Chu Chen chuckled. "That's really nothing, but it depends on what the item is. I'm just afraid of trouble. What if the bronze your friend brings out is a major artifact? Then it really wouldn't be convenient for me to take it on. Besides, if the Ming Wanli polychrome cloud-and-dragon-pattern covered box you mentioned is also freshly unearthed, that would be another troublesome matter."
Seeing Chu Chen put it that way, Ma Xiaoqiang hurriedly said, "Young Master Chu, you're a major figure from the capital. Even if it's freshly unearthed, cleaning it up would be a simple matter for you!"
Chu Chen shook his head. "That may be true, but I'd have to spend some connections to do it."
Ma Xiaoqiang chuckled. "How about this? When the time comes, I'll have my friend give you a discount. What do you think?"
Chu Chen smiled faintly. "Then I'll have to trouble you with this."
"Not at all, not at all! It's entirely what I should do!"
Ma Xiaoqiang bowed and scraped on the surface, but inwardly sneered, He just wants to skim some money off the top! No wonder people always say the rich are stingy as iron roosters. It looks like that really is true!
Following Ma Xiaoqiang's directions, Hu Yong drove to a hotel. However, the hotel's location left both Chu Chen and Hu Yong utterly speechless, because it was directly across from where they had picked up Ma Xiaoqiang. They had just driven around for nothing. The motive was obvious: Ma Xiaoqiang's friend wanted to see whether anyone was following Chu Chen.
Chu Chen said unhappily, "Mr. Ma, this is a little dishonest of you, isn't it? The fuel didn't cost much, but haven't you just wasted my time?"
Ma Xiaoqiang hurriedly smiled apologetically. "Young Master Chu, these