I Really Have No Background No, You Do

He could smash it to smithereens, pulverize it into dust, or even toss it off a high-rise...

But there was no way he’d believe Shen Buyao’s nonsense!

A system-certified fake detector?

At the very least, she should wipe that eager little glimmer from the corner of her mouth before trying to pull such an ancient joke on him.

Lin Yu: "Heh..."

Shen Buyao: "Hehehe..."

Lin Yu made a motion to close the box:

"Heh, Sis Buyao wouldn’t lie to me, right?"

Shen Buyao quickly grabbed his arm:

"Sometimes I might crack a little joke, but this is the real deal—a genuine treasure, unmistakably authentic!"

Of course, Shen Buyao wasn’t actually trying to brush it off.

Anyone who could produce antiques of this caliber…

She refused to believe Lin Yu was clueless about their staggering value.

The cold joke was just a way to steady her nerves.

She couldn’t afford to lose her composure in front of this kid.

"Take a seat, college boy," she said, gesturing for him to sit back down.

"Let’s have a proper chat about these two new pieces you’ve brought."

She signaled for him to put the items away for now.

But Lin Yu didn’t budge, replying breezily:

"No need. Since both of you sisters have been so helpful, why not lay everything out on the table?"

Shen Buyao: "..."

A double entendre.

She’d underestimated him.

Lin Yu had no intention of playing the "innocent bunny" act forever.

Even if he wanted to, who’d buy it?

Pulling out one treasure after another, then claiming to be just a lucky college kid?

One piece could be luck.

But two? Three?

When dealing with shrewd businesswomen, it was best not to overplay one’s hand.

Still, Lin Yu wasn’t worried about his "true colors" being exposed.

He was certain of one thing:

Shen Buyao would stop at nothing to get her hands on that "Longevity" jade disc.

The two women sat across from Lin Yu.

Shen Buyao began:

"First, this jade spoon—based on its shape and craftsmanship, it’s unmistakably the 'White Jade Dragon-Head Spoon.'"

"I’ve seen photos and similar Han-era jade spoons, but this is the first time I’ve laid eyes on the real thing."

"Honestly, we were both stunned."

"And the other piece… even more legendary—"

"The 'Longevity' jade disc!"

"A masterpiece of Han dynasty jade carving, the pinnacle of craftsmanship!"

"Calling it a cultural treasure wouldn’t be an exaggeration."

"For these pieces to be preserved so flawlessly in your possession… it’s hard to believe."

"I doubt a young college student like you has the expertise for such conservation."

Lin Yu: "..."

He stayed silent, waiting to hear where she was going with this.

Sure, he didn’t have the skills.

But the system did.

Shen Buyao leaned forward, elbows on the table, and said bluntly:

"Since you’ve asked me to speak plainly, I’ll cut to the chase..."

"Damn it, Lin Yu, I had my suspicions when you brought that crabapple lacquer tray last time!"

"And now? You’ve got even more heavyweight treasures up your sleeve?"

"I’m inclined to think you’re just a middleman."

"That there’s a 'mastermind' behind you—someone who can’t show their face."

"That’s why they sent you to me, to offload these pieces one by one."

"Because that idiot 'mastermind' must know high-grade ancient jades like these are even harder to move than lacquerware."

"And guess what? Your Sis Buyao here happens to have the connections!"

Lin Yu clapped slowly:

"Bravo… what a brilliant deduction."

"But Sis Buyao, you’ve got it all wrong."

"There's nobody behind me. I'm just an ordinary college student, heh."

So you see.

Most of the time, people shouldn’t assume they’re being clever.

Little do they know.

In others' eyes, it might just look like "brilliance."

The antique-savvy older sister was quite considerate.

The sudden appearance of the mysterious "Black Hand" actually put Lin Yu more at ease.

If he admitted there was some "mastermind" backing him,

it would only add more layers to the act he’d have to keep up.

But whatever Lin Yu said didn’t matter to Shen Buyao.

Whether he admitted it or not,

the "Black Hand" already existed in her mind.

"Yao-jie, I’ve heard a thing or two about ancient jade artifacts."

"If we sell them, won’t there be some complications…?"

Lin Yu hesitated, glancing at Shen Buyao.

Shen Buyao leaned back into the redwood chair and scoffed:

"Oh? You little brat, is your ‘Black Hand boss’ doubting my skills?"

"Is there anything in Ghost Market’s Treasureless Pavilion that can’t be moved?"

"Tell that dumbass behind you to get his facts straight—who’s the real expert on this street?"

Lin Yu: "I really don’t have a boss…"

The insults were harsh.

But at least they weren’t aimed at him.

Technically, they were directed at the system!

Huang Feirong, silent until now, finally spoke up:

"Don’t underestimate Yao’s abilities. If the front door’s locked,"

"sometimes you just need to try the back door."

"And if even that doesn’t work, at least she’s got her reputation—and a sharp tongue!"

"Her mouth’s pretty dangerous too, you—"

Lin Yu: "???"

Before Huang Feirong could finish, she felt Shen Buyao’s murderous glare.

She quickly slammed the brakes.

Leaving the conversation to the other two.

Lin Yu nodded with exaggerated sincerity:

"Coming to Treasureless Pavilion means I trust you two sisters completely."

"I don’t know the ins and outs—I just know Yao-jie, so here I am."

"Where exactly will these three pieces be auctioned?"

"Can I be there to watch when they go up?"

"Oh, and let me say it again—there’s nobody behind me. Don’t get the wrong idea."

He emphasized it three times.

Just to drill it into Shen Buyao’s head.

Having an imaginary backer was oddly comforting.

"Fine, fine, I won’t argue with you."

"If you say there’s nobody, then there’s nobody. The Hibiscus Plate will go to Big Fei’s auction house, like we agreed yesterday."

"As for these two jade pieces? No need for the hassle… I’ll take them myself!"

Lin Yu wore an awkward smile:

"Yao-jie, auction or selling to you—I don’t really care… but you’re not buying them for 200 bucks as fakes, right?"

Huang Feirong: "Pfft!"

Shen Buyao: "…"

"You’d actually sell at that price?"

"Damn you, kid—I never realized your mouth was this sneaky!"

Lin Yu: "I don’t have an uncle."

Shen Buyao: "Damn your dad!"

Lin Yu: "Passed away years ago."

Shen Buyao: "Ah… s-sorry."

…

After the war of words,

the room lapsed into brief awkwardness.

Shen Buyao stood up first, patting Huang Feirong’s shoulder:

"Alright, time to send you back to your cage."

Huang Feirong’s frustration was written all over her face—

and her twisting, sulking posture.

"Ugh, already? I just got out!"

"Can’t we stay a little longer? It’s not like things have started over there yet…"

Shen Buyao hauled her up by force.

Then—

Lin Yu was told:

"College boy, pack up your stuff. We're leaving together—time to show you the world."

Lin Yu: "Wait, now? Sister Buyao, aren’t we still in the middle of talking?"

Shen Buyao: "I don’t have the money for your goods, but someone else does."

Lin Yu could roughly guess.

The person Shen Buyao mentioned was likely from the Shen family.

Unless she was taking him to some remote lake to rob him?

Lin Yu pressed further:

"Sister Buyao, where exactly are we going now?"

Shen Buyao swiftly adjusted her hairband:

"Glory Walk!"