Zhou Yacheng was Zhou Yacheng.
He could hit a woman without any qualms or restraint, but Yang Qian did not dare to fight back or turn hostile after being hit.
In business, it was never good to have an extra enemy.
Especially a playboy like Zhou Yacheng, who acted without considering the consequences.
However, why was he so obedient to Li Zhonglou, that useless son-in-law?
As Yang Qian watched the two walk away, deep resentment welled up in her eyes: "Li Zhonglou, you made me suffer such great humiliation, just you wait!"
Meanwhile, Zhou Yacheng followed Li Zhonglou towards the exhibition hall where Lin Ao and most of the guests were. He couldn't help but ask, "Junior Uncle, what are you doing?"
"Are you going to cause trouble at the Antiques Association? It's not necessary... If you want to deal with that Lin Ao kid, wouldn't it be better to trap him in a bag and beat him up privately?"
"This is their territory, after all."
Zhou Yacheng thought that Li Zhonglou had been offended upstairs and came down with a stern face, feeling a bit worried.
His hitting Yang Qian was purely a personal matter. If Li Zhonglou really clashed with Lin Ao, it would be an act of defiance against the entire Antiques Association.
Even they would probably not come out of it unscathed.
He was truly afraid that Li Zhonglou would get into trouble here with this kind of uncontrollable mess, and his father would punish him.
"Don't worry, this will soon be our territory," Li Zhonglou said with a slight smile.
Walking into the exhibition hall, he announced loudly, "From now on, I, Li Zhonglou, will be joining the Antiques Association. I am here to inform everyone."
A ripple...
His words drew everyone's attention to him.
Lin Ao's smile froze, and his pupils contracted sharply.
He still had a belly full of anger when his master called Li Zhonglou upstairs to talk about something, and now he had announced his joining the Antiques Association.
If he were really allowed to join, would he still have a chance for revenge in the future?
He immediately snorted coldly, "Li Zhonglou, isn't your Lin faction proud and aloof, calling us a motley crew?"
"The Antiques Association does not welcome you."
It had to be said that Lin Ao was very good at stirring up trouble.
There were many people from the Antiques Association present, and as time passed, they didn't really hold any grudges against Li Zhonglou.
But with Lin Ao's instigation, they immediately remembered what had been spread from that Lu family's charity auction.
Li Zhonglou had publicly called the Antiques Association a motley crew.
This instantly pricked the pride of these people.
They all showed indignant expressions and cursed.
"A waste who lives off women, do you really think you can do whatever you want just because you've appraised a couple of fine pieces? What right do you have to join our Antiques Association!"
"Ruffian, you will only tarnish our association's reputation, I disagree."
"Don't think that because you have the Lu family backing you, everyone will be afraid of you. Our business has nothing to do with the Lu family, letting you join is the greatest insult to me."
...
Everyone cursed Li Zhonglou as an unforgivable scoundrel. Zhou Yacheng covered his face, wishing he could shrink his head and run away.
The fact that the Lin faction and the Antiques Association had always been incompatible was true. Even he, from a third generation family, knew this.
What was Junior Uncle thinking today, suddenly saying he wanted to join the association?
Wasn't this slapping himself in the face?
Li Zhonglou scanned the people who were speaking, his face devoid of any anger, only a faint smile.
After everyone's voices gradually subsided, he changed his tone and snorted, "I'm sorry, I didn't intend to ask for your opinions."
"Furthermore, I am not here to become an ordinary member of the association. I intend to become the president!"
"If anyone is dissatisfied, you have the chance to withdraw. I hope you can maintain this integrity."
A wave...
This stirred up a thousand ripples.
Hearing this, everyone immediately burst into laughter.
From the day the Antiques Association was founded, Lu Weishen was elected as the president, and for over twenty years, no one had dared to make such a boast.
Li Zhonglou, a mere young man not even twenty-five years old, actually dared to claim the position of president.
It was utterly ridiculous.
Would Master Lu offer his seat with folded hands?
Had Li Zhonglou lost his mind?
"Presumptuous, Li Zhonglou, who do you think you are?" Lin Ao's face was gloomy as he cursed, "My master tolerates you a few times out of kindness, but you are ungrateful and push your luck, even wanting to get your hands on the Antiques Association."
"Do you want to humiliate our entire association?"
"Who gave you the courage and audacity!"
Immediately, a large group of people from the Antiques Association and even those who were unaware of the situation were incited by Lin Ao, and they all targeted Li Zhonglou.
Zhou Yacheng's face was extremely unpleasant, and he was about to retort.
But he was stopped by Li Zhonglou placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Lin Ao, prepare yourselves for three days. After three days, I will take over the association," Li Zhonglou's voice was calm. "As for the specific issues, I think you should go ask your master, instead of babbling in front of me."
With that, he turned and left amidst the stunned and confused gazes of everyone.
"Go ask your master!" Zhou Yacheng saw this, a smug smile appeared on his face, he wiped his nose at Lin Ao, and followed him away.
Lin Ao's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably, trembling with anger.
What did that mean?
