He closed the bathroom door, and soon the sound of water stopped, indicating that Yan Rufeng had finished showering.
After cleaning up, Yan Rufeng looked very refreshed. Coupled with his unique charm, anyone would find it easy to like this handsome young man at first sight.
"I didn't expect him to be so easy on the eyes. The more I look at him, the more handsome he seems, much better than my boyfriend who keeps trying to take advantage of me."
Thinking of this, a blush suddenly appeared on Xiaxia's cheeks.
Yan Rufeng raised an eyebrow upon seeing the somewhat bashful Xiaxia staring at him intently, which made him feel a bit uneasy.
"Xiaxia, I'm going to rest now. If there's nothing else, you should return to your room," Yan Rufeng said calmly.
Following Yan Rufeng's subtle hint to leave, Xiaxia felt awkward staying any longer. She calmed herself, went into the bathroom, picked up the dirty clothes Yan Rufeng had changed out of, and walked out.
"Brother Rufeng, I'll wash your clothes and bring them back to you tomorrow. You rest first."
Xiaxia said as she left Yan Rufeng's room with the clothes.
The next day, as dawn broke, Xiaxia arrived at Yan Rufeng's door carrying the freshly dried clothes.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
The sound of knocking came.
As the door opened, Yan Rufeng's eyes lit up, clearly surprised.
With long, flaxen hair draped over her chest, wearing a purple top and a long black skirt, and lightly made up, Xiaxia looked both charming and professional, like an attractive office worker who was hard to resist at a mere glance.
Yan Rufeng was captivated; even in the Cultivation World, such beauty was rare. However, Yan Rufeng thought it was all thanks to the makeup, as Xiaxia's bare face yesterday hadn't been particularly striking.
Being stared at so early in the morning made Xiaxia feel like a deer caught in headlights, and a blush crept up her face.
"Brother Rufeng, I dried your clothes for you."
Xiaxia handed the clothes to Yan Rufeng, then quickly retracted her hands, and said shyly, "Brother Rufeng, after you change, let's go downstairs for breakfast. I have to report to the company afterward, so please hurry."
Yan Rufeng took the clothes and said thank you before closing the door.
When Yan Rufeng came out of his room, although dressed simply, his unique charisma made him look extraordinarily handsome. Walking side by side with Xiaxia, they looked like a couple in the eyes of passersby.
After breakfast, Xiaxia told Yan Rufeng that she would stay at this hotel until the company arranged her accommodation. She also promised to find him a job, then hurried to catch a taxi to the company.
As for Yan Rufeng, he had no intention of working. When Xiaxia said she would help him find a job, he simply smiled. After seeing Xiaxia off, he also left the hotel.
Zhongzhou's largest Antique Market was less than a kilometer from the city center. Even though it was just after eight, the bustling market was already a hive of activity.
"This is a snuff bottle from the Qing Dynasty Royal Mansion; selling it to you for a thousand yuan is a fair price."
"Will you take a hundred?"
"Add a bit more. Hey, don't leave! Fine, you can have it for a hundred."
"Damn, boss, the mark on your Tang Dynasty porcelain is from which year in the common era? Can you be any more exaggerated..."
"Hey, young man, if you're not buying, don't curse. I'm telling you, this Tang Sancai is genuinely from the Great Tang era."
"I don't believe you, you old crook..."
Hearing someone cursing at the boss relieved Yan Rufeng, assuring him he wouldn't be scammed.
After walking around the market, Yan Rufeng finally used his Divine Sense to probe. After a few minutes, he didn't find anything particularly valuable.
The antiques at the market mostly showed signs of artificial aging, and the ones that didn't often lacked significant collectible value.
Most people coming here hoped to strike it lucky, but without a good eye, they could easily get scammed. Yan Rufeng saw a well-dressed tycoon spend one hundred thousand yuan on a modern printed painting.
However, Yan Rufeng wasn't here to try his luck today; he intended to sell a Jade Buddha he had crafted himself.
When Yan Rufeng reached the shop area, he saw a particularly grand store from afar. Approaching the entrance, he saw the sign: "Treasure Pavilion."
As soon as he entered, he heard a woman's voice.
"Welcome to the Treasure Pavilion!"
Yan Rufeng carefully examined the dazzling array of gold, silver, and jade artifacts inside the store.
Just then, a pretty receptionist approached him.
"Hello, esteemed guest. Are you here for appraisal or to make a purchase?"
