Chapter 15: Old Meng's Frustration

Meng Jianlin couldn’t find any other words to describe this young man. The way he looked at Yang Ning was as if he were admiring a rare and precious treasure.

Before this, he had dismissed Lin Manxuan’s recommendation, even harboring thoughts of making things difficult for Yang Ning. But now, his impression of the young man was rapidly changing.

“Hey, don’t stare at me like that. I was just saying stuff off the top of my head.”

Even with Yang Ning’s thick skin, the collective gaze of the crowd made him uneasy. One or two people staring at you might not be a big deal, but when it’s a dozen or even dozens of people all at once, it really tests your mental fortitude.

This feeling reminded Yang Ning of the nervous trepidation he felt the first time he stepped onto a stage.

“Anyone can brag. You say it’s an antique, so it must be?” A discordant voice rang out, and once again, it was Zhou Xuebin stepping forward.

Lin Manxuan and Meng Jianlin frowned simultaneously, while Yang Ning just shrugged nonchalantly. “Of course, my word alone doesn’t count. But there should be plenty of experts here, right?”

As he spoke, his gaze subtly drifted toward Meng Jianlin.

Meng Jianlin’s old face flushed, and he simply turned his head away. This kid was definitely doing it on purpose!

“Do we still need an expert appraisal?” Zhou Xuebin sneered mockingly. “Old Meng has studied antiques for most of his life. He tossed this thing into a corner, clearly knowing it’s a fake.” Then, with a taunting tone, he added, “Or do you think you’re better than Old Meng?”

His words garnered agreement from quite a few people, but Meng Jianlin’s expression darkened. Initially, he had only wanted to show off to his old friends, which was why he placed the Blood Coral Cloud-Bat Snuff Bottle in a corner, acting as if he didn’t care about it.

Who would’ve thought it would be recognized so quickly, and in such a public setting, no less?

Meng Jianlin felt a surge of anger in his heart. Zhou Xuebin’s words had completely cut off any escape route for him. This was truly an undeserved disaster.

He wouldn’t go against his principles to deny Yang Ning’s appraisal, but that also meant he had to swallow the bitter pill of being seen as someone who couldn’t recognize value.

“This snuff bottle is indeed an antique. This young man explained it very well and in great detail,” Meng Jianlin said in a deep voice.

As soon as he said this, the entire office building erupted in clamor. Many people couldn’t understand—if this was an antique, why wasn’t it properly stored? Why was it placed in an inconspicuous corner of a desk, left to gather dust?

Quite a few people suddenly felt their brain cells weren’t enough to process this, while the mockery on Zhou Xuebin’s face turned to stunned disbelief, his eyes filled with incredulity.

Could it be that Old Meng had misjudged it?

Hearing the barely audible murmurs and seeing the pairs of doubtful eyes, Meng Jianlin nearly fainted from frustration. He wanted to explain himself, but feared that the more he said, the worse it would get. So, he simply closed his eyes, adopting an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ attitude.

Lin Manxuan, with her sharp intellect, immediately understood from Meng Jianlin’s demeanor that she had made a grave mistake.

She felt deep regret. If she had known it would turn out like this, she wouldn’t have pressed the issue. Glancing at Yang Ning, who seemed completely unconcerned, Lin Manxuan felt an urge to stomp on his foot. Couldn’t he say something?

Yang Ning, of course, wasn’t oblivious to Lin Manxuan’s thoughts. Rubbing his nose, he said, “Old Meng, I’m curious. You must’ve known the origins of this snuff bottle long ago. Why put it out in the open like this? Aren’t you afraid of thieves eyeing it?”

“Do you think everyone has eyes as sharp as yours?” Meng Jianlin’s tone carried a hint of resentment.

“Old Meng, are you insulting me or complimenting me?” Yang Ning chuckled.

“What do you think?”

Meng Jianlin shot Yang Ning a sidelong glance, as if to say, ‘Kid, don’t act smug after getting the upper hand.’

Of course, Meng Jianlin’s opinion of Yang Ning had improved quite a bit. At the very least, the few words Yang Ning said had conveyed enough information to salvage much of his reputation.

At least some people in the company were already whispering that Old Meng had done it on purpose, that he had known all along it was an antique.

“Grandpa Meng, about letting him participate in the Appraisal Tournament?” Lin Manxuan interjected at the right moment.

