Chapter 52

Update time: March 30, 2013

Zhang Yang's expression turned sour as he thought about these things. "Do they really take me for a fool?" he muttered. However, he had said that antiques were all about the eyes, and he had to give it a try no matter what! Before today, Zhang Yang would never have considered it, but after absorbing the spiritual energy from the jadeite, he had a hunch. It seemed that his eyes had an evolutionary function, from one eye to two, and the changes were significant. Could there be more secrets he hadn't discovered yet?

Meng Fei didn't notice Zhang Yang's expression and continued to persuade him with his silver tongue. "Young brother, this is the era of national collection. You can tell from TV shows that who cared about antiques ten years ago? Now, even ordinary people know that antiques are valuable and dig through their old stuff at home. Why? For money, of course. Not only are ordinary people enthusiastic about collecting, but rich people, especially businessmen, are even more fond of it. This is not only a way for them to invest and manage their wealth, but there are other considerations as well."

Seeing Zhang Yang's confusion, Meng Fei lowered his voice. "Young brother, let me tell you a secret. Do you know what most businessmen use antiques for?"

Zhang Yang indeed didn't know.

"Let me tell you, they use them as gifts. It's not like the old days when you could just use money. Officials are smart now; they don't take money directly because it's easy to leave evidence. They used to take houses, but after the scandals involving 'house sisters' and 'house brothers,' no one takes houses anymore. So what do they take?" Meng Fei asked.

Zhang Yang blurted out, "Antiques?"

"Exactly, antiques. The value of antiques is only known when they are circulated. If you keep them at home, who knows if they are real or fake, or how much they are worth? Even if something happens, without an expert's opinion, ordinary people can't tell. More importantly, antique transactions are conducted in secret, making it hard to trace their origins. For example, if you say the vase in my house is worth a million, I can say, 'Sorry, I don't know. I bought it at Panjiayuan for two thousand.' Antiques don't have fixed prices. The amount paid is entirely up to the seller. When selling, you can say you got a good deal," Meng Fei explained vividly.

Zhang Yang suddenly thought of something and asked, "You mean businessmen like to invest in antiques? And officials too?"

"Of course. Otherwise, how would I make a living? Young brother, let me tell you, I have a lot of good stuff, all from big shots. Their items have questionable origins, and they don't know the exact prices, but they need to sell them quickly. So we can easily buy low and sell high. Some antiques can bring good opportunities. I have a client who likes antiques, but his interest is quite niche: he likes thumb rings. So people buy thumb rings to give him, and he sells them to me. This thumb ring has been in my hands four or five times," Meng Fei said.

Zhang Yang sneered. This wasn't about liking thumb rings; it was about money. They wanted to have their cake and eat it too, so they found an excuse.

Meng Fei's words reminded Zhang Yang of his childhood. In their small county, only a small store near the hospital sold Maotai wine. One time, the store owner, after drinking too much, revealed that he only had two bottles of Maotai. These two bottles were sold and returned the next day. It was an old bribery method, now applied to antiques.

Apart from the high price of antiques, the essence of the matter hadn't changed.

Interesting. If businessmen like to invest in antiques, would Xiao Fei participate?

If officials like antiques, would Wang Yunlai be one of them?

Zhang Yang suddenly became very interested in the antique market. If it was really as Meng Fei described, he needed to seriously consider it.

"Brother Meng, I've never dealt with antiques before. I don't know what it's all about. How about I come to your store and take a look?" Zhang Yang said.

Meng Fei happily replied, "No problem, let's go after we eat."

Zhang Yang smiled. "Alright, we'll go later."

As he spoke, his phone rang.

"Zhang Yang, did you go to Lido Company?" Hong Yaqin asked with concern.

Zhang Yang glanced at Meng Fei and said loudly, "I did, and it was great. I bought a stone this morning, and guess how much I made? One million six hundred thousand."

Hong Yaqin frowned. "Did you call my friend?"

Zhang Yang replied, "No!" and then asked curiously, "How did you know?"

"Hmph, I told my friend not to let you gamble on stones if you came to him," Hong Yaqin said.

Zhang Yang was puzzled. What kind of person was this? Fortunately, he didn't listen to her, or he would have been in trouble today.

"Miss Hong, I'm happy to meet your friends, but I don't like you interfering in my affairs. What kind of relationship do we have? On what grounds do you manage my life? This is the first and last time. If it happens again, our relationship is over," Zhang Yang said and hung up.

This woman was too controlling. She almost ruined his good fortune. Are all women like this, extremely self-centered? He was just playing a role for her, and she really thought he was her boyfriend!

Hong Yaqin was stunned by Zhang Yang's sudden outburst. She had always thought Zhang Yang was a good-natured man with no temper. Now she realized it was all an act. Zhang Yang had been so rational because she hadn't infringed on his interests.

"Hong, what's wrong? Did he hang up on you?" He Linlin shouted, eager to stir up trouble. "That's outrageous! He not only didn't appreciate your kindness but also hung up on you. I'll go and settle the score with him!"

"What score? We were just doing a deal, and I was the one who got confused," Hong Yaqin said coldly.

"What's wrong, having a fight with your girlfriend?" Meng Fei chuckled.

Zhang Yang didn't explain and laughed, "Women are like that, always controlling. They tell me what to do and what not to do. I was just gambling on a stone, and she was afraid I'd be cheated. It's my money; I can do what I want with it. What right does she have to control me?"

Meng Fei agreed. "Exactly. We men need to focus on our careers and not be influenced by women. You're a real man, and I admire that. Those who are timid in front of women can't achieve anything."

"Brother Meng understands me." Zhang Yang laughed heartily.

Looking at the naive Zhang Yang, Meng Fei felt secretly pleased. Such a young man, as long as you flatter him and praise him to the sky, he'll help you count the money even when you sell him out.

After the meal, Zhang Yang followed Meng Fei to Panjiayuan.

When they arrived at Meng Fei's antique shop, Zhang Yang almost laughed at the sign. "Treasure Pavilion"? What a tacky name.

"Brother, come in. Don't be fooled by the small size of my shop; it's been here for decades," Meng Fei said proudly.

Zhang Yang, like a first-timer, looked around curiously. Vases, paintings, furniture—Meng Fei's Treasure Pavilion had everything.

"Xiao Li, brew a pot of pre-rain Longjing tea. Brother, let's go inside. The stuff outside is for the foreigners. The good stuff is inside. We'll take our time to appreciate it," Meng Fei instructed the staff and led Zhang Yang to the inner living room.

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