The words of the young man had barely faded when a chorus of astonished gasps filled the corridor. All were brimming with excitement at the thought of soon laying eyes on the rare jade.
Footsteps slowly advanced, passing 531, passing 532, then glided past the private room where An Yiqing was, and finally came to a halt in front of door 535.
"Eh? What's that sound?" The young man's voice rose again, this time evidently filled with surprise.
"Hmph! To do such things without even shutting the door in broad daylight! They're utterly disgracing the invitation extended by the Jade Stone Association!" A seasoned scholar who had come with Ma Tianci snorted disdainfully and loudly scolded.
"Old Wang, calm down," Ma Tianci said with a light smile, teasingly adding, "Young people don't know any better. Let's close the door for them and be on our way."
