Old Harden, can you handle having your vision-shifting abilities on all the time?

Zhang Ming's hand trembled slightly.

He stared wide-eyed at Wang Benquan and then at Xu Xing, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg.

This big boss is willing to spend five million to buy his cousin's stuff, and he's even being so humble!

Xu Xing was also taken aback.

He estimated the highest price to be only one or two million, but Wang Benquan directly asked for five million, including taxes.

But he quickly calmed down. He realized that Wang Benquan's offer was partly due to his fondness for the magic sword, but also probably partly motivated by a desire to repay a debt of gratitude.

A life-saving grace plus a coveted magical artifact—five million is not an exaggeration for a collector of Wang Benquan's stature.

Xu Xing pondered for a moment and looked at Niu Niu, who was gnawing on a chicken leg. The little girl's mouth was full of oil, and she looked very cute.

"Mr. Wang, I feel a connection with Niu Niu. Since you are so sincere and it is for the child's sake, it would be unreasonable for me to refuse."

Wang Benquan was overjoyed: "Mr. Xu agreed?"

Xu Xing nodded and said, "Yes, but I don't have the things with me right now, so I have to go home to get them."

Wang Benquan repeatedly said, "No problem, I'll take you home after dinner, and we'll make the deal on the spot!"

The meal was a pleasure for both the host and guests.

After the meal, Liu Li insisted on giving Xu Xing and Zhang Ming two thick red envelopes, saying they were for the children to calm their nerves. Xu Xing couldn't refuse and had to accept them.

Then I picked out a few live crucian carp for her to take back and make soup.

Zhang Ming, showing great tact, took the initiative to say goodbye and drove away. Liu Li, her son and daughter-in-law, along with their granddaughter, got into a Bentley that had been temporarily called over and drove off.

Xu Xing then got into Wang Benquan's Cullinan and went home.

The Cullinan drove smoothly into the old residential area, attracting the attention of several elderly neighbors who were cooling off downstairs.

Several neighbors were surprised when they saw him get out of the car.

"Xu Xing? He's struck it rich?"

"It doesn't seem likely. I heard his grandsons all took their mother's surname. If he becomes rich, will he still follow that?"

"I won't accept it even if we don't get rich! The Gao family is really despicable. Little Xu spent so much money buying houses and cars and paying exorbitant dowries, but in the end, his grandson even took someone else's surname."

"Shh! Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear us, at least give them some face."

They were whispering among themselves.

Xu Xing led Wang Benquan upstairs.

After opening the door and inviting him to sit for a while, she went into the study, took out the red copper magic sword from her dantian space, put it in a small brocade box, and took it out.

"I apologize for keeping Mr. Wang waiting."

Xu Xing placed the box on the coffee table.

Wang Benquan turned around and first took out a pair of white gloves from his briefcase and put them on. Then he took out a high-powered magnifying glass, a strong flashlight, and a piece of black velvet.

profession.

Xu Xing secretly praised him.

This is the style of a true collector, unlike those half-baked enthusiasts who just grab things without even wearing gloves.

Wang Benquan asked, "Mr. Xu, would you mind if I took another look?"

"Please go ahead."

Wang Benquan then carefully opened the box, took out the small copper sword, placed it on the black velvet cloth, and used a high-powered flashlight to illuminate it from different angles while scanning the sword inch by inch with a magnifying glass.

He looked at it very slowly and carefully.

The patterns on the blade, the copper oxide layer, the smoothness of the patina, the wear on the edges, the inscription of "Kunyang" on the hilt... every detail is meticulously examined.

The living room was quiet, with only the occasional soft sound of Wang Benquan adjusting the angle.

Xu Xing didn't rush. He poured two glasses of water and slowly drank one himself.

After watching for a full twenty minutes, Wang Benquan let out a long sigh of relief, put down the magnifying glass, and took off his gloves.

He said, "The quality is even better than I imagined, Mr. Xu. Shall we proceed with the transaction at the price we agreed upon earlier?"

