052. The Whereabouts of the Everlasting Spring Art

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Although she knew Lin Shan was joking, Luo Bing still felt a faint sweetness in her heart. Pouting playfully, she said, “All right, enough. What exactly did my father say? He didn’t give you a hard time, did he?”

Luo Bing knew her father far too well.

Lin Shan said calmly, “It was all right. He did ask me to reduce contact with you, but I refused. I told him that you’re already an independent adult and should have the right to make your own choices. If you wanted me to leave, I would go immediately.”

Luo Bing blinked. “And then?”

Lin Shan hesitated, but decided not to mention the confrontation that followed. “After that, he didn’t say much else.”

Luo Bing instinctively felt that Lin Shan was holding something back, but she did not press him. Instead, she brought up the three jade pieces he had previously consigned for auction.

“Lin Shan, I’ve already spread the word about those three jade pieces you consigned. Several collectors are extremely interested. They should fetch a fairly good price this time.”

Spreading the word had been entirely Luo Bing’s own doing. After spending several years in this circle, she had indeed made the acquaintance of quite a few people who shared such interests. Whenever good merchandise appeared, she would notify them.

“Then thank you. Also, I have some more jade and gold that I’d like to sell.”

As he spoke, Lin Shan’s hand moved slowly over Luo Bing’s smooth back.

Curious, Luo Bing asked, “Lin Shan, where did you get all these things? You don’t look anything like one of those tomb raiders.”

Lin Shan chuckled. “They were all dug up by my family. I know the market probably can’t absorb so much at once, so I’ll give everything to you in a couple of days. We can release it gradually.”

Luo Bing nodded obediently. After tidying themselves up a little, she took out her tablet and began looking over the lots for the next auction so she could prepare in advance. With nothing else to do, Lin Shan glanced through them as well.

Suddenly, he noticed an ancient text among the auction lots. He immediately straightened in his seat. He could see it clearly: some of the contents of the book bore an astonishing resemblance to the Everlasting Spring Technique, and certain passages were even word-for-word identical.

“Luo Bing, what is the background of this ancient text?”

Lin Shan hurriedly asked.

Luo Bing was startled as well. After a moment, she said, “This ancient text was consigned by an elderly gentleman. He’s very fond of traditional Chinese studies and has collected quite a few works related to health cultivation. People who like this sort of thing love it, but those who aren’t interested just see it as a few sheets of useless paper. We accepted the book mainly because we’d worked with the old gentleman before.”

“Are there any other sections? Let me see them.”

Hearing the gravity in Lin Shan’s voice, Luo Bing quickly brought up several photographs. Lin Shan examined them one by one and discovered that the book indeed contained part of the Everlasting Spring Technique. Much of it was missing; even the Blood-Tempering Realm portion was incomplete.

The discovery shook Lin Shan to his core.

What did this mean?

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There was a connection between the two worlds.

Lin Shan had also tried cultivating the Everlasting Spring Technique in the main world, but the results were far inferior to those in the other world. Nevertheless, cultivation was still possible.

This meant that cultivators must exist in the main world as well...

Seeing the thoughtful expression on Lin Shan’s face, Luo Bing did not disturb him. After a while, Lin Shan said, “Luo Bing, could you introduce me to this old gentleman? This ancient text is extremely important to me. I want to see what comes next.”

Revealing a client’s privacy was a very serious matter, but Luo Bing agreed almost without hesitation.

“All right. I’ll arrange it.”

“Thank you!”

Lin Shan lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead.

Just then, Luo Bing’s phone suddenly vibrated. They both looked over. The caller ID displayed Sheng Teng.

The two exchanged a knowing smile, and Luo Bing answered the call.

“Darling, are you free tonight? I haven’t seen you for several days, and I miss you so much. Let’s have dinner together.”

Hearing Sheng Teng’s voice through the phone, Luo Bing felt a wave of purely physical revulsion. She made a gagging gesture at Lin Shan before saying, “I can’t. There’s an especially important auction in three days, and I need to prepare properly.”

“All right, then...”

Sheng Teng hung up and frowned. He felt that something about Luo Bing’s tone had been off. At that moment, Zhang Wan was beside him. Seeing him put down the phone, she asked, “How did it go?”

Sheng Teng shook his head. “She said she has to focus on work. You don’t think she’s figured anything out, do you?”

“Probably not...” Zhang Wan replied. “I’ve been by her side for quite some time. She’s not someone who can keep things bottled up. If Lin Shan had really told her something, she would have exploded by now.”

Sheng Teng pulled Zhang Wan into his arms and gave a sly laugh. “Let’s hope so...”

...

Meanwhile, Lin Shan said goodbye to Luo Bing. He still had to go to Liu Ying’s home for dinner that evening; there had to be a limit to fooling around.

As soon as he reached the street, Chen Yuanying called him again.

“Ah Shan, I’ve sent you that girl’s contact information. Add her quickly.”

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Lin Shan sighed inwardly. In the end, he could not bring himself to reject his mother’s good intentions, so he opened his phone and added the woman on WeChat.

Her profile picture showed a half-length portrait with a somewhat influencer-like style. He had no idea whether it was really her.

She accepted his friend request almost immediately, and Lin Shan sent her a message.

“Hello, I’m Lin Shan. Aunt Wu introduced us.”

Afterward, Lin Shan opened her Moments feed and began looking through it.

Judging solely by her posts, she was indeed fairly attractive—probably a seven out of ten.

But beauty filters were far too powerful in this day and age. He had no idea what she would really look like when they met in person.

A few minutes later, she replied:

“Zhu Zhu.”

This was Lin Shan’s first time being set up on a blind date, and he was still wondering how to respond when she sent another message.

“You’re divorced now, right? And unemployed too?”

Lin Shan gave an embarrassed laugh and replied, “Yes... The divorce case will be heard soon.”

She followed up, “Then will you have to split the house and other property with your ex-wife?”

“That will probably depend on the final outcome of the lawsuit.”

“Do you have a car?”

“I have a Honda.”

“I don’t think we’re suitable for each other. Let’s forget it.”

Lin Shan was speechless, then burst out laughing. The blind date had ended at an astonishing speed. Still, that was probably for the best. He had no desire to waste time arguing with her, and at least now he could give his mother an answer.

It was already half past four in the afternoon. Judging by the time, it was about right. Following the location Liu Ying had sent him, Lin Shan set off at once.

At that moment, in Liu Ying’s rented apartment, Liu Ying was busy in the kitchen wearing an apron. In the living room, a woman held Liu Ying’s Hermès handbag and said enviously, “Wah, Liu Ying, I’m so jealous of you! When will I ever meet a tycoon like that?”

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