NOVEL NEXT Chapter 95 - 89: Another Gain
Chapter 95: Chapter 89: Another Gain
Nie Zhan gently touched the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon on the ink and said with a smile, “There’s no need to find someone to appraise this piece of ink. Wait until the experts have verified that the painting is genuine, and then give her the money together.”
“Boss, what if it turns out to be fake?”
Nie Zhan really liked this piece of ink and planned to keep it for himself, “The fragrance can make one feel refreshed in body and mind. It couldn’t possibly be fake, so there must be many beneficial Chinese herbs mixed into the ink. This ancient craft has long been lost, and modern people can’t replicate it.”
“Boss, she is asking for twenty thousand greenbacks for this piece of ink.”
“It’s worth the price.”
Hearing that Nie Zhan didn’t haggle and directly bought the ancient ink for twenty thousand, Gu Wenfeng felt earning money was way too easy. No wonder Lu Jiaxin would rack her brains to find treasures. However, the fact that Lu Jiaxin donated the inkstone, knowing its value, was really admirable.
Lu Jiaxin, aware of his thoughts, said with a smile, “This piece of ink is the creme de la creme of inks, which is why it was presented to the emperor for his use. Others, at most, sell for two to three hundred now.”
Actually, she had asked for an exorbitant price for the ink, her psychological expectation being five thousand greenbacks. She hadn’t expected Nie Zhan, being so wealthy, not to bargain.
Gu Wenfeng was astonished, “Is the difference that huge?”
Lu Jiaxin replied with a smile, “The ink and inkstone we found are well-preserved, so they can fetch a good price. Those that are chipped or damaged can be traded for a canvas bag for just ten bucks.”
This was truly a difference between heaven and earth. Thus, laypeople really shouldn’t dabble in these matters, as they might end up bankrupt.
Gu Wenfeng brought up the matter from before, “About the ancient ink, you’ve asked Secretary Wang to keep it a secret; why didn’t you ask her to do the same for the ancient painting?”
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, “Having stayed in the Ancient Capital for so long and then coming to Yangcheng City, I have to have an explanation. My family already knows that I’ve picked up an ancient painting in the Ancient Capital and have come here to sell it.”
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“Aren’t you afraid of attracting unwelcome attention?”
Lu Jiaxin wished she could make a fortune in silence, but she knew it wasn’t possible, “Even if Secretary Wang and Manager Chen don’t tell anyone else, it won’t stay hidden. After we deal with Secretary Wang, we’ll have a large sum of money, and it’s easy to guess where the money comes from.”
Gu Wenfeng said with a bit of a headache, “Such a large amount of money… if the news leaks, it could be dangerous.”
Seventy thousand greenbacks, which is more than one hundred thousand Hua currency. Now Yangcheng City has all sorts, and knowing they had such a big sum might lead to murder for the sake of robbery.
Originally, Lu Jiaxin thought about doing business using greenbacks, but after wandering outside for the past few days, she realized how naïve she had been. Even with Gu Wenfeng with her, carrying all that money would probably cost her life, “Once we get the money, let’s go to Yuexiu District. There, you can go to a bank and open a savings account, and we can deposit the money into your account. When we need to use it, we can go and withdraw it.”
People die for wealth, as birds die in pursuit of food; she had no intention to deal with thieves or even robbers. Gu Wenfeng was tough, but if the other side had firearms, they might end up leaving their lives here, as the regulations against firearms weren’t as strict as in later times.
Gu Wenfeng was astonished, “Put it in a savings account under my name? No, that’s not right, Jiaxin, this is not appropriate.”
Lu Jiaxin was somewhat helpless. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to put it under her own name, but she was still not eighteen and couldn’t open a bank account on her own.
The savings account in the Forty-nine City was also obtained for her by Mrs. Lu. Currently, she couldn’t deposit or withdraw money from different locations, so she had to trouble Gu Wenfeng.
Gu Wenfeng felt he was too trusting, “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll just take all the money and run?”
Lu Jiaxin was truly unafraid. A monk can run away, but the temple cannot run with him. Besides, if he ran off with the money, his parents and family would never be able to lift their heads in their lifetime.
