When the sound of checking the goods echoed in his ears again and Mr. Qin was about to step onto the stage, Ying Li quickly and firmly grabbed the spirited old man.

"What are you doing?" Old Qin looked at Ying Meng holding him, with a hint of displeasure in his tone.

"This object was just unearthed from an ancient tomb. You are already old, why are you so careless about your own safety?" Ying Ni lowered her voice and whispered softly in Qin Lao's ear.

Mr. Qin was stunned when he heard this. He had been in this circle for decades and knew a thing or two about it, especially those creepy supernatural events. Thinking of this, he immediately lost interest in going on stage.

Ying Ni's gesture of pulling Mr. Qin toward her caught everyone's attention. Then, Mr. Qin's refusal to step onto the stage sparked curiosity and confusion. Some close friends approached to inquire about the reason. This scene not only captured the attention of those inside the auction, but also successfully captured the attention of foreign friends present.

"Everyone, this tri-color horse in front of you is colorful and has great artistic charm and collection potential. If you are interested in getting it, you may need to increase your bidding efforts." Ying Li deliberately emphasized her tone and spoke truthfully at the moment when everyone was paying attention.

The Chinese present immediately noticed the unusual nature of the tri-colored horse. At the same time, Ying Ni's subtle glance toward the foreigners quickly led them to understand that this was a clear call for them to join forces and devise a plan to deal with those foreign friends. This strategy was a classic example of an "open conspiracy," yet they delighted in it and readily accepted it.

"Waiter, please give me a new quotation as soon as possible. I need to increase the price." "Yes, me too. Please give me one." "I also need a new quotation." "I want one too..."

Under the behind-the-scenes manipulation of everyone, Watanabe Shinkawa from the Sakura Country showed a proud smile. Obviously, he had successfully bid for the item he wanted.

Then, the third, fourth, and finally the last lot were sold one by one. Ying Ni and Chen Yiran frequently appeared on stage to appreciate the works, but never bid. Mr. Qin, standing nearby, did the same, remaining a spectator. The three's actions were particularly unique at the auction, drawing considerable attention, and even the host was unable to comment.

The auction ended successfully. Ying Li and others put on the cloth strips again and quietly left the black market.

"Sister, this doesn't look like the entrance we came from before, right?" Chen Yiran asked with a hint of doubt after taking off the cloth and carefully examining the surroundings.

"A cunning rabbit has three burrows. Their entrances and exits change frequently, making them difficult to predict," Ying Li explained.

The two left the quiet place and walked into the bustling city, then took taxis back home.

Ying Ni returned to her residence and her eyes fell on the box containing Zhuge's pen. She gently closed the lid and decided to take a rest to recharge her energy. After all, she would add a talisman array to this precious Zhuge pen the next day.

Elsewhere, Chen Yiran quietly returned home. The house was already peaceful, and everyone had fallen asleep. Careful not to disturb the tranquility, she tiptoed into her bedroom, gently set her backpack aside, and then peacefully climbed into bed and fell asleep.

The next day, when Chen Yiran woke up, the sky was already filled with sunlight and the sun was already high in the sky.

After finishing her meal, Chen Yiran walked into the living room and was surprised to find that the whole family had gathered, waiting for her arrival.

Chen Yiran was well aware of her family's concern for her safety yesterday, so she recounted in detail everything she had experienced yesterday.

After answering her family's questions, Chen Yiran walked back to her room, picked up her backpack, and skipped downstairs again with a lively pace.

"Grandpa, this is a birthday gift specially prepared for you." Chen Yiran gently handed the pen holder to Old Chen. Then, she took out a pair of jade pendants and pushed them in front of her parents, saying gently, "Dad, Mom, this is a gift for you two."

Elder Chen carefully examined the pen holder in his hand. Although the stains remained, his vast experience led him to deduce that it must be a precious relic from the Ming Dynasty. His gaze then fell on the jade pendant before his son and daughter-in-law. It also seemed to have weathered the years, revealing its remarkable age. It seemed his granddaughter had already acquired considerable expertise in antique identification, well enough to qualify as a professional.

"What did you choose for yourself?" Chen Yiran was practically raised by Old Chen, and he knew her personality and preferences well. Since his son and daughter-in-law had already prepared gifts, there was no reason for his granddaughter not to prepare something special for herself as well.

Chen Yiran solemnly took out the stick and gently placed it in front of Mr. Chen.

Old Chen glanced at his granddaughter, then shifted his gaze to the stick in front of him, picking it up with a puzzled look. Suddenly, he seemed to smell a faint, elegant sandalwood scent. His eyes widened, and he hurriedly ordered, "Xiao Qi, go get my tools."

Elder Chen gently picked up the tool, gleaming with age. His eyes were focused and gentle, as if he held not just a tool but the key to an ancient secret. Slowly, as if unraveling a centuries-old mystery, he pried open the seemingly ordinary stick. A hint of nervous anticipation hung in the air.

As the crack in the stick gradually widened, a deep purple hue quietly emerged, a color meticulously sculpted by time, tranquil and noble. Old Chen's heartbeat quickened as he carefully pulled out the object, tightly wrapped in oil paper. The tightly wrapped object seemed to be guarding something indescribably precious.

Finally, with trembling hands, Mr. Chen peeled back the oil paper layer by layer, as if unveiling the veil of history. When the last layer of oil paper gently slipped away, a square, radiant, warm, and lustrous piece of small-leaf red sandalwood paperweight appeared before his eyes. Its surface was as delicate as silk, its grain clearly discernible, as if every line recorded a story of the past, telling of the vicissitudes of time.

Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, shimmering on the small-leaf red sandalwood paperweight, gilding it with a golden sheen and adding a touch of mystery and solemnity. Elder Chen gazed at it, his eyes gleaming with an indescribable light: admiration for beauty and reverence for traditional culture.

"Yiran, you have gained a lot this time, which is really rare. That's right, you have already met the conditions for becoming a master." Elder Chen's voice trembled slightly, revealing irrepressible joy and excitement.

"Indeed, that person stepped on it and created a crack. When I picked it up, I smelled the rich sandalwood scent that is unique to rosewood." Chen Yiran couldn't hide her excitement. This was the first time she received praise from her grandfather.

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