Chen Ke listened without saying anything, waiting for the woman to continue.

The woman didn't feel slighted and asked with a smile, "What's your surname, sir? This antique shop must have just opened recently, right?"

"My surname is Chen. Miss, what brings you here? Please get straight to the point."

"My surname is Xu, Mr. Chen, you can just call me Manling."

Chen Ke nodded: "Miss Xu."

Seeing that Chen Ke had no intention of exchanging pleasantries with her, Xu Manling straightened up and said, "It's like this, Mr. Chen. My friend recently acquired a batch of antiques from the Song Dynasty. There are many different kinds of items, but in order to determine their authenticity, he would like to find a reliable antique appraiser to authenticate them."

Chen Ke's eyes flashed, "A batch of antiques from the Song Dynasty?"

Xu Manling nodded, "Yes, the quantity is very large, so we need several antique appraisers."

"May I ask, what is the identity of your friend? How could he be able to acquire so many antiques at once, and all of them are from the Song Dynasty—" Chen Ke could not think of any other possibility besides the fact that the artifacts were unearthed from the same tomb at the same time.

And a large number of Song Dynasty artifacts were found in the tomb...

Unfortunately, Chen Ke had "met" him just two weeks prior.

Xu Manling made no attempt to hide her "friend's" identity, and said directly, "He is Japanese. He likes Chinese cultural relics and wants to take them back to Japan."

Chen Ke raised an eyebrow, his interest visibly growing. "Miss Xu, there's a question I haven't answered yet. My shop is indeed newly opened and not well-known in Shanghai. How did you come to me, Miss Xu?" As he spoke, Chen Ke poured Xu Manling a cup of tea.

There are no authoritative institutions issuing certificates for antique appraisers nowadays. If you want to have your antiques appraised, you have to find a familiar, well-known, and trustworthy person. Otherwise, if you randomly pick an appraiser at a pawn shop on the street, they can say it's fake or real and you won't be able to find anyone to help you if you get ripped off.

Xu Manling politely accepted the gift, saying, "Thank you." Then she replied, "It was Mr. Lauters who mentioned it. We met at the ball last night, and Mr. Matsumoto casually mentioned that he wanted to find some reliable antique appraisers, and Mr. Lauters recommended you."

"I see." Chen Ke took a sip of tea and continued, "I don't actually do antique appraisal work, but I'm not interested in anything except historical artifacts. A large number of Song Dynasty artifacts—I have to admit, they're very attractive to me. I can go and take a look for your friend."

Xu Manling smiled slightly, "That's wonderful. Mr. Lauters said you're a passionate antique enthusiast. He said you might not agree to money, but you'd be tempted if he told you you had a lot of antiques. And he was right."

Chen Ke: "...Lautes really understands me."

"Alright, we'll see when Mr. Chen has time so Mr. Matsumoto can send a car to pick you up."

"No need, just leave your address and I'll go there myself. As for the time, let's do it tomorrow." After all, the "shelf life" of those cultural relics is only one month, so the sooner they are appraised, the better.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Chen. Well then, Mr. Chen, goodbye."

Take care.

After watching Xu Manling's graceful figure disappear behind the door, Chen Ke closed the door directly.

Mr. Matsumoto from Japan? And importantly, he also loves Chinese artifacts?

He clearly shared similar interests with him and was a "friend" worth befriending. So, wouldn't it be a good idea for them to prepare a rabbit fur teacup that they would cherish in later generations?

After carefully preparing several "gifts" for Mr. Matsumoto, Chen Ke went directly to the alley where Zhou Shanhuai and Song Xiaowen lived. Chen Zhuo and Zhou Shanhuai were not home during the day, and Song Xiaowen would probably have to pack everything by herself, so he had to go and help.

As for whether they might not move, Chen Ke believes Chen Zhuo will weigh the pros and cons.

Driver Li Gang got out of the car with Chen Ke, but stood downstairs, waiting for Chen Ke to call him before going up.

Chen Ke was very satisfied with Li Gang, who was bold, meticulous, and responsible.

So at this time, there are still many honest and simple people who are loyal to you and devoted to their jobs.

Aunt Liu looked at the young man who came up with some surprise. He was wearing a smart suit and glasses, and he was fair-skinned and refined. He didn't look like someone who lived in the alley.

Aunt Liu asked with a smile, "Who are you looking for, child?"

"I'm looking for Song Xiaowen. Could you tell me, ma'am, which room does she live in?"

Aunt Liu's smile vanished instantly. She hadn't heard Xiao Wen and the others mention any relatives, and Xiao Wen was the only one at home. This person looked respectable; what if he was a bad guy?

"Who are you to her?"

Sensing the sudden change in the kind-faced old woman's gaze to one of scrutiny, Chen Ke guessed that this old woman might be a neighbor who was on good terms with Zhou Shanhuai and the others, which was why she suddenly became wary when she heard that he was looking for Song Xiaowen.

“I am her eldest son, Chen Zhuo’s older brother.”

"You're her eldest son?" Aunt Liu's voice rose eight octaves in surprise.

The voice was so loud that Song Xiaowen, who was tidying up inside, was startled. She opened the door and was about to ask Aunt Liu what was wrong when she met Chen Ke's gaze.

Song Xiaowen was stunned for a moment, as if he hadn't reacted yet.

Chen Ke, however, calmly called out, "Mom."

"Wow, Xiaowen, this child really is your eldest son!" Aunt Liu asked, her eyes brightening as she looked at Chen Ke.

What a handsome child! If he really is Xiaowen's child, wouldn't it be perfect for him to be her grandson-in-law?

Song Xiaowen didn't know what Aunt Liu was planning, but since Chen Ke had already called her "Mom," she couldn't deny it, so she nodded to Aunt Liu.

"Oh my, it really is! Why didn't you mention it before, Xiaowen? Look at your eldest son, he's such a handsome and dashing young man." Aunt Liu used the few idioms she had, and she was very satisfied with the young man in front of her.

Having traveled through so many worlds, Chen Ke never imagined that the first person to make his skin crawl under his gaze would be an old woman...

After thanking Aunt Liu, he quickly said to Song Xiaowen, "Mom, are you packing your things? Let me help you." Then he walked past Song Xiaowen into the house.

"Hey, Chen—"

Before Song Xiaowen could speak, Aunt Liu stopped her again. "Xiaowen, what has your eldest son been doing all this time? I've never heard you mention him. And also, he..." Aunt Liu leaned closer to Song Xiaowen, her voice low but filled with barely suppressed joy, "Is he married yet?"

Song Xiaowen: "...I don't think so."

"No? That's good. You've seen my granddaughter before. What do you think of her as your daughter-in-law?"

Song Xiaowen was completely stunned: "...Huh?"

"What 'ah'? Xiaowen, give me an answer!" Aunt Liu urged with a beaming smile.