Bai Ci Xian sneered, "How long has it been? My father has never mentioned that mother and daughter. Don't worry, he has long forgotten them."
As she spoke, she lowered her eyes and saw the chain in Bai Lian Yue's hand, taking it over, "What is this? It's quite pretty!"
Bai Lian Yue said, "This is the award-winning work of Meng Shu Tang. Compared to Zhou Xingfan, it is even better."
"Daughter, you have encountered an even stronger opponent."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ci Xian threw the chain back to Bai Lian Yue, "Look closely, there is nothing special about it; it's quite ordinary."
Bai Lian Yue smiled faintly, "Only by facing your opponent squarely can you see her strengths and weaknesses."
"Do not resist her work; only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle."
Bai Ci Xian took it, looked at it carefully for a few moments, and then threw the chain onto the table as if in a fit of pique.
She knew Meng Shu Tang's strength, which could be seen from how Fan Xing Studio had suppressed a crowd of competitors to stand out in the Gu Corporation Cultural Tourism Town project.
At that time, she had made many efforts just to ensure Fan Xing would not get this project.
Who knew that finally, President Gu would make the final decision and choose her.
Bai Lian Yue watched her daughter worrying and brushed her fallen hair behind her ear, "Tell me, why did you leave in a fit of anger three years ago?"
"You could have had it easier, but you chose to... You are walking the same path your mother once walked."
Bai Ci Xian looked at the bracelet on the table.
"Mother, her mother was defeated by you, and she will be defeated by me too."
Bai Lian Yue said, "It is good that you think so."
……
"Tangtang Jie, you were right. I had my fellow villager secretly ask about what happened when the display rack suddenly collapsed at the Cultural Tourism Town that day."
"Guess what? A man named Wang Bin didn't even ask for his wages and left that very day."
"My fellow villager gave me the phone number of his hometown, and when I called, his family said Wang Bin hadn't returned."
"I suspect that Wang Bin must be hiding."
Ruan An said to Meng Shu Tang early in the morning.
Meng Shu Tang nodded, "Good, have your fellow villager continue the investigation."
Meng Shu Tang had seen the design drawings for the display rack.
Even if cement were placed on it, it should have been fine. How could it collapse just by placing a few Ancient Beads on it?
Therefore, someone must have tampered with it.
"Do you need me to go with you to the Gu Corporation collection exhibition in a moment?" Ruan An organized the documents and handed them to Meng Shu Tang.
Thinking about seeing Gu Yun Ci in a moment, Meng Shu Tang felt a headache.
If only Chen Man were here, at least she could take her place.
But Ruan An was just a small apprentice; she could not handle such a scene at all.
"No need. Review the identification of different dynasty bracelet styles and craftsmanship I taught you yesterday. I will test you when I return."
Ruan An nodded and struck a standing-at-attention pose, "I guarantee I will complete the task."
Meng Shu Tang grabbed her bag and went to the Gu Corporation collection exhibition center.
Before she even got close, she saw from afar that Gu Yun Ci and Bai Ci Xian were standing side by side. She swept her calm eyes over them, feeling no ripples in her heart.
The exhibition had not yet started, so she found a place to sit and reviewed the content she would be explaining later.
Being a docent for the collection exhibition was one of her Part-time Jobs.
She was familiar with these things, but being meticulous was her professional habit.
No matter the size of the stage, she was always infinitely enthusiastic, treating it as if it were the first time.
Fifteen minutes later, Qin Zheng came over, "Teacher Meng, President Gu is calling."
Meng Shu Tang walked over, and Gu Yun Ci introduced her to the distinguished guests present today, "Director Wang, Elder Pang, Chairman Zhang, this is Meng Shu Tang from Fan Xing Studio. She is also the specially invited Ancient Beads appraiser for our collection exhibition. Her professional knowledge is very solid, and she just won first prize in a very authoritative Ancient Beads competition."
"Next, let her provide an exclusive explanation for everyone."
