Inside the shop, Director Wang and several colleagues were immersed in an atmosphere steeped in history, their eyes sparkling with boundless longing and awe for ancient civilization.

They were completely oblivious to Zhang Fan's disdainful gaze, as they were utterly absorbed in appraising the treasure.

Director Wang was carefully picking up a bronze artifact, a ding (a type of ancient Chinese cooking vessel) carved with intricate patterns. The marks of time had left mottled green patina on its surface, which only added to its antiquity and solemnity.

His gaze, through his glasses, was focused and profound, as if it could pierce through the river of time and engage in a silent dialogue with the craftsmen of a thousand years ago.

Director Wang gently stroked the body of the cauldron, feeling the coolness of the metal and the weight of history with his fingertips. He first carefully observed the shape and decoration of the artifact, and then used a small magnifying glass he carried with him to carefully study the inscription on the bottom of the cauldron.

Whenever he discovered a unique detail in the craftsmanship or a piece of historical information in an inscription, he would excitedly share it with his colleagues. His thirst for knowledge and love for cultural relics deeply inspired everyone present.

My colleagues were also busy with their own things. Some were carefully appreciating a landscape painting from the Song Dynasty. The mountains and rivers in the painting seemed to be so captivating that they made people forget the hustle and bustle of the world.

Some people were particularly fond of a white porcelain vase from the Tang Dynasty. The vase had a warm and jade-like glaze and smooth, natural lines, showcasing the superb craftsmanship of Tang Dynasty porcelain.

They sometimes discussed in hushed tones, sometimes used professional tools to measure dimensions and weight, and even used a portable X-ray machine to non-destructively probe the internal structure of the artifacts, striving to fully understand the value of these precious artifacts from all angles.

Throughout the appraisal process, Director Wang and his team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and rigor. They not only analyzed the artifacts based on their physical characteristics, such as material, texture, and craftsmanship, but also considered soft factors such as historical documents and artistic style to make a comprehensive judgment.

This meticulous attitude towards the authentication of cultural relics reflects their professional ethics and competence as cultural heritage workers.

However, behind this focus and enthusiasm, a crucial question seems to have been quietly overlooked—where did these cultural relics come from?

Zhang Fan silently observed all of this.

Despite the high level of professionalism demonstrated by Director Wang and his team in appraising the artifacts, these cultural relics, whether bronzes, paintings and calligraphy, or porcelain, all exuded a rich historical atmosphere and were clearly genuine antiques, some even reaching the level of cultural relics.

But why are they here? Did they circulate among private collectors, or through some unknown channel?

More importantly, hasn't anyone considered that these cultural relics might have originally belonged to a museum, or even been stolen from a museum?

A wave of emotion washed over Zhang Fan. If these cultural relics were indeed lost from museums, then this absurd scene of "buying back our own stuff" was undoubtedly a great irony to the work of cultural relic protection.

"Have you finished looking at it? I'll sell it to you cheap."

Several young people couldn't wait any longer.

"This stuff is good. Do you have any more?"

Director Wang nodded. "The items are very good; I like them very much."

"Yes, it depends on how much you want."

have?

So straightforward.

"We can sell anything that is available in provincial or municipal museums."

The other party seemed very arrogant.

Can items from provincial museums be taken out directly?

Director Wang is indeed a bit slow to react.

"That's great, bring it out, the price is negotiable."

Director Wang pulled out his bank card and said he was going to take out all his belongings and sell his house, as long as the cultural relics could be returned.

Since the customer still wanted it, they went to get it. A few young men went out again, took the money, and left. They returned with the item in less than half an hour.

Zhang Fan looked at Director Wang and the others, shaking his head helplessly. What were these young people doing out there? They could just go to the museum, take the items, sell them to him, and then report him. He'd end up in jail again. How come Director Wang hasn't noticed the problem yet?

A group of young people, carrying heavy money bags, embarked on their journey once again. Their steps were filled with urgency and excitement, as if they were about to complete a great mission.

Director Wang and several colleagues stayed inside the store, eagerly awaiting their return.

Their eyes gleamed with a longing for unknown treasures, as if they could already see those precious artifacts shining brightly under the lights.

Time ticked by, each second filled with tension and anticipation.

Director Wang and his companions kept glancing towards the entrance, afraid of missing a single moment.

Their hearts were filled with trust in the abilities of the young people and anticipation for the artifacts they were about to acquire.

Finally, half an hour later, the young men reappeared at the entrance of the antique shop.

Their faces beamed with smug smiles, and they carried bulging snakeskin bags in their hands.

The snakeskin bag looked old, but it was exceptionally sturdy, as if it could hold all the secrets and treasures.

Upon seeing this, Director Wang immediately went to greet him, his eyes filled with fervor and anticipation.

It seemed as if he could already see the countless treasures hidden in the snakeskin bag beckoning to him.

Director Wang took the snakeskin bag, carefully placed it on the table, and then began to appraise the items inside.

Gently open the bag to reveal the treasure inside.

The treasures shimmered alluringly under the lights, as if telling the stories behind them.

Director Wang and several colleagues gathered around, carefully observing each artifact, their eyes filled with focus and appreciation.

However, amidst this harmonious and expectant atmosphere, only Zhang Fan appeared exceptionally helpless.

Looking at the expectant eyes of Director Wang and the others, Zhang Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness.

"These old geezers are just missing a screw in their heads!" Zhang Fan muttered to himself, wondering why he had invited them in the first place.

Treasure appraisal?

Okay, just wait and see. A large number of people should be arriving soon.

Then Director Wang will realize what's going on.

Are you still secretly pleased that you've acquired so many cultural relics?

Didn't you ever think that your things might have been taken from your home?

Otherwise, why would you do so much stuff in half an hour?

Who could possibly have such power?

That's true, who would have thought someone would dare to take so many good things out of their home?

You really just walk inside and take things out like you would at a farmers market.

However, Director Wang had never considered this possibility.

No rush, you'll find out soon.