Chapter 31

"Let me take a look!" Mr. Liu said.

Taking the inkstone, Mr. Liu carefully examined it. This inkstone was made of Duan stone, which was not carved or polished, maintaining its natural form. A rectangular pool was carved horizontally on the top of the inkstone, with coiling dragon patterns engraved around the pool, and the seal script "Made by Gu Erniang of Wu Gate" was carved at the lower right.

The front and back of the inkstone were engraved with different regular script texts, but Mr. Liu no longer had the heart to read further. Just the three characters "Gu Erniang" were enough to shock him!

The Gu Erniang Duan inkstone was like a monument. After her death, people wrote poems in her honor, such as "The faint fragrance of pear blossoms, who sent her name to be praised in verse? The seven-character poem of Duanxi history, the thousand-year legacy of Gu Erniang." The Palace Museum also had works by Gu Erniang!

Jia Huairen stood up, staring intently at the inkstone, filled with resentment. He had heard of Gu Erniang's reputation and knew the value of this inkstone. The regret of letting a treasure slip through his hands surged in his heart, and his hatred for Yang Bo intensified!

"There are many imitations of Gu Erniang's work in history," Guo Bapi blurted out, seemingly driven by some unknown motive.

Mr. Liu looked at Guo Bapi with pity. He could understand the other's thoughts. Yang Bo, this employee, had put immense pressure on Guo Bapi. Despite the significant difference in their status, this talented employee kept finding treasures, which would certainly damage the boss's dignity.

"Mr. Guo, there is a colophon by the early Qing scholar Yu Dian here!" Mr. Liu pointed to a spot on the inkstone.

Guo Bapi's face turned red, "Is that so!"

Guo Bapi had seen the colophon, but with his limited knowledge, he couldn't identify who Yu Dian was or from which period, making him look foolish and extremely embarrassed.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became awkward. Everyone was silent, as they had just confirmed that Yang Bo had been finding treasures frequently over the past few days, and the value of these treasures was increasing, putting immense pressure on everyone!

Yang Bo's phone suddenly rang. He quickly took it out, worried it might be from the hospital since his father had been admitted.

Seeing the caller was Luo Yaohua, Yang Bo sighed in relief and answered the call.

"Yang Bo, where are you now?"

"I'm at the antique shop in Chaotian Palace."

"Good, I'm nearby. Don't move, I'll come over right away. I have something to discuss with you!"

Yang Bo didn't know why Luo Yaohua was looking for him but still told him his exact location.

Returning to the shop and sitting down, Yang Bo noticed the atmosphere in the shop seemed to have become more lively. He sat down, looked up, and was about to resign when Jia Huairen interrupted him, "Yang Bo, if I remember correctly, your father was seriously ill, and you went home a few days ago to bring him to Nanjing for treatment, right?"

"I know you made a lot of money recently, but it's a serious illness, and it will cost a lot. That money might not be enough." He paused, "Have you considered selling this Gu Erniang coiling dragon Duan inkstone?"

Yang Bo turned to look at Jia Huairen, feeling an urge to slap him!

"I haven't considered that," Yang Bo smiled.

Jia Huairen's smile became awkward and gradually disappeared.

Mr. Liu tried to ease the tension, "Gu Erniang's reputation is too great. This coiling dragon Duan inkstone is very valuable and has great collection value. It's understandable that Yang Bo wants to keep it!"

No one responded, and the atmosphere became awkward. Yang Bo knew what Jia Huairen was up to. He wanted to take advantage of the situation and buy the inkstone at a low price before Yang Bo could react. But he didn't expect Yang Bo to refuse outright!

Yang Bo wasn't overly attached to the inkstone because he only had the initial medical expenses and didn't know what would happen next. Having more cash would certainly be beneficial, but he wouldn't sell it cheaply and give money to others for nothing!

"Yang Bo, I didn't expect you to be working as an employee in an antique shop. When you introduced yourself, I thought you were joking!"

Luo Yaohua's voice was heard before he entered the shop. He walked in directly toward Yang Bo, "I need your help today. Are you free?"

Jia Huairen, seeing Luo Yaohua enter and chat with Yang Bo in a familiar tone, was surprised. He knew Luo Yaohua and couldn't pretend not to know him, so he stood up, "Young Master Luo, what brings you here?"

Luo Yaohua glanced at him, "Oh, Mr. Jia is here too. I came to find Yang Bo."

Luo Yaohua didn't say more and looked at Yang Bo.

Yang Bo didn't expect Luo Yaohua to come so quickly, but since he needed help, he couldn't refuse. After all, his father's hospitalization was thanks to Luo Yaohua's help, and he might need to rely on him for expert appointments, so he immediately agreed, "Sure!"

"You don't even hesitate? Aren't you afraid I might sell you out?" Luo Yaohua laughed.

Yang Bo shook his head and smiled, knowing very well that besides his appraisal skills, he wasn't even good at fighting. Luo Yaohua wouldn't find him for anything else.

Luo Yaohua glanced at the inkstone next to Yang Bo, and joked, "You didn't find a treasure, did you? Why are so many people discussing it?"

Yang Bo nodded and smiled, "Yes!"

Luo Yaohua's smile froze, "Are you kidding? How is that possible?"

"It's true!" Yang Bo insisted.

Luo Yaohua couldn't help but swear, "Damn! How is that possible! Didn't you sell me a Han Dynasty jade dancer with fine hair just a few days ago? How can you find another treasure so quickly!"

Yang Bo shook his head and smiled, feeling a bit smug, "I have good luck. Someone set up a trap for me, but it backfired, and they ended up giving me a treasure!"

As he spoke, Yang Bo glanced at Jia Huairen, who had been silent and had a dark expression. He hadn't mentioned this before, but now he wanted to see Jia Huairen's reaction.

Luo Yaohua didn't notice these small actions and exclaimed, "Your luck is too good! How can you find treasures like this? When will it be my turn?"

"Your turn? Can you escape a trap set for you?" Yang Bo countered.

Luo Yaohua's face darkened, "You're right, it takes skill. But the person who set up the trap for you must be furious!"

Yang Bo turned to look at Jia Huairen, who had a dark and silent expression.