Qhianqhian just gave Tianyi a look: cough up the cash.

And that’s why Tianyi paid for it.

After settling the bill, Tianyi picked up the large bowl and quickly left with Qhianqhian, leaving Qu Lin no choice but to follow.

Not long after, an elder led another elder to the young man’s stall and, with a respectful expression, said to the elder, "Elder Xiu, it’s here. Could you help us take a look..."

Then the elder turned to the young man and asked, "Xiao Pei, where’s that big bowl?"

"Elder Chu... It was just bought," the young man called Xiao Pei looked at the elder and felt an immediate jolt of energy, hurriedly putting away the money.

"Bought?" Elder Chu looked shocked, "Did you lower the price?"

Xiao Pei gently shook his head, "Three thousand, cash, paid in one go."

Elder Chu furrowed his brow, "Who bought it? I had invited Elder Xiu here, so why did you sell it? You just got here, haven’t you?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"I hadn’t even set up properly. That young girl came and bought it." Xiao Pei was stunned for a moment, then his face paled, "You mean, that’s genuine?"

"I haven’t seen it yet, so I can’t be sure, but based on how Elder Chu described it, I think it should be." Elder Xiu sighed, "Seems like it’s just not meant to be for us..."

The young man’s face was full of astonishment; really? That young girl was going to buy a genuine antique to feed her dog?

Later in the day, the Antique Market was buzzing with tales of a young girl who bought a genuine item and even a prized collection piece just to feed her dog...

The stall owner who first made money off Qhianqhian’s group didn’t connect this young girl to the rumors at that time.

Until... much later.

"What’s going on?" Tianyi asked, puzzled, looking at the excited Qhianqhian.

After leaving Antique Street and taking a taxi back to the hotel, Qhianqhian finally breathed a sigh of relief. She carefully cradled the legendary "dog food bowl" in her hands, scrutinizing it thoroughly.

She could faintly see a layer of green haze, more intense than the bowl at the snack shop, making it stand out to her in the crowd.

"Bro, take these two items back immediately and give them to Nuannuan. I don’t trust shipping them." Qhianqhian wrapped both large bowls diligently in newspaper and packed them into a box, "Anyway, we still have tomorrow, I’m not in a rush."

Tianyi saw Qhianqhian’s serious expression and nodded after a moment.

He purchased the ticket over the phone, packed his luggage, and left without saying a word more.

Qu Lin stood there in the room awkwardly because the incident had happened suddenly, and she followed them back. Now, with Tianyi gone, only Qhianqhian was left in the hotel room.

"Well, I’ll just..."

"Stay here, Sister Qu Lin. There’s no place to go anyway, right?" Qhianqhian chuckled, "If you’re uneasy, I can book you another room."

"No, no need." Qu Lin waved her hand repeatedly.

She sat down on the bed, aligning with Qhianqhian’s gaze, "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"Do you want to rise again?" Qhianqhian chuckled and shut the door, calmly sitting on the opposite side of the table facing Qu Lin, "Want to make those who mock you regret it?"

Qu Lin was taken aback, eyes showing a flash of intensity, but it extinguished quickly, "I do, but I really can’t..."

"Wanting is enough." Qhianqhian quirked her lips slightly, "I’m now representing Nine Heavens Pavilion, inviting you to join." She extended her hand towards Qu Lin.

"Nine Heavens Pavilion?" Qu Lin was dumbfounded.

What kind of place is this? Why has she never heard of it? Is she really that uninformed?

"What Nine Heavens Pavilion is now doesn’t matter, what’s important is what it’ll be in three days." Qhianqhian’s eyes shone, "We need your reputation, as for your skills, that’s not necessary."

Because I have it.

She thought Qu Lin would ponder for a while, but to her surprise, Qu Lin’s hand grasped hers the next second, smiling softly, "May as well, since I have no home to return to."

"Welcome to the family of Nine Heavens Pavilion." Qhianqhian was momentarily surprised but soon smiled warmly, "I’m Luo Qianqian."

"Qu Lin," Qu Lin chuckled, "Currently a senior in college, graduating next June. Tutoring high school or middle school students should be no problem."

Qhianqhian tilted her head and blinked, "But I’m only a freshman this year."

"Huh?"

After chatting with Qhianqhian for a moment, Qu Lin was left feeling quite humbled.

Those she considered friends around her were harboring ill intentions, even bearing some blood relations more or less.

And the man in her life was nothing but an out-and-out scumbag...

Looking at Qhianqhian with a hint of reflection, "Friends need to be scrutinized closely..."

Qhianqhian shook her head gently, "Trust those you use; use those you trust. Friends should trust each other." Qin Nuan, the person she trusts the most.

"I’ve been around longer but haven’t learned as much as you, a kid," Qu Lin chuckled, "Then, boss, make sure to share the dividends with me in the future."

The two exchanged smiles.

Soon, Qin Nuan’s call came through, "Qhianqhian, are you asking for trouble? Why make Tianyi come back? I had your Fourth Brother go pick it up, did you confirm it’s the one?"

After receiving Tianyi’s call, Qin Nuan decisively refused his return and chose to have Yanran go over for the pickup.

With Qhianqhian alone there, she couldn’t help but worry.

And apparently, there was a strange woman involved.

"Pretty much. Does Fourth Brother have time?" Qhianqhian yawned, "You’re getting more irritable now, menopause?"

"Get lost. By the way, the Christmas party outfits have started being tailored, what style do you want?" Qin Nuan knew there were others on Qhianqhian’s side, so she didn’t dwell on that item since she’d find out once it was back.

"You decide. Just ask Senior Brother, isn’t it?"

"You want to exhaust him?" Qin Nuan was speechless, having him handle the first batch of ’Rebirth’ themed for Nine Heavens Pavilion while also designing clothes?

Qhianqhian sheepishly rubbed her nose, jumped down from the table, and walked to the window, "Then you do as you see fit. I’m not picky, check if Second Aunt has anything prepared, don’t overdo it and waste."

"Got it, then take care, don’t fall for others’ schemes." Qin Nuan listened to Qhianqhian’s voice without any anomalies, feeling relieved.

"Hmm."

After hanging up, she turned to Qu Lin, "Is your reputation limited to Yucheng City?"

Qu Lin was startled, then shook her head the next second, "Our family was once quite renowned in the South market, not much in the North."

"Alright." Qhianqhian sighed, her face showing a thoughtful expression, "Oh, your face... needs..."

Qu Lin’s face was still a bit swollen, with visible slap marks showing that Guan Xiang didn’t hold back at all.

Touching her cheeks, Qu Lin smiled, "I think I should keep it, as a reminder of what they’ve done."

"What a pity for a pretty face, though. A girl should look nice." Qhianqhian took out an ice cream from the room’s mini-fridge and handed it to Qu Lin, "Use it for relief."