Chapter 67

In its completely dry state, it could still exude a blood-red resin, which was not only eerie but also very rare.

"What could it be?" Qi Xiang pondered for a long time, racking his brains, but still couldn't figure it out. However, he soon felt relieved. The world is vast, and there are all kinds of strange things. He had experienced many bizarre situations before, so this statue wasn't a big deal.

In short, it must be a good thing...

Qi Xiang felt at ease, but his smile didn't last long. His obsessive-compulsive disorder kicked in. Not knowing the origin of the object for a whole day made him feel very uncomfortable and annoyed.

However, he couldn't just ask anyone about such a thing, which was a dilemma.

While Qi Xiang was in a quandary, his phone suddenly rang loudly in his pocket.

"Who's calling?"

Qi Xiang was a bit puzzled. After all, he had just gotten a new phone, and there weren't many contacts in his address book. Even fewer people knew his new number.

"Could it be Xiao Ding again?"

Qi Xiang thought for a moment, then took out his phone to check the caller ID.

"Huh?"

Qi Xiang was even more surprised when he saw the caller. It turned out to be Hai Gongzi.

He did have Hai Gongzi's contact number in his address book, but the number was one he had gotten from Xiao Ding, and it was a one-sided record. He remembered clearly that he had never given his phone number to Hai Gongzi.

But now, Hai Gongzi was calling him, which probably meant Xiao Ding had leaked the information...

They had only parted ways not long ago, and he was already calling, which was suspicious.

Thinking about this, Qi Xiang's lips curled into a playful smile. He didn't delay and answered the call.

"Mr. Qi, it's me."

As soon as the call connected, Hai Gongzi identified himself before Qi Xiang could ask.

"Hai Gongzi?" Qi Xiang feigned surprise. "Is there something you need?"

"Ahem, ahem..." Hai Gongzi stammered, "Mr. Qi, why haven't you gone home yet?"

"I'm at home," Qi Xiang replied casually, walking to the window to admire the beautiful scenery of the estate.

"You're at home?" Hai Gongzi was surprised. "But your front door is locked from the outside. Is there a back door?"

"Hmm?" Qi Xiang immediately understood and smiled. "Hai Gongzi, are you looking for me for something?"

"Well..." Hai Gongzi paused for a moment before speaking. "Mr. Qi, can we talk in person? There are some things we need to confirm... Oh, by the way, do you still have that statue of the God of Wealth?"

"Still have it!" Qi Xiang's eyes flickered.

"Great." Hai Gongzi said eagerly. "Then come out and open the door. We're outside."

Qi Xiang's mind raced, and he smiled. "I'm not there. Come to the eastern mountain, and call me when you arrive."

"Eastern mountain?" Hai Gongzi's voice was somewhat dazed.

"Yes, the eastern mountain, the one in the suburbs." Qi Xiang said. "If you don't know the way, you can ask anyone. I'll wait for you..."

As he spoke, Qi Xiang turned off his phone and glanced at the statue. If everything went as expected, he would soon know the origin of the object.

Was this a case of needing a pillow and someone just happened to bring one?

Qi Xiang waited patiently, and soon after, Hai Gongzi called again.

"Have you arrived at the eastern mountain?" Qi Xiang answered the call while walking out of the estate, directing them. "Do you see the villas on the mountain? Oh, good, then drive up the mountain directly..."

"...What? The guards won't let you in? Give my name..."

"Yes, when you see a fork in the road, turn right... It's on the third mountain... Yes, that's the estate..."

"...I see you, over here!"

Qi Xiang hung up and waved his hand.

At the same time, a car slowly approached, the window rolled down, and two faces filled with surprise and confusion appeared. Seeing Qi Xiang open the estate gate and welcome them in, Hai Gongzi and Tian Shi were even more puzzled.

They had to admit that the estate's environment was nice and very beautiful.

However, for the two of them, it was just nice, not enough to impress them. What truly surprised them was that in their impression, Qi Xiang was just an ordinary collector living in a regular house on the street, which was normal.

But now, Qi Xiang had led them to this luxurious estate, as if he were the owner...

No, not as if, perhaps it was the truth.

After all, when the guards at the mountain gate heard Qi Xiang's name, their respectful and cautious attitude was genuine. If Qi Xiang were just a guest, the guards wouldn't have shown such respect.

