Chapter 83

Zhou Lifu's voice suddenly grew louder, but he didn't notice, and he picked up the pearl to examine it carefully. After a moment, he returned it to Yang Yanzi and sighed:

"Freshly harvested, it's a good one. Nowadays, it's rare to see such large natural South Sea pearls. Our family only collects a few each year."

Yang Yanzi casually handed the pearl to Zhou Ying'er:

"You and Mei Sister each get one, no share for the men!"

Zheng Huateng smiled bitterly:

"Go on, Ziyi, every time the ladies receive gifts and the men do the work. What trouble do you have this time?"

Xiao Yanmei took the pearl and kissed Zheng Huateng's cheek, smiling:

"Is it balanced now?"

Yang Yanzi reached into her handbag and said with a proud smile:

"Get ready to open your eyes wide!"

She flipped her tightly clenched fist and opened it, revealing two golden pearls that glowed with a mysterious light under the dim lighting!

Zhou Lifu stood up from the sofa:

"So big!"

"28.5 millimeters, 24.7 millimeters, how about that?"

Zhou Lifu took the 28.5 millimeter pearl and examined it repeatedly, sighing as he did so:

"Amazing, amazing. For a South Sea pearl to grow this big, how many years must the oyster have lived? What's even more remarkable is that the shape and luster are flawless. This truly is a pearl of great value!"

"Unfortunately, I lost the rock-paper-scissors, so the biggest one goes to Linlin Sister. I'm so frustrated!"

"This... You use rock-paper-scissors to distribute such valuable pearls?"

Zheng Huateng asked cautiously. Although he didn't know much about jewelry, he could tell from Zhou Lifu's reaction that these pearls were extraordinary. These two people actually...

Yang Yanzi chattered about the morning's diving, and Zhou Lifu smiled bitterly:

"I don't know what kind of luck you have. That large oyster must have traveled from the South Sea to the Hong Kong waters, enduring so much hardship, only to deliver pearls to you."

Wu Di observed from the side, finding that although Zhou Lifu and Zheng Huateng were from wealthy families, they lacked the arrogance and extravagance of mainland rich kids. He thought they might be good friends. In fact, he didn't know that Hong Kong's wealthy families paid great attention to the upbringing of their children, and it was rare to see such spoiled rich kids.

"Big Brother Zhou, I want to entrust these two pearls to you for design. Can you make two necklaces? How long do you think it will take?"

"It won't take long. Our designers will be inspired by such pearls. Even my mother might take on the task herself."

"Wow! If Auntie does it herself, that would be great. Ying'er, you must make sure this happens."

"Since you've given us your pearls, there's no choice. Ziyi, do you have any more pearls this big? Our family is willing to buy them at a high price."

"No, the other two are only a bit over twenty millimeters and are not particularly rare. Besides, Chang Sister's is for her mother, and mine was taken by my sister-in-law."

"Ziyi..."

Zhou Lifu pondered his words:

"There's a jewelry exhibition in Milan at the end of next month. I'd like to discuss something with you. Our Zhou Jewelry will design and process these two pearls for free. After the design is complete, could we borrow them for ten days to participate in the exhibition? We'll return them immediately after the exhibition."

"There shouldn't be any problem with mine. I don't think Chang Sister will have any issues either. Even if she and Brother Zhong get married, it won't be that urgent!"

Chang Linlin, who hadn't expected this, blushed and the two women started to bicker.

By the time they returned to the villa, it was already two o'clock in the morning, and it was drizzling in Hong Kong. After washing up, Wu Di picked up the blood-red seal and admired it for a while, then held the engraving block to examine the "Farewell on a Cold River" inside. His face changed dramatically!

The painting was still the same, but the scene had changed. It was raining in the painting! The people bidding farewell had opened their umbrellas, and the fine raindrops connected the sky and the river, making the entire scene even more sorrowful. Wu Di's emotions were affected by the parting sorrow, and his breathing became rapid.

He put down the engraving block, washed his face, and smoked a cigarette before continuing to examine the engraving block. This time, he focused on the layers within the painting. Indeed, the ink blobs and lines had become moist, revealing the shapes of the umbrellas and raindrops. The mystery was partially solved, but not entirely. He understood why the painting changed, but couldn't comprehend what caused such a magical effect! Why didn't the wet spots spread? What were the ink blobs? Had they been changing for hundreds of years? Countless questions swirled in Wu Di's mind, but he couldn't find the answers. At that moment, he had a strong urge to take the painting out. How could such a masterpiece be hidden in an engraving block?

Wu Di sneaked into the kitchen, took a fruit knife, and carefully pried along the seam of the engraving block. After two hours, he was drenched in sweat but finally managed to extract the painting.

He placed the engraving block in his backpack and then examined the newly revealed painting on the desk. The perspective from the naked eye was different from the perspective through the engraving block. Although the painting was flat, Wu Di could see the depth and distance, the front and back, which was completely different from the three-dimensional view through the engraving block. He couldn't help but admire Tang Yin's technique.

