After Li Zhasan and I explained that it was impossible to determine the value of an item from a photograph alone, and that the actual object was needed for appraisal, he stated that he would bring the item over, but only if he received 500 yuan.
I was taken aback and asked him what the money was for.
He replied that it was for travel expenses, as he had no money left after coming to Guangling. To retrieve the item, he needed 500 yuan to return home.
Upon hearing this, Fatty immediately became displeased, declaring the man to be a fraud.
Li Zhasan, clearly agitated by being called a scammer, and with his imperfect Mandarin, couldn't explain himself properly.
Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, and considering that 500 yuan wasn't a large sum, I said, "I can give you the travel money, but after you get the item, you must bring it to me first. If I don't want it, you can sell it to someone else."
Li Zhasan nodded repeatedly, assuring me he would.
I had Hong Yunpeng write a receipt, gave him the 500 yuan, kept the photograph, and let him leave.
Fatty was perplexed, asking, "Master Xiang, aren't you worried he's a con artist?"
I replied, "He doesn't seem like one, and the item in the photograph is likely a genuine rubbing. I'm not sure about its age, though."
"Five hundred yuan for just a photograph? That's a pretty sweet deal, isn't it?"
Fatty was good in most aspects, but when it came to money, he was exceedingly stingy.
Ignoring him, I handed the photograph to Hong Yunpeng, asking him to find a professional to examine it and identify the item.
Hong Yunpeng took the photograph and agreed.
Over the next few days, I spent most of my time at the shop.
I had expected Bai Hanyan to pester me as soon as I returned to Guangling.
To my surprise, her father had sent her to an archaeological team in another city to participate in a project.
This was convenient, as it allowed me some peace.
One day, as usual, I was drinking tea and reading in the shop.
Fatty came to me, wanting to sell the bone flute.
While it was true that I had "forcibly occupied" the flute, I had never considered it my own.
I had no objection to Fatty selling it, though I always felt there was something special about the item.
However, I had studied the flute for a long time and couldn't discern anything out of the ordinary.
"Are you short on cash?" I asked.
Fatty smiled sheepishly and said, "Not exactly short on cash, but I was thinking that when I bring my master here, he'll need a place to stay... I was thinking of buying a house nearby. If he decides to stay in Guangling, we can't have him crowding us, can we?"
Hearing this, I sensed something was amiss and asked with a half-smile, "Buying a house? Alright, give me the flute, and I'll buy one for you."
Fatty blinked, and I continued, "You old fatty, do you really think I'm that gullible?"
Fatty chuckled nervously, "Master Xiang... I..."
"Tell me, what do you need the money for?"
"I want to trade stocks!" Fatty said, taking a deep breath.
"Trade stocks?" I was momentarily stunned.
"Master Xiang, I've researched it, and trading stocks is far more profitable than dealing in antiques. You wouldn't believe it, but a guy struck it rich overnight trading stocks a few days ago, amassing millions!"
Fatty was completely enthralled, his eyes shining with excitement.
I don't understand stock trading, but I know the general idea.
"Master Xiang, I have nothing to do all day at the shop, so I was thinking..."
Seeing the determined look on Fatty's face, I knew he was set on trading stocks.
I pondered for a moment, then said, "It's not impossible for you to sell that bone flute. I'll have Brother Hong place it in the inner chamber, and if anyone shows interest, we'll sell it."
Fatty's face lit up, "Really?"
I nodded, "The commission will be according to shop policy. I don't need your money. As for whether the bone flute sells, it will depend on luck. You know, that thing isn't an ordinary antique; very few collectors are interested in it."
Upon hearing this, Fatty deflated like a punctured balloon, "When will that ever happen?"
"If you can't wait, sell the flute to me, and I'll give you 30,000 yuan." I offered.
"Ah?" Fatty looked displeased, "Only 30,000?"
"Do you find it too little? If it's too little, just wait patiently."
I knew stock trading carried significant risks, and I wasn't against Fatty trying it, but I feared he would get burned.
"Fine! 30,000 it is," Fatty gritted out.
I was surprised, "Are you sure?"
Fatty nodded, "Certain!"
"You old fatty, think carefully. Once this transaction is complete, there's no turning back," I said, deliberately trying to scare him.
"No regrets! I've got my eye on a stock, and if I don't buy it these few days, it'll be too late!" Fatty insisted.
I couldn't do anything about him. In the end, I gave him 30,000 yuan and drafted a sales contract.
Afterward, I had Hong Yunpeng place the bone flute in the inner chamber.
As I had anticipated, a few days after Fatty disappeared with my 30,000 yuan, he had spent it all.
I asked him if he would trade stocks again, and he just shook his head vigorously.
I told him, "As the saying goes, every trade has its own difficulties. You haven't even grasped the basics of the antique business, and you're already trying your hand at other things. Isn't that just throwing money away?"
Fortunately, Fatty was a quick learner and came to his senses, starting to study appraisal knowledge with me daily.
Time flew by, and it was the end of the year. In the Guangling antique circle, there was an annual year-end event called "visiting each other."
This event was initiated by Zhou Yongxiang, an elder figure in Guangling's antique scene.
When Sister Ying was still in Guangling, she had taken me to one of his auctions, where she had acquired Shen Wansan's golden key.
So much time had passed since then, and I hadn't interacted with this elder figure.
The "visiting each other" event involved Zhou Yongxiang visiting every sizable antique shop in Guangling.
While it was presented as mutual exchange, it was essentially a way for him to profit.
Despite perhaps not having the same public recognition as Bai Zhujing, his status and seniority in the Guangling antique circle were undeniable.
When he visited a shop, the host was expected to prepare a gift as a form of respect for his eldership.
Hong Yunpeng had experienced this sort of thing in previous years, so I entrusted him with all the preparations.
He arranged for some aged "Ban Zhang" tea, which was packaged in an exquisite gift box.
According to Hong Yunpeng, the "visiting each other" event wasn't just Zhou Yongxiang alone; several other senior figures from the circle would also participate.
The general procedure was that these elder figures would visit the shop, and then we would arrange a meal for them, ensuring they were well-fed and entertained, before presenting them with gifts.
The purpose of this practice was to enlist the help of these seniors in the future should any issues arise.
I couldn't fault this tradition, and although I was somewhat reluctant, I had to comply.