Chapter Fifty-Four: Success

At that moment, the eldest son arrived. Upon seeing Aunt Lai, he greeted her, “Oh, it’s Lai’s daughter! And you are…?”

Aunt Lai hurried to explain, “Oh, Yun, you’re just in time. I was hoping to ask your mother if your family has any old items. My nephew here has come to collect antiques. We were hoping your mother could help us look for any old porcelain, copper coins, or paper money you might have. My nephew is willing to pay a good price.”

“Oh, I see,” the eldest son replied. “I’ll help my mother look in the rooms for you. Please wait in the living room. We’ll bring anything we find.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind.”

They had barely sat down when he and his mother returned, carrying a large bag filled with coins and banknotes—one, two, and five cent pieces, as well as copper coins. They placed the bag on the table for He Zhixing to inspect. He opened it and nodded approvingly. “These are all genuine old items. Sir, name your price. How much would you like for them?”

The man had never sold such things before and seemed uncertain. “Well… I’ve never sold anything like this. I really have no idea what to ask for. Perhaps I should let my eldest son discuss it with you?” With that, he called out toward the door, “Zhihe! Zhihe, come in here!”

His son was outside washing the motorcycle. Hearing his father call, he replied, “Coming!”

When Zhihe entered, his father explained the situation. Zhihe examined the bag, looking over each item, and quickly estimated their worth. “How about five thousand yuan? They’re just odds and ends, nothing really valuable.”

He Zhixing was delighted. The price named by someone who didn’t know the value gave him a prime opportunity. Keeping his composure, he said, “Alright. By the way, would you be willing to sell that old lidded jar you use for storing salt? If so, I’m willing to pay ten thousand for it.”

Zhihe replied, “You mean the salt jar? I know the one. Let me fetch it for you. There’s a mark on the base from the Kangxi era, though I’m not certain if it’s genuine.” He brought over the slightly stained salt jar, casually pouring the remaining salt into a large bowl.

“Yes, this is the jar. What do you think—are you willing to sell it?”

Zhihe whispered with his father. They realized that if He Zhixing was willing to offer ten thousand, the porcelain must be genuine, and perhaps they could ask for a bit more. Zhihe spoke up, “Ten thousand is too little. We’d need at least thirty thousand. Anything less and we won’t sell.”

He Zhixing feigned consideration for a moment before replying, “Very well. Since we’re fellow villagers, I won’t haggle with you. Thirty thousand it is. Deal.”

“And please, would you rinse the jar for me? There’s still some salt residue inside—I wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”

Zhihe cheerfully went to wash the jar. He Zhixing put the blue-and-white porcelain jar with the lady worshiping the moon motif into his bag. “The money is at Aunt Lai’s house. Who will come with me to collect it for you?”

His father said, “Zhihe, you go with him.”

Back at the Mad Lai’s house, He Zhixing took out a large black bag he had brought with him, retrieved the cash from the room, opened the bag, and counted out thirty-five thousand for Zhihe. Once Zhihe confirmed the amount, they shook hands, pleased with the transaction.

Word spread quickly in the village that Zhihe’s family had sold old items for a small fortune. Soon, others rummaged through old cupboards, searching for antiques. Before long, another family arrived at Mad Lai’s house with a small bag of old coins and banknotes.

Upon entering, the man said, “Aunt, Uncle, I heard there’s someone here buying old things. I was wondering if you’d be interested in these old coins and notes I brought?”

He Zhixing responded promptly, “Of course, let me have a look.”

There was no porcelain this time, but there were several one, two, and five cent notes from the second series of Renminbi, along with over a dozen silver dollars and copper coins. He bought the lot for three thousand yuan.

As soon as that person left, another arrived. People, having tasted the benefits, hurried to spread the news. For a while, Mad Lai’s house was bustling with activity.

He Zhixing’s trip proved exceptionally fruitful. Though he spent over a hundred thousand yuan, he felt it was well worth it. He stayed two days at Mad Lai’s house. Whenever she had a free moment, Lai Min, the young girl, would stick close to He Zhixing, helping him count money and distribute payments to those selling their old items. She was happy to be busy by his side.