Heavenly Arts and Antiques Company was quite impressive, with its steel structure and glass facade. Upon our arrival, the lobby was already occupied by several elderly individuals, who followed Grandpa's lead. Seeing him enter, they immediately swarmed around, speaking in local dialects, one after another.
"Do you want me to translate for you?" Grandpa suddenly asked me, as I surveyed the surroundings.
"No need!"
"Ignore an elder's advice, and you'll regret it."
"Then I'll listen to your opinion."
"A decent young man, why so indecisive? Oh right, what was I asking you? Who are you?"
Here we go again!
The others by Grandpa's side also wore worried expressions. I could vaguely understand what they were saying this time: Grandpa's condition had acted up. What would happen if the new product display went ahead? It seemed they were all aware of Grandpa's ailment, his occasional bouts of dementia.
Dozens of elderly investors were present, hoping Grandpa would regain his senses soon. But he remained in his dazed state for a long time, either staring blankly or asking, "Where is this? Who are you?"
At this moment, a younger man among the investors, speaking in Mandarin, asked me, "Are you a member of the Lin family?"
Calling him young was relative; he must have been sixty-five or sixty-six, older than my father. I respectfully replied, "Yes, I am the grandson-in-law."
"Do you understand antiques?"
"No!"
The man who asked looked displeased. "How can someone from the Lin family not understand antiques?"
I truly didn't. Before I went to Ruili, I only knew how to play computer games. Back then, my impression of antiques was probably limited to the game Red Alert. After being swindled in Ruili, I encountered strategists and changed, but my expertise was only in controlling events. Now, I craved knowledge, leaning towards strategy in my reading. Give me "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and I'd devour it. Hand me "A Compendium of Ming and Qing Jewelry," and I'd fall asleep.
"Who says everyone in the Lin family must understand antiques?"
As soon as I finished speaking, Grandpa interjected, "If you didn't understand antiques, I wouldn't have recognized you as my grandson-in-law. You don't need to be modest with these old fellows."
The man who had spoken brightened upon hearing Grandpa, "Old Lin, you're awake?"
"What kind of talk is that? Huang Aiguo, what do you mean?"
A few people quickly pulled Huang Aiguo aside, conveying that it was good Old Lin was awake, and he shouldn't pry.
I looked at Grandpa, intending to explain, "Grandpa, I really don't..." Before I could finish, Grandpa's hand shot out and slapped me across the face. He then glared at me furiously, remaining silent.
The people around me held me back. Huang Aiguo said to me, "Old Lin doesn't like people who are too modest. Young man, you might not understand antiques within the Lin family, but out in society, your 'ignorance' is considered expertise."
This was like forcing a duck onto a perch, arbitrarily making me an expert. I could guarantee that during the upcoming display of new artworks, Grandpa would revert to his old trick, posing the most profound philosophical questions: "Where am I? Who are you?"
...
The new artwork display was about to begin. The hostesses gracefully guided the over a hundred seniors to their arranged seats. Then, the hall lights began to dim, one by one. The screen flickered to life, and an artwork was displayed in VR, showcasing it from all angles.
Seeing the artwork, my mood instantly became heavy. It was the set of Qianlong thumb rings that Lao Tie had taken away in Beijing.
As the VR display unfolded, a beautiful female voice narrated gently: "Throughout Chinese history, the sentiment towards jade has been profound. In our long and rich past, it wasn't just women who were enamored with jade; there were also specific jade artifacts for men. Today, we present a set of jade thumb rings belonging exclusively to Emperor Qianlong. In ancient times, thumb rings symbolized status. Not only did emperors bestow thumb rings upon princes and ministers as symbols of their rank, but emperors themselves were also deeply fond of them. After appraisal, we have confirmed that this set of thumb rings indeed belonged to Emperor Qianlong and is priceless."
Upon hearing this introduction, everyone began to whisper. Huang Aiguo leaned into Grandpa's ear, "Old Lin, are these thumb rings real?"
"Who are you, asking me what? What ring?"
Hearing Grandpa's response, Huang Aiguo looked flustered, and the others behind him turned pale. They conferred, deliberated, and finally, all eyes turned to me. I pursed my lips and said with all seriousness, "A cinnabar-lacquered round box with sea fish motifs, containing seven imperial jade thumb rings from the Qianlong era. These include two white jade thumb rings, two dark green jade thumb rings, one Han jade thumb ring, one light green jade thumb ring, and one reddish-brown jade thumb ring. The inner diameters and styles of all the thumb rings are largely identical. Among them, four thumb rings—the dark green jade, Han jade, and light green jade ones—are inscribed with imperial poems by Emperor Qianlong. The craftsmanship features common patterns like ruyi borders or wanzi motifs."
What gives soul to an antique is its cultural history. A mere stone, once imbued with convincing historical narratives and a well-articulated provenance, becomes a treasure.
Although I had claimed not to understand antiques, my articulate presentation, coupled with Grandpa's performance, significantly boosted everyone's trust in me. Huang Aiguo, in particular, whose attitude towards me had been indifferent earlier, was now exceptionally friendly.
