Snail Senior Brother

Chapter 66 Brothers Meet, Eyes Red with Animosity

I like Xi'an because I can eat meat in the morning. The extremely rich lamb head soup, with dry bread broken and soaked in it, suited my appetite perfectly. I slurped it down, while Lin Han watched me with doting affection, her chin resting on her hand.

"You're saying my mom's lamb soup actually suits your taste?"

"What else? If I came here and ate Jianbing Guozi, would that do justice to the name Xi'an?"

Lin Han smiled. It was then I noticed her eyes were quite swollen, likely from crying so much yesterday. However, I could feel a change in her mood, different from before. When I spoke, she no longer had that dismissive attitude she had in Beijing; she was smiling.

At this point, there was no one else in the kitchen. Lin Han quietly asked me, "What did Lin Zhijun ask you yesterday?"

"Nothing much? We just discussed a business deal. By the way, we need to commit to the act. You can't just call him Lin Zhijun, he's your father after all. And don't avoid him; have a proper conversation."

"Give me some time to adapt. You know, acting in front of outsiders is easy, but acting in front of family is very difficult."

"I understand. Could you pour me another bowl of lamb soup?"

As Lin Han poured the soup for me, I checked my phone. Tiantang Art Investment Company started work at eight. I'd finish eating and get there right on time. Lin Han placed the soup in front of me and asked seriously, "What are my tasks? What are your plans for me?"

"You don't need to do anything for now. You should spend more time with your mother. I've already figured out a way to deal with your father, and I'm putting it into motion."

Lin Han nodded. Because my plan in Beijing had successfully led to the capture of Lina and Leng Yan, Lin Han trusted me completely and didn't doubt me. She looked at me, hesitating to speak, then finally said, "My mom wants us to get our marriage certificate and have a wedding ceremony."

My head started to spin. This would be a mess! A fake marriage becoming real!

"I'll figure something out."

Seeing my reaction, Lin Han gave a bitter smile. "Tang Nan, what are you afraid of? We can always get a divorce after getting married. What does a piece of paper really mean? If we don't go along with my mother's wishes, won't our act be exposed?"

"Don't worry, I can handle it."

Lin Han started to say more, but I stopped her. "Marriage isn't just about a piece of paper. We can act, but we can't ruin our lives. Trust me, you will have a brilliant future, not be entangled with someone like me."

Her words made Lin Han bite her lip and fall silent. Seizing this opportunity, I placed a teapot in front of her. "What is this?"

"A teapot!"

"I mean its era."

Lin Han didn't even look at the teapot; she knew everything in her home by heart.

"In 1729, during the seventh year of Yongzheng's reign, a court physician named Hai Wang presented a chrysanthemum petal-shaped, uniquely shaped teapot. He instructed Nian Xiyao to craft Jun ware in the same style. From a practical standpoint, he offered suggestions for improving the teapot's handle and spout, and it was fired in the style of Zisha teapots."

"From the Yongzheng era? How much is it worth?"

"Jun ware originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty. By the Qing Dynasty, the craftsmanship was very mature. The bottom of this teapot is glazed white, and within a double blue-and-white ring, there are six characters, 'Made in the Great Qing Yongzheng Period,' written in two rows of regular script. Because it's a practical piece, even though the Capital Museum has one in its collection, there are similar items in private hands, so it's not unique."

"How much?"

"It could be worth around a hundred thousand."

"A teapot you casually drink tea from at home is worth a hundred thousand?"

"One hundred thousand pounds. This teapot is related to the Old Summer Palace? When the Old Summer Palace was looted, a large number of antiques were lost overseas. Overseas collectors are particularly interested in antiques from that period. Domestically, there isn't much reaction to this particular item. If you were lucky, you might find one in the ghost market. Even if it wasn't as exquisitely patterned as this one, it would still be quite valuable."

I understood this principle. Collectibles must appeal to collectors, especially wealthy ones. This item might fetch a hundred thousand pounds abroad, but it might not command such a price in China.

Yesterday, my intuition told me this teapot was valuable. I spent the night devising a plan. Knowing its origin now gave me more confidence.

"I'll need to use this teapot later."

Hearing me say that, Lin Han's brow furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

"Later, when my mother tidies up, she'll find the teapot missing. What do you think she'll think? She has a good impression of you."

"It's fine. I'm not afraid of losing face."

...

After breakfast, I took the teapot and hailed a taxi to Tiantang Art Collection Company. I handed the teapot to the receptionist and smiled at her. The receptionist was very polite and spoke amiably, "There are no companies in Xi'an that directly acquire antiques. If you've heard of any, they're likely con artists. The market was regulated last year, and six well-known auction houses in Xi'an were listed as untrustworthy enterprises. Didn't you know about this?"

