C183 – A Group of Old Men


    The next morning, Su Ming, freshly awakened, checked his phone. A message popped up, leaving him torn betweenughter and tears.


    “Mr. Su, I’m on my way. I promise toplete the mission!” It was from Wang Guohui.


    “Alright, go for it!” Su Ming encouraged with a quick reply.


    After a refreshing shower, a change of clothes, and a bite to eat, Su Ming approached the door. The sunshine was radiant, enhancing his already cheerful mood. He stretched leisurely and made his way to the door, opening it to find…


    A gathering of elderly men, their hair a uniform shade of white.


    The door’s opening prompted a smile from the lead man, sending a shiver of goosebumps across Su Ming’s skin.


    What was this about?


    “Mr. Su, we meet again,” the old man said, rubbing his hands together.


    Su Ming frowned, puzzled. “I don’t recall ever meeting him.”


    The old man’s smile widened, causing Su Ming’s stomach to turn. “Do you remember the antiques you sold?”


    A moment of rity struck Su Ming. “And you are?”


    The old man sighed, a hint of frustration in his voice. “Mr. Su, I’ve been overshadowed by these gentlemen; it’s understandable that you don’t recognize me. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Lee Qingshan.”


    “What do you want with me?” Su Ming inquired.


    Lee Qingshan hesitated, “There’s a matter I’d like to discuss with you.”


    “Go ahead,” Su Ming prompted.


    “We’ve sessfully sold most of the antiques you entrusted to us, and you’ve received the payment. However, among them are pieces that are national treasures. The government has taken an interest and wishes to acquire them.”


    Lee Qingshan spoke with evident tension, carefully watching Su Ming’s reactions, anxious not to upset him. “Please, Mr. Su, don’t be upset. I didn’t intentionally reveal any information. I was just so thrilled that I couldn’t resist snapping a photo.”


    Su Ming was resigned.


    “So, the government wants my pieces?” he asked calmly.


    “Yes,” Lee Qingshan confirmed, sweating profusely at Su Ming’s stoic demeanor. “But rest assured, we’re prepared to offer youpensation.”


    “I require nopensation,” Su Ming replied with a serene smile. “Contributing to my homnd is a duty I embrace wholeheartedly.”


    Lee Qingshan breathed a sigh of relief. “Mr. Su, you truly are an exemr for the youth.”


    “Mr. Su is certainly aplished for his age.”


    Su Ming quickly gestured with his hands in dismissal.


    Lee Qingshan’s demeanor shifted abruptly. “Mr. Su, I have another question for you.”


    Su Ming was momentarily taken aback. “What’s that?”


    “Do you happen to have a girlfriend? My granddaughter just turned 18 this year.”


    “I thought we agreed on fairpetition. What’s this about?”


    “I was supposed to speak first, remember?”


    The old men began to bicker among themselves.


    Su Ming was bbergasted.


    What on earth were they up to?


    It was then that Su Ming noticed a group of young women standing behind the old men.


    Were these gentlemen, aside from their official business, also here to set up their granddaughters on blind dates?


    Yet, the girls were not particrly attractive.


    Regardless of their looks, they should take care of their health.


    Even withfortable lives, they shouldn’t overindulge.


    Su Ming eximed, “Enough!”


    The quarreling elders froze in their tracks.


    The plumper girls sent him flirtatious nces.


    He said, feeling quite embarrassed, “I already have a girlfriend.”


    Su Ming had no choice but to fabricate.


    The elders were taken aback.


    “No problem, you can always break up with her.”


    “Exactly!”


    Su Ming was taken aback by their response.


    “Stop!”


    Just then, amanding voice cut through the noise. The elders fell silent and parted ways. A middle-aged man in a Sun Yat-sen suit approached slowly.


    “Mr. Su, greetings. I’m a government official. We owe you a great debt for securing those treasures.”


    He seemed a respectable figure.


    Su Ming responded with a smile, “I’m a son of the imperial court, with a heart full of patriotism. I willingly donated those national treasures.”


    “Mr. Su, is this your residence?”


    He had just noticed the yard behind them.


    “Yes, it is.”


    Su Ming nodded with ease.


    “Do you farm thisnd?”


    The elders were astounded.


    They had assumed Su Ming was of high standing, which exined his possession of such fine items.


    They had never imagined he was a farmer.


    The old men couldn’t believe Su Ming was cultivatingnd right in the heart of the city.


    So young, yet uninterested in chasing fame or wealth, they were instantly filled with remorse.