Chapter 19: Very good, drive him away again

The jade had a fine texture, was smooth and lustrous. 

The white jade often had a greenish tint, giving it a soft feel.

Hetian jade!

“You’re getting ahead of yourself. It’s not Xinjiang Hetian jade, it’s Qinghai jade.”

Old Wang’s words abruptly stopped Lin Moran’s smile.

After taking another closer look, Lin Moran realized she had been overly optimistic.

Xinjiang Hetian jade and Qinghai jade are easily confused, but a closer look reveals the differences.

Xinjiang Hetian jade has a fine texture, feels warm to the touch, has an oily feel, and a thick, steady luster. Qinghai jade, on the other hand, has a relatively coarser texture, lower toughness, feels drier to the touch, higher transparency, and more water, lacking a warm feel.

Although it’s inferior to Xinjiang jade.

Compared to other Hetian jade, it’s considered one of the best.

And she only spent ten yuan on this stone.

Her luck was quite good.

“It’s not bad either. What do you want to carve?” Old Wang asked.

“Can you carve a cabbage?” Lin Moran asked.

Old Wang was taken aback, then understood, “Of course.”

“There will be leftover material.”

“Then make some peace knots and bracelets.”

“Okay.”

Old Wang replied.

Lin Moran left satisfied. Compared to Xinjiang Hetian jade, Qinghai jade has a slightly inferior texture and less toughness, making it prone to cracking, but she wasn’t worried because Old Wang’s craftsmanship was top-notch.

When Xu Jingya learned that Lin Moran hadn’t brought back any bronze ware and that Gu Jingyao’s visit was fruitless, she felt quite regretful. When she found out that the jade Lin Moran bought turned out to be Qinghai jade, she burst out laughing.

Of the four major categories of antiques pottery, calligraphy and painting, jade, and miscellaneous items she was least skilled in jade, yet she particularly liked buying raw stones.

Carving a cabbage?  She barely managed to get a piece of Qinghai jade, and she’s carving a worthless cabbage. It’s hilarious.

The wheel of fate had begun to turn. In her past life, Lin Moran bought the Fahua Meiping vase and sold it for a high price. This time, she took the Fahua Meiping vase from her, and Lin Moran could only buy a stone and carve a cabbage.

She was the one making money now, and Lin Moran was the one watching her make money.

She organized the various antiques she had bought, imitating Lin Moran. Looking at these items, Xu Jingya seemed to hear the sound of coins. In a month, Kyoto would hold an international art exchange.

While called an art exchange, this was the first large-scale exchange held in China after the reform and opening up, aiming to promote domestic and foreign trade and stimulate domestic demand. In reality, it was a platform for everyone to sell their goods.

She would bring out these items and make a fortune.

Besides participating in the Kyoto International Art Exchange, another important event was that Grandpa Song was turning seventy. In her past life, not long after Song Zesheng’s death, she married Zhao Feiping and gradually grew distant from the Song family.

In her past life, at Grandpa Song’s seventieth birthday banquet, she attended with Zhao Feiping, only able to stay in a small corner. Lin Moran, attending with Shen Haoyang, was more eye-catching and attracted more attention than she was.

This time, she had to prepare well. She wouldn’t let Lin Moran outshine her again.

Lin Moran worked steadily.

While Gu Aihua wasn’t watching her, she sold two porcelain vases, earning not much, but still ten large banknotes.

Then she received news that Liuli Street would host the International Art Exchange, news that made Lin Moran’s eyes light up.

The antique market was recovering, and the venue for the exchange was Liuli Street, home to Liuli Factory, known as “Kyoto’s elegant place,” and China’s largest book market, selling writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, antiques, calligraphy, and paintings.

Many domestic and foreign buyers would gather here, which was undoubtedly a huge advantage for her.

International buyers were discerning and willing to pay high prices.

She would sell her goods aggressively, hoping to earn enough money for Zhezhe’s surgery at the exchange.