“The items that were originally meant to be divided for you, if sold, would be worth more than seventy thousand greenbacks.”
Gu Wenfeng only said it in passing; he wouldn’t really take the money and run, “Those things have a greater meaning if donated to the state. Miss Lu, the money can be stored in my bank account for now, but who will take care of it when I leave?”
Lu Jiaxin laughed, “By the time you leave, I’m sure I will have spent it all, even possibly going into debt.”
“What business are you planning to do?”
Lu Jiaxin played coy, “You’ll find out when the time comes.”
The next morning experts arrived, and after appraisal, both confirmed the painting was indeed by Wang Zhenpeng. This had been expected by Secretary Wang; after all, she wouldn’t have had the audacity to deceive her boss with a fake painting, a risk she couldn’t afford.
Once the painting was confirmed as authentic, Secretary Wang took the briefcase from the bodyguard and handed it to Lu Jiaxin, saying, “Here are seventy thousand greenbacks; please count them.”
Gu Wenfeng was surprised, “Wasn’t it fifty thousand? The extra twenty thousand was to be given after the appraisal.”
Secretary Wang said smilingly, “My boss said if it’s authentic, there’s no need for further expert verification.”
Lu Jiaxin took the cash box and placed it on the table, opening it to see a swathe of green. Standing behind her, Gu Wenfeng’s pupils contracted; it was the first time in his life he had seen so much money, and all in greenbacks.
Secretary Wang carefully rolled up the scroll and placed it into a specially made wooden box.
Lu Jiaxin glanced over and asked, “Secretary Wang, why are all these greenbacks in fifty denominations?”
Secretary Wang explained, “I asked Manager Chen, and he said that the greenbacks with a hundred denomination are not easy to use on the Mainland, so I specifically withdrew fifties.”
Lu Jiaxin randomly drew out a bundle and began counting it rapidly, the fluttering sound of the notes so quick there seemed to be afterimages. Not only Secretary Wang and her bodyguard, but even Gu Wenfeng was amazed – what other skills did this girl have that he didn’t know about?
After drawing and counting five bundles of money, Lu Jiaxin put it all back and nodded, “No problem, Secretary Wang, thank you.”
Before leaving, Secretary Wang took out a business card from her backpack and said with a smile, “Miss Lu, this is my number. If you have any more good items in the future, give me a call.”
This wasn’t ordered by Nie Zhan but was her personal initiative. She believed that antiques had potential for appreciation, so she wanted to stockpile a few.
Lu Jiaxin accepted with both hands, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely contact you if I’ve got something good.”
After seeing Secretary Wang off, the two of them immediately packed up and left by car. Knowing that the experts were coming today, Lu Jiaxin had Gu Wenfeng book a car in advance, ready to leave as soon as they got the money.
Sitting in the car, Gu Wenfeng occasionally glanced at the luggage bag at his feet. Seventy thousand greenbacks – Lu Jiaxin had stuffed them all into his luggage bag.
Seeing his nervousness, Lu Jiaxin started a conversation, “Brother Gu, what’s your wish?”
Without hesitation, Gu Wenfeng answered, “I hope our country becomes strong, so it no longer gets bullied by the Great Powers.”
“Great Powers,” what a term filled with historical sense. Lu Jiaxin nodded and said, “Now that policies have been loosened, the economy will grow rapidly, and the country will also become strong. By that time, no country will dare to bully us casually.”
As she spoke with fervor, Gu Wenfeng felt uplifted, “Jiaxin, what’s your wish?”
Lu Jiaxin hesitated but decided to tell the truth, “I want to be a happy Rice Weevil, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating.”
Gu Wenfeng let out an “Uh” and laughed, saying her current behavior didn’t match that of a Rice Weevil.
The car seemed to hit something, and Lu Jiaxin was jolted, but she was in such a good mood she didn’t mind the small inconvenience, “It’s no good not to make money. My dad has been bewitched by that Fox Spirit, and he won’t give me money to spend in the future. Now, as long as I earn enough to cover the next five years’ expenses, I’ll be happy to be a carefree Rice Weevil after I graduate, once I’ve made enough for a lifetime.”