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

Xu Xing looked through the invitation and felt somewhat tempted.

Yanbei is the holy land of the antique circle.

Panjiayuan, Liulichang, Baoguosi...

He had long yearned to visit these places, but had never had the opportunity to see them in person.

"Mr. Wang, I was just thinking of taking a few days off, so let's go and have a look."

Xu Xing put away the invitation and smiled, "I also wanted to visit Panjiayuan and Liulichang in Yanbei to experience the antique atmosphere there."

"Okay! I'll have someone book your plane ticket and hotel."

Wang Benquan readily agreed, saying, "If you need any help when you get there, you can contact the person in charge of our Chengxinzhai Yanbei branch. I will let them know in advance."

"Thank you, Mr. Wang."

Xu Xing sincerely thanked him.

It was already past six o'clock in the evening when I came out of the restoration center.

In late June, it gets dark late in Chang'an, with a touch of orange-red sunset still hanging on the horizon.

As he drove out of the parking lot, he saw Xu Yanle being shoved into the car by two police officers.

He shook his head, feeling relatively calm. The Chengxinzhai restoration center was no ordinary place; it housed antiques of all types, some worth at least hundreds of millions and with the potential to be restored to over a billion.

Someone was loitering outside the repair center every day, and the local police station could not possibly sit idly by.

Take control of your emotions.

Xu Xing drove back to Yunxi Terrace, took a shower, changed into his pajamas, and then took out his phone to call Zhao Yongchang.

"Mr. Zhao, the Yongle plum vase has been restored, and the evaluation result is excellent."

"Haha, Mr. Wang called me."

On the other end of the phone, Zhao Yongchang's voice carried an undisguised confidence: "XCMG's repair speed is as fast as ever. I'll have someone handle the handover procedures tomorrow!"

"Mr. Zhao, you're too kind."

Xu Xing smiled. "By the way, Mr. Zhao, I'm going to Yanbei in a couple of days to attend an antique auction at Chengxinzhai. Would you be interested in coming along?"

"Yanbei? Antiques Special?"

Zhao Yongchang hesitated for a moment, then said, "I happen to have a few days off too, so let's go together. I happen to have a few old friends in Yanbei, and I can introduce you to them."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Zhao."

"No trouble at all!"

Zhao Yongchang laughed and said, "It's my honor to browse the antique market with Xu Gong!"

The two chatted for a few more minutes, agreed on a departure time and flight, and then hung up.

The next afternoon, Lin Wan called again.

"Xu Xing, are you free today? I'd like to invite you out for dinner."

On the other end of the phone, Lin Wan's voice carried a hint of anticipation and trepidation.

Xu Xing glanced at his watch and said apologetically, "Wanwan, what bad luck. I'm already in the VIP lounge at the airport, preparing to fly to Yanbei to attend the antique auction at Chengxinzhai."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Yanbei? How long will it take?"

Lin Wan's voice noticeably lowered.

"About three or four days."

Xu Xing said gently, "I'll make plans with you when I get back, okay?"

"……good."

Lin Wan's voice was a little hoarse, "Then be careful on the road, and send me a message when you arrive."

"Yes, you should also take good care of yourself."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Wan sat in her office, staring at her phone screen for a long time.

Meanwhile, in the VIP waiting room of Chang'an Xianyang International Airport.

Xu Xing and Zhao Yongchang were sitting on a comfortable sofa, drinking coffee and chatting.

"XCMG, have you ever been to the antique market in Yanbei before?"

Zhao Yongchang asked.

"No, I've always wanted to go but never had the chance."

Xu Xing put down his coffee cup. "Panjiayuan and Liulichang, I've longed to visit these places for a long time."

"Haha, then I'll definitely take you on a proper tour this time!"

Zhao Yongchang laughed and said, "I have an old friend in Yanbei named Ma Jianguo. He is the CEO of a fund company and also a great collector."

He has a lot of good stuff; I'll introduce you to it later.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Zhao."

Xu Xing smiled.

The two chatted for a while longer before the boarding announcement came over the loudspeaker.

"Let's go, it's time to board."

Zhao Yongchang stood up, picked up his briefcase, and Xu Xing also stood up and followed him toward the boarding gate.

After the plane took off, I leaned against the window and watched the city of Chang'an gradually shrink outside, a sense of anticipation welling up inside me.

After a flight of more than two hours, the plane landed smoothly at Yanbei International Airport.

As soon as Xu Xing and Zhao Yongchang stepped out of the arrival hall, they saw a middle-aged man in a dark gray suit standing at the exit waving at them.

"Old Zhao! Over here!"

The man strode forward and warmly shook hands with Zhao Yongchang.

"Old Ma, long time no see!"

Zhao Yongchang smiled and patted him on the shoulder, then turned to introduce him: "Mr. Xu, this is Mr. Ma Jianguo, the chairman of Huaxin Fund, whom I mentioned to you."

He then said to Ma Jianguo, "Old Ma, this is Xu Xing, the porcelain restoration master of Chengxinzhai Restoration Center, and also my niece's boyfriend."

Ma Jianguo's eyes lit up, and he quickly extended his hand: "Mr. Xu, I've heard so much about you! I've heard of you all over Yanbei. I had the pleasure of having dinner with Professor Zhou Zhihai before, and he talked about the experts in the field of porcelain restoration, and your name was among them."

"Mr. Ma, you flatter me."

Xu Xing shook hands with him and said humbly, "Mr. Zhao, you flatter me. I'm just a craftsman."

"XCMG is too modest!"

Ma Jianguo laughed and said, "Everyone in the collecting world knows that in the porcelain restoration industry, a skilled craftsman is more precious than a national treasure!"

If I ever need any repairs on any of my belongings in the future, I'll have to trouble Mr. Xu.

"Mr. Ma, you're too kind. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."

Xu Xing smiled.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ma Jianguo led them out of the airport, where a black Rolls-Royce Phantom was already waiting at the door.

"Get in the car, the hotel is all arranged. Let's settle in first, and I'll treat you both to a welcome dinner tonight!"

Ma Jianguo opened the back door and greeted them warmly.

It was already past 6 p.m. when the car entered Yanbei city.

As dusk settles and the city bustles with activity, this ancient capital reveals a completely different facet of Chang'an in the night.

Xu Xing leaned against the car window, watching the street scenes flash by outside, a sense of novelty welling up in his heart.

The car eventually stopped in front of a five-star hotel in Dongcheng District.

"This hotel is very close to Panjiayuan, only a ten-minute walk away."

Ma Jianguo explained, "If you want to visit the ghost market tomorrow morning, it's just a short walk away."

"That's great."

Xu Xing laughed and said, "I was just thinking of going to check out the ghost market in Panjiayuan."

After checking in, the three of them went back to their rooms to put down their luggage. Then, Ma Jianguo took them to a well-established hot pot restaurant nearby.

"Coming to Yanbei and not eating hot pot is like not having come at all!"

Ma Jianguo laughed and said, "This shop has been open for more than 30 years, and the taste is absolutely authentic."

A steaming copper pot is served, with tender slices of mutton tumbling in the boiling water. Dipped in sesame sauce and chive blossoms, it's incredibly fresh, fragrant, and smooth.

Xu Xing ate his fill.

The three of them chatted about their plans for tomorrow.

"Let's go to Panjiayuan Ghost Market at five o'clock tomorrow morning."

Ma Jianguo said, "Although the ghost market is not as lively as it used to be, you can still find some good things if you're lucky."

"Okay, it's settled then."

Xu Xing raised his glass. "Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Ma. See you tomorrow morning."

"Cheers!"