Chapter 166: This Girl Is Too Ruthless (1)
Right now, these things were the least valuable, worse than jewelry and jade.
Jewelry and jade were the easiest to tell their grades even for those who were not professional.
Supreme jade jewelry was translucent and bright at the first glance. Any inferior ones were totally incomparable.
But this ancient calligraphy painting and antique porcelain were different, and it is also the same with antique porcelain. Non-professionals could not tell the difference.
Du Guobang still had a lot of sources. He heard that jewelry was worthless in China but they were still expensive in Hong Kong.
He didn’t understand these antique calligraphy and paintings, and so did the people around him. The antique calligraphy and painting were also difficult to preserve.
Jewelry and jade could be thrown into the box anywhere. It did not matter even if you soaked them in water. But the calligraphy and painting were too delicate.
The people here did not understand the value of the calligraphy and painting but Gu Qingyao did!
Her grandfather was a landlord and well-educated. He had superior discerning eyes and was fond of collecting. This was a hobby passed down by ancestors.
The Gu family had a lot of collections passed down from their ancestors. In her previous life, she learned the knowledge from her grandfather when she was a child. She was more introverted at the later stage of her previous life and did not even leave the house. She spent all the time studying to keep herself from over-thinking.
After growing up, she went to a lot of places with Mo Beihan and witnessed many goods. She was therefore trained to be discerning.
There were several boxes in front of her. There were only two small boxes of jewelry and jade, placed on the table.
The boxes were all common jewelry.
Gu Qingyao took a look at bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. There were almost no complete sets of them. There were all kinds of bracelets and necklaces.
It was obvious that Du Guobang was way less sincere than Chen Jin.
Some of these jewels were good but there were no superior ones. There were only one necklace and two bracelets that were indeed good stuff.
That necklace was worth more than three million in the future. It was not of the best grade but still a pretty good one. The design was very beautiful. Gu Qingyao still liked it.
Bracelets were a bit more expensive. Both were about the same and could be paired up with more than six million.
Gu Qingyao picked both the bracelet and the necklace.
There was still one bracelet that could reach millions in the future. Gu Qingyao also took a green bracelet with flower designs. The remaining bracelets were almost the same.
Looking at the quality, they might be worth 200 to 500 thousands dollars based on the future market.
At the moment, they were worthless in the market. Two catties of cornmeal or less could be exchanged for one.
Du Guobang was a businessman so Gu Qingyao treated him that way. She was totally not trying to be polite when she picked the vintage items.
She picked twenty ordinary jade bracelets.
She also took ten gemstone rings, eighteen diamond rings. It would be beautiful wearing the diamond ring in the future when the free era arrived!
She would give her sisters-in-law and aunts one each!
She picked six pairs of diamond bracelets, four gemstone necklaces and nine diamond necklaces!
Du Guobang stared at the little girl as she picked the items. He could feel his eyebrows twitching.
After taking these, Gu Qingyao stopped looking at these jewels. What she took away was probably one-third of the things Du Guobang took out. But in terms of value, they accounted for 70 percent.
The remaining ones were not very valuable.
She then started to pick the calligraphy, painting and antiques.
Gu Qingyao liked those as well so she was very serious in her choice.
Du Guobang assumed that she did not understand anything about the values of vintage items as she was just a little girl. Though her face was covered, he could still tell that she was very young.
Chapter 167: This Girl Is Too Ruthless (2)
But he changed his mind when he saw Gu Qingyao earnestly making her selection, even taking out a torch to shine on them. He watched anxiously as Gu Qingyao made her selection. He had a feeling that she had chosen the most valuable pieces.
He felt that he was making a loss and his heart ached!
Gu Qingyao was over the moon!
Because she had discovered that like Chen Jin, Du Guobang knew nothing about antiques, and did not care about them either. He had clearly selected the best of the gems and precious stones for himself. Then he mixed some good pieces with the rest and let her choose from them.
But the antiques were a different story. This fellow was doing well in the city and he had many, many antiques!
She picked two enameled porcelain vases which were painted in vivid colors. Enamel work was known for its intricacy and elegance, and these were incredibly beautiful!
She also selected two well-preserved censers from the early Qing period.
Among the porcelain vessels, she was delighted to encounter another blue and white Yuan porcelain piece. This time, it was not a big platter, but a small vase. But it was similarly valuable.
This piece must have been taken from a landlord or from the collection of a capitalist. The things that these people left behind were certainly valuable, which was why there were so many treasures here.
