"That's right. I did see that pattern on a piece of jade. There were other patterns on it, too."
Big Gold Tooth spoke lazily.
"But what's that got to do with you?"
Shirley Yang glanced at Old Chen. Old Chen smiled at Big Gold Tooth again. "Goldy, you know how much I love studying the culture of the Western Regions. This script is a subject I've been researching lately, but I haven't made any headway. If you tell me what you know, I might find a breakthrough."
Big Gold Tooth yawned. "Enough beating around the bush. You want information? Fine! Pay for it."
Old Chen wanted to say more.
Shirley Yang stopped him and smiled at Big Gold Tooth. "How much would you like, Mr. Jin?"
Seeing how readily she agreed, Big Gold Tooth sank into thought.
They seem to care a lot about that jade, don't they?
Could it really be a treasure?!
But that doesn't make sense!
He had examined that jade over and over. It was just an average-quality piece, worth fifty to seventy thousand at most.
Then he remembered that damned fatty saying Young Master Gu of the Treasure-Hiding Studio had bought his jade for a hundred thousand.
Young Master Gu was known as Golden Eye. He hadn't misjudged a single piece since entering the trade.
Anything he had his eye on had to be something special!
At that thought, Big Gold Tooth couldn't help regretting it.
If only he had offered a little more and bought the jade himself.
He gritted his teeth. "Give me another twenty thousand U.S. dollars, and I'll tell you where that jade is!"
Old Chen's eyes widened. "You mean thirty thousand U.S. dollars in total?! You little bastard, have you lost your mind?!"
Big Gold Tooth felt a little unsure himself.
Thirty thousand U.S. dollars.
That was nearly two hundred thousand Dragon Yuan.
He feigned composure. "Do you know what's most valuable in the antiques trade?"
"A good eye, experience, and guts!"
"I'm only offering this price because it's you, Old Chen, and you know my father. Anyone else would have to pay at least fifty thousand U.S. dollars!"
Old Chen wanted to argue, but Shirley Yang spoke first. "All right. No problem!"
"Now that's decisive!"
Hearing Shirley Yang's answer, Big Gold Tooth felt as refreshed as if he had eaten ice cream on a scorching summer day, a rush of pleasure washing through him from head to toe.
Once Shirley Yang had transferred two hundred thousand Dragon Yuan into his account.
Big Gold Tooth got straight to the point. "Half a month ago, I met a fatty with a piece of jade around his neck. According to him, it was a trophy his father picked up while fighting bandits in the Western Borderlands. There were some patterns on the jade, and one of them looked exactly like that eye you just showed me."
The Western Borderlands?!
A flash of delight instantly appeared in Old Chen's eyes.
"Where's the jade?!"
"I originally offered five thousand for it, but Young Master Gu of the Treasure-Hiding Studio beat me to it. He paid that fatty a hundred thousand for the jade pendant."
The Treasure-Hiding Studio?
Young Master Gu?
Old Chen and Shirley Yang immediately stood and headed outside.
Before leaving, Shirley Yang said, "Mr. Jin, if you can find someone who knows Gold-Fixing and Acupoint-Determining, my promise still stands!"
Big Gold Tooth waved. "You got it!"
He certainly agreed readily enough.
As for how sincere that answer was, only he knew.
Looking at the extra two hundred thousand in his account, Big Gold Tooth grinned so broadly his mouth almost split.
"Who would've thought I'd make back the money I missed out on with that jade pendant here!"
"Too bad. If I had that jade, I bet that girl would pay even if I asked for a hundred thousand U.S. dollars."
Big Gold Tooth lay back on the sofa, thinking with a mixture of delight and wistfulness.
Gu Cheng spent two days having fun with Yingzi.
On the third day.
When Fatty Wang learned that Gu Cheng was attending an auction at the Crescent Hotel that evening, he shamelessly insisted on tagging along, saying he wanted to see the world and broaden his horizons. That reasoning immediately sparked Hu Bayi's interest as well.
With both of them going, they obviously couldn't leave Yingzi alone.
So that afternoon, Gu Cheng took all three of them to the department store for new outfits.
He bought Hu Bayi and Fatty Wang a black suit each.
Fatty had a burly build.
Hu Bayi was also tall and muscular.
Dressed in suits, sunglasses, and brand-new leather shoes, the two looked completely different and quite convincing.
As for Yingzi.
Gu Cheng found a stylist especially for her.
He left her in the stylist's hands.
When Yingzi finally emerged, she left all three men, who had been bored out of their minds waiting, utterly stunned.
Her short hair looked fresh and smart.
The expert makeup not only concealed the ruddy flush on her cheeks but also raised her looks by at least two notches.
Paired with a girlish white dress.
Calling her the ultimate blend of innocence and allure would have been no exaggeration.
Gu Cheng stared at her and couldn't help saying, "Yingzi, you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."
Yingzi lowered her head shyly. "Thank you, Gu."
"Are you comfortable in those heels? If not, we'll get you some flats."
"It's fine. Aren't you supposed to wear heels to occasions like this? I can't embarrass you."
"What's embarrassing about it? We'll dare to be different. Your comfort comes first."
"It's all right. I can manage."
"Okay. Tell me if they start hurting."
"I will, Gu."
Watching the two chatting and laughing ahead of them, Hu Bayi and Fatty Wang felt as though they had been force-fed something and were stuffed to bursting.
"Hu, don't you think the way we're dressed, following behind them, makes us look like... you know?"
"Like what?"
"Bodyguards!"
"So you do know? Why did you insist on dressing like this, then?"
"Heh, on TV, everyone wears suits and ties to those fancy events, don't they?"
"Hmph. You could put on imperial robes and still not look like a prince."
To all you handsome fellows out there, writing a book isn't easy, and mine isn't one of those formulaic tomb-raiding stories.
If you think it's decent, please send some flowers, ratings, and tips.