Chapter 128

Director Xu sprang up like a dying fish rising from a chopping board, his voice shrill, "You can't do this! You're damaging citizens' property!"

Yan Ren glanced at him and immediately gave the order, "Pry it open. I'll take full responsibility for any consequences!"

"Yes, sir!" the policeman saluted with a strong voice.

At this moment, Director Xu's expression was even more unsightly than if his parents had died!

Chapter 113 The 113th Day of Being Eavesdropped On

The theft at Director Xu's home became big news.

Within two days, all the newspapers and magazines in Beijing published stories about Yan Ren and his team finding a pile of cash in Director Xu's house.

After the stove was dismantled, it was found to be full of cash in butter-paper bags.

The photo, taken by someone unknown, shows a striking wall of cash that is half a person's height.

"Look at that! That Director Xu actually embezzled over two million yuan! My God, that's outrageous!"

He Chunlian looked at the newspaper and couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement. "He dared to take more than two million yuan, shouldn't he be sentenced to death?"

Liang Ying ate her porridge and said, "Mom, with so much money, he'd definitely be sentenced to death. But thankfully, he was caught in time. The Textile Factory hadn't signed the order with the foreigner, so it can still be salvaged. If it had, even if they found out the foreigner bribed the factory manager, this would have been a real problem."

"Yes, but are you still selling your factory?"

He Chunlian carefully folded the newspaper and asked.

Liang Ying, biting her spoon, thought for a moment and said, "I guess they'll still sell, but this time the commotion is so big, the higher-ups will definitely be watching. They can't call it a fire sale. The factory employees will also be properly arranged."

"That's good, that's good." He Chunlian had experienced many years of hardship and knew that life would be difficult if her family members didn't have jobs. She felt much better and smiled at Gu Yousi, "This time, our Second Girl really deserves credit. Second Girl, what do you want to eat? Grandma will make it for you tonight."

Gu Yousi ate her Youtiao and said, "Grandma, you don't need to make anything for me. Just don't call me Second Girl anymore. I'm already this old, and you're still calling me by my childhood nickname."

"That won't do. How old are you? In Grandma's eyes, you're still Second Girl."

He Chunlian showed no respect whatsoever.

Gu Yousi looked up at the sky helplessly. Liang Ying couldn't help but laugh and changed the subject, saying, "Speaking of which, Jin Shui has been in Japan for several days now. I wonder if she's adjusting well?"

"Don't worry about him, he'll definitely make sure he doesn't go hungry."

Although He Chunlian was worried about her son, she figured he was already abroad, so she let it go. After all, he was tall and strong and had money with him, so he couldn't possibly suffer any losses.

Achoo! Achoo!

Gu Jinshui sneezed several times as soon as he woke up in the morning.

Li Xing handed him a tissue. "Brother Gu, do you have a cold or something? Do you need to see a doctor?"

Gu Jinshui waved his hand, "It's nothing, nothing serious. I just caught a chill yesterday when I went out. I really didn't expect Tokyo to be so cold now."

Upon hearing this, Li Xing couldn't help but laugh and said, "Japan is a bit colder than us, but Brother Gu, what were you doing buying that piece of jade yesterday? It cost 10,000 yen."

This 10,000 yen is equivalent to 300 yuan, which is three months' salary for professors.

This is no small sum of money. Although the expenses for this exchange trip were covered by the Japan university, none of them were very willing to spend money. Even if they wanted to buy something, they only wanted to buy local specialties that they could take home.

Gu Jinshui and Li Xing didn't get along badly. Besides, he had been in Japan these past few days and had to ask Li Xing for help with translations whenever he wanted to go out. So he said, "That jade pendant is worth 10,000 yen. It's a jade from the Han Dynasty, and I reckon it might be a treasured possession of some nobleman. I'd like to buy it as a gift for my daughter."

Li Xing's eyes widened in surprise. "Han jade? That must be very valuable, right?"

They went into the cafeteria, talking as they got their food. The food at the Tokyo University's cafeteria wasn't bad, but for breakfast it was nothing more than grilled saury and miso soup.

Gu Jinshui and the others were used to eating breakfast at home, so they really found it difficult to adjust to this place.

The two got their food and found a seat.

