Chapter 65

The sound of firecrackers crackled, and amidst the congratulatory words of Luo Yaohua, Liu Liangyu, and Cao Yuande, Yang Bo gave a strong tug, and the red satin cloth slipped off, revealing the three characters "Shiyitang" (拾遺堂) on the plaque, written in a dragon-like, phoenix-dancing style.

After a few more words of congratulations, Luo Yaohua, growing impatient, said, "Alright, alright, let's not say so many polite words. All the words we can say in congratulations are already written on your sign. 'Shiyi' (拾遺) means finding something others have missed, right?"

Yang Bo smiled helplessly, "Don't be so blunt, okay?"

"Alright, then let's talk about something serious. I've been asking you to bring out the Japanese lacquer box you found recently. You said you would wait until the opening. Now that it's open, can we finally see this treasure of the shop?" Luo Yaohua said.

Yang Bo didn't hesitate, "Sure, let's go, I'll get it!"

The shop had been newly renovated. Because the materials used were environmentally friendly, it only took two days to air out before Yang Bo moved everything back in. The whole process was a bit rushed, but after careful consideration, he decided to proceed this way.

The lacquer box was brought out, causing Luo Yaohua to repeatedly exclaim about the unfairness.

Cao Yuande pulled Yang Bo aside and whispered, "Do you remember what I told you last time?"

Yang Bo was taken aback, "Are you going to the capital? Is that settled?"

Cao Yuande nodded, "That's settled, but I'm talking about something else!"

Yang Bo thought for a moment but still couldn't recall, "What is it?"

"You had a three-hole spade coin before. I invited you to the exchange meeting in the capital, and you said you would consider it. Have you forgotten?" Cao Yuande said.

Yang Bo suddenly remembered, "Oh, right. Didn't I trade the three-hole spade coin to Mr. Liu? I didn't think about it anymore. Without the three-hole spade coin, can I still participate?"

"Don't you have the box now? I checked, and Kano Masahiro is a famous Japanese painter. This lacquer box should be a rare item!" Cao Yuande said.

Yang Bo didn't refuse, "That's good. I'll bring the lacquer box when the time comes. How long is it?"

Cao Yuande estimated, "About half a month. I'll call you two days in advance."

After they agreed, Yang Bo turned to look at Luo Yaohua and the others, who were chatting animatedly.

The opening of the antique shop wasn't as bustling as other stores, and there weren't many people gathered outside. After a while, someone finally entered.

Yang Bo instinctively stood up to greet them, but then he realized he was the boss now and didn't need to stand up to welcome people, especially not this person.

"Hey, you're open!" Guo Bapi walked in with a swagger, his hands behind his back.

Looking around, Guo Bapi saw Liu Liangyu, "Mr. Liu is here too."

Liu Liangyu glanced at Guo Bapi, nodded slightly, and kept his eyes on the lacquer box in front of him.

Guo Bapi looked a bit awkward, turned to see Yang Bo, and couldn't help but laugh, "Yang Bo is here too. I guess being here isn't much better than before, right?"

Yang Bo smiled, "But it's not much worse either."

Guo Bapi's face darkened, "Yang Bo, you worked for me for two years. How did I mistreat you? Do you think the conditions were so bad?"

"Five days off a year, you lived in the attic, and I paid for your water and electricity. Was I that bad to you?"

No one responded, but Yang Bo couldn't hold back and sneered, "Five days off a year? Others get weekends off and five days of annual leave. Your five days off are five days off for the whole year!"

"You let me live in the attic because you needed me to watch the store at night. The attic was cold in winter and hot in summer, with no air conditioning. I bought a fan with my own money. What did you say about that? Do you remember?"

Yang Bo looked at Guo Bapi, "You said I had to pay for the electricity. If I used the fan, I would have to pay for all the electricity in the store! Is that your idea of kindness?"

Guo Bapi's face changed, feeling humiliated by being lectured by a young employee!

"Mr. Liu, your employee is treating customers like this. Aren't you going to do something about it?"

Liu Liangyu looked up as if just realizing, "Ah? Of course I will! Yang Bo... you're right, keep going!"

Guo Bapi stood there, staring at Yang Bo, "Hmph, keep going. Even if you do well, you're still just an employee. When you become the boss of an antique shop, if you have the chance, you can come back and say this to me!"

"Because you're just a small employee now, you don't have the right to say these things!"

Yang Bo found it amusing but had no desire to argue. He remembered how Guo Bapi, to save a bit of electricity, refused to turn on the air conditioning even when the temperature reached 40 degrees Celsius, and he saw how miserly Guo Bapi was!

Liu Liangyu listened to their conversation, feeling a bit nostalgic. He remembered how Yang Bo ran to his shop in the early morning to sell a fake Jun ware fish basket vase. At the time, he thought Yang Bo was a wasteful heir from a wealthy family. Later, when he learned that Yang Bo had found a rare item to save his father, he was deeply moved.

Now, hearing just a few words, he could guess the hardships Yang Bo had endured to get to this point. It was no easy feat!

Cao Yuande sat silently, lost in thought.

Luo Yaohua, unable to stand it, said to Guo Bapi, "Mr. Guo, did you come here today with the intention of asking Yang Bo to return to your shop?"

Guo Bapi stared at Luo Yaohua for a few moments, then suddenly realized, "Aren't you the rich kid who offered Yang Bo a million-yuan salary? What happened? Did you find out he's just a pretty face with nothing inside? Or are you tired of your little games?"

Luo Yaohua, hearing this, stood up abruptly. He stretched his limbs, scaring Guo Bapi into retreating.

"Don't do anything rash! Don't do anything rash, or I'll call the police!" Guo Bapi pointed at Luo Yaohua, backing away in fear. He stumbled and fell on his butt!

Luo Yaohua, seeing Guo Bapi's狼狈 (embarrassed) state, laughed heartily!

"Mr. Guo, what's wrong?"

Guo Bapi, hearing the voice behind him, turned around in fright. Seeing Li Ling step through the door, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Li Ling, tell your uncle not to rent the shop to them. They'll stop at nothing to achieve their goals!"