Chapter 25

Wu Di held a few stones and followed Wen Yajiu to get a meal. After eating, the two of them went to the manager's office to drink tea. Wen Yajiu said:

"Just now, I couldn't say much over there. The two girls surnamed Qi, their family holds a significant position in the traditional jewelry industry."

"Oh, traditional jewelry industry?"

"Yes, including pearls, jadeite, Hetian jade, and Tianhuang stone, these are historical items. Diamonds and rubies and sapphires don't count as traditional Chinese jewelry. There are two proverbs in this industry that describe the top families, and the Qi family is among them."

"Tell me, what are they?"

"Qi pearls, Shen jadeite, and three stones, the prince can hold up half the sky. Qi pearls refer to the Qi family's jewelry, a southern jewelry dynasty. It is said that they control over 30% of the domestic market for both freshwater and saltwater pearls. Shen jadeite refers to the Shen family, the leaders in heirloom jadeite, who control over half of the high-end jadeite market in the country. The old Mr. Shen is also a renowned jadeite king both domestically and internationally. The three stones refer to the Li family of Hengchang, the Song family of Hebao, and the Wang family of Yingshi, the three largest suppliers of jadeite rough in the country, who control the public auctions in Pingzhou and Ruili. The prince refers to Halike Aimaite from Xinjiang, whose Han name is Han Zhenbang. Over 80% of the Hetian jade in the market comes from his hands, and he is known as the Jade Prince."

Wu Di listened with a sense of awe, these people were like the top masters in the martial arts world, standing at the pinnacle of the industry, revered by all. When would he be able to stand at that position and bask in the glory?

"Where there are people, there is a martial arts world. However, the jewelry and antiques industry places a greater emphasis on tradition and old rules, so it's more like the old martial arts world. How about it? Are you interested in following your old brother in the antiques business?"

"Hehe, I just bought a brick inkstone as a gift. I don't think I have any talent for it."

Wen Yajiu wanted to persuade him further but suddenly remembered the brick inkstone and asked:

"Look, old brother's memory is bad. Did your client like the brick inkstone? Did you get the job done?"

Wu Di hesitated for a moment and then smiled bitterly:

"Old brother, don't be angry. I accidentally broke the brick inkstone."

Wen Yajiu's eyes widened, ready to scold, but then he remembered that it was something the client had bought. What right did he have to be angry? So he smiled bitterly:

"Broken is broken. Bring it over one day, let me see if I can find someone to repair it. What a pity, it was a good piece."

"I'm not afraid you'll be angry because it was broken. Actually, the brick inkstone was already in two pieces, repaired. When it fell, it split directly into two halves!"

"Ah, so your old brother made a mistake? I checked it carefully when I bought it. Brother, bring it over, I'll refund you the original price and find a good one for you."

"Wait, let me finish. I estimate the repair was done at least a hundred years ago. The patina later covered the traces. I'm not accusing you of deceiving me, but this brick inkstone has a story."

"More? It's already in two pieces, what story could there be? Kid, if you dare to suspect your old brother of cheating you, don't come through this door again!"

"When did I ever dare to suspect you, old brother? After the brick inkstone broke, I found that it had been hollowed out inside!"

"That's impossible. The weight of the brick inkstone was definitely right. I would have noticed it long ago, not waiting for you to break it."

"It's true. Inside the hollowed-out part, there was an oilcloth package, and inside it was... "

"What is it? Tell me quickly! Hey, are you just messing with me?"

Wu Di remained calm, ignoring Wen Yajiu's murderous gaze, and took a sip of tea before saying:

"Inside was a painting. Guess who it's by?"

Wen Yajiu looked at Wu Di suspiciously, finally confirming that he wasn't joking, and demanded:

"Tell me, don't keep me in suspense, or I'll kick you out."

Wu Di got up to leave, but seeing Wen Yajiu's eyes widen, he laughed and sat back down:

"Shi Tao, a landscape painting!"

"Really?"

"Really, I've already had it checked, it's genuine!"

"Good kid, I said you have a connection with this industry. Where is the painting? Bring it over for your old brother to see?"

"I've already given it away, old brother, are you angry?"