“I have no objections,” Meng Jianlin said with a smile. “But we still need to follow the rules. Tomorrow at 9 a.m., he’ll undergo the Six Division Assessment.”

“Six Division Assessment?”

“The company has six divisions: Calligraphy and Painting Division, Ceramics and Crafts Division, Oil Painting Division, Rare Books Division, Stamps and Coins Division, and Jewelry Division. Grandpa Meng oversees the Ceramics and Crafts Division. The slots for the Appraisal Tournament have always been decided by a vote from these six divisions. Tomorrow, you’ll need to prove your abilities and gain the approval of the other five divisions,” Lin Manxuan explained.

“So much hassle?” Yang Ning sighed helplessly. “Can I just forfeit?”

“No, you can’t,” Lin Manxuan said coldly.

Yang Ning put on a bitter expression but nodded. “Fine, whatever you say.”

Through his earlier performance, Yang Ning had indeed earned the recognition of many. Of course, there were still those who were unconvinced or skeptical, but the situation was no longer as one-sided as it had been at the start.

However, quite a few people still thought that while Yang Ning might excel in antiques, he could struggle or even fail miserably in areas like oil paintings, stamps and coins, or jewelry.

Watching Yang Ning and Lin Manxuan leave the company together, looking like a couple, Zhou Xuebin felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and hatred. At the same time, he sneered inwardly. His father, Zhou Bokang, was in charge of the Jewelry Division. There was no way Yang Ning would get that vote.

Glancing at his watch and realizing it was almost lunchtime, Zhou Xuebin took out his phone. For a man like him who couldn’t stand being idle, his contact list always had at least 20 female ‘spare tires’ ready. That way, when he felt the urge, he had an outlet.

Casually dialing a woman’s number and hearing the coquettish, flirty voice on the other end, Zhou Xuebin smirked wickedly. “Little fox spirit, I’ll treat you to a meal at Hailan Celestial Melody first. Then we’ll get a room and take our time. I’ll have you calling me ‘big brother’ non-stop.”

Just as they stepped out of the elevator, Lin Manxuan suddenly stopped, her delicate brows furrowing. A look of disgust appeared on her icy face.

“Who’s this guy?”

A man with a gloomy expression approached slowly. Noticing Yang Ning behind Lin Manxuan, his gaze turned extremely hostile.

This was Zheng Yukang, the sole male heir of the Zheng family, the only successor to the Zheng conglomerate worth over 50 billion.

Zheng Yukang was known for his ruthless and brutal nature. He had long been pursuing Lin Manxuan. If not for the Lin Family backing her, he might have already resorted to forceful means to take her.

“What’s it to you?” Lin Manxuan replied coldly.

“Very well.”

Zheng Yukang nodded, his gaze shifting to Yang Ning with an arrogant sneer. “Zheng Yukang. There aren’t many in Huahai who don’t know me. Those who give me face call me Young Master Zheng. Those who don’t… well, they end up calling me the Grim Reaper.”

The threat in his words was unmistakable, as if to say: ‘Kid, if you know what’s good for you, get lost. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!’

Yang Ning frowned but didn’t bother responding to Zheng Yukang. “Your friend?” he asked Lin Manxuan.

“Not really,” Lin Manxuan said, pursing her lips.

Zheng Yukang’s expression stiffened. He hadn’t expected Lin Manxuan to be so dismissive.

“If there’s nothing else, mind stepping aside?” Yang Ning waved his hand as if shooing away a fly.

Zheng Yukang’s eyes narrowed slightly. In his circle, very few dared to speak to him like this. Yet today, he’d run into a reckless fool who had the audacity to act tough in front of him.

Hmph, just wait and see!

With that thought, a cruel smirk curled at the corner of Zheng Yukang’s lips, giving him a somewhat sinister appearance.

“Manxuan, I’ve reserved a table at Hailan Celestial Melody, specially prepared for you. By the way, two friends of mine just returned to the country today. I’ve invited them along. I’m sure you’ll have a great time chatting with them.”

Lin Manxuan had intended to refuse, but she knew Zheng Yukang’s character. If she didn’t agree today, who knew if he’d come harassing her again tomorrow? It was just a meal, after all. She’d treat it as a way to avoid further trouble.

“He’s coming too?” Zheng Yukang glanced reluctantly at Yang Ning, who was getting into the car.

“If he doesn’t go, I’m not going either,” Lin Manxuan said coldly. “You can bring your friends, but I can’t?”

“Fine, whatever.”