She handed four elegant tablets to Zhou Yang and the other three, explaining softly.
"This contains information on all the items for this auction, complete with pictures and text, as well as detailed expert commentary. You may take a look."
“By the way, Mr. Zhou,” she turned to Zhou Yang specifically.
"The Ming dynasty huanghuali brush pot with kui dragon design that you bid on is in lot number three, which is very prominent, and the estimated price is also quite good."
Zhou Yang took the tablet, casually swiped through it a few times, and neither agreed nor disagreed with Gu Huaiyue's thoughtfulness, only nodding slightly.
Xu Yao fiddled with the tablet with some curiosity. She didn't know much about these antiques and artifacts, but she found the pictures pleasing to the eye.
Soon, well-trained waiters brought out top-quality pre-rain Longjing tea, its aroma filling the air, along with a variety of exquisite desserts and fresh fruit platters, filling the table to the brim.
"Please enjoy your meal. I need to take care of some pre-auction matters and will come back to keep you company later."
After arranging everything, Gu Huaiyue smiled sweetly and gave a slight bow before turning and gracefully leaving behind a swaying, elegant silhouette.
She moved gracefully, and just as she reached a secluded corner on the second floor leading to the backstage area, a dark figure suddenly darted out from the side and grabbed her wrist!
"Gu Huaiyue!"
Gu Huaijin's suppressed anger was squeezed out through clenched teeth, his once handsome face now contorted with jealousy and rage.
"You've really gotten impressive! That Zhou Yang, how come I've never heard of him in the Jindu circle before?!"
He stared intently at Gu Huaiyue, his eyes filled with resentment and inquiry, as if trying to see through her.
Gu Huaiyue's wrist ached from his grip, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, but a mocking sneer appeared on her face.
With a flick of her wrist, she easily broke free from Gu Huaijin's grip. Her swift and decisive movements surprised Gu Huaijin slightly.
"Do I need to report to you, Young Master Gu, who I get involved with?"
Gu Huaiyue rubbed her wrist, her voice icy and filled with undisguised sarcasm.
"Cousin, I'm not trying to be mean, but your eyes, besides being able to see a few layers of dust on an antique, probably can't even distinguish between people of different social statuses!"
"Mr. Zhou may seem ordinary, but the power behind him is something you, a good-for-nothing who only knows how to flaunt your grandfather's name, can't even imagine."
She paused, looking at Gu Huaijin's face, which was flushed with anger, and the corners of her mouth curved up even wider, filled with a malicious pleasure.
"That 'country bumpkin' you just called him, haha, that was a really catchy one. Let me tell you, you've completely offended him!"
"Trying to curry favor with him again? Absolutely not! Not a chance! I'll weld the windows shut tight! I'll be lucky if he doesn't trip you up!"
"You...you're talking nonsense!"
Gu Huaijin was hit where it hurt, and he retorted with a bit of bluster but lacked confidence.
"So what if he has connections? In Jindu, he still has to give way to the Gu family!"
"For the sake of the Gu family? Or for the sake of you, Gu Huaijin?"
Gu Huaiyue scoffed and interrupted him without any mercy.
"You think you're worthy? Your judgment of people is terrible, and your eye for antiques is probably no better! You're doomed to lose this family contest!"
"fart!"
Gu Huaijin was so provoked that he jumped up and down. In his anger and embarrassment, he no longer cared about his manners and started to speak recklessly.
“Since ancient times, men have been in charge of the household. I am my grandfather’s only eldest grandson, and he loves me the most!”
"No matter how hard you work or how capable you are, in Grandpa's heart, you will never be as important as me, your grandson! The Gu family's business will definitely be mine in the future!"
These words were like a poisoned dagger, piercing deeply into Gu Huaiyue's heart.
The smile on her face froze slightly, and a hint of sadness and grievance flashed in her bright fox eyes.
Yes, just because she is a girl, even though her abilities far surpass those of her useless cousin, and even though she has devoted more effort to the Gu family.
Grandpa, however, has been reluctant to truly hand over the position of head of the family to her, and has even come up with this so-called "test" to make her compete with Gu Huaijin, who only knows how to eat, drink and have fun!
That's so unfair!
If I were a man, would my grandfather have handed the Gu family over to me without even needing to put me through any tests?
Gu Huaijin and Gu Huaiyue were locked in a tense standoff in the corridor outside the private room, the atmosphere so heavy it was almost palpable.
However, none of this could affect Zhou Yang and his group in VIP room 208 on the second floor.
Inside the private room, the delicate fragrance of top-grade pre-rain Longjing tea wafted through the air, and the exquisite desserts exuded an enticing aroma.
Du Zhe's bright eyes swept over Zhou Yang, and then his face was filled with a fawning smile.
He rubbed his hands together, moved closer to Zhou Yang from behind, and eagerly extended his hand.
"Brother Zhou, hehe, you've been sitting for so long, your shoulders must be sore, right? I've learned a few massage techniques, let me give you a massage to help you relax."
Before Zhou Yang could respond, Du Zhe had already placed his hands on Zhou Yang's shoulders in a very obsequious manner and began to knead them with moderate force.
As he pinched Zhou Yang's cheek, the boy stared longingly at Zhou Yang's profile, his voice low and filled with boundless desire and admiration.
"Brother Zhou, your 'plucking leaves and flying flowers' skill is simply divine, so damn cool! Just like a martial arts master in a movie!"
"Um... um, could you... could you give me a little guidance? Just a little! You can pay the tuition! One hundred million! How about that?"
He held his breath, his eyes sparkling, as if he could take off the spot at the slightest nod from Zhou Yang.
Zhou Yang felt the force coming from his shoulder; although it wasn't professional, it did have a certain degree of attentiveness in it.
A slight smile played on his lips as he chuckled to himself.
That kid knows how to get things done.
A hundred million yuan in tuition fees? Tsk tsk, do they really think money is something you can pick up like cabbage?
However, while his "plucking leaves and flying flowers" technique does involve skill, the key factor is the enhancement of his physical attributes through system modifications.
Even if an ordinary person mastered all these skills, at most they could only throw a leaf to make a sound or slice a fruit like a cucumber.
Want to shatter the thick ceramic and the clay inside from a distance of more than ten meters?
Dreaming of marrying a wife—you're just daydreaming!
He picked up the Longjing tea in front of him, took a small sip, and the aroma of the tea filled his mouth. He was relaxed and at ease.
Then, he slowly uttered two words, clear and firm: "No."
"ah?"
Du Zhe's shoulder-massaging motion suddenly froze, his smile instantly turning to disbelief and astonishment.
"Why, Brother Zhou? Do you think I'm too slow-witted, or that the tuition is too low?"
"I'll add another 50 million! 150 million! Brother Zhou, I'm begging you!"
Zhou Yang put down his teacup without even lifting his eyelids, his tone remaining calm: "It has nothing to do with money, it's just that you don't have the talent."
"No...no talent?"
These three words struck Du Zhe like three thunderclaps, hitting him squarely on the head.
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