Then, a man in a Zhongshan suit invited the two inside. Su Ran waited for Song Nian to enter before following him, since the person in charge this time was Song Nian, not herself.

Upon entering the courtyard, I realized that it was the "Peach Blossom Spring" described in the story: "After walking several dozen steps, the view suddenly opened up. The land was flat and spacious, the houses were neatly arranged, and there were fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry trees, and bamboo groves."

This scene actually exists.

Su Ran was surprised when she saw the decorations, but after a moment she withdrew her surprise and secretly examined the decorations around her.

The entire courtyard is structured like a traditional courtyard house. Upon entering, there is a pond with artificial hills and fishponds. Trees are planted around the pond, and in the center of the pond is a statue of an old turtle. The doors of the three side rooms are closed, and an old man sits in a small pavilion on the right. The table in front of the old man is full of things.

Su Ran quietly followed beside Song Nian. The two were led to a small pavilion by the person who opened the door. The man's hoarse voice rang out, "The person has been brought."

The old man looked up, waved his hand to signal the people to step aside, and then looked at the newcomers. He saw that they were two young men and women, and his eyes were filled with scrutiny and disdain.

"Why did that old scoundrel Song send two greenhorns? He's really getting worse with each generation."

The old man's words were full of sarcasm, but Su Ran didn't think much of it. Song Nian, however, retorted directly, "My grandfather has some business to attend to and cannot come in person, so he sent me to make the transaction. Please rest assured, sir, although I am young, I am quite knowledgeable."

Su Ran glanced at Song Nian without saying a word. Then her phone screen flickered a few times. She turned to the side and looked at the message. Unexpectedly, it was from Grandpa Song.

[Grandpa Song: Su girl, you're next to Song Nian, right? You stop that brat for me. Don't give him that arrogant look that he thinks he's the most important person in the world. Make him respect others. If he doesn't listen, tell him to get a good beating.]

Su Ran was silent for a few seconds, glanced at Song Nian, then at the messages on her phone, and silently put the phone in her pocket after turning off the screen.

Grandpa Song, it's too late. Your grandson has already finished his tirade.

So Song Nian, just wait until you get back and eat stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork, it's delicious and tasty.

The old man, though choked, wasn't angry. He frowned at Song Nian and snorted, "The worst thing about collecting antiques is being arrogant. It seems you've learned your grandfather's bad temper quite well."

Song Nian wanted to retort, but could Su Ran, who had just received a message from Grandpa Song, just stand by and watch?

That's obviously not an option.

She reached out and silently grabbed Song Nian's wrist.

Song Nian turned around in confusion, and Su Ran said with a smile, "The older version of bamboo shoots stir-fried with pork still has a unique flavor."

"Stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork" was probably a secret code between the grandfather and grandson. As soon as Su Ran finished speaking, Song Nian deflated. Su Ran wasn't unaware of the meaning behind the words; after all, this phrase could be heard everywhere in the rural areas of Shu.

Considering Song Nian's feelings, she didn't laugh out loud, but only slightly curved her lips. The hand that was holding Song Nian's wrist was released the moment she finished speaking.

Su Ran's voice wasn't loud, but because she was so close, the old man heard her and looked at her with great curiosity.

Su Ran nodded slightly as a sign of politeness. The old man nodded slightly in response to Su Ran's gesture, but his words were still barbed.

"Young man Song, you should learn from the girl next to you."

"You still need to go back and learn proper etiquette, kid. Otherwise, you won't be the only one who loses face."

"Remember the Song and Chen families behind you."

The old man looked at Song Nian with disdain, but Song Nian didn't dare to speak and had to endure it. The old man didn't mind, pointed to the things on the table, and leaned back.

"These items are clearly priced, and bargaining is not allowed. We all know the rules of the trade. We don't offer any guarantees, and all the items were sourced from Xianggu Garden."

The old man lay there leisurely, showing no interest in the things on the table.

However, Xiangu Garden is a well-known name throughout the country, and it is a famous old workshop in China.

Compared to the Song family, who started out with antiques, Xianggu Garden is a workshop with a history of several hundred years.

But they didn't know that Mr. Su was behind it all.

After all, the people behind Xianggu Garden are quite mysterious.

Song Nian then realized the other party's identity, cupped his hands and bowed, "So it's Mr. Su. I didn't mean to offend you before, please forgive me, Mr. Su."

Old Mr. Su glanced at Song Nian with disdain and waved his hand, "Don't bother, my old bones can't bear your bow."

"You'd be more comfortable continuing with your arrogant and ignorant attitude."

Song Nian looked embarrassed, but knowing the old man's identity, he ultimately remained silent.

The old man lowered his eyes and sipped his tea, no longer looking at Song Nian, but his words continued to pierce Song Nian's heart.

"That's more like it. When faced with unpredictable situations, learn from what you're doing now. Silence is the best form of etiquette."

Song Nian could only nod in agreement to what the old man said.

Mr. Su rarely appeared in public, so Song Nian was unaware of this. He only knew that his respected grandfather had been criticized, so he couldn't help but retort.

Su Zai remained expressionless. He was well aware of Old Master Song's great reputation.

Seeing this, Song Nian dared not boast anymore and turned his attention to the antiques on the table.

Every antique has a price tag, but...

Whether it's true or false, you'll have to see for yourself.

It's not that large workshops don't have counterfeit goods, but rather that they have fewer counterfeit goods, since they're afraid of ruining their reputation. But so far, there have been no reports of counterfeit goods being sold at Xianggu Garden.

Su Ran stood aside, watching Song Nian select items. Each antique was indeed clearly priced, but all were over a million, with some even reaching tens of millions.

Judging from the old man's lazy demeanor, he probably hasn't shown any of the best items yet, such as antiques worth hundreds of millions or even over a billion.

The old man lay leisurely, while a man in a Zhongshan suit gently fanned him with a palm-leaf fan.

Su Ran stood to the side, while Song Nian, wearing white gloves, patiently selected items.

Grandpa Su would occasionally offer a few words of advice, after all, he really couldn't bear to see such a foolish person acting so stupidly in front of him.

This is just a conditioned reflex he developed from decades of collecting antiques.

But she still wouldn't let it go.

And so, Su Ran stood aside, unaware of how many times Old Master Su had scolded Song Nian for being stupid and incompetent.

"Song Nian, if you say it's from the Qing Dynasty again, I'll have your grandfather beat you up, you believe me?"

"Is this how you see things? Have you wasted your knowledge?"

"you......"

Hearing Mr. Su break down in his defenses, Su Ran found it somewhat amusing.

When no one was paying attention, the man next to Grandpa Su brought over a chair and placed it behind Su Ran.

Su Ran looked up and her eyes met those of Old Master Su.

Grandpa Su nodded, then continued to berate Song Nian. She didn't stand on ceremony, smiled slightly, and sat down. After all, she was tired of standing, so why stand when she could sit?