108: I anticipated your prediction.

A few days later, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Century Cultural Heritage Exhibition and Cultural Museum in Shanghai was held under the watchful eyes of the public.

As the core promoter of the project and representative of the main exhibitor, Xia Yunting

stood under the spotlight and countless cameras, unable to conceal his excitement as he loudly announced:

"...It is especially an honor that, with the selfless support of a mysterious individual,

our Cloud Pavilion has been fortunate to acquire over three thousand volumes of rare books from the 1937 Eastern Library collection,

along with three thousand volumes from the former collection of the legendary bibliophile Mr. Ye Jingkui,

and most precious of all~~~~

three volumes of the 'yongle encyclopedia,' the treasure of the former Far East's premier library~~~~

These gems, carrying the nation's memory and cultural lineage, will be eternally preserved and studied here..."

The news was like a massive rock thrown into a calm lake,

instantly stirring up huge waves in the cultural, collecting, and academic circles of Shanghai and even the entire nation!

Major media outlets rushed to report it on their front pages, and experts and scholars were thrilled.

The public's attention was firmly captured by this sudden cultural event.

Standing in the presidential suite of the Peace Hotel, looking at the city's dazzling lights outside the window and the boiling news online,

a clear notification sound rang in Lu Fan's mind.

[Side mission, completed. Reward: 10,000 Points, one random gem]

[Mission completion 198%, rating: S, reward: 20,000 Points, one random blueprint card, one Random Equipment Card]

[Level up, promoted to Diamond Merchant]

He immediately checked the Store; after the level-up, the fixed Space Expansion Rune for sale increased from 1m³ to 5m³.

Then, a smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he dismissed the thought of using the double Space Expansion Rune right away.

This 5m³ space refreshes daily—isn't this just handing wool to him to shear?

Anyway, this rune has no time limit; how could he not maximize the benefits to do justice to himself?

After purchasing today's Space Expansion Rune, Lu Fan proceeded to open three blind boxes.

A Rifling Blueprint, a set of [Bionic Flight Suit], and an [Energy Gem: Continuously releases 30 tons of diesel].

In the evening, the celebration banquet began in the banquet hall of the Peace Hotel.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled, guests gathered, and cultural, political, and business elites came together in a lively atmosphere.

As the core promoter of the project and representative of the largest collection provider, Xia Yunting was undoubtedly the brightest star tonight.

Holding a wine glass, his face flushed with excitement, he moved among the guests, receiving a flood of praise.

Lu Fan, on the other hand, sat relatively low-key in a slightly remote corner, drinking cola and chatting with Chen Ying.

At this moment, he was enjoying this brief moment of peace amidst the noise.

However, this peace was soon broken.

Xia Yunting, reeking of alcohol, walked with slightly unsteady steps but sat down next to Lu Fan with clear intent.

Affectionately putting an arm around his shoulder, his speech slightly slurred and voice tinged with drunkenness: "Brother Lu! The hero! The great hero!

Tonight, you are the greatest hero!"

"CEO Xia, you flatter me; it's mutually beneficial," Lu Fan slightly turned his body, subtly easing some of the pressure.

Chen Ying was still nearby; he didn't want to be misunderstood about his orientation.

"No, no, no!" Xia Yunting waved his hand vigorously, almost spilling the wine in his glass.

He leaned closer to Lu Fan, lowered his voice, his hazy eyes flashing with unusual eagerness.

"Brother, the things you brought back last time... really... really gave me a huge boost!

The museum's framework is set up, but the content... still needs to be enriched!"

He patted Lu Fan's shoulder, "Look... calligraphy and paintings, porcelain, manuscripts, archives..."

Seeing that Lu Fan and Xia Yunting had started talking, Chen Ying made a gesture and quietly left.

Seeing the beauty leave, Lu Fan wished he could give Xia Yunting a set of turtle-style punches.

Did I come to the banquet to chat with you, old man?

Or am I short of a few bottles of cola?

How can a big CEO like you be so clueless? Didn't you see I was happily chatting with a beauty?"

Xia Yunting, with bleary eyes and no sense of awareness, just kept talking on his own: "How many cultural artifacts have been scattered and lost!

Brother, with your extraordinary abilities, work a bit harder, help me out.

And help our Shanghai cultural circle bring back a few more?

Name your conditions!

Even if you want the moon in the sky, I'll help you fish it out~~~"

Seeing Xia Yunting's drunken yet persistent, single-minded wool-shearing demeanor, Lu Fan's scheming nature was activated.

Old lady destroys the parking lot!

Directly refusing seemed too harsh, after all, he still needed the other's help for handling future treasure items.

His mind raced, and he simply followed the other's lead, throwing out an absolutely impossible condition.

Let him know that boasting isn't done by blowing, and trains aren't pushed.

Lu Fan put down his cola, showing a hint of difficulty mixed with a lion's-mouth attempt: "CEO Xia, you're right.

The items are good, but this 'bringing back'... the cost is too high, and the risk is great.

Especially, as you know, some things are scattered in places... not very peaceful."

He paused, looking into Xia Yunting's eyes, emphasizing his tone.

"If you really want to get some hard goods back, relying on luck and connections isn't enough.

I need 'hard power' for protection. Like... things that can be used during wartime?

Can we get some decommissioned equipment?

Or... legal procurement channels?"

With a few sentences, the big trap was set; Xia Yunting, just jump in.

Tomorrow when you wake up, you'll think and not say a word.

If Xia Yunting weren't too drunk right now, he'd laugh it off and evade.

Because military supplies, even just decommissioned ones, are an extremely sensitive topic.

How could Xia Yunting, a cultural businessman, handle it?

This would also knock him down a peg, avenging him for interrupting my chat with the beauty.

However, to Lu Fan's surprise, the layer of drunkenness on Xia Yunting's face seemed to evaporate instantly.

His eyes became clear and sharp, and a sly, knowing smile even curled at the corner of his mouth.

He slapped his thigh vigorously, agreeing cheerfully: "Good! Brother Lu! Straightforward!

I've been waiting for you to say that! A gentleman's word is as good as gold."

Saying this, he grabbed Lu Fan's hand and shook it tightly, afraid he'd change his mind.

Lu Fan's heart skipped a beat, realizing he had fallen into the old fox's trap.

Xia Yunting leaned even closer, his voice extremely low, with a hint of pride: "Brother, to be honest.

Last time when those treasures of yours with traces of war appeared, I thought,

your path isn't the usual overseas return; it's more like... rescued from the front lines of raging battles, right!

I guessed you'd need this sooner or later!"

He made a gun-holding gesture, his eyes meaningful.

"So," Xia Yunting said smugly, taking a sip of wine, "I paved the way early on, just waiting for you to speak up!"

Only then did Lu Fan realize that Xia Yunting's drunkenness was fake, the wool-shearing was fake, but fishing was real!

This old fox had already anticipated his anticipation, setting a trap for him to jump into.

While stunned, a flash of inspiration struck Lu Fan, and he decided to turn the tables.

Since you've sincerely offered yourself up, I'll graciously accept.

Let's see who ends up anticipating whose anticipation.

"CEO Xia... what is this?" Lu Fan asked calmly.

"Tomorrow! Just tomorrow!" Xia Yunting said decisively: "Come with me to Jinling! I'll take you to meet someone, guaranteed to satisfy you!"