The concept of the Treasure Basin is truly mysterious.
Personally, I don't really believe in the existence of such a thing.
When Zhou Yongxiang announced the low starting bid, no one made an offer.
His starting price was one hundred thousand, and while a lock and key could fetch that much, it depended on what kind of lock and key it was.
For instance, if this lock and key had belonged to Li Bai, or was a beloved possession of some emperor, then the price would be somewhat justifiable.
However, it was difficult to link this particular lock and key to any significant historical figures. You could argue whether Shen Wansan qualified as a major historical figure,
and while he could be considered one, his fame was significantly weaker compared to Li Bai and Du Fu.
The most crucial point was that this lock and key was related to the fabled Treasure Basin.
Generally, collectors are reluctant to spend a large sum of money on something that is merely rumored.
After all, such items are hard to appraise. If you say it's valuable, it's just so-so, and if you say it's not valuable, it's still tied to a legend.
Therefore, items like this occupy an awkward position in the antique world.
Just as I thought the lock and key was about to go unsold, Sister Ying made a bid!
"One hundred thousand."
I was slightly surprised. Why was Sister Ying interested in something like this?
Moreover, judging by her expression, she seemed somewhat anxious.
After she announced her bid, Bai Zhujing also called out a price: "Two hundred thousand."
While I could understand Sister Ying's bid, Bai Zhujing's bid left me a bit perplexed.
Despite only interacting with him twice, his appraisal skills were not weak, and anything he found noteworthy must possess some special quality.
Could it be that there was something about this lock and key that I didn't know?
Pondering this, I shifted my gaze to the main hall, focusing on the golden lock and key, examining it for a moment, but still found nothing.
"Three hundred thousand!" Sister Ying's bid rang out again.
"Four hundred thousand," Bai Zhujing added calmly.
Sister Ying hesitated for a moment, then looked at him. "Mr. Bai, you seem particularly fond of this item?"
Bai Zhujing smiled and said, "Not particularly. I'm mainly joining the fun because Boss An has made a bid."
Sister Ying smiled faintly, but a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.
"Five hundred thousand."
Sister Ying continued to drive up the price, and Bai Zhujing was not to be outdone.
Before long, a lock and key that was expected to go unsold had reached the high price of eight hundred thousand!
Everyone present watched with keen interest as the bidding drama unfolded.
I looked at Sister Ying, utterly bewildered, and saw that her eyes seemed fixed only on that lock and key.
"Boss An is indeed wealthy and generous. I won't compete any further," Bai Zhujing said with a smile, then leisurely picked up a nearby teacup and took a sip.
At this moment, I realized that Bai Zhujing had no intention of acquiring the lock and key. The reason he had bid was because he saw how much Sister Ying wanted it.
Thinking of this, I felt a surge of irritation. This old man was too wicked!
Looking at Sister Ying again, she still wore a smile and even said to Bai Zhujing, "Then I thank Mr. Bai for conceding."
After the auction ended, as I sat back in Sister Ying's car, I couldn't help but ask her why she had bought that lock and key.
As Sister Ying started the car, she took out a cigarette, lit it, and smoked, not answering my question, but instead asking, "Xiao Fei, has there been any progress with the Zisha teapots recently?"
"Not yet, I'm still researching," I replied truthfully.
Sister Ying nodded and asked me to open the glove compartment on the passenger side.
When I opened it, I found a mobile phone inside. She told me to take it out, and I complied.
"Do you know how to use it?" Sister Ying asked.
To be honest, this was the first time I had ever touched such a device, and I was completely clueless about using it.
Sister Ying seemed to sense my difficulty and smiled, saying, "Take this phone from today onwards. If you don't know how to use it, ask Yunpeng to teach you."
I was slightly taken aback. "Sister Ying, this..."
Today, Sister Ying had not only taken me to buy clothes but also given me a watch and a phone. I was truly overwhelmed.
Before I could say more, Sister Ying added, "The reason I'm giving you the phone is mainly for you to contact me. If you discover anything at the factory, call me anytime."
Hearing this, I finally understood, and it felt inappropriate to refuse.
"Okay, Sister Ying."
By the time Sister Ying dropped me off at the factory, it was past three in the afternoon.
Lately, I had been basically living there to research those Zisha teapots.
For meals, I usually went to small eateries near the factory, though sometimes Hong Yunpeng would drive me into the city to eat.
To avoid getting my suit dirty, I changed out of it as soon as I arrived at the factory.
Seeing that it was still early, I continued to research the Zisha teapots.
To verify the idea I had during the day, I got a flashlight and carefully examined the inside of each Zisha teapot.
Even though I wasn't sure if my guess was correct, it was better than fumbling around aimlessly.
As I inspected the Zisha teapots, time seemed to slip away unnoticed.
When I came to my senses, it was already evening.
I was too lazy to go out to eat, so I took out the instant noodles I had bought earlier and made do with them.
After eating and drinking, I continued my research on the Zisha teapots with the flashlight.
I spent three days like this, and just when I started to think my hypothesis was wrong, an unexpected event occurred, leading to a significant breakthrough.
One day, I accidentally broke a teacup I had bought and casually picked up a Zisha teapot to use as a substitute.
Who would have thought that when I poured hot water from the electric kettle into it, the Zisha teapot would undergo some changes?
A faint pattern appeared on the original purplish-brown body of the pot!
This discovery astonished me. I used paper and pen to sketch the pattern, and then I poured hot water into the other Zisha teapots.
After trying hundreds of Zisha teapots, I selected four that displayed patterns.
These four Zisha teapots would reveal some patterns once hot water was poured into them.
The patterns revealed by the four Zisha teapots were all different, yet they had no connection whatsoever.
They were very peculiar patterns, or rather, incomprehensible symbols.
Could it be that Sister Ying's uncle had disassembled the map and turned it into a jigsaw puzzle?
If that were the case, then it would be essential to find the Zisha teapots with patterns to assemble the complete map.
Thinking this, my heart leaped with joy!
After so many days of research, there was finally a breakthrough!
Just as I was eagerly about to call Sister Ying to tell her, an unfamiliar number dialed my phone.
When I answered, a familiar voice came from the other end: "Is this Xiao Fei?"
"Uncle Hong?"
"I've already asked Yunpeng to pick you up. Come to An Yuan Tang with him immediately."
Uncle Hong's tone was somewhat anxious, indicating that something had happened.