However, while Wang Guan appeared to be poring over Ji Gu Zhai’s financial records, his attention was decidedly elsewhere. His mind was still fixed on the events that had just transpired.
How could a light suddenly appear on a porcelain bowl? And what was that current of qi that had flowed into his body from the bowl? Were all these strange occurrences somehow connected to the coin from yesterday?
The multitude of questions left Wang Guan momentarily lost in thought.
He felt an overwhelming, urgent impulse to uncover the reason, to understand everything.
“Why the sudden daydream?”
Just then, Gao Dequan set a cup of water down on Wang Guan’s desk, having called out several times before startling him awake.
“Ah… Thank you, Manager Gao.”
Wang Guan was slightly flustered, but his mind worked quickly. He managed a strained smile to cover his distraction. “I was just startled. I hadn't anticipated the sheer volume of transactions involved.”
“Haha.”
Gao Dequan chuckled, showing no suspicion. He simply offered a gentle admonishment: “Once you’ve been around a while, you’ll realize this is nothing. Focus on your work, and don’t let Old Qian’s trust go to waste.”
“Uh… yes.”
Wang Guan nodded hurriedly, yet he sensed vaguely that Manager Gao might have misinterpreted the source of his shock.
Time slipped by until noon. Before Wang Guan could say anything, Gao Dequan had ordered takeout. The relatively fine fast food, especially being free of charge, allowed Wang Guan to eat heartily.
After finishing lunch, Gao Dequan settled back into his chair, retrieved an exquisite teapot from an unknown source, poured two small cups, gestured to Wang Guan, and then began serving himself.
Wang Guan quickly offered his thanks, took a cup, and sipped gently. He was instantly met with a fragrance so rich it was hard to describe. Though he knew little about tea connoisseurship, the aroma and flavor told him this brew was certainly no ordinary refreshment.
As the delicate tea washed over his palate, Wang Guan felt a noticeable lift in his spirits. His gaze swept around and suddenly settled on a nearby shelving unit.
Rows upon rows of exquisite porcelain pieces were displayed there, stirring something within Wang Guan. Feigning curiosity, he walked over to the shelves, scrutinizing the items closely, occasionally reaching out to touch them.
The results, however, brought disappointment. He touched dozens of objects, yet not a single one triggered the strange phenomena—the white light he had witnessed earlier.
Wang Guan frowned, then a spark of inspiration struck him. He turned and asked, “Manager Gao, there seems to be something… off about these pieces.”
“What’s off about them?”
Gao Dequan held up his cup, inhaling the steam, and replied mildly, “What have you noticed now?”
“I think… these pieces don’t seem old enough.”
In truth, Wang Guan had no way to judge true age from appearance; he was merely testing the waters.
“You really noticed?” Gao Dequan looked slightly surprised, adjusting his opinion of Wang Guan; perhaps the young man hadn't passed the assessment purely on luck.
“Just guessing,” Wang Guan admitted frankly.
“A very good guess.”
Gao Dequan smiled, thinking Wang Guan was being overly modest. After all, one time could be luck, twice coincidence, but three or four times spoke of genuine ability.
“Manager Gao,” Wang Guan continued, his expression now hesitant, “isn’t it… improper to display these items out here?”
Though years in society had smoothed some of his rough edges, Wang Guan still operated under a personal code. Passing off fakes as genuine antiques and selling them at inflated prices crossed a fundamental line for him.
“Kid, what nonsense are you thinking?”
Gao Dequan, rich in life experience, immediately grasped Wang Guan’s concern. His previous goodwill deepened, and a genuine smile surfaced as he chided lightly, “These are all imitation antiques. They bear Ji Gu Zhai’s hallmark on the base and are sold with clear, marked prices.”
“Ah, I misunderstood,” Wang Guan said, feeling rather embarrassed.
“You underestimate Ji Gu Zhai,” Gao Dequan shook his head. “How could we ever risk damaging our reputation like that?”
He continued, his tone shifting to one of pride. “Furthermore, don’t look down on these reproductions. The entire shop has over a hundred imitation pieces, all carefully selected and custom-ordered from specialized workshops. Especially the finest ones—they are produced in limited runs under the guidance of expert craftsmen. Every step is taken to mimic the antique process, making them virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.”
“These fine reproductions all carry Ji Gu Zhai’s item number. When sold, we explicitly state they are newly made—we don’t artificially age them or attempt deception through forgery. They are openly sold at fair market prices. This is worlds apart from the crude, baseless imitations peddled elsewhere, disguised and sold to trick people.”
Gao Dequan declared proudly, “Anyone in the trade knows that ‘Honest Dealing, No Deception’ is the very hallmark of Ji Gu Zhai.”
“It’s all my fault; I judged without understanding the situation, making a subjective error,” Wang Guan quickly apologized, feeling deeply contrite.
“It’s not entirely your fault; blame those greedy few who break the established rules. When so many people are creating and selling fakes, the public loses faith in genuine articles,” Gao Dequan sighed, waving a hand. “In the old antique market, there were certainly forgeries, but there were many true pieces too. Now? One in a hundred might be real; at first glance, ninety-nine percent are fake.”
“That’s the truth of it,” Wang Guan agreed repeatedly.
Following this exchange, the relationship between the two men warmed considerably. Gao Dequan, in particular, found Wang Guan’s character sound, and his demeanor shifted to one of greater warmth and guidance. Under his tutelage, Wang Guan gained a much deeper understanding of Ji Gu Zhai’s financial standing.
Time passed unnoticed. Soon it was four in the afternoon. Gao Dequan seemed to have an engagement, reminding Wang Guan to arrive at nine the next morning before deciding to close the shop early.
Leaving Ji Gu Zhai, Wang Guan felt a strange sense of unreality, a slight dizziness.
Beep-beep…
Just then, Gao Dequan drove a luxury sedan slowly past Wang Guan.
The dark grey tinted window rolled down, and Gao Dequan leaned over to ask, “Wang Guan, where do you live? Would you like a ride?”
“Thank you, Manager Gao, you must be busy. I can manage my way back myself,” Wang Guan replied politely.
“Very well, see you tomorrow.”
Gao Dequan nodded slightly, and the luxury car merged onto the road, accelerating quickly away.
Watching the vehicle vanish, Wang Guan immediately turned and headed in the direction of the Antique City. He could hold back no longer; he needed to test his newfound ability.
Ji Gu Zhai was technically located within the Antique City, just tucked away in a quieter corner. Wang Guan walked a hundred paces before reaching the market’s most bustling sector.
It was a wide, smoothly paved avenue flanked by low buildings, none rising above three stories, all decorated in an antique aesthetic. Along the roadside, vendors had set up numerous temporary stalls in front of the permanent shops.
Although it was past four o’clock, people were still streaming in and out of the stalls and shops. While the crowds weren't overwhelming, compared to the quiet stillness of Ji Gu Zhai, this area was positively vibrant.
Wang Guan strolled toward the nearest stall. His eyes dropped to the merchandise displayed haphazardly on the tabletop: ancient coins coated in rust, decorative pieces plated with gold and silver lacquer, and porcelain with a decidedly aged look…
By outward appearance, every object here seemed to have been weathered by the passage of time, giving it an ancient air.
Old and time-worn—that was what qualified something as an antique..................New book uploaded, please favorite and recommend, thank you all for your great support.