Chapter 79

Update time: April 5, 2013

Zhang Yang stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing the secret that his mother had given him.

Hong's father watched Zhang Yang busily preparing, and He Linlin walked over, saying apologetically, "Uncle! That day when they argued, I thought they had broken up. It was my fault."

Hong's father grunted, "Arguments between couples are very normal; they can even strengthen the relationship. I still argue with your aunt. Not arguing is the real problem. You little girl, you jump to conclusions at the slightest hint. I won't cook anything good for you anymore."

He Linlin exclaimed, "No, Uncle, I love your cooking the most. I promise, I won't gossip anymore, okay?"

"Alright, alright, go on. Zhang, come over here and tell me why you and Ya Qin are angry at each other!" Hong's father said.

Zhang Yang walked over and glanced at Hong Ya Qin.

Hong's father's face turned serious, "Stop giving signals, speak the truth."

"It's not that I'm angry at Ya Qin, it's that Ya Qin is angry at me. She's unhappy with the industry I chose, and we had a few words." Zhang Yang said.

There was no time to make up a lie, so Zhang Yang told the truth, thinking back to their argument.

"Oh, have you chosen your investment target? Tell me about it! Sit down and talk! By the way, Ya Qin is cooking a few dishes. I'll chat with Zhang properly!" Hong's father said.

Zhang Yang's face changed. Was he going to drink again? He gave Hong Ya Qin a look.

Hong Ya Qin nodded in understanding, reassuring him, and pulled He Linlin into the kitchen.

"Hong, what's going on? You didn't really go to apologize to him, did you!" He Linlin said.

"I haven't even said anything to you yet. You came over without a word and said all sorts of things to my father! Luckily Zhang Yang was there, or how would I explain it to the old man?" Hong Ya Qin said angrily.

"I just happened to run into Uncle! He asked me, and I didn't know how to say it, so I said you broke up." He Linlin said.

"Linlin, please don't get involved in my affairs anymore, okay? I'm begging you." Hong Ya Qin said.

He Linlin pouted, "Alright, alright, I won't get involved anymore, but what's up with Zhang Yang? He must have a thing for you, or why would he agree to you?"

"Hmph, you know how far you went that day! Zhang Yang is magnanimous and didn't respond like you. Linlin, Zhang Yang is my friend now, and I don't want you to say bad things about him." Hong Ya Qin said.

He Linlin patted her head, "Oh no, Hong, you're in trouble."

Hong Ya Qin looked helplessly at He Linlin's playful expression. She had no way to deal with this little sister.

In the living room, the conversation continued, the atmosphere more serious than before.

"Uncle, you can't get angry when I tell you!" Zhang Yang said.

Hong's father smiled, "I've been through many storms over the years. There aren't many things that can make me angry. Just tell me, and I'll help you think it through!"

"I went to gamble on jade." Zhang Yang said cautiously.

From Hong Ya Qin's reaction, it was clear they didn't approve of such speculative business, and an old man like Hong's father would likely disapprove even more. Zhang Yang still wanted to use the old man's network, so it was crucial to get Hong's father to accept his actions. Besides, the jade gambling couldn't be hidden, and it would eventually reach Hong's father's ears through the friends Hong Ya Qin introduced him to. Therefore, Zhang Yang chose to tell the truth.

"Jade gambling!" Hong's father's expression turned serious, and he looked at Zhang Yang sharply.

Zhang Yang felt a wave of pressure and shifted uncomfortably.

"Knowing fear means there's still hope! Tell me, why did you choose this industry! I don't think you're the type to seek easy gains. There must be a reason for this sudden choice." Hong's father said.

As Hong's father spoke, the pressure lessened.

Zhang Yang, feeling nervous, thought, "No wonder people say a person with integrity can be intimidating. This must be what they mean."

"Uncle, I don't know if you can accept this, but I seem to have a talent for it!" Zhang Yang said.

Hong's father became interested, "Oh, why do you say that?"

