C2 I Still Don't Know That You Are the Director's Disciple

"This bowl contains jade—it belonged to the Yongzheng Emperor," Qin Feng stated coolly. "The value of this blue and white porcelain vase is modest; the real treasure is the inscription by the esteemed scholar Dong Qichang."

"Really?" Chen Dong perked up, unable to contain his excitement. "Is that true?"

"True gold doesn't fear the test of fire. You're welcome to have it appraised by some experts, Elder Chen," Qin Feng suggested with a casual shrug, gesturing towards the jade bracelet and teapot. "I'll let you have both for five million. You stand to make a tidy profit."

"Mr. Qin, you're quite straightforward. I'll gladly accept this deal. Regarding the other two pieces, I indeed need to consult with a few knowledgeable friends," Chen Dong said, his tone shifting to a more familiar address. "What's your name, young man?"

"Qin Feng."

Chen Dong nodded, promptly transferred five million to Qin Feng's account, and made several calls to summon the connoisseurs of the circle, particularly those with expertise in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

"I'll leave the items with you; I need to get back to the university," Qin Feng announced, standing up as his phone alerted him to the successful transaction.

"Aren't you worried I might cheat you, Mr. Qin?" Chen Dong asked with a sly grin.

"I trust the reputation of Hundred Treasure Pavilion and your integrity, Elder Chen," Qin Feng replied with equanimity.

"It's rare to encounter someone of your courage these days, Mr. Qin," Chen Dong complimented, giving a thumbs up. "I'll be sure to contact you the moment we have the appraisal results."

After they exchanged contact information, Qin Feng left the Hundred Treasure Pavilion and caught a taxi to Magic City University.

No sooner had he stepped out of the taxi than his phone buzzed with a call from Chen Dong.

"Elder Chen," Qin Feng answered, his voice steady.

"Mr. Qin, you've truly impressed me!" Chen Dong's laughter boomed through the phone. "Our group has confirmed the porcelain bowl and blue and white vase are exactly as you described—worth around twelve million yuan. Are you ready to proceed?"

"Absolutely." A triumphant smirk played across Qin Feng's lips, the look of a man who had just played his winning hand.

"Alright, I'm transferring the money to you now..."

"Elder Chen, ten million yuan will suffice."

"Mr. Qin, what's this about?"

"There's a problem I need Elder Chen's assistance with."

"Go on, I'm listening."

"Ma's Antiques is plotting with Zhang Hong from Magic City University to have me expelled."

"Zhang Hong and I have been friends for over a decade. He's practically my protégé. Consider it done—I'll take care of it as a favor to Mr. Qin. Twelve million yuan will be deposited into your account, not a penny less," Chen Dong declared with refreshing candor. "In the future, I'll surely need Mr. Qin's expertise. Rest assured, you'll be compensated fairly for your services."

"No problem." Qin Feng ended the call with Chen Dong, chuckling darkly to himself, "You think I don't know Zhang Hong is practically your student? And as for those other heavy hitters, toppling the Ma family won't happen without your involvement."

Qin Feng reached the dormitory building just as the twelve million yuan hit his account.

That afternoon, Qin Feng had turned one million yuan into seventeen million, but it barely fazed him. After all, what could truly shake the composure of someone who had traversed time and space?

Reborn into a vibrant college life, Qin Feng was determined to live authentically, to honor his principles and to be true to himself—that was enough!

Just then, Qin Feng's phone buzzed with a message from "Baby Goddess Ning Huixin."

"Why didn't you have dinner ready for me? Why didn't you save me a seat for self-study?" Even through the screen, Qin Feng could sense Ning Huixin's icy tone and contemptuous demeanor.

Who was Ning Huixin?

She was the goddess Qin Feng, the former sycophant, had pursued from freshman to junior year—one of the four campus beauties at Magic City University!

To what extent had he been servile?

When Ning Huixin was hungry, her meal had to be promptly delivered.

When Ning Huixin had class, her seat had to be reserved in advance.

When Ning Huixin attended evening self-study, hot water had to be ready, with Qin Feng waiting dutifully beneath the dormitory for the goddess's arrival.

Ning Huixin never missed her morning classes, always making sure her wake-up calls were on point.

If Ning Huixin set her sights on something, she'd be willing to subsist on steamed buns for three months just to make the purchase.

As for her relationship with Qin Feng, Ning Huixin neither rejected him outright nor accepted his advances. She kept him in limbo, using him as a human shield, a backup plan, a lackey. To put it bluntly, he was the dog that licks boots, the most tenacious of the lot.

"Qin Feng here really turned my world upside down. To think that a bootlicker could reach such a level of dedication—it's downright absurd! Rejecting bootlickers starts with me!" Qin Feng's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Ning Huixin, huh? Think I've been too kind to you? You've started to see yourself as some kind of goddess?"

With that, Qin Feng fired off a message in Ning Huixin's chat, "Why should I bother getting food and saving seats for someone I barely know?"

"What did you say?"

"Your words have really pissed me off!"

"You're clearly someone with no patience!"

"I was considering giving you a chance, but you squandered it."

"Don't bother contacting me again!"

Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh at the exchange on his phone.

Three years as a bootlicker and now I'm labeled impatient?

What does it take to be considered patient?

The bootlicker stops his servile ways and can't handle the truth, so he throws a tantrum?

"You think you can still give me chances? Fooling a bootlicker is one thing, but do you think you can fool me?" Qin Feng sneered, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Since you're so keen on playing games, I'll make sure not to disappoint. It's only fair to my new lease on life..."

Without skipping a beat, Qin Feng typed out, "Expect a surprise in an hour."

He pocketed his phone and didn't head back to his own dorm but to the one next door.

"Lee Meng, where's the classiest restaurant around campus?" Qin Feng clapped Lee Meng on the shoulder.

"What kind of place are you looking for?" Lee Meng, momentarily distracted from his League of Legends game, eyed Qin Feng warily.

"I'm talking about a place that serves Australian lobster and Alaskan king crab!"

"Holy smokes! Qin Feng, did you hit the jackpot or something? Dining at the Shangri-la Great Hotel, the fanciest spot in the university district, will set you back at least a few grand. And if you're thinking of ordering Australian lobsters, you're looking at ten to twenty thousand yuan each!" Lee Meng abandoned his game, his curiosity piqued, and pressed on, "What's the big plan? Taking Ning University's campus beauty out for a meal? Isn't that the whole reason you've been working your tail off?"

"The place is decent, fits the vibe I'm going for," Qin Feng replied tersely, leaving it at that before exiting Lee Meng's dorm room.

As soon as Qin Feng was out the door, Lee Meng's dorm mates were abuzz with speculation.

"Holy smokes! What's Qin Feng up to now?"

"What else? He's planning a grand gesture to woo Ning University's campus beauty."

"Think he actually won the lottery?"

"Who knows? But I can't just sit here—I've got to give Xiao Yan a heads-up. If he's inviting the campus beauty out, he's bound to include his roommates, and if roommates are coming, family members can't be far behind. I'm getting in on that Australian lobster feast!" The more Lee Meng thought about it, the more excited he got, and he wasted no time calling his girlfriend, Wang Yan.

Meanwhile, in Ning Huixin's dormitory.

Having read Qin Feng's last message, Ning Huixin put her phone away with a self-satisfied smirk. She scoffed inwardly, "It's a privilege for you to fetch my meals and save my seat. A little sweet talk and you're all too eager to wait on me, aren't you?"