"Angry? Of course I'm angry! You have a good thing and you don't show it to me first, but give it away!"

Wu Di said cautiously:

"The painting was taken out of the brick inkstone..."

"Ha, I said you're not in the industry. This is called a lucky find, understand? I've had the brick inkstone for three years and didn't notice anything, but you found a treasure. It just shows you have a keen eye and a connection with the treasure. I'm envious, not angry. Besides, in our line of work, who hasn't made a mistake or missed a treasure? If I got angry every time, I wouldn't be able to live. However, Shi Tao's painting isn't cheap, probably worth tens of millions, right?"

"Um, it should be worth thirty million."

"Damn, such a heavy gift, which big shot could receive it? What big business are you in, brother?"

"Nothing, it was taken by my family and given to an old man. By the way, if you want to see it, I can contact them and say you're the original owner of the brick inkstone. Maybe you can find the provenance of the painting through the history of the brick inkstone. He would be happy to see you."

"Can you give me a hint, who is it?"

"Chang Youxue, Old Man Chang."

Wen Yajiu's mouth dropped open, and after a while, he pointed to the sky and asked:

"You mean Old Man Chang?"

Wu Di nodded, and Wen Yajiu smiled bitterly. He had intended to take Wu Di as a disciple, but seeing this, the kid came from a distinguished family and was just playing around. He rubbed his hands and laughed:

"Of course, it would be great to visit Old Man Chang, but the brick inkstone I bought was from a wastrel, with no provenance. I can fool others, but who would dare to fool him?"

"No problem, I'll take you to see him another day. The main issue is that there's someone there I can't deal with, so I don't dare to go."

Wu Di thought of Yang Yanzi and shuddered.

"No rush, no rush, as long as we can go. Ah, almost forgot, your old sister-in-law wants you to come over for dinner tonight. Come back with me later."

"Probably not today, I promised my mom to go home for dinner. We have guests."

Wu Di politely declined. Wen Yajiu, remembering Wu Di's background, didn't insist, only telling him to come over when he had time to discuss antiques.

Wu Di returned home, looking at the stones in the taxi, trying to guess which one had something inside before the book's prompt. His phone rang:

"Little Wu, are you done? If you're done, come home early for dinner."

Wu Di originally planned to go home, put down the stones, and then drive the Range Rover, but after being excited for a while, he felt a bit tired. Seeing the traffic jam, he told the taxi to change course and head straight to the Western Hills.

Before he even entered the house, he heard Yang Yanzi's laughter, which was unbearably charming. Wu Di shuddered, thinking that whether he faced it or not, it was the same. He decided to be straightforward and boldly walked into the living room.

Zhong Qi, who had sharp eyes, saw the large bag on Wu Di's back and hurriedly came forward, smiling:

"Your presence is enough, why bring anything? Look..."

Wu Di handed the large bag to him and said:

"Just a few broken stones, you wouldn't want them even if I gave them to you."

Zhong Qi opened it suspiciously and said:

"Kid, these are jadeite rough stones. I didn't expect you to play the stone gambling game? But, the quality is too poor, isn't it?"

"It's not me, a friend gave them to me."

"Who? I'm Uncle Conan, you can't fool me."

"Panjiayuan, Mingtangzhai, Wen Yajiu, the one who sold me the brick inkstone."

"Ah, did you tell him about the painting inside the brick?"

"Yes, he said he didn't notice it was damaged, so he gave me these stones as compensation."

Wu Di lied without hesitation.

"Didn't you tell him the value of the painting? Was he angry?"

"No, he's a professional in the industry, not like you. This is called a lucky find, understand? By the way, if it's convenient, take him to see Uncle Chang. Maybe we can find the provenance of the painting through the history of the brick inkstone."

"That's easy, let's go tomorrow."

"Wait, I have to work, okay?"

"Your lousy job, what's the point? Follow your brother, I'll give you a sky-high salary!"

"How much? I don't want to end up like you, doing nothing and being grounded all day!"

"Kid, don't hit where it hurts, I'll fight you!"

The two of them started to fight, and Yang Yanzi kept laughing coldly on the side, thinking, "Pretend, let you pretend. Don't you see the beauty? I'll show you the three eyes of the horse god later!"