“Young lady, are you here to sell something?”
Fang Jinzhu was tilting her head, examining a Qing dynasty conical bowl in front of her, thinking she would first browse around to build up her confidence. Unexpectedly, the elderly man behind the counter spoke directly.
Fang Jinzhu looked over and saw the old man pointing at the item she was holding tightly in her arms, smiling as he walked out. “Young lady, are you planning to sell this calligraphy and painting, or do you want it appraised?”
Liang Weiguo had dealt with antiques all his life. For any customer entering this shop, he could guess their intentions with seventy to eighty percent accuracy.
This young lady was definitely not here to buy anything.
The calligraphy and painting in her arms…
Liang Weiguo’s gaze was drawn to the exposed end of the scroll. Unable to resist, he leaned in closer, instinctively wanting to get a clearer look.
Seeing this, Fang Jinzhu’s heart stirred slightly.
She looked up and gave the old man a polite smile. “Uncle, I’m only here today on my family’s orders to inquire about the market. But if the price is fair, I could part with it…”
As she spoke, she took out the calligraphy and painting and generously handed it over. “Please, could you take a look and give your opinion?”
Liang Weiguo took the calligraphy and painting, but his attention was then drawn to Shushu beside her.
Noticing the old man’s gaze on her, Shushu grinned sweetly at him.
Though she didn’t speak, Liang Weiguo clearly saw the words “Hello, Grandfather” in the little one’s eyes. Instantly filled with affection, he couldn’t help but reach out and stroke the child’s fine, soft hair. “Good, good, what a polite child.”
After saying this, his expression turned somewhat displeased as he looked back at Fang Jinzhu. “Are you the child’s mother?”
Fang Jinzhu was taken aback for a moment before she realized what he meant and quickly replied, “No, I’m her sister…”
Hearing this, Liang Weiguo shook his head as he walked back behind the counter. He picked up his phone and beckoned Fang Jinzhu over.
Fang Jinzhu, puzzled, walked over.
Liang Weiguo held the phone up to Fang Jinzhu’s eyes and casually opened a photo album.
A chubby, round-faced boy appeared on the screen.
“Look, my eldest grandson isn’t even two years old yet, but he’s almost twice the size of this little girl!”
As he spoke, Liang Weiguo gestured toward Shushu beside Fang Jinzhu. “You and she are so far apart in age. Your parents must have had her late in life. Judging by your clothing, your family’s circumstances must be quite comfortable. How could you let the child end up like this?”
“Look at her—this little girl is so thin you probably can’t even pinch any flesh on her face. It’s pitiful to see!”
Only then did Fang Jinzhu understand.
So the old man was concerned about Shushu and thought their family must be mistreating the child!
“What you say is true, Uncle…”
For some reason, seeing Liang Weiguo like this actually made Fang Jinzhu feel much more at ease. She smiled and explained, “Before, my parents were busy making a living, and I was focused on my studies. We really did neglect my little sister’s care. But now I’ve graduated and am helping my parents manage the Farm at home. From now on, I’ll have time to take good care of my little sister.”
Those who care about children usually have kind hearts and are unlikely to be too deceitful.
Hearing this, Liang Weiguo’s expression softened considerably. After a moment’s thought, he took a piece of walnut cake from under the counter and handed it to Shushu with a kindly smile. “Here, sweet little one, Grandfather has something tasty for you. Eat up and grow a bit plumper!”
Shushu’s eyes lit up, and she looked up at Fang Jinzhu.
Fang Jinzhu smiled and gently rubbed the little girl’s head. “Grandfather is being kind to you. Take it, and remember to thank him!”
Only then did Shushu raise both small hands to accept it, her bright eyes curving as she chirped sweetly, “Thank you, Grandfather!”
Liang Weiguo’s heart melted with tenderness and sweetness, and his face immediately creased into a warm, fatherly smile. “You’re welcome, you’re welcome! When you finish, Grandfather will get you more. I have plenty here!”
Shushu picked up the walnut cookie and first brought it close to her little nose to sniff it. Then, standing on tiptoe, she held the cookie up with both hands toward Fang Jinzhu. “Yummy, Sister, eat!”
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, so bright that one glance could make you feel utterly captivated.
Touched, Fang Jinzhu quickly crouched down, held the small hands, and took a tiny bite. “Mmm, the cookie Shushu feeds me is especially delicious!”
Then she pushed the cookie back toward the little one’s mouth. “Sister has had some. Now you eat! If you like it, Sister will buy you more later!”
Shushu’s eyes curved happily into crescents, but she shook her head while holding up the cookie. “No buy. Shushu eat this, enough!”
Witnessing this scene, Liang Weiguo’s eyes nearly overflowed with affection and envy.
Ah, little girls are just so endearing!
So young, yet already so sensible and well-behaved.
Not like his own grandson, who not only snatches food right out of his mouth but is so mischievous he’d practically turn the house upside down!
He’d have to go back and discuss with his son and daughter-in-law—maybe they could give him a sweet little granddaughter like this!
Seeing that Fang Jinzhu had a generous and gentle temperament, unlikely to mistreat a child, and that the little girl was clearly attached to her, Liang Weiguo finally relaxed. As he unrolled the scroll, he smiled and asked Fang Jinzhu, “Miss, where did this calligraphy and painting come from?”
Fang Jinzhu had already prepared an explanation for the antique’s origin. “Uncle, this scroll belonged to my grandfather. He loved collecting old things like this in his lifetime. To be honest, I’m not sure where he found this particular piece.”
Liang Weiguo glanced at Fang Jinzhu from behind his magnifying glass before returning his attention to the scroll. “Then why do you want to sell it?”
Suddenly, his magnifying glass paused at a certain spot on the scroll, and he leaned in abruptly for a closer look.
Fang Jinzhu noted Liang Weiguo’s reaction but kept her tone casual. “To be frank, my grandfather passed away several years ago. My parents are busy making ends meet and don’t know how to appreciate such antiques. They thought letting it gather dust in the storage room was a waste, so they sent me to test the market.”
“…”
Liang Weiguo didn’t respond, his magnifying glass almost pressed against the scroll.
Fang Jinzhu felt a bit nervous and uneasy but fell silent after speaking, waiting quietly nearby.
After about ten minutes, Liang Weiguo had examined every inch of the scroll meticulously before finally looking up.
His excitement was plain to see as his eyes met Fang Jinzhu’s. “Miss, please wait here for a moment!”
Without waiting for her reply, he turned and hurried into the inner room of the shop.
Another five or six minutes passed before Liang Weiguo emerged, carefully carrying a thick, aged ancient text. He laid it out on the counter like a treasure, flipping through its pages with great care as if searching for something.
“Found it!!”
Just as Fang Jinzhu was growing puzzled, Liang Weiguo exclaimed loudly. When he looked up, his eyes gleamed with intense excitement. “Miss, come take a look at this!”
Fang Jinzhu quickly leaned in and saw him pointing to an ancient illustration in the book, accompanied by classical annotations. "Miss, look," he said, "the painting style and brushwork techniques of the calligraphy and painting in your hand are remarkably similar to this illustration in the book, including the craftsmanship of the seals and the composition of the inscriptions…"
"If my estimation is correct, your calligraphy and painting originated from the small state of Tang Wu, dating back two thousand years!"