In this era, the bold get rich, and the timid starve. Scammers were even using police records to maintain a semblance of legitimacy.

"Sister, I know all of that. Please help me give this teapot to the person in charge. Tell him that amateurs watch the show, but professionals understand the details. Tell him I also want to sell this teapot to those old men and women who are crowdfunding. If you convey this message, he'll understand. I'll wait in the lobby for him."

...

This was a veiled threat, implying I've seen through your scheme and want to join. If you refuse, I'll expose you. However, I also noticed that these employees didn't know it was a fraudulent company and genuinely thought they were doing legitimate work. Therefore, I couldn't be too direct and had to phrase it ambiguously.

A moment later, the receptionist returned and led me into a consultation room. It was a glass-walled room; I wasn't sure if the soundproofing was good.

When the person in charge entered, we both froze. We looked at each other, and finally, he asked, "When did you come to Xi'an?"

"Yesterday."

"How did you know I was here?"

The person in charge of Tiantang was Tie Zishan, my childhood friend with whom I grew up. However, his broad build, dressed in a suit and shiny shoes, standing before me, made him seem like a stranger. It was as if we weren't even friends, merely acquaintances who had met a few times. I didn't know what he was thinking. Regardless, I felt deeply uncomfortable.

"I didn't know you were here. Someone who wants to be like Fourth Master has come here to swindle the retirement funds of old men and women. Old Tie, the Qianlong imperial thumb ring you unethically snatched from me was exchanged for this kind of future? I really overestimated you."

Old Tie's attitude was calm. He said to me, "Tang Nan, since you're a schemer, you should be able to see this is a temporary measure. I won't be here for long; this is a stepping stone."

"Your reasons are your own. Right now, in my eyes, you're a despicable scoundrel who kills, betrays his brothers, and acts like a dog for others."

"Tang Nan, that's enough."

"Fine, if you don't want to listen, I don't want to talk either. Let's get down to business. Tie Zishan, are you qualified to negotiate a deal with me? Can you make decisions on behalf of Tiantang?"

This attitude made Old Tie uncomfortable, and he deserved to be. What was he doing now? Swindling the retirement funds of old men and women – that was immoral. Honestly, I really wanted to beat him up and send him to jail.

But I couldn't do that now. I couldn't frame it as saving people, or that I was a police informant and therefore righteous. Even thinking selfishly, I couldn't tell him the truth, because "Logic Paradox" wasn't just a swindler, but a ruthless killer.

"Tang Nan, if your thinking is just that of a simple schemer trying to profit from this elderly scam, I can make that decision. The porcelain piece you brought is excellent, a Yongzheng handled teapot, finely crafted with delicate porcelain and doucai floral patterns. It's genuine. I can have those elders buy it for 800,000."

Hearing Old Tie say that, I gave a smile as if acting. Honestly, I wasn't sure if this act was right. Lin Han was correct: acting in front of outsiders was easy, but acting in front of family was incredibly difficult. Old Tie and I grew up together; he was family.

"Tie Zishan, your learning ability is strong, but you're still not as good as me. Do you know why?"

This sentence struck a sore spot in Old Tie's heart. He glared at me unceremoniously. "Tang Nan, what are you bragging about? I've seen through your tricks. What are you shouting about here? Can't I tell you're acting? How many years have we known each other? I know what you're up to with just a flick of your wrist. If you were better than me, would I have toyed with you so easily in Beijing?"

I stared at Old Tie, snorting through my nose. "Back then, I considered you a brother. Not anymore. Tie Zishan, let me tell you clearly, I had my eyes on this set of Qianlong imperial thumb rings when I went to Beijing. If you hadn't interfered, would I have only made four million? Let me be blunt, I don't care about the meager retirement funds of those old men and women. My target this time is eighty million."

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

"This teapot set is worth 800,000. Did I say I wanted to sell it? This is something the Lin family uses for tea daily, just like the thermos your father uses. My target is the Lin family, and I'm looking for help. Go tell your boss this is a big deal. If you figure it out, give me a call. You know my number."

With that, I tossed my arm and stood up. "Send the teapot back to me immediately. The Lin family is waiting for me to have lunch."

...

I returned to the Lin family with the teapot, acting like a thief. Lin Han covered her mouth and laughed when she saw me.

"Did your mother find out the teapot was missing? What did she say?"

"I washed the dishes this morning. My mother has been busy arranging things with the restaurant, trying to book a grand venue. We also inquired at the Civil Affairs Bureau; we're of legal age."