He had initially thought Li Zhonglou was just showing off, but now it seemed that was not the case.
Had he reached some agreement with his master?
A moment later, in the office upstairs.
Lin Ao stood respectfully before Lu Weishen, whose expression also appeared very grim.
He took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, "I was just being polite to that kid, and he actually took it seriously?"
"Misfortune truly comes from careless words."
"Master, did you really promise him?" Lin Ao was greatly shocked, his face filled with disbelief. "Why? Why should Li Zhonglou receive such preferential treatment from you?"
He had always thought that the next president of the Antiques Association would definitely be him.
After all, he was Lu Weishen's final disciple.
The other senior disciples were either in Wangjing or abroad, only he was in Qinzhou, and his vision was the strongest.
If not him, then who else?
But who would have thought that Lu Weishen would say such a thing to Li Zhonglou?
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Lu Weishen glanced at the agitated Lin Ao and snorted, "Li Zhonglou is of unknown origin, we don't know his background."
"My promise to give him the association might not be a bad thing."
"The Antiques Association, over the years, has long transformed from a scattered mess into a solid bloc."
"They are all beneficiaries of vested interests, and they will never tolerate an outsider interfering."
"So what if he becomes president? Let's wait and see for a month, he'll definitely leave in disgrace!"
He didn't dare to tell Lin Ao that Li Zhonglou had the Wu family of Wangjing as his backing. If he said that, Lin Ao would probably lose all fighting spirit and become like him.
As the saying goes, ignorance breeds fearlessness.
Only by not letting him know would he be able to target Li Zhonglou in every way.
What was said couldn't be taken back. Letting Li Zhonglou become president was not just a casual remark, this matter was settled and irreversible.
The only way was to use his disciple Lin Ao as a sword, and with the established power within the association, pierce Li Zhonglou until he was covered in wounds, making him realize he had no choice but to retreat.
Therefore, concealment was extremely necessary.
Hearing this, Lin Ao's expression gradually softened, and he showed a look of realization, chuckling, "Master's stratagem is truly brilliant."
How could he not be aware of the inside dealings of the Antiques Association? Those people paid membership fees, sought protection, and also used this network to make money.
As soon as this rash young man, Li Zhonglou, arrived, he would undoubtedly cut off their financial resources.
At that time, it wouldn't just be a verbal denunciation, cutting off someone's financial resources was like killing their parents.
They wouldn't even know how they died.
Leaving the association, Li Zhonglou did not go home immediately but asked Zhou Yacheng to take him to the Donglin Pawnshop.
As expected, his master and senior sister were drinking tea in the newly renovated pawnshop.
This place had been smashed by people sent by Li Hanlong before. Later, when Li Hanlong was subdued, his senior sister had people renovate it again.
After two months, it was completely new.
"Junior brother, why aren't you at home being intimate with your wife, coming here to have tea with your senior sister?" Lin Ying teased with a wicked smile.
"Master, Senior Sister..." Li Zhonglou greeted them respectfully, then sat beside Lin Ying and took the tea handed by Lin Zhendong. "I just returned from the Antiques Association."
"There are two things you must know in advance."
"Speak." A cold glint flashed in Lin Ying's eyes. "Were you bullied there?"
The Antiques Association and her Lin family had always been at odds, with no interaction for many years. Li Zhonglou knew this.
Why did he still go there? Could it be that he had some conflict with Lu Weishen?
If that were the case, there would be no need to worry about appearances, they could just go and smash the place.
"Xiao Ying, restrain your temper and listen to Zhonglou," Lin Zhendong said, pretending to chide his daughter when he saw her pretty face turning cold.
She was still unmarried at such an age because of this strong sense of love and hate.
Although she was a person of character, men did not like it.
"Senior Sister misunderstood, they wouldn't dare to bully me," Li Zhonglou quickly reassured. "It's I who will become the president of the Antiques Association in three days, and I plan to start with the association to consolidate the entire Qinzhou."
"I remember you, Master, had opinions on the association's group collusion and exploiting people, using outdated rules to deceive the public, and even disregarding the law."
"In the old days, these rules were indeed beneficial to the industry, but times have changed. In the information age, one can know a thousand miles away without leaving home."
"Continuing this practice will only push the antique industry to a dead end, ultimately causing customers to lose basic trust and sink into greed."
These words were not mere alarmist talk.
But a period of chaotic and dark times that Li Zhonglou had truly experienced in his past life.
Every industry has such periods, but the antique industry was late to be influenced by capital, and it lasted particularly long.
The word "vision" even became an excuse for deception many years later.
It was only with the cultural revival that it was reorganized and returned to the right track.
And during those dark years in between, how many families went bankrupt, wives and children were separated, and people committed suicide by jumping off buildings? It was even comparable to gambling and drugs.
Qinzhou was his hometown, and he did not want such a thing to happen again.
"Hmm, are there other reasons?" Lin Zhendong nodded upon hearing this and asked slowly.
Li Zhonglou showed a look of admiration on his face. "Master has sharp eyes and sees everything clearly, indeed nothing can be hidden from you!"