As He Zhijun's gaze locked onto Ye Chen, Su Enping also took notice.

Seeing He Zhijun stop in front of those unremarkable antique dealers, Su Enping's smirk grew wider.

"He, I wasn't wrong when I said your Wuji Group is like a junk recycling station, right? That guy must be one of yours. Is Wuji Group now interested in even the most neglected items? Planning to gather a bunch to pad your auction numbers?"

Fu Su Group and Wuji Group had always been bitter rivals. However, if it were Dong Qian, Su Enping wouldn't dare be so presumptuous. But with He Zhijun, Wuji's so-called general manager, Su Enping, as the young master of Fu Su, didn't bother to conceal his contempt.

He Zhijun, however, couldn't care less about Su Enping's remarks. He'd long been familiar with such provocations.

After a brief pause, He Zhijun strode toward Ye Chen.

Ye Chen, standing by a table, had picked up a piece of golden brocade from the Ming Dynasty. Though its condition seemed poor, the surface patterns were exquisite and exuded an air of nobility. The inner layer was densely covered with intricate Buddhist motifs and text.

As his fingers touched the brocade, Ye Chen felt his heart race uncontrollably. In his past life, this very brocade had ended up in his hands. It was this item that helped him uncover long-speculated but unverified historical secrets.

The rush of emotion he felt at that moment rivaled the day he reunited with Yi Nuo and You You after his rebirth.

"Interested in this piece of Ming Dynasty brocade?" The antique dealer at the table smiled.

He was an unknown, low-tier antique dealer who had only managed to attend the event by pulling strings to get an entry pass. With no invitation, he had to bring his wares to gain entry. Among them was the brocade he had acquired from the countryside for around 100,000 yuan years ago.

Hoping to make a quick sale, he brought the brocade, believing it might have brought him bad luck as his business had steadily declined since acquiring it. Yet, throwing it away felt like a waste.

Seeing Ye Chen pick it up, the dealer's excitement grew beneath his composed smile.

"Can I have it?" Ye Chen asked.

"Depends on your price," the dealer grinned.

Both men felt their pulse quicken.

"Name your price," Ye Chen said directly.

"This is from the Ming Dyn—"

Before the dealer could finish hyping the brocade, Ye Chen cut him off.

"Save it. This isn't the Lingnan antique market. Do you think those exaggerated pitches work here?"

The dealer's face flushed with embarrassment.

He had almost forgotten—this wasn't his small antique store.

"Three hundred thousand!" he blurted out.

Normally, he'd ask for around 120,000, but since Ye Chen had shown interest, he instinctively raised the price.

Before Ye Chen could respond, He Zhijun approached with a team of appraisers, followed by Su Enping, eager to watch the scene unfold.

"Mr. Ye, what brings you here?" He Zhijun smiled.

"Interested in that piece?" one of the senior appraisers frowned, glancing at the brocade.

The title "Mr. Ye" had been reinstated at Ye Chen's request, as he preferred to avoid the extra attention that came with being addressed as "Master Ye."

The dealer's face grew pale.

He wasn't ignorant—he recognized He Zhijun and Wuji Group's expert appraisers.

He felt awkward recalling the price he had just quoted.

"Judging by the patterns and Buddhist motifs, it's Ming Dynasty brocade. But with such wear, it holds little value," one appraiser commented.

"Even if it's genuine, it wouldn't fetch more than 150,000. Not many would be interested," another added.

Without examining it closely, they had already assessed the brocade's worth.

"I think it's fine. Since he's willing to sell, I'll take it," Ye Chen smiled.

Su Enping couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Buddy, come on. You're hanging out with He Zhijun, and you can't tell if this is valuable? You think it's like that Qing Dynasty robe with a hidden 130 million yuan scripture inside? Need me to remind you—there was no such practice during the Ming Dynasty."

Although Su Enping was surprised by He Zhijun addressing Ye Chen so respectfully, he quickly dismissed it and resumed his ridicule.

He Zhijun remained silent, conflicted.

Su Enping had a point—the brocade held little value.

But considering Ye Chen's past feats—uncovering Qing Dynasty secrets from simple wood carvings and authenticating rare treasures—surely Ye Chen wasn't clueless.

He Zhijun couldn't figure it out.

Ye Chen merely smiled and shook his head, ignoring Su Enping's mockery.

"How much did you say again?" Ye Chen turned to the dealer.

"Thir—"

The dealer almost blurted 300,000 but held back.

With He Zhijun's group present, quoting that price would be foolish.

"Mr. Ye, if you're interested, take it for 130,000. Consider it a friendly deal," the dealer forced a grin.

From 300,000 to 130,000, without hesitation.

Classic antique market haggling.

In truth, he was ready to lower it further—down to 80,000 if necessary—just to get rid of the unlucky item.