Chapter 9

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Fang Bo is in his fifties. When the country was just founded, his parents gave up their property in Southeast Asia and returned to build the country. Who would have thought that after just a few decades, the country would start a movement.

With Fang Bo's background, he was naturally classified as one of the "black five categories" and was eventually sent to the countryside for labor reform along with his grandfather, who was also being criticized.

How could someone from a wealthy family like Fang Bo endure such hardship? If it weren't for his grandfather's protection, Fang Bo might have chosen to hang himself like his parents did.

Later, Fang Bo developed a relationship with his grandfather that was both teacher and friend, and he learned a lot about antique appraisal from him. After the reform and opening up, his relatives abroad found him and took him to live overseas.

Due to the movement, Fang Bo's life was delayed, and he never married. Later, he moved to the United States and opened an antique shop in Flushing, where he settled down.

It was the relationship with his grandfather that made Fang Bo very caring towards Jin Muchen, so Jin Muchen wasn't worried that Fang Bo would deceive him.

When Jin Muchen pushed open the door of Fang Bo's antique shop, Fang Bo had just returned from buying groceries. Seeing Jin Muchen enter the shop, Fang Bo was taken aback.

Fang Bo is now a single man, though only in his fifties, his hair is already mostly gray. He is not tall, and his face still bears the marks of the hardships he endured, but he looks quite spirited.

"You little rascal, the sun must be rising in the west! What made you think of visiting this old man today?"

Fang Bo's tone was somewhat reproachful, clearly blaming Jin Muchen for not visiting him for so long. Jin Muchen felt very guilty.

"Ah! I'm really sorry, Fang Bo. Recently..."

"Hey! I know, you young people are busy. I was just saying it casually, don't take it to heart."

Fang Bo's understanding made Jin Muchen feel even more guilty.

When he first arrived in New York, he stayed at a family-run inn designated by the school. Later, he moved out of the school-designated inn and stayed with Fang Bo for a few months, during which Fang Bo never charged him rent.

It was here that he completed his one-year preparatory course and was admitted to Columbia University. It was also during this time that he met Ma Ling.

However, Fang Bo didn't like Ma Ling, and Jin Muchen was captivated by her beauty. After they officially became a couple, he found an excuse, saying that Columbia University was too far from Flushing, and moved out of Fang Bo's house because of his studies.

Ma Ling is a very smart girl, and she had long noticed that Fang Bo didn't like her. Under her urging, he visited Fang Bo less and less. Thinking back, he really felt like a jerk.

So when he came, he really couldn't find an excuse to explain his previous behavior, but fortunately, Fang Bo didn't mind at all.

"It's already this late. I'm a bit hungry. Let's go out for a meal and talk when we get back."

Although Fang Bo's face was serious, his eyes were full of smiles. He had no children, and Jin Muchen was the grandson of his great benefactor. He was naturally happy to see the grandson of his benefactor, who was both his teacher and friend, come to visit him.

Seeing Fang Bo's enthusiasm, Jin Muchen was at a loss for words, but he was moved and let Fang Bo pull him out of the shop.

Fang Bo's antique shop is usually busiest on weekends, but it was clearly not yet mealtime, yet Fang Bo insisted on taking him out for a meal, even neglecting his business. This gesture made him feel a warm current surge to his heart.

In New York, if you want to eat Chinese food, apart from the Chinese takeout places on the street, there are mainly two places: Chinatown in Manhattan and Flushing.

However, Chinatown in Manhattan is mainly known for Cantonese and Chaozhou cuisine, and in recent years, it has been trying to cater to the tastes of foreigners, so Jin Muchen and Fang Bo didn't like the food there.

Flushing, on the other hand, has seen a surge in new immigrants from mainland China in recent years, leading to a proliferation of restaurants serving various regional Chinese cuisines.

Whether it's Sichuan, Shandong, Northeastern, or Little Fatty Sheep hotpot, or even skewers, if you can think of it, it's available here.

It caters to the tastes of immigrants from other regions of mainland China, and on weekends, the restaurants here are usually bustling.

Because it's close to New Jersey, many Chinese from New Jersey also come here with their families on weekends for a treat.