After speaking, he turned to Meng Shu Tang, "Shu Tang, this is Director Wang from the Provincial Cultural Tourism Bureau in charge of intangible cultural heritage, this is the leading authority in the field of Cultural Relics collection, Elder Pang, and this is Chairman Zhang, the founder of the private museum in Yan City."
Meng Shu Tang nodded slightly and greeted the seniors politely, "Hello, seniors. I am Meng Shu Tang. I will be explaining for you next. If there is anything inadequate, please offer your guidance."
She was confident, generous, and spoke eloquently.
Gu Yun Ci looked at her shining appearance, and a smile curled at the corners of his lips.
Bai Ci Xian stood beside Gu Yun Ci, smiling obediently, but deep in her bright eyes, she was hiding calculations.
Half a year ago, when she returned to the country, she heard that Gu Yun Ci was going to get a Divorce.
She really couldn't understand why, after half a year, it still hadn't happened.
Last time, she had wanted to use the chrysanthemum exhibition to end the cooperation between Fan Xing and Gu Corporation this month.
That bitch Meng Shu Tang had shortened the restoration cycle, but it was only by four days.
"No, I cannot sit and wait for death anymore."
"Meng Shu Tang, she cannot appear in front of Brother Yun Ci so frequently anymore."
When Meng Shu Tang was explaining the Ancient Beads, she took over from a staff member.
She acted as Meng Shu Tang's temporary assistant.
The moment she approached, Meng Shu Tang instinctively glanced at her.
This glance allowed her to see Bai Ci Xian tapping and loosening the clasp of the Beaded Bracelet with one fingertip while supporting the tray with the other hand, lowering it.
She associated it with something and subconsciously went to protect it.
But the incident happened suddenly, and there was no chance for her to remedy it. The Beaded Bracelet slipped instantly, and with a bang, the beads scattered all over the floor.
In an instant, everyone was stunned.
Meng Shu Tang was also dumbfounded there.
This was the biggest mistake she had made since she started her career.
Bai Ci Xian cleverly picked up the beads one by one from the ground and put them back on the tray, "Teacher Meng, why are you so careless? This is a precious item in our collection."
"Did you encounter some difficult problem that you are so out of it?"
Meng Shu Tang looked at her, "It was you..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Gu Yun Ci interrupted, "Excuse me, everyone, a sudden situation. The explanation will be filled in immediately."
After speaking, he looked at Meng Shu Tang with cold eyes, "You go down!"
Meng Shu Tang stood there wanting to explain, but Bai Ci Xian walked over and took the microphone off her, "Teacher Meng, more words are useless."
"You made a mistake on such an important occasion. Explaining will only make Brother Yun Ci think you are shirking responsibility and dislike you even more."
"If I were you, I would be smart and leave quickly."
Although Bai Ci Xian was being malicious, Meng Shu Tang knew that what she said was right.
She did not explain further, turned around, and left.
Qin Zheng found a replacement to come up for the explanation, but she looked at the Ancient Beads and said to Gu Yun Ci, "President Gu, I am not very familiar with this bead..."
Seeing this, Bai Ci Xian said in a soft voice, "President Gu, let me try. Don't delay the business."
"Can you explain it clearly? Don't cause trouble!" The man said in a deep voice, took the microphone from her hand, put it on, took the tray from the staff member, and walked to the side of the seniors, "This set of Ancient Beads comes from the Southern Song Dynasty. The patina on the bead body is a typical blend of water and soil stains. The slip just now actually caused no damage..."
His speaking speed was steady, and from the texture of the bead material to the craftsmanship, every word was precise, quickly pulling everyone's attention back from the farce just now to the proper track.
Meng Shu Tang had already walked to the door, but hearing his familiar explanation, she turned her eyes slightly and looked back briefly.
Bai Ci Xian looked at Gu Yun Ci with admiration, confirmed that Meng Shu Tang had left with her peripheral vision, and pursed her lips with a faint smile.
After the explanation ended, Gu Yun Ci sent the seniors off, saying that the hospitality today was inadequate and that he would definitely make amends in the future.
As soon as they left by car, he immediately put on a cold face, "Have Meng Shu Tang come to my office."
✦✦✦