That expression was exactly like seeing a long-lost parent.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, he immediately turned around and started scolding the store manager and the staff:
"How do you treat the Hero? Hurry up and make some tea! Where are your eyes? Canât you see?"
The manager and the staff were stunned, their jaws nearly dropping to the floor, and their eyes wide open.
They couldnât figure out who this man, dressed plainly and looking genteel, really was, to make Boss Xu, who was usually so imposing and influential in the underworld, behave so submissively.
The manager was secretly glad that he hadnât spoken too harshly earlier.
If theyâd really offended this "mysterious hero," with Boss Xuâs temper, he wouldnât just lose his job, but might find himself in deeper trouble.
Seeing his subordinates standing there in a daze, Xu Sanduo couldnât help but curse again:
"What are you standing there for? Youâre as dumb as a post, just eating without workingâyou might as well dig a hole and bury yourselves!"
The manager shivered, quickly responding, and personally rushed off to make tea and pour water.
Afraid that any delay would anger the boss and get him metaphorically buried.
Upon seeing this, other staff members began to panic and hustle around, some pretending to dust antiques, some hastily tidying up the shelves.
"Hero, please come inside to talk."
Xu Sanduo then bent over, smilingly gesturing with utmost respect.
Fang Cheng nodded and smiled, "Thank you."
He seemed completely unaware of the awed glances secretly cast his way, carrying a travel bag and walking in calmly.
With Xu Sanduo personally guiding him, the two walked down a narrow passage towards the depths of the back hall,
The passage was lined with replicas of famous paintings and calligraphy, clearly for decoration and to appear cultured.
Xu Sanduo occasionally turned to the side, pointing at a painting and introducing it as if he were an expert, making conversation.
Fang Cheng only nodded slightly, saying little.
Finally, they stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.
Xu Sanduo took out a key, cautiously opened the door, and stepped aside to let Fang Cheng go first, graciously saying:
"Hero, please go inside. Itâs very quiet here, and no one will disturb you."
Fang Cheng stepped inside, his gaze sweeping the room once.
He discovered it was probably a secret chamber.
The surrounding walls had no windows, lined with soundproof wooden panels, and in the center stood an archaic carved table.
On the table was a delicate tea set, with several seemingly unpriced high-quality antiques displayed around it, quite valuable.
Xu Sanduo closed the door, hustling Fang Cheng to sit by the table, his face flattering yet
"Hero, have you come today with any instructions?"
His eyes couldnât help but dart to the slightly worn travel bag, full of curiosity and speculation.
Fang Cheng nodded slightly and said:
"I have some items on hand that I wish to consign here."
Saying that, he opened the travel bag, took out a few items wrapped tightly in newspaper, and gently placed them on the table.
Xu Sanduoâs eyes lit up, reaching out to uncover the paper wrapping before suddenly remembering something, retracting his hand, laughing apologetically:
"Rest assured, Hero, as long as the items are... uh, regardless if thereâs any issue, theyâll definitely fetch a good price here."
He understood well that this person before him was no ordinary tough guy.
Just days ago, the bloody scene in the woods was still vividâdaring not to ask more about the origins of these items.
Fang Cheng didnât heed his cautious thoughts and slowly, calmly unwrapped them one by one, openly displaying them before Xu Sanduo.
Two ceramic dishes, three incense burners, and box-shaped gold and silverware.
These were shipwrecked artifacts found around underwater fissures; Fang Cheng was unsure of their specific origins and value.
There was also an art piece titled "Hundred Horses Painting."
Ma Donghe had someone appraise it before and found it to be an authentic masterpiece, estimated at 130,000, but didnât sell at the time, thinking it was priced too low.
The room was softly lit, with sandalwood incense lingering in the air.
At Fang Chengâs sign, Xu Sanduo carefully picked up these antique items, examining them closely.
"This carved floral-pattern silver incense burner, the silver is of high purity, the sheen warm and it seems quite old."
Entering a professional mode, he instantly became focused and serious, gently holding the incense burner, his fingers tracing along the carved floral patterns, muttering:
"Look at this craftsmanship, meticulous detail, each flower lifelike, the stamens intricately clearâdedicating significant effort from the craftsman."
"And to me, it looks like items salvaged from a shipwreck, probably once foreign trade goods for European nobility..."
Hearing this, Fang Chengâs eyes flickered with a hint of admiration:
"Boss Xu, what a keen eye!"
Xu Sanduo, upon hearing this, couldnât help but feel quite proud:
"There are traces of water seepage on the surfaceâscarcely noticeable, but to those in the trade quite clear. If Iâm not mistaken, it should be from a southern sea shipwreck, right?"
At that, he seemed to realize his statement was too bold, glancing nervously at Fang Cheng.
Fang Cheng provided no explanation, tapping his finger, signaling him to continue.
Putting down the incense burner, Xu Sanduo turned his attention to those ceramic dishes:
"Well, these pieces of Secret Color Porcelain truly live up to their name; the glaze is thick and even, glittering with a treasured glow, nearly without casting marksâa testament to the craftsmanâs superb skill, beyond what modern replicas can achieve..."
He held them as if they were rare treasures, slowly rotating them under the light, filled with exclamations of awe and praise in his words.