Chapter 61: A Bit Too Messy

Upon entering the apartment, the two beauties directly announced that the bedroom was reserved for their exclusive use tonight.

Without permission, Xiao Ran was not allowed to set foot in the bedroom even half a step.

Xiao Ran smiled wryly and nodded, then walked over to the living room and started his livestream.

As soon as he opened the broadcast room, a massive wave of fans poured in like a rising tide.

Before Xiao Ran could even say a word, many fans began speaking all at once.

"Judging by the background, you seem to be back at your apartment, Xiao Ran. Are you completely fine now?"

Night Raid on the Widow Village 01 asked with concern.

Before the words had even faded, One and Only quickly chimed in.

"As long as you're safe, everyone can continue with this treasure-hunting and bargain-snatching game."

Xiao Ran nodded and briefly explained the situation.

"Thanks to the multi-party coordination between the consulate-general and David, the matter has been settled. I returned to UCLA this morning."

"The infuriating part is that my apartment was ransacked, and by more than one group of people more than once. The place was turned completely upside down, and the door was destroyed."

"Ah!"

Gasps echoed through the livestream room as everyone was startled.

"Is the loss heavy? You didn't leave any treasures in the apartment, did you?"

Shao Feng 123 asked with concern.

"There wasn't much loss. All the treasures I picked up previously had already been handled, so there weren't any valuables in the apartment."

"My newly bought small safe and my laptop were stolen, but that minor loss is negligible."

Xiao Ran gave a simple summary of the situation.

"Good grief! Even the safe was carried away? Public safety there is simply terrible!"

A fan named Remembering Rain said.

"That's outright robbery! Life really is in the depths of water and fire over there!"

Phantoms and Monsters chimed in with a sigh.

Just as they were talking, Elaine and Fang Yufei had already changed into their own nightgowns and walked into the living room.

The moment he saw them, Xiao Ran almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Fortunately, his self-control had been well-exercised, and he swiftly managed his expression, avoiding any embarrassment.

Pausing for a moment, he hurriedly pointed at the phone in front of him to indicate that he was in the middle of a livestream.

The two beauties nodded and refrained from walking into the frame.

Immediately afterward, they also took out their phones, entered the livestream room, and began interacting with everyone.

After chatting casually with the fans for a few moments, Xiao Ran finally got down to business.

"Let me give you an update. That pair of Yongzheng Imperial Blue-Glazed Tianqiubing vases, those antique watches, and that pair of antique Tiffany lamp shades were loaded onto a plane today and shipped to Beijing."

"In about half a month, everyone can go to Beijing to pick up your items, or have your family members in Beijing pick them up for you."

"A reminder: before you go to pick up the goods, make sure to contact me first to verify your identity."

"Those items are extremely valuable, and I certainly can't hand them over to just anyone."

Before his voice had even faded, excited cheers rang out across the livestream room.

"Fantastic! Xiao Ran, you are so efficient. I've just been waiting to flex with that Breguet Tradition!"

Said Lord Hu, Who Loves Butt Bugs.

Unlike him, Half-Asleep and Half-Awake let out a wail.

"Damn it! This is moving way too fast. My set of Wang Yeting porcelain plaques is still stranded in Los Angeles!"

"Had I known this, I should have asked you to help transship that set of porcelain plaques."

"If that were the case, I'd be receiving my goods in half a month."

Just as they were speaking, a user with the nickname Zhong Ming suddenly popped up.

"Everyone, quick, look at the television! The midday news is broadcasting a special segment about the retrieval of the six Tang Dynasty solid-gold running dragons."

"Pictures of all six Tang solid-gold running dragons are being displayed, and it's breathtaking!"

"Aside from the gold running dragons, pictures of the other top-tier antique cultural relics were also shown."

Prompted by his reminder, those guys in the livestream room immediately sprang into action, each of them brimming with excitement.

Xiao Ran and Fang Yufei were the same, but unfortunately, being in the United States, they couldn't see the domestic news programs at all and would have to watch the videos later.

After understanding the significance of this event, Elaine was also extremely excited.

"Sean, it looks like you're going to become famous all across China. You're definitely going to turn into a super internet celebrity and attract countless fans."

Xiao Ran smiled and shook his head.

"I told the relevant personnel at the consulate-general beforehand that it would be best not to mention my name during the reports."

"If my name is mentioned, it might bring me a certain amount of trouble."

"Ah? Such a great opportunity for fame, why give it up?"

Elaine asked with surprise, and Fang Yufei looked somewhat puzzled as well.

