"Li Chonglou."
Tang Xiuzhu gave him an uncomfortable feeling.
For no reason, it was his long-cultivated sixth sense.
After shaking hands, Tang Xiuzhu led the two into the living room.
The entire first floor of the villa had been opened up, leaving only the load-bearing walls.
The lights were brilliant, the decor opulent, exuding an air of luxury everywhere.
There were a dazzling array of collectibles, each in its own cabinet, made of bulletproof glass, numbering over a hundred.
Below each was a brief description and a QR code; scanning it revealed the origin and history of each item.
The scale was indeed impressive, comparable to a private museum.
In the center of the hall were fine wines and delicacies, as if for a party or reception.
Many people were already present, either sampling pastries, admiring the collections, or chatting happily with the beautiful hostesses.
"My father enjoys collecting. Everything in Qin Yun Manor was sourced by him. This time, I asked Yun Xu to invite a master to help identify some pieces, to avoid making a fool of myself," Tang Xiuzhu deliberately raised his voice.
This startled everyone.
"Hmph, what a supposed master, I think he's just a con artist!"
Immediately, a sarcastic voice chimed in from the right: "People's hearts are not as they used to be. Some people will do anything for money."
"Miss Lu has an extraordinary status, it's inevitable that some people have ulterior motives."
"Young Master Tang, you need to keep your eyes open."
A middle-aged man, dressed in plain cloth clothes and shoes, with his hair meticulously combed, stood by the display cabinet to the right of the three.
His face was slick with oil, his expression contemptuous. He turned his head and scrutinized Li Chonglou from head to toe.
Lu Yun Xu's delicate eyebrows furrowed, and a flicker of anger appeared in her beautiful eyes.
Li Chonglou was her guest. As soon as he entered, he was mocked, which was clearly a lack of respect towards her.
"Do I know you?" Li Chonglou asked.
Seeing this, Tang Xiuzhu feigned introduction: "Teacher Cao."
"This Master Li has a formidable background."
"You know Elder Qin Muyang, don't you? The reason he announced his retirement was because of Master Li. It's said that he greatly admires him."
A hint of pride rose in his eyes as he finished speaking.
Cao Zhi was the director of the Antique Association, and he was the one he had arranged.
His objective was to test Li Chonglou's depth.
Ideally, he wanted to make Li Chonglou appear utterly humiliated and ashamed in front of Lu Yun Xu.
Upon hearing this, the sneer on Cao Zhi's face grew more intense: "I know about that."
"Although Elder Qin never said it himself, anyone with eyes can see it was a setup. To be able to determine authenticity from such a distance without even a physical examination."
"There are only a handful of people in the whole country who can do something like that."
"How old is he? Does he have X-ray vision?"
"For a mere three hundred thousand, he ruined Elder Qin's reputation, built over a lifetime. Calling you a con artist is being polite."
"A scoundrel who doesn't even understand the rules, what qualifications does he have to stand here!"
Qin Muyang's matter had not spread widely within the circle, perhaps due to concerns about face.
However, after hearing Tang Xiuzhu's account, he felt very displeased. It wasn't about defending Qin Muyang.
Rather, it was because he was always a step behind Qin Muyang in the circle.
If Qin Muyang lost to an unknown young man, didn't that mean he was also inferior to Li Chonglou?
His pride was wounded, and he naturally found Li Chonglou displeasing to the eye.
Even without Tang Xiuzhu, he would have found an opportunity to suppress this arrogant young kid who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.
These words immediately resonated with many who had gathered around.
"Elder Qin retired because of him? So young, what skills could he possibly have!"
"Didn't Director Tang say it was a setup? This kid wants to step on Elder Qin to rise."
"A clown, doesn't he even know his own worth? Thinks he can become famous by clinging to Miss Lu and tricking Elder Qin?"
...
Discussions erupted, filled with disdain in everyone's words.
Li Chonglou's eyes flickered slightly. He observed the expressions of these people and sneered inwardly.
Cao Zhi had no grievance with him, yet he targeted him from the start.
It seemed someone had come prepared.
To put him in his place from the outset!
Before he could speak, Lu Yun Xu's pretty face turned cold as she reprimanded: "All of you, shut up! Were you even there?"
"You haven't seen it with your own eyes, yet you're just repeating what you heard!"
"Even Elder Qin was convinced, are you all smarter than Elder Qin?"
The daughter of the richest man, her noble bearing cultivated over many years, immediately cast a silence over the entire hall.
No one dared to offend Lu Yun Xu.
Only Tang Xiuzhu's eyes flashed with a sinister glint.
But it was quickly masked by a smile: "Yun Xu, don't get agitated."
"They're just going by hearsay and guessing randomly."
"I am certain that Master Li has genuine skill, otherwise, why would you invite him to the appraisal event?"
"Everyone here surely wants to witness it firsthand."
"Master Li, I eagerly await your abilities!"
These words, at first glance, seemed harmless, but Li Chonglou felt like fuel being added to the fire.
This Tang Xiuzhu was clearly trying to stir up trouble.
Using others to put him in his place.
If that was the case, then there was no need to be polite!
"If they want to see my abilities, they are not qualified!" Li Chonglou said, looking directly at Tang Xiuzhu without glancing at the others.
His words were full of arrogance, showing no regard for these people.
After speaking, he turned and walked towards the collection area.
Lu Yun Xu understood his intentions and followed Li Chonglou.
Everyone's expression changed.
"Ignorant child, utterly arrogant!"
Cao Zhi's face turned green, his eyes glinting sharply: "Just you wait, I will expose your true colors at the appraisal!"
He had been famous for many years, yet Li Chonglou treated him like air. If he didn't get this disrespect back today, how could he continue to mix in the Qin Zhou antique circle?
Tang Xiuzhu narrowed his eyes, staring at the backs of the two, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Li Chonglou's level was too low, lacking any subtlety, arrogant and ignorant.
Not only did he slap Elder Qin's face in public, but he also offended everyone present.
In the entire Qin Zhou antique circle, he would have no place to stand.
Such a person was not worth worrying about.
Tang Xiuzhu beckoned the butler and whispered: "Is everything prepared?"
"As you instructed, even Chairman Lu himself wouldn't be able to recognize it," the butler replied confidently.
"Good!"
Tang Xiuzhu smiled coldly: "Li Chonglou, let's see how capable you really are!"
On the first floor, in the east exhibition hall.
After Lu Yun Xu accompanied Li Chonglou to view a few pieces, her beautiful eyes showed concern: "Brother Li, Elder Qin's matter has caused many people in the antique circle to lose face."
"They are deliberately targeting you, please don't take it to heart."
"If you're unhappy, we can leave right now. I'll explain to Tang Xiuzhu."
Li Chonglou chuckled: "Why should we leave?"
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
"The mere Qin Zhou antique circle is not something I take seriously."
He intended to make a name for himself throughout China again, and Qin Zhou was just the starting point.
His determination was unstoppable.
The likes of Cao Zhi were nothing but insignificant pawns!
Lu Yun Xu's heart trembled slightly.
Although she felt Li Chonglou indeed possessed skill,
Publicly declaring war on the Qin Zhou antique circle.
This…
Even she felt Li Chonglou was being a bit too arrogant.
The wind that stands out in the forest will surely be destroyed. This appraisal event today is unlikely to be peaceful.
"Distinguished guests, the second-floor exhibition hall is ready. Please proceed upstairs to participate in the appraisal!"
Just as Lu Yun Xu was worried, Tang Xiuzhu's voice rang out from the speakers in the hall.