This created a stark contrast.

They had always thought Qi Xiang was just an ordinary person, but who knew he owned a luxurious mansion. Even if he were a millionaire, they wouldn't have been impressed. But how could they be sure that what they saw was all of Qi Xiang's wealth and not just a small part?

"A wolf in sheep's clothing..." Hai Gongzi and Tian Shi exchanged a glance, suddenly feeling that Qi Xiang was shrouded in a mysterious aura, making them unable to see through him.

This was the effect Qi Xiang wanted. He was calm and composed, smiling warmly, and politely invited the two into the estate's living room. The statue of the God of Wealth was prominently displayed.

As guests, Hai Gongzi and Tian Shi, unsure of Qi Xiang's true background, were somewhat cautious and followed him into the living room, where they saw the statue.

Notably, even though he knew they were coming, Qi Xiang hadn't moved the statue. The situation was the same as before, and even the kitchen knife was still on the table next to it.

Upon entering, Hai Gongzi and Tian Shi's eyes naturally fell on the statue.

In that instant, they both saw the blood-red gel on the statue's base and the still glistening liquid on the carved fingertips.

"Ah..."

In that moment, their hearts were shaken, and they couldn't help but exclaim.

Qi Xiang watched coldly, his smile growing. He was now more certain that these two had realized the statue's strange condition on their way back.

After discussing it, they knew something was off and wanted to get to the bottom of it.

At the shop, they couldn't wait for Qi Xiang to return and were worried he might sell the statue as rosewood, so they hurriedly got his contact information from Xiao Ding and called him.

At this moment, seeing the statue and noticing the strange liquid on it, they realized they were right, and the statue indeed had a mystery...

However, Tian Shi quickly regained his composure, subtly nudged Hai Gongzi, and then turned to say, "Mr. Qi, you really surprise me."

"Mr. Tian, I don't understand what you mean," Qi Xiang decided to play dumb.

"You're not confused; you're pretending to be confused," Tian Shi said with a smile, his attitude changing. He now treated Qi Xiang as an equal, engaging in equal communication.

This wasn't a change from arrogance to respect, but a normal social phenomenon.

Even in the most enlightened modern society, there are invisible yet real hierarchies.

People are inherently unequal, but an enlightened and equal society gives everyone the opportunity to strive for equality. If you seize these opportunities, people will naturally treat you as an equal.

Otherwise, it's a different kind of equality, one that others bestow upon you. That's a superficial equality, not genuine respect...

Qi Xiang had long recognized this and wasn't surprised. The reason he invited them here was to create this effect, preparing to engage with them on equal terms...

"Mr. Tian, I'm even more confused now," Qi Xiang said, maintaining his act of ignorance.

Tian Shi smiled and said meaningfully, "You're not confused; I am. I made a mistake in judgment."

"Who can guarantee they won't make mistakes in life?" Qi Xiang said calmly. "Even the most expert appraisers can make mistakes. As beginners, making a few mistakes is normal."

"Very true," Tian Shi agreed, looking at Qi Xiang with a sense of mutual respect.

"Stop pretending," Hai Gongzi said helplessly. "Can we just speak plainly?"

Tian Shi's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. "Fine, you're so clever, you speak!"

"About time," Hai Gongzi said, immediately putting on a smile. "Mr. Qi, what do you think of this statue of the God of Wealth?"

"Pretty good," Qi Xiang said with a straight face. "The rosewood is excellent. Before you came, I had already decided to contact a craftsman to have the statue sawed and turned into furniture..."

Hai Gongzi looked at the kitchen knife, then at the red liquid on the statue's fingertips, and finally at the solidified gel on the ground, then looked back at Qi Xiang, feeling a mix of emotions...

He admired Qi Xiang's ability to lie with a straight face, a skill he couldn't match no matter how thick-skinned he was.

Hai Gongzi pursed his lips and said bluntly, "Mr. Qi, let's be frank. The wood of this statue is not rosewood."

"If not rosewood, then what?" Qi Xiang asked with interest.

"It's... " Hai Gongzi hesitated, glancing at Tian Shi as if seeking his opinion.

To his surprise, Tian Shi nodded slightly, supporting Hai Gongzi's decision to tell the truth.

"What is it?" Qi Xiang pressed.

"Dan wood!"

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