Yan Xiaobao stood outside the lingerie store. Ye Shanshan said that, since Yan Xiaobao was a man, entering a store specializing in women’s lingerie would be inappropriate and might make other customers feel awkward.
Yan Xiaobao sighed, leaned against the wall, and began to observe the surrounding area for anything that might catch his attention.
As his gaze swept across the area, an antique shop across the street sparked his interest.
An elderly lady sat behind the counter, reading an old book. She glanced briefly at the young man who had just entered the store. However, she quickly determined that this handsome young man didn’t seem to be a troublemaker and returned to her reading.
As Yan Xiaobao’s eyes quickly adjusted to the dim lighting inside the shop, his gaze fixated on rows of intriguing items. Even at first glance, Yan Xiaobao felt excited, as if embarking on a treasure hunt and uncovering a chest filled with priceless gemstones.
The first shelf was entirely filled with vases ranging in age from five hundred to three thousand years old. Yan Xiaobao was stunned by the way these incredible artifacts were displayed.
He was convinced they were genuine. The shock swiftly replaced his initial skepticism, and Yan Xiaobao felt his heartbeat become erratic. This also caused his breathing to grow slightly uneven. If these vases were truly authentic, then what about everything else?
He slowly stepped into the shop, eager to see what he might discover next.
As he ventured further inside, he noticed treasure after treasure. Entire shelves were piled high with ancient paintings, rolled up and stacked three layers deep atop one another.
Though the shop looked dirty, there was no doubt it was a treasure trove. Hui Yue ventured deeper into the store, with each step quickening his heartbeat.
Even though Yan Xiaobao knew he was inside a shop, it almost felt as if he was touring a museum—except here, he was actually allowed to touch and examine these priceless artifacts. Glancing around, Yan Xiaobao was convinced this shop was more valuable than any actual museum he had visited before.
Yan Xiaobao passed by clothing, signs, and books until he reached the counter, where he saw jewelry displayed. The moment he arrived, his eyes landed on something that froze him in place and made him take a deep breath to steady himself.
Before him was the most stunning phoenix crown he had ever seen—a breathtaking masterpiece. It was far more exquisite than the one discovered in Emperor Wanli’s tomb, and Hui Yue had never heard of such a treasure. This shop was filled with surprises.
The crown was displayed in the center of the counter. Undoubtedly, it was the most dazzling headpiece he had seen so far in the shop. Strangely, it wasn’t locked away or guarded by anything. It simply sat there, allowing customers to examine it through a simple glass case.
At the very next moment, he spotted something that froze him in place again and made him take another deep breath to steady himself.
A blue phoenix brooch, its body crafted from an oval-shaped piece of incredibly pure white jade, adorned with swirling patterns of gold. Its wings were made of sapphire. Jade, gold, and sapphire entwined with one another in elegant patterns, forming gorgeous tail feathers and a long, delicate neck that extended toward a beautiful beak and face. Near the phoenix’s wings, its face was encrusted with numerous pearls, completing its appearance.
"Oh, you like the blue phoenix?" An aged voice echoed from the corner. Yan Xiaobao, startled as he had completely forgotten about the elderly lady, quickly looked at her with a respectful gaze, noticing the complex expression on her face.
Yan Xiaobao left the antique shop filled with exhilaration. He knew no one in this modern era would wear such a hairpin. However, it was so stunning that he could only think of one person whose beauty could match it. He couldn’t wait to give the gift to Ye Shanshan and see the joy on her face.
"Honey!" Ye Shanshan had already finished her shopping and was waiting outside the lingerie store. When she saw Yan Xiaobao exit the antique shop holding something, she waved at him excitedly.
Yan Xiaobao ran toward Ye Shanshan, stepping into the middle of the road.
Suddenly, a streak of blue light shot up from Yan Xiaobao’s body, surging toward the sky like a swirling beam.
When the blue light dissipated, Ye Shanshan was horrified to discover that Yan Xiaobao had disappeared.