Then there was a Yixing clay teapot in perfect condition, and three snuff bottles.
She also found many treasures among the paintings. Gu Qingyao selected a horse painted by Master Xu, and a prawn by Master Qi. These needed no explanation. Everyone knew how valuable they were. Gu Qingyao smiled gleefully.
Mo Beihan smilingly watched Gu Qingyao make her selection. He could not hide the affection in his eyes and Du Guobang winced to look at it.
Lastly, she chose two freehand brushwork paintings from the Song Dynasty and two works from famous calligraphers. One was in the free cursive style, and the other in the running script style.
In these times, these things had all been placed in the salvage station to be recycled to support nation building efforts. Otherwise, some ordinary citizen would use them as wallpaper.
There was no doubt that in these times, a person could really buy all these paintings from a salvage station for a few cents, and use them as wallpaper.
Gu Qingyao inwardly mourned when she thought of this. She selected another four landscape paintings before she stopped!
She had carefully examined each one before making her selection. Du Guobang felt incredibly uneasy as he watched her. He had a feeling that everything this girl had selected was valuable, and the rest were forgeries.
The young man who had gone to cook the dumplings had returned a long time ago, but Du Guobang was in no mood to try the dumplings. He only relaxed when he saw that Gu Qingyao was done.
The youth had only cooked two dumplings – a chive and egg dumpling, and a pork and cabbage one. He had also cooked a few wontons.
Du Guobang’s eyes lit up when he tried them. My God! These were the best dumplings he had ever eaten!
Seasoning and oil had been added lavishly!
There certainly were advantages to selling these. He thought of those old people who had been demoted. Even if you gave them flour, chives and eggs, they would not have the seasoning to make such good dumplings. Now, someone had already wrapped them. Wonderful!
The dumplings and wontons went a long way towards soothing Du Guobang’s aching heart.
Gu Qingyao smilingly took her things. “I like these. I’ll take them!”
She took a few cloth sacks from her bag and carefully wrapped them up. These were all treasures!
Her grandfather would be delighted when she brought them back!
She took out the bag of dumplings and wontons and handed them to Du Guobang. They carried their baskets away, having carefully placed their treasures in them and covered them with a cloth. Mo Beihan carried one on his back and another in his hand as he bid farewell to Du Guobang.
Chapter 168: This Girl Is Too Ruthless (3)
The dumplings and wontons probably improved Du Guobang’s mood. Although the girl had been utterly ruthless, he was truly interested in the items that Mo Beihan had brought. So he smiled and said, “Comrade, remember me the next time you have anything good.”
Mo Beihan smiled. “Elder Brother Du, it’s a pleasure to do business with you. Of course, I will come again when I have anything good.”
A pleasure?
Du Guobang’s expression stiffened!
He felt as if he had been exploited!
Mo Beihan put away the eight hundred dollars and left with his treasures.
Du Guobang stared at them. The two of them left the residence and walked through several alleys. Mo Beihan caught hold of Gu Qingyao and suddenly quickened his steps as he rushed towards a turn that was up ahead. He turned the corner and was lost to sight.
The two youths behind him were taken aback. They hurriedly gave chase, but when they turned the corner, they discovered many paths leading in different directions. There were many junctions in these alleys. They rushed over to look, but found no trace of Mo Beihan and Gu Qingyao.
The two of them searched for a while to no avail. They had no choice but to report to Du Guobang.
They had lost the trail?
Du Guobang frowned. After a while, he waved them aside. “Forget it. If you’ve lost their trail, then so be it! They are clearly people of some ability. If they wish to conceal their identity from us, any plan that we can come up with will probably fail.”
“Forget it. As he said, we cannot control him. He also cannot touch me easily because he won’t be able to deal with our patrons.”
The youth who had opened the door for Mo Beihan and Gu Qingyao looked at the things on the table and exclaimed, “My God! This is the first time I’ve seen someone with so many good things. They’re certainly capable. Elder Brother, if he comes back to trade with us regularly, we certainly won’t lose out! Anyway, it is to our advantage to have a good relationship with an important person like him.”
Du Guobang naturally understood this principle. But when he looked at the antiques box that Gu Qingyao had picked over, his heart ached again. “It may be to our advantage, but that girl is ruthless. I could barely keep my seat when she was selecting those gems. Fortunately, she stopped just in time.
“And look at those antiques. Somehow, I have a feeling that the girl selected my most valuable items. Do you think the rest are forgeries?”