Wu Di lightly touched the umbrella with a napkin but found no moisture, which he found quite remarkable. He continued to fuss with the painting until dawn, then finally went to sleep.

At around ten o'clock, Wu Di was woken up. The drizzle outside had turned into a heavy rain. He glanced at the painting on the desk, then went downstairs for breakfast. When Old Mr. Yang saw him, he smiled:

"Today's heavy rain means you can't go anywhere. Just right, I'll show you my collection. I don't want Old Chang to say I'm stingy!"

Old Mr. Yang's collection was at least several times larger than Old Mr. Chang's, but the number of masterpieces was fewer. The piece Wu Di admired the most was a jade cong from the Liangzhu culture. The jade was green, with heavy surface spots. It was a short, square column with a round hole in the center. The outer wall was carved with two sets of animal face patterns, separated by two string patterns. A poem by Emperor Qianlong was engraved on the low, flat surface of the cong.

It wasn't that this piece was more valuable than the others, but Wu Di had never seen such an ancient artifact before, which made him feel a deeper connection.

By lunchtime, the old and young men had left the treasure room. Wu Di suddenly remembered that paintings, especially in the humid coastal climate of Hong Kong, could deteriorate quickly. The salt in the air could destroy a poorly preserved world-famous painting. He scolded himself for being careless and thought about how to quickly return to Beijing to have Old Mr. Yang frame the painting. He knew that if he entrusted the painting to someone else, Old Mr. Yang's saliva would drown him.

Seeing that Wu Di seemed troubled, Little Mr. Yang asked:

"What's wrong? Feeling pressured? With your master, your collection will probably surpass mine in the future."

"No, Old Sir, I just remembered something. I need to return to Beijing immediately, but the rain..."

"Oh? What could you have that can't be handled by someone else?"

"Mainly, there's a painting that needs to be framed immediately. In Hong Kong's weather, if it gets sunny, it might be too late."

"Oh? Is the painting very valuable? Are you going to Beijing to find my brother?"

"Yes, if Old Mr. Yang knows I have this painting and didn't bring it to him for framing, his saliva will drown me!"

Old Mr. Yang was visibly moved. This painting must be very valuable. Was it obtained in Hong Kong?

"Then take me to see it. We can take some basic protective measures."

Wu Di led Old Mr. Yang into the room. As soon as he saw the painting on the desk, Old Mr. Yang's eyes never left it. Fortunately, he didn't see Wu Di's shock. The scene in the painting had changed again. It seemed to be influenced by the weather, and it was now pouring rain. In the rain, the distant mountains and nearby people became blurred, with only the rain curtain and the roaring river standing out, as if protesting against the injustice of the world. The stubbornness, the helplessness, and the unwillingness were vividly portrayed, and the intensity of the scene was something Wu Di had never felt in any other painting.

"Parting in the rain, sorrow in the autumn, rain curtain connecting the sky, the river roaring! Tang Yin painted a farewell, but isn't he also bidding farewell to his own tumultuous life? He cries to the heavens, demanding an answer! Throughout history, talented people have often had tragic fates. This, this scene, has reached the pinnacle of painting! Unmatched in the world!"

Old Mr. Yang slapped the desk, startling Wu Di.

"Kid, didn't your master teach you? Silk paintings and paper paintings have different materials and ink. In short, silk paintings are easier to preserve. Feel it, in such humid weather, is this painting even slightly damp? But since I've seen this painting, I can't let it go unframed. I'll take on this job!"

"Ah?"

"What? Don't you trust the old man's skills? My brother didn't tell you that we studied under the same master, and my skills have always been a bit better? By the way, kid, do you have any intention of selling this painting? You can pick any piece, no, two pieces from my collection, any you like?"

Old Mr. Yang's expression was like that of a wolf who had just seen Little Red Riding Hood.

Wu Di firmly shook his head, and Old Mr. Yang wasn't in a hurry. After all, both the person and the painting were there, and there was plenty of time to talk.

Wu Di thought, even if you offered me everything in your collection, I wouldn't agree!

The weather in the south is indeed like a child's face. One moment it's pouring rain, the next it's sunny. After a meal, the weather changed from heavy rain to clear skies. Old Mr. Yang put down his bowl and rushed into the studio, leaving Wu Di and the others in the dining room. The others didn't know why, and were a bit puzzled. Suddenly, a loud shout came from the studio:

"Which brat stole my painting! I'm so angry!"

Wu Di was startled and quickly ran to the studio. That was his painting!

The studio door was wide open, and Old Mr. Yang was storming out. Seeing Wu Di, he said:

"Little Wu, wait a moment. I'll have the villa sealed off immediately. The painting was here before the meal, and in just twenty minutes, it can't have gone far. If we can't find it, I'll do everything in my power to make it right for you!"