Chapter 93

Moreover, such matters are not considered significant in some Western countries, but in China, they are crimes. If caught, one might face several years in prison at best, or a bullet at worst.

Fatty and Feng Xiucai seemed not to be hiding anything from him, and Yang Kang was very curious, so he couldn't help but ask about his doubts.

In the end, Feng Xiucai sighed lightly and said, "People should always have some pursuits— I like seeking some thrills and adventures. Besides, if those priceless treasures remain buried underground forever, wouldn't that be very dull? We dig them up and bring them to light, which is a great deed."

Yang Kang just smiled at Feng Xiucai's twisted interpretation. He wasn't repulsed by what they were doing, but he was worried about the danger. He wanted to persuade them but didn't know where to start.

"Relax, it's just a small matter," Feng Xiucai, knowing his concerns, said with a smile, "Don't worry."

"I'm just worried about you," Yang Kang sighed, "Even though we just met today, but—"

"Like old friends at first sight," Feng Xiucai laughed heartily, "I also find you very likable. Ha ha... even though it's our first meeting, it feels like we've known each other for many years."

"Don't be disgusting!" Just then, Fatty Guo came out from inside and, hearing this, hurriedly said, "Don't bully me just because I'm a roughneck and uneducated. That's a line from 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' where Jia Baoyu, the second-generation rich kid, teased Lin Daiyu. Little Prince, you're handsome, but don't tease him."

"Fatso, what are you talking nonsense about?" Feng Xiucai was speechless, "By the way, Fatty, where's that coral bead?"

"Oh?" Fatty Guo thought for a moment, then felt his pocket and took it out, tossing it to him, "Miser, do you think I would keep your stuff?"

"You know nothing!" Feng Xiucai shook his head, feeling that he and Fatty Guo had nothing in common. He immediately took the bead, and the auspicious knot was already well-made. He combined the two threads, tied a knot, and threaded the fire coral onto it.

"Xiucai, I can't accept such a valuable thing from you," Yang Kang hurriedly said.

"Don't be so formal, okay?" Feng Xiucai said, "You just said we were like old friends at first sight, now you're being so distant? When I asked you to buy me a car, I didn't treat you as an outsider— or do you treat me as an outsider?"

"Uh?" Yang Kang, hearing this, naturally had nothing to say. He watched as Feng Xiucai threaded the fire coral and tied it to the jade pendant.

"Come, take a look, do you like it?" Feng Xiucai handed it over.

Yang Kang took it, measured the length, and felt it was just right. The top was a beautiful auspicious knot, and the bottom was a fire coral bead as an accent, complementing the white jade lily pendant.

The white jade was originally plain, though it had a dark red blood stain, it wasn't very noticeable. Now, with the bright fire coral, it became much clearer and more vivid.

As for the auspicious knot, Yang Kang was speechless for a while. The five-bat auspicious knot on Feng Xiucai's body amazed him, and the one Feng Xiucai made for him was two little fish. He liked it at first sight.

"How is it?" Feng Xiucai asked with a smile, "Not bad, right?"

"It's simply amazing," Yang Kang said with a sigh, "A small auspicious knot, yet it can be made so intricate? If I hadn't seen you make it, I wouldn't believe it was made from a single rope."

"My skills are not as good as my mother's. If you want something better, go to Suzhou in the future and have my mother make it for you," Feng Xiucai said with a smile, "In fact, many knot-making techniques have been lost. Think of the various knots in 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' how intricate and exquisite they were?"

Yang Kang laughed and asked, "After Baoyu was beaten, he asked Baochai's maid Ying'er to make him a knot, was it something like this?"

"Yes, in ancient times, the young masters and misses of noble families wore various exquisitely embroidered pouches, sachets, and knots, as well as jade and pearls strung on the knots. Now, even the rich people look a bit shabby compared to the girls in 'Dream of the Red Chamber'," Feng Xiucai said, "Think about it, various luxury brands are just expensive. As long as you have money, you can buy them, including limited editions."

"Right!" Yang Kang nodded. Any luxury item, as long as you have money, can be bought, which is not surprising.

He also understood Feng Xiucai's point. In ancient times, wealthy families had dedicated people for needlework. Some items were exclusive to certain individuals, and even with money, others might not be able to buy them.

The items sold in the market were still a notch below those from wealthy families.

"Your family also has a brocade workshop, right?" Fatty Guo came out from the kitchen and said, "You can make something special, display it, but not sell it, for your own use."

"Once I become the boss of the brocade workshop," Feng Xiucai said, "Don't think my mother is gentle. If I do this now, she will definitely beat me!"

"Right, Little Prince, how about you support my business?" Feng Xiucai said again, "Look, we're already so familiar."

"Sure, what do you have?" Yang Kang smiled. Although he also liked luxury items, he never bought things he didn't need, no matter how cheap they were.

According to Yang Kang's consumption philosophy—things you don't need, even if they cost only one yuan, are a waste, not frugality.

Under Feng Xiucai's persuasion, Yang Kang also ordered two sets of clothes. After all, clothes are always needed.

At noon, Fatty Guo went to the jade shop across the street and brought Hou Zhi over for lunch. He even drove to his "Fatty's Scrap Yard" and brought a jar of sorghum wine.

"What's up, inviting me to lunch? I still have work to do this afternoon," Hou Zhi said as soon as he sat down.

"Xiucai said there's something," Fatty Guo said, "Fatso is inviting you to lunch, and you're not giving me face?"

"Sure, sure, sure!" Hou Zhi laughed, "Who wouldn't give me face, but you have to give me face— damn, what are you talking about, why would I give you face, am I asking for a beating?"

Yang Kang and Feng Xiucai couldn't stop laughing, and Fatty Guo also laughed, pouring wine for everyone, "Xiucai, now everyone is here, don't beat around the bush, just say it."

"Alright!" Feng Xiucai, changing his playful demeanor, looked at Yang Kang and said, "Little Prince, answer me one question seriously."

"Uh?" Yang Kang hurriedly said, "Go ahead, as long as I know, I will definitely tell you."

"You must know!" Feng Xiucai said, "Tell me, what is your father like? Is he the kind of person who is greedy for money?"

"This—" Yang Kang didn't know how to answer this question.

"I have investigated Yang Chongxuan. Everyone likes money, but Uncle Yang is a gentleman— a gentleman loves wealth, but he obtains it through proper means," Feng Xiucai said, "I have looked into his actions over the years, and he is definitely not the kind of person who is eager for quick gains and greedy for money."