"Grandson-in-law, are these thumb rings valuable?"
"Of course, they are valuable!"
"Are they worth three million?"
"They are definitely worth it. Grandpa Huang, are you planning to buy these thumb rings for three million?"
"I don't have that kind of money. Everyone should pool their resources."
It was then that I understood what "arts and antiques investment" meant. Typically, the acquisition of collectibles is a personal endeavor, especially concerning antiques. Collectors require a certain depth of historical knowledge, appraisal skills, and, of course, considerable financial backing comparable to their passion.
The arts and antiques investment company had altered this method of purchase, transforming it from sole ownership to pooled funding. In other words, Heavenly Arts and Antiques Company would sign contracts with these elders. They would be responsible for the initial selection and appraisal of artworks, then present the antiques in VR format to the elders, who would collectively fund their purchase. After the purchase, the company would hold the items for safekeeping, awaiting market appreciation. Once a target profit was reached, the company would sell them, distributing the profits to the elders according to their initial shares. The principal, through an old member system, would be reinvested with a five percent appreciation.
Xi'an is a city where everyone has a deep affection for antiques, firmly believing that as the economy rapidly develops, antiques are rapidly appreciating. In this context, crowdfunding the purchase of antiques would be an excellent investment for elders with limited purchasing power.
However, upon seeing the "old member system for principal," I knew this was a trap. The taxi to heaven had driven these elders straight to hell.
...
Having figured it out, I chuckled to myself, "Grandpa Huang, where do I pay? This kind of lucrative business should include me."
After saying this, I glanced at Grandpa, who suddenly seemed awake, his eyes bright and alert. "It's time to pay. Buy, buy, buy! Money is no object. If there's money to be made, we old buddies will make it together."
The set of Qianlong imperial thumb rings was priced at only three million. If the Fourth Prince knew about this, his coffin lid wouldn't be able to stay shut. Based on the number of people present, each person contributed 26,548 yuan, with some paying in full and others supplementing their principal with the appreciation.
After paying my 26,548 yuan via card, I linked arms with Grandpa and we left, saying with a smile, "We've been out for a while; our family must be worried."
"They shouldn't be. Haven't they called you?"
I suddenly remembered that my phone had been turned off during the flight. I had been so caught up in the grand scene upon landing and the barrage of questions along the way that I hadn't had a chance to turn it back on. I switched on my phone, and my eyebrows immediately furrowed at the multitude of messages from Lin Han. I glanced at Grandpa, who just chuckled. I looked at him unhappily, "You go back and say, 'Who are you?' and this whole thing will be over. What am I supposed to do?"
"Young man, you're on your own."
Lin Zhijun was called the King of Underground Palaces for a reason. A rat's offspring are born to burrow; this old man was undoubtedly a formidable character.
I called Lin Han. As soon as she answered, she yelled at me, "Tang Nan, where did you take my Grandpa? I just found out he has dementia, and you're leading him on a wild goose chase. How can you be so heartless?"
"He got me lost. I don't know the way back."
"Do you think I'd believe that?"
"Give me a way out. I'll explain later. I'm by the city wall. How do I get back?"
"By the city wall? Do you think Xi'an is Beijing? If I say by the Forbidden City, I can find you. Don't you know there are city walls all around here?"
"Then I'll find a landmark."
After we met, the Lin family wasn't angry at all; they were all smiles and warmth. Grandma even praised me, "The old man gets confused, but the young man is quite patient. He didn't abandon him on the road; that's the old man's good fortune."
Others also praised me, but only Lin Han glared at me as if I were her husband.
That evening, back at home, Lin's mother was tidying up the room. I stared and whispered to Lin Han, "What about tonight?"
Lin Han snorted dismissively, "You're sleeping with me. Do you think you're still at a disadvantage?"
Just then, Grandpa walked over, smiling, and said, "My eldest grandson, come to my room. Grandpa bought you a toy."
Lin Han looked pained and helplessly said to Grandpa, "Grandpa, I'm Lin Han."
"Ah~ ah! Granddaughter-in-law, are you? You're quite pretty."
Lin Han's eyes welled up with tears. I almost couldn't help but laugh. The old man was ruthless. Lin Han had been away for two years, and instead of reprimanding her upon her return, he was tormenting his own granddaughter like this.
I couldn't bear to see Lin Han suffer. If the truth were revealed later, all the blame would fall on me. I stood up, put my arm around Grandpa's shoulder, and said to Lin's mother, "Auntie, I'll sleep with Grandpa. You and Lin Han haven't seen each other for a long time; have a good chat."
Without waiting for Lin's mother to respond, I followed Grandpa to his room. Grandma was tidying up the room for us and greeted me with a smile, "I'm leaving this old scoundrel to you tonight. I'll have a day of leisure and go chat with my dear granddaughter."
"Don't worry, Grandma!"
After Grandma left, I pulled up a chair and sat in front of Grandpa, smiling. "Go ahead, tell me, what miraculous elixir is this old gourd hiding?"