Chapter 31: The Stubborn Childhood Friend

After parting ways with David, Xiao Ran immediately sent messages to "Half-Dreaming, Half-Awake" and the others, informing them that the transaction was complete. How they would transport those items back to the country was no longer his concern. The recipients were thrilled and kept urging Xiao Ran to start a live stream to chat with everyone, but Xiao Ran smilingly declined. He had other things to attend to.

After returning to his apartment and locking the contract in his safe, he drove off toward the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. These two treasure-hunting experiences had made him realize that he urgently needed to acquire professional knowledge in antiques and art to improve his connoisseurship. Only then could he truly call himself a qualified professional treasure hunter. In the future, whenever he discovered antiques or art, he would be able to understand not just what they were, but why they were valuable. If he found pieces he liked and wanted to keep, he could authenticate them himself without needing to consult other experts and drawing unwanted attention. Possessing deep knowledge and a sharp eye for authentication would also help him mask the secret of his clairvoyant ability.

Museums were clearly the best places to learn and refine his skills. The artifacts and artworks housed within them were the finest teachers and references. By using his clairvoyant ability, he could discern the strengths, weaknesses, and true value of these items. By cross-referencing this with public information, he could master the essentials of authentication. Once he settled on this method, Xiao Ran decided to visit all the museums in the Los Angeles area as soon as possible, purchase a wealth of professional books for study, and improve his expertise. He also planned to make regular museum visits a habit to cultivate his sensibilities—and, more importantly, to keep his secret safe.

There was another reason as well. Last Wednesday, while visiting the Getty Museum, he discovered that his clairvoyant ability seemed to benefit from observing antiques and art, growing stronger each time. This discovery left him ecstatic and further fueled his enthusiasm for museum visits.

Before long, he arrived at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. After parking, he bought a ticket and began touring the collection of modern art. He didn't leave until the museum closed that afternoon, still feeling like he hadn't seen enough. Before departing, he bought a pile of books on modern art from the gift shop, planning to study them thoroughly.

Just as he loaded the books into his car and prepared to drive away, his phone rang. It was his father. Xiao Ran glanced at the caller ID and answered. His father’s urgent voice came through immediately.

"Xiao Ran, where are you right now? Your Uncle Fang just called. He said Yufei is in some trouble near her school—it sounds tricky. Can you go over and take a look?"

Xiao Ran’s expression changed instantly. "Dad, I just left the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. I'm not far from USC; I'll head over right now. What happened to Yufei? Why didn't that stubborn girl call me herself? Wait—she blocked me, didn't she? She probably deleted my number too!" He shook his head helplessly.

Fang Yufei was a childhood friend who was also studying abroad in Los Angeles, though she was at USC. Uncle Fang was his father’s college classmate and close friend, living in Beijing. Last year, Yufei’s parents divorced, and less than three months later, Uncle Fang remarried a 28-year-old beauty. It was essentially a case of a mistress successfully taking the throne. Because of this, Yufei’s relationship with her father became extremely strained, and she was at total odds with her new stepmother. When Xiao Ran visited Beijing last winter, he had foolishly gone to Uncle Fang's new home and sent photos of their meal to Yufei. Furious, she blocked him. They hadn't been in touch for over half a year; he had almost forgotten he had such a pretty childhood friend in LA.

"Here’s the thing, Xiao Ran," his father continued. "According to your Uncle Fang, Yufei accidentally bumped into someone’s luxury car while riding her bike. They say the car is worth a fortune, and the repair costs are high. There might be other complications, too."

Xiao Ran breathed a sigh of relief. "Is that all? It’s just a car accident. We can just pay for it; Uncle Fang isn't short on money."

"Sigh, there’s more to it," his father said, sighing. "Ever since Fang remarried, Yufei hasn't taken a cent from him. She cut up the credit cards he gave her and has been working part-time to cover her living expenses in LA. The girl is stubbornly principled; she would do exactly that."

"What about her mother? Isn't she looking after her daughter?" Xiao Ran asked helplessly, pulling out of the parking lot.

"Yufei’s mother was very firm during the divorce. She didn't take a dime from Fang except for the apartment, and she doesn't have much money now. She was the one who told Fang about the incident. Fang tried calling Yufei, but she wouldn't pick up, so he had no choice but to turn to you. Since she won't take his money, and international transfers take a day to clear, he can't help her immediately. When you get to USC, just pay whatever is needed to settle it, and Fang will transfer the money to you later."

"Got it, Dad," Xiao Ran replied. "I'm heading to USC now to rescue that girl. Honestly, you middle-aged folks—you have good lives, why do you have to go and get divorced? It just makes everything a mess. Don't you dare try that yourself, by the way. Just so you know, I’m on Mom’s side."

"You brat! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" his father scolded.

Xiao Ran laughed. "Don't be angry, I'm just joking. Send me Yufei’s number. I’m bringing a lawyer with me. Whatever trouble she’s in, I’ll get it sorted out."

After hanging up, he drove straight toward USC. On the way, he called David and told him to meet him there. He arrived at the main gate of USC in about ten minutes. David was still on his way, so Xiao Ran pulled out his phone and dialed Yufei’s number. It rang five or six times before she finally picked up.

"Hello? Who is this? This is Fang Yufei." She spoke in English, but Xiao Ran replied in crisp, clear Mandarin.

"It’s me. Where are you? I’m coming to find you. Did anyone bully you? I’ve got a lawyer with me."

In the background, he could hear some laughter and jeering; the scene seemed quite noisy. Yufei was stunned for a moment before replying stiffly, "Did you call the wrong number?" She moved to hang up.

Xiao Ran shook his head and said firmly, "If you won't tell me where you are, I’ll just have to circle the campus until I find you. If that doesn't work, I’ll check every building and apartment complex until I do."

Yufei remained silent for a moment before answering irritably, "I’m near the gym by the West Gate. There’s a crowd here; you’ll see me when you get here."

"Wait there. I’m on my way. Don't get into any more conflicts; let me handle this."

He drove to the West Gate, parked on the side of the road, and sprinted into the campus. He didn't have to run far before the gym came into view. There was indeed a crowd in front of the building, mostly students, looking quite boisterous. Right in the center of the group, Xiao Ran immediately spotted a familiar figure.