The Beautiful Boss's Personal Bodyguard
Chapter 498 - 497

Chapter 498: 497

Ye Tian had no interest in lingering on this question, his intuition told him this shifty-eyed little guy showing up here definitely had a reason.

"I’m not a cop. Don’t worry."

The kid clearly didn’t believe it; if not a cop, who else could emanate such an aura? Could be an undercover cop, too. The stuff he pulled last time wasn’t sorted out completely yet; maybe he was really followed here, considering the recent crackdown back home... But that doesn’t make sense, the crackdown in the country is keeping them busy enough, what are the chances of them bothering with little thieves like us on the run, right?

He was somewhat baffled.

"Big bro, are you really not a cop?"

"Do I look like one?"

Ye Tian glanced at him; this kid clearly lacked judgment—how could he even get by in the world like this.

"You do. If you truly aren’t a cop, then you must be some big shot, right, big bro? What can I do for you?"

Ye Tian waved his hand, "We’re all brothers out here, there’s nothing I’d need ordering around. What’s your name?"

"My buddies call me Tang San’er, just San’er will do for you, big bro."

Ye Tian was amenable, "San’er, tell me, what kind of business do you do?"

"Dealing in antiques."

"Cut the crap. Antique dealers hang out outside; only a fool would pay admission to deal antiques in here."

When Ye Tian had entered through the main gate earlier, a bunch of people surrounded him, all without exception talking about antiques. Ye Tian glanced at the catalogues they handed over, filled with various pots and vases, ones that people with no discernment couldn’t possibly tell real from fake.

"I really do deal in antiques," Tang San cautiously looked around then leaned in and said, "I manage the goods moving from inside to outside here."

Ye Tian was initially shocked, then delighted.

"You have people here?"

Ye Tian meant whether they had their own people inside the museum.

Tang San shrugged carelessly, "What’s so surprising about that, big bro? Haven’t you heard about the theft at Huaxia Museum?"

Ye Tian had heard about it; it was the treasure that vanished without a trace from inside the Imperial Palace at the turn of the new century. After an old man’s exposé, mainstream newspapers nationwide reported the incident. Since the national treasure was too significant, it caught the attention of the government departments, and after thorough investigation, it was defined as an organized criminal activity. The case seemed to close with the powerful intervention of the state departments, but insiders revealed that the trafficking of precious national relics had been ongoing, covertly orchestrated by people inside the museum, swapping real for fake items. Without anyone from above checking, and with ordinary folks unable to discern the authenticity—especially with a glass case in between—nobody would know for sure. Although the museum went through annual inspections, with a little money and a few words, it was all easily overlooked; nobody took these matters seriously.

Although it seemed like an easy job working at the museum, in reality, there was no money to be made; two thousand yuan a month was the ceiling, no overtime pay, and no year-end bonus, a stark difference from other institutional jobs. Once this path to wealth was discovered, owing to its safety, convenience, and quick money-making qualities, it quickly spread nationwide. Even the Capital was involved, and the regions were even more brazen. As such, the country’s cultural heritage suffered an almost devastating blow.

"You mean that the same thing is happening here?"

Ye Tian pointed at the Eastern Artifacts Exhibition Hall behind them, and Tang San hurriedly pressed his finger down, "Boss, pointing like that in foreign countries is very impolite; watch out or the security will throw you out."

"Is it that serious?"

"Only serious, nothing light."

Ye Tian calmed down, looking carefully around him. Everything had been very quiet, nothing unusual, "Let’s talk outside."

"Big bro, you’re not planning to haul me back in, are you?"

"Not at all; I want to discuss business with you."

...

"Big bro, whatever it is, just tell me. Bringing me to this place has got me feeling uneasy."

Ye Tian took Tang San to a small café next to the police station; two grown men drinking coffee here was a rare sight, and many people gave them generous glances as they walked in.

Ye Tian poured him a cup of coffee then slowly said, "The most dangerous place is often the safest, and regardless, what do we have to do with the cops here? We’re just two small businessmen, abiding by the law, such good citizens."

Trouble always finds me. Although he couldn’t fully grasp Ye Tian’s actions, his carefree demeanor didn’t exactly scream ’cop’. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought him here. Moreover, in public, nothing too outrageous would happen.

"Sir, up till now, I still don’t know your identity. What do you do exactly?"

"I’m in business. Blech, this coffee is so bitter." Ye Tian spooned two teaspoons of sugar into his cup and, after tasting it, found it a bit too sweet, to which he added some water, leaving Tang San gaping in astonishment.

"You don’t have to be scared, I’ll tell you the truth, I’m not a cop. I’m just here to make a living like you. What good can come from visiting a museum, right?" Ye Tian took a photo out of his pocket and placed it in front of him, "Do you recognize this item?"

Tang San picked up the photo from the table, a bit surprised, "Yuan Blue and White Porcelain Bottle. What a fine piece!"

"Of course it’s a fine piece. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sought you out. Think about it, see if you can get a hold of it."

Tang San stroked his chin, eyeing Ye Tian with his eyelids flipped, crossing his left leg over his right and switching the hand on his chin from left to right, his small mustache fluttering up and down. Ye Tian knew he was weighing the deal in his mind, and he didn’t push him. Businessmen are cautious, not letting even one cent of profit slip by—he understood that.

After about five or six minutes—during which Ye Tian gulped down two cups of coffee—Tang San finally spoke, "That item, the museum doesn’t have it."

He hadn’t said it was unobtainable—that was key.

Ye Tian nudged his chin towards the photo, "Think of a way, man. Can’t let someone get pissed to death, right?"

"It’d be better to be pissed to death than not having any piss at all. Sir, if you really want to figure this out, I might give you a suggestion. But as for the price..."