The youth: “…”
How would he know?
He was clueless about these things!
Meanwhile, Mo Beihan and Gu Qingyao waited until the two men had left before they emerged from the interspace. Gu Qingyao glanced at the direction in which the two men had left and laughed, “This Elder Brother Du is trying to find out who we are?”
Mo Beihan laughed. “We brought so many things. In his heart, he is certain that we are one of the biggest players, and yet he knows all the important people in Jiangchong City. Of course, he’s curious when we popped out of nowhere!
“But I understand such people. Don’t worry, he doesn’t mean any harm!”
Gu Qingyao raised her brows and smiled!
She held Mo Beihan’s hand; her little face was flushed with excitement. “Elder Brother Beihan, I’m going to be a huge collector and make lots of money! Hehe!”
Mo Beihan dotingly patted her head when he saw her smiling craftily. “Are you hungry? Let’s get something to eat.”
Gu Qingyao looked around and smiled. “Surely we don’t need to go to the state-run restaurant? Can’t we just go to my interspace?”
Mo Beihan was taken aback. He had forgotten about that!
So the two of them just went back to the interspace for a meal.
Meanwhile, in the town, Zhou Hong was so frightened that she rushed back home only to see Wang Guozhu’s parents chatting with the neighbors in the courtyard. The sun had emerged that afternoon, and many people were sunning themselves in the courtyard.
Chapter 169: Wang Guozhu, I Don’t Want A Divorce Anymore (1)
The house they lived in was part of a large residence assigned by the state. Most of the people who worked in the same factory lived here. There was a large courtyard at the ground level and many old people liked to hold their activities there.
Zhou Hong’s family lived on the third floor. The house consisted of three rooms and a living room, and had a floor area of about seventy square meters. In the town, it was considered to be a fairly spacious house. Both Zhou Hong and Wang Guozhu worked, so they had been assigned this type of housing.
When Zhou Hong returned, she saw the old lady, whose name was Liang Zhaodi. Her name alone showed what kind of family she had been born into. Also, Old Madam’s personality truly matched her name.
Sitting in front of her was another old lady from the residence. The latter was carrying her young grandson in her arms, while a slightly older grandson played nearby. Her eldest grandson, from another son, was at her house.
The old lady was complaining to Liang Zhaodi. “Ai… Those people in my family only know how to eat, but don’t know how to work. We need food to support them. The oldest is still alright, he’s beginning to mature. The second one can play on his own. But this little one needs to be carried. Now, my oldest son’s wife is pregnant again. Judging by her stomach, it’s probably another son. I’m utterly exhausted!”
“I’ve spent years raising my eldest and second grandson. Now, this third grandson hasn’t even learnt how to walk and my eldest daughter-in-law is pregnant again! When do you think these days of having to carry my grandchildren around will come to an end?”
Her words caused Liang Zhaodi to turn green with envy. She dreamt of a grandson, but Zhou Hong refused to give her one. Their family only had one daughter, Zhou Xiaoyu, and she did not follow the Wang family’s surname, so what use was she?
“How can you moan continuously? I’m almost wild with longing for a grandson. My granddaughter is all grown up. I don’t know when she’ll give me a grandson. She has caused our Wang family line to die out. What use is a granddaughter? She only knows how to spend money and is a burden.”
Zhou Hong immediately saw red. This damn old lady. Always talking bad about her and her daughter outside the family. Xiaoyu carried her hopes. How dare this old woman call her a burden?
It was these two old wretches who were burdens. They did not do anything all day besides eat.
Then she remembered that Wang Guozhu was having an affair, and the woman was pregnant. Did these two old people also know that the bitch was pregnant?
Were they waiting for a divorce so they could bring the woman into the family and have a grandson?
Ha!
No way!
Zhou Hong rushed over in a huff. But Liang Zhaodi had sharp eyes. When she saw Zhou Hong, she was so frightened she ducked her head and started to quiver all over. She said a few panicked words to the old lady opposite her, then grabbed her husband and hurried home.
Liang Zhaodi’s actions made everyone look at Zhou Hong strangely.
Zhou Hong was domineering and she and her daughter were unfilial. They were notorious in this building, and everyone knew about them.
Zhou Hong looked at everyone’s expression and suppressed her rage. She was so angry she quickened her pace and rushed home. When she got home, she saw that the old lady had already gone to the kitchen to start cooking, while the old man was wiping the table with a cloth.
Acting again!
