I touched the brush holder first.

Then the ink stick.

Finally, my fingers landed on the inkstone.

It was a Duan inkstone.

Purple with tinges of blue, the stone texture was fine and delicate.

The moment it came into contact with my hand.

My brain felt as if it had been struck by a high-voltage current.

It wasn't the chilly resentment from the Snow case.

Nor was it the desperate tension from "K’s" fountain pen.

It was a... cold, emotionless, pure stream of information.

Strings of code.

Complex circuit diagrams.

And a three-dimensional chip structure model.

Flashing rapidly through my mind.

This is it!

I found it!

I opened my eyes abruptly.

Just in time to lock eyes with "Gardener."

I didn't know when he had walked up behind us.

He was looking at me with a half-smile.

His gaze was like a surgical scalpel.

Wanting to dissect me from the inside out.

Chapter 17

"Gardener's" gaze sent a chill down my spine.

Did he discover me?

Or was it just a coincidence?

I couldn't be sure.

My brain was racing at lightning speed.

Yet, my face had to maintain the obsession and appreciation for antiques that a wealthy merchant should have.

"Fine piece."

I exclaimed with a slightly exaggerated tone.

Then, I reluctantly took my hand off the inkstone.

The movement was natural and fluid.

There couldn't be the slightest flaw.

"Chessboard" immediately took over.

She spoke to me in a coquettish tone.

"You like it? If you like it, just buy it."

"It'll be the perfect addition to your study."

Our conversation perfectly masked the abnormality of that instant.

"Know-It-All" also took the opportunity to close the display cabinet door.

Everything returned to normal.

"Gardener" smiled and walked over.

He said in fluent Chinese:

"This gentleman has a keen eye."

"This 'Zi Stone Inkstone' is a rare, high-quality classic from the old pits of Duanxi in the Tang Dynasty."

"The stone eyes are vivid, and it feels as if it breathes clouds when exhaled upon; it is a rare treasure."

He spoke with great professionalism.

If I didn't know his true background, I would have absolutely mistaken him for a genuine antique enthusiast.

"Polygraph's" voice sounded in my ear.

"His heart rate has risen from 72 to 85."

"His pupils have constricted slightly."

"He is testing you."

My heart sank.

Sure enough, he was suspicious.

I couldn't panic.

I had to keep playing this role.

I pretended to be a wealthy, arrogant tycoon.

"It's alright, I guess."

"I just don't know how much it's going to cost later."

"If it's too expensive, my wife might get unhappy."

As I said this, I glanced at "Chessboard."

"Chessboard" rolled her eyes at me with the flair of a spoiled, wealthy socialite.

"Nonsense, when have you ever cared about money?"

The smile on "Gardener's" face deepened.

"It seems you are determined to have it, sir."

"Then I shall wish you success in advance."

He finished, raised his glass to us, turned, and walked away.

He took a few steps, then looked back and gave me a long, deep look.

That look was highly meaningful.

Not until he disappeared into the crowd did I feel the cold sweat breaking out on my back.

That brief confrontation of just a few minutes.

Was more exhausting than any physical training.

"Are we exposed?" I asked in a low voice.

"Not completely exposed," "Chessboard's" voice was calm. "But he has already listed us as key suspects."

"What now? The original plan was a swap, but that's impossible now."

"We have to change the plan," "Chessboard's" eyes became sharp. "Buy it."

"Buy it outright?" I was a bit surprised. "We don't know who the contact is. What if one of his own people bids against us?"

"Then we'll see whose money lasts longer," "Chessboard's" tone carried an air of dominance. "Bureau Nine's funding isn't just for show."

"Polygraph, keep an eye on that contact."

"Know-It-All, estimate the true value and the premium space for this inkstone."

"Ghost, prepare Plan B. If we fail in the auction, we’ll have to resort to a direct assault."

She issued orders methodically.

In the shortest possible time, she had formulated a new plan.

That is "Chessboard."

A born commander.

The intermission was over.

We returned to our seats.

The atmosphere in the hall was more intense than before.

The auction items in the second half were clearly of greater significance.

My palms were sweating constantly.

