Chapter 33 of 100

Chapter 33

14 min read3,398 words

Chapter Thirty-Three: Zhou Bin

"Alright, now that we've finished the main business. Mr. Zhou, you understand the rules here. If you want me to make furniture, you'll need to provide the wood!" Uncle Long said at this point.

"Sure, I know the rules, Uncle Long. I've already brought the materials. It's genuine Indian rosewood, and it's at Quancheng Railway Station. I'll bring it over this afternoon. Of course, the remaining materials will all belong to you! Also, here is a check for two million, please keep it well!"

Seeing the commercial bank's bearer check on the table, the old man couldn't help but shake his head. "I'm very grateful that you can help me recommend Xiao Dong to Old Yan, so you can take the money back!"

"No, no, Uncle Long! Your craftsmanship is top-notch in the country. I'm already very grateful that you're making furniture for me. You must take this check, otherwise, I really won't feel right about asking you to do this!" Zhou Bin stood up and said hurriedly.

Seeing the determined look on his face, the old man hesitated for a moment before finally nodding and then laughed heartily. "Alright, I'll take the check. Don't worry, as long as the materials arrive, I'll have your furniture ready in a month at most!"

"Hehe, that's great! But there's one more thing I need your help with, Uncle Long?" Zhou Bin continued.

"What is it? As long as it's within my capabilities, I'll do my best to help!"

"It's nothing much. I really like the Guan Gong statue Brother Liu carved. I wonder if Brother Liu can let me have it?" Zhou Bin asked with a smile.

"What do you think, Xiao Dong?" the old man asked.

Seeing both of them looking at him, Liu Dong stood up from his seat. To be honest, he quite liked Zhou Bin's generosity. Besides, he had originally planned to show the Guan Gong statue to Uncle Long and then sell it at Taiyi Pavilion.

Now, since Zhou Bin liked it so much, selling it to him would be the same. "Since Mr. Zhou likes it, I'll give you the Guan Gong statue!"

Liu Dong was very clear that the opportunity to become a disciple of Master Yan, a master of Northern jade carving, was extremely rare and precious. It was something that hundreds of thousands of jade carvers across the country dreamed of. Even though Zhou Bin had already agreed and Uncle Long had vouched for him, he still felt somewhat uneasy.

Therefore, he wanted to give the Guan Gong statue to Zhou Bin. As the saying goes, 'if you take someone's hand, you're short; if you eat someone's food, you're short.' After so many years in the business, Liu Dong understood this principle.

Thus, his tone was unusually generous. Moreover, after selling the Kangxi snuff bottle and acquiring the valuable treasures like the octagonal stupa by Uncle Wang, the long scroll "Spring Mountain Companions" by Tang Yin, and the Confucian classics handwritten by Liu Yong, Liu Dong no longer viewed a few tens of thousands of yuan as significant.

Although Zhou Bin, with his rich social experience, could guess Liu Dong's intentions, sometimes knowing and feeling are different. Just like during the Qing Dynasty, even though Emperor Qianlong knew that Heshen was flattering him, he still enjoyed hearing it.

"Hehe, Brother Liu is indeed generous. I'll definitely make you my friend! But I can't take this Guan Gong statue for free!" Saying this, Zhou Bin took out a yellow checkbook from his jacket pocket, wrote a few numbers, signed it, and then handed it to Liu Dong.

"Three hundred thousand? Isn't that too much!" Liu Dong couldn't help but exclaim when he saw the amount.

Although the material of his Guan Gong statue was good and the carving was excellent, he had only expected to sell it for around one hundred thousand. He didn't expect Zhou Bin to offer so much.

"Hehe, that's not too much. The material is golden-threaded nanmu, and with Brother Liu's excellent craftsmanship, three hundred thousand is actually a bargain!" In fact, like antiques, when you really like something, even if it far exceeds its market value, you're willing to buy it. So, Zhou Bin, who genuinely liked the Guan Gong statue, didn't think three hundred thousand was expensive.

"Alright, Xiao Dong, put it away! Mr. Zhou is very wealthy, he doesn't mind this amount!" Uncle Long, sitting beside him, said.

"Uncle Long, please be kind. I worked hard for this money, and it hurts to spend it!" Zhou Bin couldn't help but look at the old man and smile bitterly.

Hearing this, Liu Dong didn't act coy. He could tell from Zhou Bin's attire and the fact that he had two bodyguards that he was wealthy. Three hundred thousand might be a lot to him, but to Zhou Bin, it was just a hair on his leg.

Although he wanted to give twenty thousand of the three hundred thousand to Uncle Long as payment for the nanmu material, he knew it wasn't the right time. So, he put the check in his pocket.

"Brother Liu, Uncle Long, it's almost noon! Why don't I treat you both to lunch?" After finishing the main business, the three of them chatted for a while. Zhou Bin looked at his Rolex watch and said with a smile.

"No need, I'm old and the weather outside is too hot. I won't go, but let Xiao Dong accompany you!" The old man waved his hand and said.

Seeing the old man's expression, Zhou Bin didn't insist. After hearing Uncle Long's instructions, Liu Dong didn't refuse either. Besides, he had a good impression of Zhou Bin's generosity and straightforwardness.

Moreover, if his shop really opened in Quancheng, someone like Zhou Bin, who was wealthy and interested in carvings, would be his best big customer. It was necessary to build a good relationship in advance.

"Alright, since Uncle Long isn't going, I won't force you. Brother Liu, let's go!" Zhou Bin said.

"Wait! Mr. Zhou, please wait a moment. I need to talk to Xiao Dong about something!" Just as the two were about to leave, Uncle Long seemed to remember something and suddenly spoke.

"Sure, no problem! I'll just put away the Guan Gong statue!" Zhou Bin said without any sign of displeasure.

Watching his back disappear through the archway leading to Taiyi Pavilion, Uncle Long gestured for Liu Dong to sit down and said with a regretful look, "Xiao Dong, I've done my best to help you, but in the end, it's up to you!"

"No, Uncle Long, I'm already very grateful for this opportunity. After all, not everyone has the chance to study under Master Yan!" Liu Dong said sincerely.

Seeing the deep gratitude on Liu Dong's face, the old man waved his hand in relief. "As long as you understand. After you go back, work hard! Try to improve your carving skills in the next six months. With Zhou Bin's help, your chances of success will be much higher!"

"I understand, Uncle Long. I'll work hard when I go back!" Liu Dong said firmly. "Right, Uncle Long, about this..."

Liu Dong took out the three hundred thousand check from his pocket, but before he could say anything, Uncle Long interrupted him. "Alright, keep the three hundred thousand. I'm old and don't need that much money!" He paused. "Alright, brat, go quickly. Don't keep Mr. Zhou waiting, it wouldn't be polite!"

Hearing this, Liu Dong, who understood the old man's character, didn't say anything more. He truly appreciated the old man's concern and silently vowed to repay him when the opportunity arose, though he knew such opportunities would be rare.

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