Acting again!
These two old wretches were so despicable!
She rushed into the room just in time to see Wang Guozhu hurriedly hide a handkerchief in his pocket. She could tell from the color of the handkerchief that it definitely did not belong to her.
When she remembered that this despicable man actually dared to have another woman, and had even gotten her pregnant and was waiting for a divorce, Zhou Hong felt that her dignity was in shreds. She roared in rage, “Wang Guozhu, I don’t want a divorce anymore!”
Chapter 170: After Our Daughter Is Married, We’ll See
Wang Guozhu, I don’t want a divorce anymore!
Zhou Hong shouting this sentence vengefully. She felt a thrill of accomplishment when she saw Wang Guozhu’s shocked expression.
She didn’t want a divorce?
Wang Guozhu was completely dumbfounded!
What was the matter? Why didn’t she want a divorce anymore?
They had already agreed that they would be getting a divorce immediately.
They had been preparing to divorce before the new year, but during this time, Zhou Xiaoyu had been looking for a job in the city. She had undergone many interviews and checks just before the new year. A complete family was an advantage to her, so the two of them had not filed for divorce. They were waiting for Zhou Xiaoyu’s job to be confirmed and for her to start work in the new year before they got a divorce.
But now, Zhou Hong suddenly said that she did not want a divorce anymore. Then… what about Zhang Xiaohui?
What about his son?
“What are you saying? What’s the matter? Why are you suddenly refusing to get a divorce?”
Wang Guozhu panicked. He could not figure out what was wrong with Zhou Hong.
Zhou Hong looked at Wang Guozhu’s frantic expression and sneered inwardly. But she said, “I feel that divorcing now will disadvantage Xiaoyu. She’s of age to be married. If her parents are divorced, it will affect her negatively. Why don’t we just do our best to get by! We’ll get a divorce as soon as Xiaoyu gets married.”
Wang Guozhu was shocked!
Wait for Zhou Xiaoyu to get married?
Zhou Xiaoyu did not even have anyone in mind, how could she get married?
The girl had high expectations and she had already turned up her nose at many men who had been introduced to her. Even the matchmaker was wary of her and was unwilling to introduce her to anyone.
Her expectations were very high and she was unwilling to remain in the town. She wanted to find a partner in the city.
How could she get married any time soon?
But Zhang Xiaohui’s child could not wait. If they dragged on for another two months, her pregnancy would begin to show!
“No way!” Wang Guozhu decisively refused. “We agreed that we would get a divorce after the new year, so that’s what we’ll do. We’ve been together for so many years, but we have nothing in common. Xiaoyu will also be unhappy in a family like that. Since we’ve agreed to a divorce, we should get a divorce immediately.”
Zhou Hong looked at Wang Guozhu’s frantic appearance and a chilly smile appeared in her eyes.
She could not be bothered to quibble with Wang Guozhu. In any case, as long as she did not get a divorce, that bitch could not have her child.
Zhou Hong said, “I don’t care. Anyway, I’m not getting a divorce. I will not allow my Xiaoyu to miss her chance at happiness.”
When Zhou Hong finished speaking, she turned to leave.
“Zhou Hong… Zhou Hong…”
Zhou Hong left quickly. Although Wang Guozhu chased after her, he did not manage to get her back.
Wang Guozhu did not know why Zhou Hong was throwing a tantrum. After all, this woman was temperamental. He did not really believe that Zhou Hong did not want a divorce anymore.
For many years, he had been well aware that their youthful feelings for each other were all gone. Zhou Hong increasingly looked down on him because he came from a village, and despised him for his lack of ability. She had always wanted to divorce him.
In the past, he had been unwilling to get a divorce, so he had continued to cajole Zhou Hong. Zhou Hong had a salary and had always done well at work, so a wife like that could only be an advantage to him.
But now, he had Zhang Xiaohui.
He had originally just wanted to be together with Zhang Xiaohui, without thinking of divorcing Zhou Hong. But his feelings for Zhang Xiaohui had grown, and it so happened that she was now pregnant with his child. This had excited him greatly!
Nothing was as important as his son. He must get a divorce for the sake of his son.
Zhou Hong left. She left the town and went to the city to look for her daughter, Zhou Xiaoyu.
Meanwhile, Gu Qingyao and Mo Beihan had finished their lunch and emerged from the interspace. The two of them shopped around the black market as usual. There were many black markets in the city. Every time they entered one, they would reap a bountiful harvest!