"How can I put it? When I see the rough stone, I get a strange feeling, like a sixth sense." Zhang Yang said.

Hong's father remained noncommittal, "Go on!"

"Uncle, do you believe me?" Zhang Yang asked in surprise.

This was the excuse he had prepared. He didn't know if it would fool others. He had always been worried about being exposed when facing Duan Fei, Liang Puzi, and Zhou Yiran, but he didn't expect Hong's father to accept it.

"Tell me first!" Hong's father said.

Zhang Yang, delighted, said, "I don't know if this feeling is accurate, but I told Ya Qin to try it out. She disagreed, and we argued."

"That's what happened! Did you go gambling?" Hong's father asked.

"I know jade gambling gives the impression of seeking easy gains, but the feeling was so strange that I wanted to try it. I didn't expect to succeed; I got jade on my first try and sold it for a high price." Zhang Yang said.

"Oh, and then you couldn't stop?" Hong's father said.

Zhang Yang shook his head, "No, after getting the first piece of jade, I stopped. On the first day, I only gambled on one piece of rough stone, the one I won."

"Why?" Hong's father asked with interest.

"I didn't want to become a real gambler. One of the differences between humans and animals is that humans have strong self-control. Desire is endless, but if you let it run wild, you're not far from failure. I don't know if this feeling is temporary or will last, but it doesn't stop me from taking a break to observe." Zhang Yang said.

Hong's father nodded, "Well done. Then what did you conclude?"

"I found that my intuition is really accurate. It might sound mystical, but it's very accurate. I've made three attempts so far. The first piece of jade sold for 1.65 million, the second for 350,000, and the third for 3.7 million. I can only say that jade gambling might be very suitable for me. At least, it's suitable as long as this feeling doesn't disappear." Zhang Yang said.

Hong's father took a deep breath, "You were wondering why I believe you, right? It's simple. I have a comrade who has such an intuition. He led a company out of an ambush with this intuition. Looking back, it was almost impossible."

Zhang Yang was startled. Could that person also have a special ability?

"What about him now? Does he still have the intuition?" Zhang Yang asked nervously.

Hong's father shook his head, "Once he left the battlefield, his intuition disappeared. So I believe you have this intuition, but I must warn you that it won't always be with you. You need to improve yourself."

"I understand. That's why I went to Panjiayuan to see if I have a talent for antiques!" Zhang Yang said.

Hong's father's eyes lit up, "How did it go?"

Zhang Yang was surprised; it was the first time he saw Hong's father so excited.

"It should be okay. I haven't seen many genuine items, and I'm not very familiar with the industry. I can only judge the authenticity of an item by feeling. I can't explain the specific reasons. Uncle, antiques are different from jade gambling. With jade, you know if you're right or wrong once you open the rough stone. With antiques, you need a reasonable explanation, or no one will believe you even if you're right." Zhang Yang said.

Hong's father laughed happily, "Zhang, if you can apply your intuition to antiques, that would be great. Jade gambling is about luck and jade, while antiques are about expertise and culture. Although both involve gambling, the impression they give is completely different. For example, if someone asks me what my son-in-law does, I can't say he gambles on jade! I can say he's a collector and an appraiser, which sounds much better. As for the rest, don't rush. You lack experience and have seen too few good items. I'll take you to see my friend one day; he has many good items."

Just then, Hong Ya Qin brought out the dishes. Hearing Hong's father, she blushed and pouted, "Dad, what are you saying?"

"Nothing! Where's the wine? I want to chat with Zhang properly. Speaking of which, I've been to Panjiayuan for so many years and haven't bought many genuine items." Hong's father said.

Hong Ya Qin held back a laugh, "Dad, you haven't bought a single genuine item, right?"

Hong's father's face turned red, "Go, go, prepare the wine. Men are talking, women shouldn't interfere."

Zhang Yang held back a smile. No wonder Hong's father was so interested in antiques; it was his hobby! Knowing his hobby made things easier. He would have to visit Meng Fei to cultivate this relationship.