Gu Jinshui glanced at Sun Zhiping with a group of Japan students, then looked away, put down his plate, and said, "The monetary value is secondary; what's rare is the 'Silk-Thread Engraving' technique used on that jade bear. This technique is very uncommon, and that's what makes it so valuable. Gao Lian of the Ming Dynasty mentioned in his 'Eight Discourses on the Nurturing of Life' that 'Han Dynasty carving is exquisite in its double-line engraving, with a smooth and flowing grinding motion, as fine as an autumn hair, without any unevenness in density or breaks in the joints, just like a line drawing of hairline, without any trace of hesitation.' This is exactly what Silk-Thread Engraving is."

Li Xing found it very interesting and felt that he had learned a lot.

He was overjoyed and said, "Brother Gu, how do you know so much? Do you think it's too late for me to start learning about antiques now?"

He's been spending time with them lately, and his interest in archaeology has grown stronger.

Just as Gu Jinshui was about to speak, he saw Sun Zhiping approaching with several Japan students.

Although the official stance is one of Sino-Japanese friendship, there is still some mutual resistance among the people. For example, Li Xing, despite being a translator, doesn't like to talk to Japan students. On the other hand, Sun Zhiping, who somehow speaks fluent Japanese, gets along very well with the Japan students.

Seeing Gu Jinshui looking back, Li Xing followed his gaze and paused when he saw Sun Zhiping and the others. He then asked, "Fuyubi, is there something you need?"

The man known as Fuyubi Sang was a graduate student majoring in archaeology. He was burly and had a very domineering personality. He stood with his hands on his hips, pointed at Gu Jinshui, and said something.

Li Xing's face showed a slight annoyance. He looked at Sun Zhiping, who seemed to enjoy watching the Sun Zhiping unfold, and said, "Li Xing, you translate this for Gu Jinshui. Don't delay things."

Fuyubi Dong Risang spoke a few words, her companions around her burst into laughter, their eyes filled with mockery and disdain as they looked at Gu Jinshui.

Even someone as stupid as Gu Jinshui could tell something was wrong.

He looked at Li Xing and asked, "What did those Japan devils say?"

Li Xing's face showed a slight annoyance, but it was directed at the Japan. He said in a low voice, "Fuyubi and the others said they heard you're good at selecting antiques and want to have a competition with you?"

"A contest?" Gu Jinshui was taken aback, put down his chopsticks, and raised his eyebrows. "I have no grudge against them, why would they challenge me to a contest like this?"

Li Xing remained silent for a moment after hearing this, somewhat speechless.

Gu Jinshui looked completely innocent. "I really have no grudge against him."

Li Xing cleared his throat and kindly reminded him, "Brother Gu, on our first day Fuyubi, Dong Risang specially brought out several antiques, saying they were his family's heirlooms. You seemed to have said that these things were from the Early Qing Dynasty, so how could they possibly have been passed down in his family?"

"Yes, did I say something wrong? I could tell those things were from the palace at a glance. When did things from our country become the Japan's ancestral treasures?"

Gu Jinshui crossed his arms, his face full of roguishness, "Even if he insists on acknowledging his ancestors, he'll have to see if his ancestors will accept this cheap grandson of theirs."

He had already inquired about the Fuyubi family, who were descendants of high-ranking Japanese Invaders. How could their antiques have a normal provenance?

Moreover, the fact that he is a descendant of Japanese Invaders is enough for Gu Jinshui to be very rude to this grandson!

Li Xing remained silent for a moment.

Sun Zhiping translated what Fuyubi and the others said, and Dong Fuyubi immediately became so angry that his face turned red, his breathing became heavy, and the veins on his neck bulged.

He spoke a few words to Sun Zhiping, spitting as he spoke.

Gu Jinshui looked at Li Xing.

Li Xing understood and quickly translated, "Fuyubi said he wants to have a contest with you. He can put an antique as a wager. If you win, it's yours. If you lose, you have to tell everyone that you are inferior to him and admire him to the point of prostration."

Gu Jinshui narrowed his eyes, a hint of coldness flashing across his lips.

The Japan are using all sorts of tricks, and this isn't just to embarrass them. These past few days, the Japan haven't been looking down on the teachers and students of Peking University, but Gu Jinshui has a solid foundation and unique insight. In every exchange meeting, he manages to outshine everyone and leave the Japan completely bewildered.