"I am a professional treasure hunter, not a Hollywood star. Becoming too famous does me no good."

"On the contrary, being too famous will only bring me a lot of trouble, making everyone keep their eyes on me."

Xiao Ran explained the reasoning behind it.

Hearing this explanation, the two beauties suddenly understood.

"That really is true. If everyone recognizes you, it will become much harder for you to hunt for bargains, and your costs will increase sharply."

At that exact moment, Sister Min's voice suddenly came through the livestream.

"You brat, you're way too cautious. Xiao Ran, what a great opportunity for fame!"

"In this special news segment, you're just an overseas student who didn't even show his face."

Xiao Ran merely smiled indifferently.

"Those who know me naturally know, and for those who don't, it doesn't matter."

Before his words had even faded, Elder Jin, who had joined the livestream room less than two days ago, posted a bullet comment.

"Well said, Xiao Ran. You need to have this kind of healthy mindset to accomplish great things!"

And indeed, that was the truth!

Over the past few days, the number of people requesting to join the livestream room had become almost too numerous to count.

Among these people, many were professionals in the domestic antique and art collection field, the very group of people who knew of Xiao Ran's existence.

Among them were antique and cultural relic appraisal experts, as well as collectors of all sizes, antique dealers, auction house personnel, and so on.

Aside from Elder Jin and a few other top-tier antique and cultural relic appraisal experts, Xiao Ran had not accepted anyone else into the livestream room.

As for overseas students, he hadn't accepted a single one, not even those who were fairly good friends.

This was for his own good, and also for the good of those fellows.

Of course, it was also because the timing was not yet ripe.

Who knew if there were malicious individuals among those requesting to join the livestream room, such as spies for the Yankees? Therefore, it was better to be cautious.

Next, Xiao Ran discussed with the fans in the livestream room for a while about which upcoming auctions to attend.

He checked the various auctions to be held in the Los Angeles area in the next few days, and after comparing and analyzing them, he listed a few targets and let everyone discuss them.

As for the final decision, it was still up to him to make, and it also depended on his schedule.

After all, he had spent seven days at the consulate-general, and a lot of matters had piled up at school. He somehow had to show his face to his advisor and discuss his thesis.

In addition, he needed to register an exploration company, acquire an antique shop or thrift store, recruit employees, and handle many other things. He had a tight schedule indeed.

Understanding his situation, everyone did not pressure him to immediately attend auctions or lead everyone treasure hunting.

After chatting a bit longer, Xiao Ran ended the broadcast and exited the livestream room.

Immediately afterward, he looked at the two beauties wearing nightgowns and said jokingly:

"Ladies, the livestream is over. We can now have a proper discussion about how we're going to sleep tonight."

"There is only one bedroom here and only one bed. How about we squeeze together? We can all fit if we try!"

"Shameless! Keep dreaming your pipe dreams!"

Fang Yufei scolded with a blushing face and picked up a throw pillow, hurling it right at him.

Elaine did the same, casually tossing a pillow his way.

Xiao Ran hurriedly sprang up from the sofa, dodging both attacks in succession.

Taking advantage of the playful scuffle, he also managed to appreciate quite a few very beautiful sights.

At that precise moment, however, his phone rang—it was a video call initiated by his mother.

"Shh!"

Xiao Ran made a shushing gesture to quiet the two beauties down.

Elaine and the other immediately stopped, each holding a pillow and gesturing threateningly, ready to charge forward at any second.

The call connected, and his mother instantly appeared on the screen.

The moment she saw Xiao Ran, his mother said with great excitement:

"Xiaoran, CCTV just did a special report on the return of those six Tang Dynasty solid-gold running dragons."

"Although the report didn't mention your name, it spoke very highly of your actions and gave you high praise!"

"This will definitely be a huge help when you return to China to work later. You brat handled this matter brilliantly!"

"Don't look at who my mother is; can my work be anything less than brilliant?"

Xiao Ran said proudly, subtly flattering his mother in return.

Hearing this, his mother broke into an even happier smile.

At that exact moment, Elaine suddenly pulled Fang Yufei into the frame with her and raised her hand to greet his mother.

"Auntie! Good evening."

The instant she saw these two beauties, his mother was completely stunned, her face full of bewilderment.

Immediately afterward, his mother's face turned red.

"Xiaoran, it's so late. Why are Elaine and Yufei in your room?"

"And they're both wearing nightgowns! What on earth are you brat doing? Isn't this getting a bit too chaotic?"

Before she finished speaking, Fang Yufei's face flushed a deep crimson all the way to her ears, while Elaine still had no idea what was going on!