Although it was only 10:30 in the morning, the Little Pepper Sichuan Restaurant where Jin Muchen and Fang Bo came was already full, with no empty seats in the hall.

Fortunately, Fang Bo was a regular customer, and after greeting the waiter, they were quickly given a private room on the second floor.

Before Fang Bo could even order, dishes like Spicy Chicken, Boiled Fish, and Boiled Beef were brought out one after another.

Jin Muchen hadn't eaten such authentic Sichuan cuisine in a long time, and he didn't need to be polite with Fang Bo. The two of them indulged in the food.

After eating until they were half full, they called for a few bottles of beer and then began to slow down, eating and chatting. Jin Muchen told Fang Bo about his recent situation.

After listening, Fang Bo comforted him a few times.

"Ma Ling, what can I say? I didn't think much of her from the beginning. That girl is too goal-oriented. Her intentions with you weren't pure. Unfortunately, you didn't listen back then..."

Although Fang Bo's tone was light, it was clear that he was happy. Jin Muchen is the grandson of his old friend, and he certainly didn't want to see his benefactor's grandson fall for a woman.

Fortunately, they broke up, and Jin Muchen's loss wasn't too great. Jin Muchen now sees things clearly; a woman who can only share good times but not hard times isn't worth getting upset over.

"But you, why didn't you let me know when something happened at home? You went to the school and took a leave of absence on your own. This is a big deal, it will affect your studies!"

It was clear that Fang Bo was genuinely concerned about Jin Muchen, and Jin Muchen could only nod helplessly.

"Fang Bo, I understand what you're saying, but what could I do when something happened at home? I had no choice. In this situation, I can't add to my family's burden. I'm not young anymore, and I can't keep asking my family for money. It's time for me to support my parents."

After hearing this, Fang Bo thought for a moment and then said, "Hmm, you chose to take a year off, and that's not a bad decision. It's good to get some real-world experience and exposure to society, rather than being cooped up in school all the time."

Fang Bo approved of Jin Muchen's decision to take a leave of absence and earn money to support his parents. He had been in the United States for over 20 years and had seen many American college students support themselves through school, earning both tuition and living expenses.

So he thought Jin Muchen's choice was right; young people should get some experience.

"By the way, what brings you to see me today?"

Fang Bo finally got to the point. He had noticed that Jin Muchen had been carrying a small box since he arrived, and he felt that something was up.

Jin Muchen finally got his chance, smiled, and handed the small box to Fang Bo carefully.

"Recently, while working, I got this by chance, but I'm not sure about it, so I wanted to ask you to take a look."

Fang Bo smiled and took the small box, opened it, and picked up the yellow-ground famille-rose open-mouthed bowl with three fingers, muttering to himself.

"You should have learned more from your grandfather back then. If you had learned the skills, you wouldn't need to ask me now. What's this? Suddenly interested in antiques?"

In fact, Fang Bo had been worried about passing on his knowledge of antiques. Few young people were interested in learning it, and he had long wanted to teach Jin Muchen, but the few times he had tried, Jin Muchen showed little interest.

Now that Jin Muchen had suddenly taken an interest in antiques, Fang Bo was quite pleased.

However, his tone suddenly changed, and his playful expression turned serious. He had thought that Jin Muchen, a complete novice, must have been cheated. After all, what good thing could a novice get? But as soon as he touched the bowl, Fang Bo felt something was off, not that the bowl was wrong, but that it was too right.

"Hmm, the body is finely processed, the texture is delicate and light, the color is pure and exquisite, and the weight is just right. The glaze is smooth and lustrous, flawless. There is a small chip and a short fine line on the rim, which has been simply repaired. The base has chicken-claw cracks, but it's still in good condition. The craftsmanship and style are obvious, the patterns are vivid, and the lines are smooth. It's a good piece! A very good piece! Hey, where did you get this?"

Hearing Fang Bo's evaluation, Jin Muchen felt a great weight lifted from his heart, and he couldn't help but smile. So he had found a good deal!

Once the topic turned to antiques, Fang Bo became animated, especially when he saw the yellow-ground famille-rose five-claw dragon open-mouthed bowl in his hands, which Jin Muchen, a complete novice, had acquired. Fang Bo couldn't help but feel even more excited and curious.