This Fuyubi Sang is probably a representative sent by Japan.

If they lose to Fuyubi, their side will definitely become a laughing stock among the Japan!

Seeing that Gu Jinshui didn't answer, Fuyubi Risang became even more arrogant. He said in broken Chinese, "Coward, coward."

Gu Jinshui's face instantly darkened.

"Jin Shui, Li Xing..." Professor Bai's clear and gentle voice came from behind, and he led Professor Wen and others toward them.

Seeing so many people gathered together, Professor Bai seemed worried. He came over and asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

When Li Xing saw the professors approaching, he breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was a translator, he also had a sense of national honor and naturally did not want to see his own people being bullied.

But they are currently exchanging ideas in a foreign country, and they are worried that something might go wrong and be difficult to handle.

With the professors over, Li Xing immediately felt reassured, and he quickly explained the whole story.

The professors' expressions all changed.

Even the good-natured Professor Bai looked at Sun Zhiping with a livid face, "Sun Zhiping, what are you doing?"

Sun Zhiping wore a slick smile. "Professor Bai, why are you so angry? This was just a joke we students made in private. We were just playing around when we had nothing better to do. Why take it so seriously!"

Play?

The professors were all annoyed, Professor Bai even glared at Professor Lin, his eyes clearly saying, "Your student is your own responsibility!"

Professor Lin looked embarrassed and scolded Sun Zhiping, "Sun Zhiping, what's so funny? If we lose this competition, we'll all lose face. Tell that Japan we're not competing!"

Yamamoto arrived at that moment.

He seemed a little puzzled as to why everyone was there. After the translator helped him inquire about the situation and told him, Yamamoto's lips curled up, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out, and he spread his hands, saying, "That's a good idea. Since we're going to exchange ideas, why be so reserved? I think it would be good to let the students have a competition."

Professor Bai and the others had originally hoped that Yamamoto could resolve this matter.

They could also see that these Japan students didn't take them, the China professors, seriously at all, but they showed great respect to Professor Yamamoto.

If Yamamoto speaks up, this matter can surely be resolved.

But to everyone's surprise, Yamamoto was actually happy to see it happen.

When Fuyubi Sang and the others heard Yamamoto's words, they all smiled broadly and nodded happily in agreement.

Professor Bai was somewhat annoyed. He pulled Li Xing aside and told Yamamoto to tell Li Xing, "Tell Professor Yamamoto that this is nothing fun, especially since antiques are involved. If they lose, wouldn't it damage the relationship?"

He hoped Yamamoto would consider the bigger picture, but Yamamoto smiled and had the translator reply, "It's just an antique, what's the big deal? I'm personally willing to offer 500,000 yen as a prize."

The announcement of 500,000 yen caused an uproar among the crowd.

Even Qian Guangwen and the others couldn't help but secretly calculate how much money this was; 500,000 yen was roughly 15,000 yuan.

This is a huge sum of money!

The Japan students were all incredibly excited, and Fuyubi- san was patting his chest, saying something to everyone. Judging from his expression, this guy was clearly determined to get the prize money.

Now that Yamamoto has said all that, it's not really convenient for Professor Bai and the others to refuse.

Professor Bai pulled Gu Jinshui aside and said, "Jin Shui, although Fuyubi seems reckless, we've seen it these past few days. He's truly knowledgeable. Shall we really make a bet on this?"

"Why not gamble?"

Gu Jinshui rubbed his hands together, a smirk playing on his lips, and said with a cold smile, "Professor Bai, I might not be so confident about betting on other things, but when it comes to betting on eyesight, I've never lost. Why wouldn't we take advantage of this freebie? Besides, we can get an antique back. I've already got my eye on it. Among the antiques we brought over before Fuyubi, there was a Blue-and-White Porcelain Plate from the Kangxi Period of the Qing Dynasty. If we win, we'll take that one!"

Professor Bai felt more confident after hearing Gu Jinshui's words.

He turned to Yamamoto and said, "We can agree, but the competition must be fair, and only Fuyubi and Jin Shui are allowed to compete. However, Jin Shui needs Li Xing's help to translate."