Even buying is referred to as "making a request," showing just how particular the shop owner was.
"I only want to sell a Jade Buddha," Yan Rufeng replied straightforwardly.
"Esteemed guest, please follow me."
Yan Rufeng followed the staff to the VIP reception room, where the staff said, "Esteemed guest, please sit down and wait a moment. Our store manager will be here shortly."
As soon as Yan Rufeng sat on the sofa, the staff poured him a cup of tea and then respectfully bowed and said, "Esteemed guest, please enjoy."
The luxurious service might unsettle an ordinary person, but for Yan Rufeng, who had been the Immortal Venerable in his previous life, this was nothing new.
In the Immortal World, wherever he went, he was surrounded by a grand entourage. Some even knelt to let him step on their backs to get off the Dragon Chariot. So, he calmly sipped his tea.
The more composed Yan Rufeng appeared despite his plain clothes, the more the staff felt he was mysterious and likely wealthy. Not wanting to lose a potential big deal, they quickly informed their store manager.
Shortly afterward, the store manager, Mr. Zhang, came in with a beaming smile.
"Esteemed guest, hello. This is our store manager, Mr. Zhang. If you wish to sell something, please show it to him."
"Haha!"
"Young man, show me the item you want to sell. Our Treasure Pavilion is well-known in Zhongzhou and even in Da Zhe Province. I will surely give you a satisfactory price."
Yan Rufeng glanced at the fifty-something Mr. Zhang, then took a Jade Buddha pendant from his pocket and placed it on the coffee table, saying calmly, "I need money urgently. Name your price."
Mr. Zhang was startled upon seeing the Jade Buddha and quickly picked it up to examine it closely.
The Jade Buddha was exquisitely shaped and had a warm luster, looking naturally formed rather than carved. Holding it emitted a warm flow, a result of the Spirit Gathering Array etched inside, making it exceptional and valuable at the Treasure Level.
"I've been at Treasure Pavilion for twenty years and have never seen such a perfect piece. How could this modestly dressed young man have such a treasure?"
Mr. Zhang was filled with amazement, holding the Jade Buddha tightly, fearing that if he put it down, Yan Rufeng would take it away.
"Name your price."
Yan Rufeng's voice sounded again.
"Five hundred thousand."
"Haha!"
Yan Rufeng chuckled calmly.
"Are you joking?"
"What, young man, are you not satisfied with my offer?"
Ignoring him, Yan Rufeng reached for the Jade Buddha, intending to leave.
Now Mr. Zhang panicked, knowing that if this Jade Buddha went to auction, it would fetch a sky-high price.
"Young man, don't be hasty. Let's talk more. You name a price, and we'll discuss it!"
Yan Rufeng paused, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said leisurely, "Mr. Zhang, how does this Jade Buddha compare to your store treasure?"
This sudden question made Mr. Zhang's heart skip a beat. "Not good, this young man isn't easy to fool. He's comparing his Jade Buddha with our store's treasure."
"Young man,"
Mr. Zhang's face was beaming with a friendly smile.
"Your Jade Buddha is indeed good, but compared to our store treasure, it falls short. After all, this is just a pendant and can't be equated."
"Then there's nothing to discuss."
Yan Rufeng replied coldly.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang, it seems I've come to the wrong place."
He took up the Jade Buddha and prepared to leave.
"Five million, no more. Our store treasure isn't even worth four million."
Mr. Zhang was just an employee. If his boss found out he lost such a big deal, he'd be in big trouble. Considering this Jade Buddha could fetch around ten million at auction, he quickly raised the offer, multiplying it tenfold.
Yan Rufeng turned back and smiled.
"Deal!"
After receiving the money, Mr. Zhang put on a harmless smile and came over to Yan Rufeng.
"Young man, if you have more of such fine pieces next time, don't forget to sell them at our Treasure Pavilion."
"No need to wait for next time."
Hearing this, Mr. Zhang's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Do you mean you have more of such exquisite jade pieces today?"
Yan Rufeng smiled and didn't speak, but took out a Jade Bracelet from his pocket.
Seeing the bracelet, Mr. Zhang's eyes widened. He couldn't believe this young man carried such precious items so casually in his pocket. Who knew how wealthy his family must be to be so nonchalant.
"How about this Jade Bracelet? How much can you offer?"
Having learned his lesson from last time, Mr. Zhang didn't dare to lowball and stated the market price directly.
"Eight million!"