Old Wang’s jade carving was very fast. The experienced craftsman worked steadily and orderly. At the current rate, the finished product could be carved in about half a month.

“Moran, my grandfather’s birthday is coming soon. I’ll send you an invitation. Come with me to my grandfather’s birthday banquet.”

Shen Haoyang excitedly walked into her small shop.

He handed her a meticulously crafted invitation.

Lin Moran was surprised. Looking at him, she said, “Only honored guests receive invitations. This is too grand. And I’m not worthy of being an honored guest.”

Shen Haoyang was a little unhappy, “How is that possible? As long as you’re with me, you’re an honored guest.”

Lin Moran paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “What does it mean to be with you?”

Shen Haoyang’s face flushed slightly, “My friend. My family knows I have a friend like you. Last time, a foreign friend praised your items, and my family saw the woman in the newspaper who was my friend. They’re all curious and want to meet you.”

Lin Moran looked at him calmly. She wasn’t stupid and could see what Shen Haoyang meant.

“The birthday banquet is a family affair. If I have the chance, I will definitely visit.”

Shen Haoyang was anxious, “It’s not just a family affair. My cousin hasn’t been heard from, and my grandfather is really heartbroken, so my uncle invited many relatives and friends to make it lively and distract my grandfather.”

“If you go, they’ll be very happy.”

“Then I can’t go. If I go, others will think I’m your date, which will easily lead to misunderstandings.”

Shen Haoyang didn’t give up, so Lin Moran made her point clear.

Who would believe that a friend would go to a grandfather’s birthday banquet with a single man?  She said they were just ordinary friends, who would believe her?

Shen Haoyang’s lips tightened, and he muttered in a low voice, “Actually, it’s not impossible.”

“Hmm?”

“Nothing. Look, there will be many great collectors at the banquet. It would be good for us to meet them.”

Shen Haoyang continued to persuade her.

As he spoke, he suddenly felt a dark presence behind him.

Turning around, he saw two tall, straight men standing at the shop entrance. The shop instantly felt dark and oppressive, giving a strong sense of pressure.

Shen Haoyang turned to look at Gu Jingyao, his brows furrowed coldly. He suspected this guy was following him every day.

He had just appeared at Lin Moran’s shop, and he immediately showed up.

“Sister-in-law, don’t be nervous, we’re just doing routine checks.”

Before Gu Jingyao could speak, Wu Kairui spoke politely.

Lin Moran nodded.

“Sister-in-law, if anyone makes trouble, just find us, I’ll punch him out.”

Wu Kairui’s gaze fell on Shen Haoyang, his eyes wary and contemptuous.

This guy was trying to steal his leader’s sister-in-law behind his and his leader’s back!

Shen Haoyang ignored Wu Kairui, glaring fiercely at Gu Jingyao, “Gu Jingyao, is this personal vendetta under the guise of official business?”

Gu Jingyao’s handsome face showed no expression, his eyes dark, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, “Shen Haoyang, a person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear. Why are you so anxious?”

“The more flustered you are, the more suspicious you are.”

“What am I flustered about? I invited Moran to my grandfather’s birthday banquet. Is that not allowed? Do you have the right to interfere?”

Shen Haoyang raised his chin, his eyes fierce, challenging him.

Gu Jingyao’s eyes fell lightly on Lin Moran, his voice low, “Is that so?”

That light glance made Lin Moran’s scalp tingle.

She glared angrily at Shen Haoyang, and Shen Haoyang realized he had been impulsive and wanted to cover his mouth.

“Not yet decided.”

Lin Moran answered.

Although her heart was a little uneasy, she wasn’t flustered.

“Very good.”

Gu Jingyao’s voice was flat and low, heavy enough to make people feel oppressed.

“Comrade Wu, is there anything else you need to check in my shop? Do you have other places to patrol?”

Lin Moran looked at Wu Kairui.

Gu Jingyao’s eyes grew colder.  Good, she was chasing him away again.