.
If it were anyone else, they would have been shamed and left by now. After all, if they really made a scene and couldn't identify the samples, it would be utterly embarrassing.
Xiao Liu knew this very well, which was why he didn't care about Li Chonglou's feelings. He intended to drive Li Chonglou away so as not to waste his time.
But to his surprise, Li Chonglou not only didn't get angry, but he also didn't leave. Instead, he said with a cold expression.
"Call your manager over. I'd like to see if this is your rule."
Xiao Liu froze and couldn't help but examine Li Chonglou again. After confirming there were no oversights, and considering Li Chonglou's casual manner of looking at the samples earlier, Xiao Liu's confidence grew.
"Just you? Alright, you can discuss your issues later. For now, please don't hinder my work, or I'll have to call security."
Xiao Liu waved his hand impatiently, as if shooing away an annoying fly. The balding man also remained silent, seemingly believing Li Chonglou was causing trouble.
"What's going on?"
Just then, a woman's voice came from inside. Xiao Liu turned and saw the person approaching, immediately bowing and saying, "Hello, manager."
Li Chonglou was direct, "You said ten minutes, why did you revoke my qualification in less than a minute?"
Xiao Liu's expression changed, and he quickly said, "That's not true, manager. This person knows nothing about antiques and is messing around here, not to mention wasting Boss Wen's time."
Li Chonglou's eyes narrowed, and he let out a cold laugh, "I know nothing about antiques?"
Saying that, he picked up several samples one by one: "Qianlong running script."
"Ming cloisonné tea cup."
"Southern Song jade jue."
After speaking, Li Chonglou looked coldly at Xiao Liu, whose face suddenly changed drastically.