Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups-Chapter 343 - 232

Afternoon on the glazed old street, several old brands’ signboards hung high, their shop banners gently swaying in the breeze, enticing customers.

In front of the Jugu Pavilion’s entrance, people came and went, occasionally a few tourists would stop, curiously looking at the antique treasures inside the shop.

At this moment, a yellow-green taxi slowly arrived, steadily stopping at the shop’s entrance.

The car door opened, and Fang Cheng stepped out with an old-fashioned travel bag in hand.

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the gilded words on the plaque, somewhat faded yet still exuding an ancient charm.

Then he slightly nodded, muttering to himself, "This is the place."

Stepping into the shop, the entire store was dimly lit, the decor styled in an elegant antique manner.

Several yellowed lights hung from the carved wooden ceiling, casting light upon the shelves filled with antiques.

Porcelain, paintings, jade items—various objects, dazzling and brimming with a sense of wealth.

But Fang Cheng had no interest in admiring them, immediately heading straight for the counter.

Behind the counter stood a young clerk, holding a soft cloth and wiping a blue and white porcelain vase, asking without looking up:

"Sir, what would you like to see?"

His tone carried a hint of indifference, his peripheral glance just briefly scanning Fang Cheng, noticing his simple and plain attire, then paying no further attention.

Fang Cheng wasn’t annoyed, calmly stating:

"I’m looking for Xu Sanduo, please inform him."

The clerk’s hand paused, raising his eyes to reassess him, a look of astonishment appearing on his face.

Wondering internally how this plainly-dressed guest could possibly know the owner, he casually replied:

"The boss usually isn’t here, do you have any business with him?"

At this moment, an elderly manager stepped from the inner room upon hearing.

Seemingly the store manager of this antique shop, he wore a pair of reading glasses, his eyes behind the lenses reflecting a certain shrewdness. First, he warmly greeted:

"Sir, welcome, we have plenty of good items here, feel free to take a look."

After briefly stopping his gaze on Fang Cheng, he cautiously added:

"If you’re here to consign items, feel free to take them out if you can, and I’ll inspect them."

Judging from Fang Cheng’s plain attire and strong build, he might’ve mistaken him as someone involved in tomb raiding, seeing him as unsavory.

Fang Cheng glanced around the store again, calmly repeating:

"I’m here to see Xu Sanduo, ask him to come talk to me."

Upon these words, the manager’s smile momentarily froze, quickly deflecting:

"Sorry, our boss generally isn’t in the shop. Why don’t you leave a contact, and I’ll have him reach out when he returns?"

The excuse was almost identical to that of the previous clerk.

Upon hearing this, Fang Cheng nodded, his demeanor still composed, slowly replying:

"Then could you kindly inform him now, tell your boss the person from the woods recently is here to see him."

A trace of astonishment flashed in the manager’s eyes, hesitated a bit.

Seeing Fang Cheng’s firm attitude, he didn’t wish to outright reject him, thus turned and slowly headed towards the back hall, seemingly to make a call.

Fang Cheng then stood firmly in place, quietly waiting.

A few clerks around him sneakily observed him, whispering amongst themselves.

"Who is this? So bold, wanting to see our boss."

One clerk whispered, eyes full of doubt.

"Exactly, dressed so ordinarily, doesn’t seem like someone who could speak to the boss, might be here to cause trouble?"

Another clerk agreed, shaking his head as he spoke.

"Perhaps he’s some relative of the boss, otherwise why dare approach so directly?"

Yet another clerk lowered his voice, casting a different speculation.

Everyone spoke in turns, deeply curious about Fang Cheng’s identity. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

After all, in this glazed old street, and even within the entire antique trading circle, Xu Sanduo was a renowned name.

Rumor had it that he had wide connections, able to navigate both the underworld and the legitimate side effortlessly.

Those who usually associated with him were either powerful business tycoons arriving in luxury cars, or formidable figures so intimidating they walked with an air of authority.

Anyone coming to discuss business with Xu Sanduo typically came with a group of bodyguards, surrounded by an impressive entourage.

All except this person here, alone, plainly dressed, carrying an old travel bag, arriving just by taxi.

This huge contrast made it difficult for the clerks to associate Fang Cheng with someone who could connect with Xu Sanduo.

No wonder they were secretly discussing, full of suspicion.

Yet Fang Cheng seemed to ignore them all, still standing gracefully.

During the clerks’ quiet chatter, suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from the back hall.

Soon after, a chubby man appeared, speedily running, as if chased by a fierce beast.

The clerks focused their attention, realizing it was Xu Sanduo, who usually maintained a certain imposing stance.

As for the person huffing and puffing behind him, it was the manager who had run out earlier.

"Ah, Hero, finally you’re here!"

Xu Sanduo shouted eagerly, his voice brimming with joy.

The fellow was clearly hiding out back earlier, avoiding guests.

In a few strides, he reached Fang Cheng, saying excitedly:

"Ever since we parted, I’ve been longing daily and nightly, restless even in sleep, just hoping you’d visit."

"Now that you’re here, the weight in my heart is finally lifted."

Despite the store being full of subordinates, his face was filled with an exceptionally warm smile, his eyes nearly squinting shut.