One million two hundred thousand, that was a substantial sum of money.
Although I no longer had to worry about money, such a large amount was still significant for me.
As Zhou Yongxiang left with the bone flute, I stood at the entrance of Anyuantang, feeling a lingering reluctance.
It wasn't that the bone flute was sold too cheaply, but rather that I hadn't figured out why he was willing to spend so much money on it.
What was so special about that bone flute?
Of course, I could have refused to sell it to him, but doing so would undoubtedly have strained my relationship with Zhou Yongxiang.
Getting on the wrong side of Zhou Yongxiang out of curiosity was indeed a bad trade.
Therefore, when Zhou Yongxiang told me with unquestionable certainty, "I'll have someone send the money over to you, and I'll take the flute for now," I didn't object.
"Xiao Fei, what are you thinking about? You seem lost in thought," Hong Yunpeng approached me, offering a cigarette.
I took the cigarette, lit it, and took a puff. "Brother Hong, what do you think is so special about that flute?"
Hong Yunpeng was shocked that Zhou Yongxiang had bought the bone flute for 1.2 million yuan. He could barely believe me when I told him earlier.
"Why are you thinking so much about it? Whatever makes that flute special, to us, it was just a bone flute. Even if Zhou Yongxiang hadn't bought it today, someone else would have bought it eventually."
Hong Yunpeng smiled. "Don't overthink it since it sold for such a price."
Thinking about it, if it hadn't been Zhou Yongxiang but someone else, I might have sold it for thirty thousand yuan.
Shaking my head, I let the matter go.
That evening, when Fatty learned that the bone flute had been sold for 1.2 million yuan, he practically leaped out of his chair.
"One million two hundred thousand?" Fatty stared at me. "Master Xiang, you're not joking, are you?"
I nodded.
"That flute is that valuable?" Fatty grinned so broadly it was as if he had won the lottery.
"I didn't expect it to sell for so much either," I said.
Fatty rubbed his hands together and came closer. "Master Xiang, how do you plan to split this money?"
"Split?" I chuckled. "I don't plan to split anything."
"Ah?" Fatty was taken aback.
I said, "I've already put all this money into the Anyuantang account, so you can forget about it."
"Master Xiang, how can you do this?" Fatty became a little anxious.
I retorted impatiently, "Look at your ambition. I've already invested this money into Anyuantang in your name, so you're now a shareholder of Anyuantang. You won't have to do anything and will receive dividends every year."
Hearing this, Fatty looked at me with disbelief. "Master Xiang, are you serious?"
"It's cooked!" I rolled my eyes at him.
"So, does that mean I'm also a boss at Anyuantang now?" Fatty grinned.
After all, the bone flute was found by Fatty. I certainly couldn't keep the money for myself.
I had kept it earlier with the intention of studying it. Later, when I didn't find anything special, I put it up for consignment at Anyuantang. I had planned to invest the proceeds in Anyuantang in Fatty's name if it sold.
After all, if I just gave the money directly to Fatty, I feared he would gamble it away in the stock market again, which would surely be a one-way trip.
Instead of that, it was better to have him invest in the company, which would also provide him with a stable income.
Upon learning that he had become a shareholder of Anyuantang, Fatty insisted on celebrating. That night, he dragged me and Hong Yunpeng out for a late-night snack and drinks, and we didn't get back until three in the morning.
New Year's Day passed in a flash, and soon everyone was busy preparing for the Spring Festival.
During this period, Anyuantang was incredibly busy. Tourists and collectors from all over rushed in, and the staff was clearly insufficient.
Fatty and I had to step in as salespeople, working from dawn till dusk to help out at the shop.
One day, as usual, I was chatting with some collectors from out of town in the main hall when Hong Yunpeng found me, saying someone was waiting for me at the entrance.
I asked who was waiting.
He said I'd know if I went out to see.
Upon reaching the entrance, I saw a "Tiger Head Benz" parked by the roadside, with a young man about my age standing beside it.
I recognized this person; he was Zhou Yongxiang's attendant.
"Shopkeeper Xiang, the master requests your presence."
The master he referred to was, of course, Zhou Yongxiang.
I was puzzled. What did this old man want with me now?
Could it be that he felt the bone flute he bought for 1.2 million yuan wasn't worth it and wanted a refund?
The thought itself seemed plausible.
There was no such thing as refunds in the antique trade, and as a senior in the field, he likely wouldn't make such a request.
Then what was he looking for me for?
After getting into the car, we soon arrived at Zhou Yongxiang's residence.
This was a renowned villa district in Guangling. It was my first time visiting.
After the car drove in, it stopped in front of a villa. The young attendant led me inside, and soon I saw Zhou Yongxiang in the courtyard.
He was sitting in a Grand Tutor's chair, wearing a bathrobe, looking somewhat listless, whether from lack of rest or just waking up.
When I approached, a look of impatience flashed in his eyes upon seeing me.
"Shopkeeper Xiang, you've arrived."
I nodded and cupped my fist in greeting. "Old Master Zhou, what is it you needed me for so urgently?"
He gestured for me to sit and then waved his hand, signaling the people nearby to withdraw.
I noticed that on the rosewood table in front of him was an item resembling a photo frame, which was placed face down.
"Shopkeeper Xiang, I've asked you to come here because I want to ask you something."
"Please ask, Old Master Zhou."
He licked his dry lips and stared at me with his deep-set eyes for a long time. I felt quite uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Where did you get that bone flute from?"
When I heard this question, I wasn't surprised. I knew that Zhou Yongxiang was likely looking for me because of the bone flute.
After all, the bone flute was the only connection between us. We had almost no interaction outside of that matter.
I didn't hide anything and told him the entire story of where the bone flute came from.
As for the purchase price, I didn't mention it, as it's a rule in the antique business: ask about the item, not the price.
Seeing Zhou Yongxiang fall into thought, I didn't disturb him. After a moment, when he regained his composure, I asked, "Old Master Zhou, is there anything special about that bone flute?"
This was a question I had always wanted to ask. I had asked before, but Zhou Yongxiang hadn't told me.
Now, as I asked again, he seemed hesitant. After a moment, he said, "Do you know the origin of this bone flute?"
I shook my head.
He sighed, picked up the Yixing teapot beside him, took a sip from the spout, and then slowly began to tell me.