Old Man Terrend and his granddaughter Nair's antique shop was located in Zone C at the very end of Salwen Square.
From there, it was just a turn away from the subway entrance, making it a prime location in the underground antique market on the third level.
Old Man Terrend's ancestors were said to have been retainers of Count Salwen, and when they retired, they received a generous gift from the Count's family.
They also learned a lot about high society appraisal and knowledge, which led them to open this antique shop.
At least, that's what the young girl Nair always claimed, though she herself didn't really believe it.
The grandfather and granddaughter did live quite frugally.
Nair's parents passed away early, so the old man took his granddaughter in to raise her himself.
He felt that he was getting old and his granddaughter was still young; if anything happened to him, how would she manage?
On a whim, he was swayed by a broker in the financial circle and participated in speculative business, mortgaging the old antique shop.
Later, the result was naturally a complete loss, and even the shop was almost repossessed.
Fortunately, at this time, Terrence actually produced an original painting by Count Salwen.
It should be known that the famous literary Count Salwen, in addition to being a biologist, environmental Engineer, and city designer, also had the attribute of a great artist, with master-level painting skills.
As a literary youth, this was, of course, very reasonable, wasn't it?
In any case, that painting sold for a large sum of money, finally paying off the debt, and the grandfather and granddaughter were saved from living on the streets.
All of the above was what the young girl Nair told Yu Lian along the way.
"Fortunately, my grandfather really left some family fortune! Otherwise, we would truly have to wander and become beggars; I always felt I would have died from illness years ago," the little girl said.
"Indeed, your grandfather being able to produce a painting by Count Salwen, doesn't that suggest that your ancestors must have been retainers of the Count?" Yu Lian asked.
"Who knows? If our ancestors were truly retainers of the Count's mansion, how could we have ended up in our Present state?
Look at the newly appointed Mist Capital Mayor; their Xie Lieer family used to only be third-class administrative secretaries in the Governor's Office.
And Beson, the richest man on our Three Islands, only served as an accountant for Viscount Nasby of the Garrison Ship Team , and now they all act so high and mighty."
There was nothing wrong with that statement.
It should be known that many of the powerful figures in the Commonwealth now were, to put it bluntly, collaborators during the Imperial rule, who only rose to power by pleasing the nobles.
By the time of the Independent War, these people betrayed their liege lords, transforming themselves into one of the Commonwealth's founding heroes.
Of course, according to them, this was not betrayal, but a return to light.
In a sense, the little girl's words also made some sense.
At that time, Count Salwen was the most prominent noble family of the Empire on Earth; if their ancestors had truly been retainers of the Count, they should have become wealthy long ago.
"I estimate, at most, they just worked in the Count's house, doing odd jobs or something, and then by good luck, they happened to catch the Count in a good mood, which is how they received a painting as a reward."
Well, this explanation also seemed logically sound.
"However, precisely because of that painting, our shop's business improved quite a bit.
There were even some foreign customers who came to visit because of its reputation; the lady you mentioned should be one of them.
However, her visit to our small shop was nearly a year ago."
"That lady was received by my grandfather.
My grandfather spent a long time helping her look for something.
But I don't know anything else; you can ask him if you have any questions.
Alright, we've arrived."
The three of them now stood outside an ordinary shop, with a sign hanging above the door that read "Terrence and Nair's Home."
Inside, various (aged) handicrafts and paintings were arranged somewhat orderly.
This was a very ordinary antique shop, no different from any other shop on this floor.
Yu Lian recalled the photo sent by the Shared Foundation; it was exactly the scene of "Shirley," the future Little Queen of the Bug Swarm, now a fugitive, about to enter this shop.
That photo was left by a not-so-famous travel photographer while he was photographing the famous Salwen Square underground antique market.
He took hundreds of photos, but only in the very inconspicuous bottom left corner of one of them was there an image of her and this small shop together.
The Foundation cropped and enlarged the bottom left corner, and also restored its clarity, sending it to Yu Lian.
It was probably to show that their intelligence source was absolutely true, reliable, and trustworthy, and would never deceive anyone.
Inside the shop, an old man sat behind his desk, taking off his magnifying glass and looking up at the customers.
"Nair, you're back? Business is so good today? Did you sell everything?"
The little girl said with a smile, "No, I brought you a big customer.
He looks like a generous gentleman; maybe one sale will be enough for us to run the shop for three years!"
The old man looked at Yu Lian somewhat puzzled, but still forced out a businessman's smile: "Welcome.
Respected guest.
We mainly deal in imperial-era court paintings, handicrafts, and collectible publications.
You look like a noble gentleman who possesses both courage and taste, so a complete set of the 12 Knights of Dawn in white bronze figurines would be perfect for you!
The whole set is only 20,000!"
Yu Lian smiled noncommittally.
"Also, I have the first edition of the Glory-grade hardwood prints.
They're a bit cheaper; I can let them go for 10,000!"
Yu Lian's gaze swept over the shelves, raising his eyebrows slightly in surprise: "You actually have the first edition of 'Song of Dawn' comic series here; this is a unique copy."
The old man's smile became even brighter, and he held up five fingers: "Only..."
"Good.
I'll take it!"
"..."
"Also, the few items you just mentioned, I'll take those too."
Nair said delightedly, "Grandpa, didn't I tell you? I want a Superstar Ice Cream Tower!"
Old Man Terrend, however, was not too happy; his smile was a bit stiff.
Without a process of wits and bargaining in the antique business, he always felt a bit unfulfilled.
But at this moment, he saw the generous big customer say again, "By the way, I want to ask you something.
This person... have you seen her?"
The old man carefully looked at the portrait Yu Lian brought up, staring at it for nearly a minute.
His demeanor was very calm, and even his heartbeat showed no change.
Yu Lian looked at him and then pulled up another image from his terminal, which was the clear, restored screenshot sent by the Foundation, showing Shirley entering the shop.
He kept observing the old man's expression, slowly clenching his hand.
From the beginning, he had been secretly observing the other party.
However, he couldn't even feel the slightest change in his heartbeat.
But at this moment, the old man grinned: "Nair, no more business today.
Close the main door first."
The little girl, without a word, walked directly to the door and pressed the switch.
Old Man Terrend stood up from behind the table, revealing himself to be a tall man, nearly two meters in height, though his physique seemed somewhat thin, appearing like a stick figure at first glance.
Of course, his posture was very upright, and his movements were still agile; considering his age, he was a quite healthy and vigorous old man.
"Don't worry, I have no ill intentions," Mr. Terrence still maintained a hearty businessman's smile, though if it weren't for the mechanical red glow that flashed in his eyes, even Yu Lian might have found him very kind and approachable.
"How rare... to find a person with prosthetics like you here!" Yu Lian said.
Another artificial red glow flashed in the other party's eyes, and a warm smile still hung on his face, though it was a bit unnatural.
"Uh, I apologize, Mist Capital, and even this Earth, haven't been peaceful lately.
The iron lumps in my head are also a bit out of order; I hope I haven't scared you," the old man tapped his head, which surprisingly produced a dull clanking sound of metal.
Because of this action, Yu Lian directly saw the gear-shaped tattoo on Terrence's forearm.
At this moment, he truly had no doubt about the other party's intentions.
In his previous life, the organization represented by this tattoo was indeed one of the few positive and friendly organizations of him, Captain Yu Lian.
He knew too well the organization and the conduct of its internal members.
However, had the Mechanical Brotherhood already been established in this era?