Stockpiling for an Exiled General Through My Store's Back Door

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Grandpa Mo

This was Hua Buwan’s first time backstage at such a prestigious auction. The security here was visibly stricter than outside. Walking past the guards sent a chill down her spine, making her feel like a helpless little rabbit surrounded by big, bad wolves.

She closely followed Grandma Wen’s steps, trying her best to calm down and mimic the older woman’s unhurried, graceful demeanor. As they approached, the two security guards at the door stepped forward to block their path.

At that moment, a middle-aged man in a sharp suit walked over, sporting a professional smile. ”Hello, how may I help you?”

Grandma Wen patted Hua Buwan’s hand, signaling for her to speak.

Bolstering her courage, Hua Buwan said, ”I have some antique items passed down from my ancestors that I’d like to put up for auction here.”

She didn’t need to elaborate; the middle-aged man understood immediately. He politely stepped aside and gestured for the two of them to head inside.

Hua Buwan noticed that this man was far from simple. Although he looked like a standard attendant, the two guards at the door clearly took their cues from his expressions. He was likely their boss. Even though they had only exchanged a few words at the door, she knew he had already sized them up, reached a conclusion, and decided they were qualified to enter.

Soon, they were led into an inner room.

”Please take a seat for a moment, ladies. The appraiser will be here shortly,” the man said.

”Thank you,” Hua Buwan smiled calmly, helping Grandma Wen to a seat.

The middle-aged man turned to pour them two cups of hot water before retreating outside.

Meanwhile, an elderly man with gray hair, dressed in a traditional Tang suit, walked in. He immediately spotted Wen Erya. His pace quickened, and he hurried over in a few strides.

”Erya, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I had no idea, so I didn’t even prepare a proper reception for you.” After speaking, the old man frantically straightened his hair and clothes, terrified that his current appearance was lacking.

Hua Buwan raised an eyebrow, silently mourning for Feng Chengde for three seconds. Sure enough, the old man was right—Grandma Wen was incredibly popular. Take your eyes off her for one second, and another old man would swoop in to fawn over her. Beauty truly transcends time; an elegant elderly woman like Grandma Wen was still a highly sought-after prize.

The old man reached out a hand in greeting, and Grandma Wen didn’t resist, returning the handshake. As a result, the old man started chatting endlessly, saying it had been too long, asking when she would be free for a meal, and inquiring if that old fogey Feng Chengde was still in good health. He kept rambling on, yet his hand never let go of hers.

Grandma Wen began to look a little awkward.

Catching on quickly, Hua Buwan grabbed the old man’s hand, smoothly liberating Grandma Wen’s hand in the process. Grandma Wen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Hua Buwan with a bit more affection.

”Hello, Grandpa! My name is Hua Buwan. You can just call me Buwan,” Hua Buwan greeted him brightly.

For a split second, she saw his expression darken, but the shrewd old man quickly plastered a smile back onto his face. ”Hello, hello, my young friend Buwan.”

Grandma Wen chimed in from the side, ”This is the eldest niece of a junior in my family. Please take good care of her.”

Hua Buwan felt deeply grateful. Grandma Wen was elevating her status. This way, the man in front of her wouldn’t dare slight her and would treat her with more respect. Sure enough, his smile lost its previous forced chilliness and became genuinely sincere.

”Buwan, take out your items and let Grandpa Mo evaluate them. I’ll go for a stroll outside,” Wen Erya said before standing up and heading out.

Grandpa Mo gazed after Wen Erya’s retreating figure with deep reluctance. Finally, he shot Hua Buwan a resentful look.

Hua Buwan immediately tipped her cloth bag over, dumping out the antiques she planned to sell.

Grandpa Mo stared in utter disbelief. He couldn’t believe she would treat potential auction items like this. If they were fakes, she was wasting his time. But if they were real, this was an absolute sacrilege!

Wuyin Gong!