Xu Xing gave his bank card number, and Wang Benquan took out his phone and operated it a few times. Then he looked up and asked, "Mr. Xu, do you have a mobile tax filing app?"

Let's pay the tax on the spot to avoid future trouble.

Xu Xing was somewhat surprised.

There are plenty of people in the antique trade who evade taxes in private transactions, so it's rare to see someone like Wang Benquan voluntarily pay taxes.

"OK!"

Xu Xing took out his phone and opened the tax filing app. Wang Benquan took it and skillfully operated it, filling in the name of the transaction items, the amount, and the information of both parties.

A few minutes later, a screen popped up indicating that the tax payment had been successfully completed.

Almost simultaneously, Xu Xing's phone vibrated; a text message from the bank had arrived.

「您尾号xxxx的储蓄卡帐户6月8日13:47转入5,000,000.00元，余额5,009,863.50元【招商银行】」

Five million yuan.

Xu Xing stared at the string of numbers for three seconds, then locked the screen and put the phone back in his pocket.

"Transaction complete."

Wang Benquan carefully put the small bronze sword back into the brocade box, placed it inside his handbag, and zipped it up.

Then he stood up, extended his hand to Xu Xing again, and said, "Mr. Xu, thank you again for your generosity. Also, I would like to invite you to reconsider. The doors of Chengxinzhai are always open to you."

"I will seriously consider it."

Xu Xing shook hands with him.

"Alright, I won't bother you any longer."

Wang Benquan said, "Tomorrow, Monday, I will take my son, daughter-in-law, and Niu Niu to the museum to thank you in person. I have already had a banner made."

Xu Xing chuckled: "Mr. Wang, there's no need for that..."

"Yes, yes."

Wang Benquan insisted, "A life-saving grace must be treated with utmost respect. Shall we meet tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow."

After seeing Wang Benquan downstairs and watching the Cullinan drive out of the residential area, Xu Xing turned around and went upstairs.

He went back inside, closed the door, and stood quietly against the door for a while. Then he went to the window and looked out at the old streets, the mottled walls, and the various clothes drying on the balcony.

This is the place where he lived for more than ten years, the place that holds the memories of most of his arduous life.

It's time to leave.

Xu Xing turned around and began packing his things.

Actually, there's not much to tidy up. He's been living too frugally these past few years. His clothes are all from years ago, faded from washing, and outdated in style.

The furniture and appliances are all old and worn out; even the pots and pans are worthless.

Embrace a new life; discard what you should discard, and sell the rest along with the house.

Xu Xing only packed a few small items from the Republic of China era that he had collected over the years. They were not worth much money, but he could keep them as souvenirs.

He also has a brand-name summer short-sleeved casual pants set that he gritted his teeth and bought last year, and a set of repair tools that he's had for over ten years.

Pack them all in one backpack.

He took one last look around the house where he had lived for more than a decade, then closed the door and went downstairs without looking back.

As the car drove out of the residential compound, the security guard, Old Zhang, poked his head out and called out, "Mr. Xu, heading out?"

"Okay, let's go out."

Xu Xing smiled, handed over a pack of cigarettes, and said, "Old Zhang, I'm planning to sell this house. I'd appreciate it if you could help me when the real estate agent comes to view it."

Old Zhang was taken aback: "Sell the house? Where are you moving to?"

"It's not decided yet, let's wait and see."

As the car merged into the traffic, Old Zhang's figure standing at the door grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

Xu Xing checked into a well-regarded chain hotel two blocks from the museum. After settling in, he went out to get a new SIM card, gave the apartment key and related information to the real estate agent, and then went to the mall.

Since he was going to get a new outfit, he had to change the clothes he used to be reluctant to buy. He always felt that he should use the money to pay off his son's mortgage. Now that he thinks about it, he was really stupid.

Xu Xing doesn't know much about fashion, but fortunately he's in great shape now, so everything he wears fits him perfectly.

I picked out a few youthful casual outfits, bought two pairs of nice casual shoes, and finally took a bath and got a more youthful look.

I feel completely refreshed.