I could feel "Gardener's" gaze like a needle, occasionally pricking at my back.

Item after item was presented and then auctioned off.

I was distracted.

All my attention was concentrated on the inkstone that was about to come up.

Finally.

The auctioneer announced loudly in a stirring tone.

"The next lot is one of the grand finales of this auction!"

"Tang Dynasty, Duanxi Zi Stone Inkstone!"

An usher walked onto the stage carrying a tray draped in yellow satin.

The inkstone lay quietly in the center of the tray.

Under the spotlight, it glowed with a faint purple light.

My heart began to race wildly.

"Starting bid, three million!"

No sooner had the auctioneer finished than someone in the room raised their paddle.

"3.2 million!"

"3.5 million!"

The price climbed steadily.

The bidders were all well-known collectors.

Everything seemed normal.

"Gardener" sat in his seat, motionless.

Like an onlooker uninvolved in the proceedings.

But "Polygraph's" voice came through just in time.

"Pay attention to the man in the grey suit in the back row."

"Since a moment ago, he has been observing everyone who raises their paddle."

"His finger is rhythmically tapping on his knee."

"The frequency is perfectly synchronized with the auctioneer’s quotes."

"He is calculating."

"He is the contact!"

Following "Polygraph's" guidance, I glanced over with the corner of my eye.

It was a very ordinary Asian face.

If you saw him in a crowd, you wouldn't take a second look.

But the calm, cold demeanor he carried betrayed him.

The price had reached eight million.

Only two collectors remained competing.

Just then.

The man in the grey suit raised his paddle.

His first bid.

"Ten million."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear.

He raised the price by two million in one go.

The whole room was in an uproar.

Everyone’s gaze converged on him.

The other two collectors hesitated and lowered their paddles.

They dropped out.

The auctioneer began the countdown.

"Ten million, going once!"

"Ten million, going twice!"

"Chessboard" nudged my arm.

"It's our turn."

I took a deep breath and raised my paddle.

"Twelve million."

Chapter 18

My bid was like a stone cast into a calm lake.

The entire hall went silent in an instant.

Everyone’s gaze shifted from the man in the grey suit back to me.

Including "Gardener's."

His eyes pierced through the crowd like two sharp blades, aimed straight at me.

The man in the grey suit also turned his head and gave me a cold glance.

There was no surprise in his eyes, only a trace of malice.

It seemed he had long expected someone to compete with him.

The auctioneer’s face was beaming with joy.

He loved nothing more than a situation where two strong opponents clashed.

"Twelve million! This gentleman bids twelve million!"

"Is there any higher bid?"

The man in the grey suit raised his paddle again without hesitation.

"Thirteen million."

His increment remained one million.

Calm and decisive.

It seemed he was determined to get this inkstone at any cost.

"Chessboard" whispered beside me.

"Don't rush, wear him down."

"Act like a wealthy person throwing a tantrum—you have plenty of money, and you're just doing this to save face."

I understood.

I had to act.

I had to play the part of an infuriated, irrational bidder.

Only then could we maximize the concealment of our true objective.

I raised my paddle again.

"Fifteen million!"

This time, I didn't wait for the auctioneer to announce the bid.

I followed up immediately after he raised his paddle.

Moreover, I increased the bid by two million at once.

This move completely ignited the atmosphere in the hall.

Everyone could see it now.

This was no longer an auction.

The man in the grey suit finally frowned.

He clearly hadn't expected me to play so far outside the conventional rules.

He turned his head and exchanged a quick, subtle glance with "Gardener."

"Polygraph's" voice sounded instantly.

"They are communicating."

"Gardener's look is a signal for him to continue."

"It seems the value of this intelligence far exceeds our imagination."

The man in the grey suit raised his paddle again.

"Sixteen million."

His rhythm had been disrupted.

But he was still persisting.

I sneered and raised my paddle directly.

"Twenty million!"

I pushed the price up to an inconceivable height.

The entire room let out a collective gasp.

Twenty million for an inkstone?

He’s crazy.

Everyone thought I had lost my mind.

Even the auctioneer was stunned for a moment.

"Twenty million... This gentleman bids twenty million!"