After handing the Mid-Autumn Manuscript over to Fu Yingqi’s people, Shen Sangyu stopped worrying about it.
Whether it was ultimately confirmed to be authentic was no longer her concern.
At the very least…
A national treasure had found its way to an incredibly, incredibly safe place.
…
Even though it was the weekend, Shen Sangyu had no time to relax.
Like every other overworked senior preparing for the college entrance exams, she buried herself in revision.
Fortunately, the Lotus Dew greatly enhanced her concentration and memory. Combined with the solid academic foundation she’d already built, she managed to thoroughly master all the key topics that were likely to appear on the upcoming final exams.
…
“Sang Sang, come over to Qibaozhai as soon as you can. I found a buyer for the rhinoceros horn cup, and he’ll be here shortly!”
“So soon?”
Shen Sangyu had just stretched lazily, ready to take a short break, when Li Ming’s call came through.
He had already found a buyer.
“The gentleman is only passing through Haishi on business and will be leaving soon. He’s known for making generous offers, so I don’t think there’ll be any problems.”
“All right, Uncle Li. I’ll be there right away.”
Not daring to waste any time, Shen Sangyu set aside her revision materials, slipped on her coat, and hurried out.
…
“Uncle Li?”
She walked directly to the third floor.
Clients of this caliber were usually received in the private reception room upstairs.
Xiao Yu was lounging in a carved rosewood chair, looking thoroughly bored.
He happened to be in Haishi on a business trip.
When he heard that someone was selling a rhinoceros horn cup, he decided to stop by.
After all…
His grandfather adored collecting them.
Earlier, he’d casually texted someone.
Fu San, which district is your beauty in? Since I’m already in Haishi, want me to check on her for you?
He had only meant it as a joke.
He never expected a reply.
Yet one came almost immediately.
Get lost. Don’t bother her.
Well…
Fair enough.
Some people simply couldn’t be teased.
He had barely put his phone away when footsteps echoed from the staircase.
“Sang Sang, you’re here! This is Mr. Xiao.”
Li Ming quickly introduced the buyer.
Xiao Yu rose to his feet.
The moment he turned around and saw Shen Sangyu behind Li Ming…
He froze.
“Hello, Mr. Xiao. I’m Shen Sangyu.”
She stepped forward politely to greet him.
For a brief moment, Xiao Yu was genuinely stunned by her beauty.
She looked very young.
Her face was free of makeup, yet her complexion glowed with a healthy rosy color after being nourished by the Lotus Dew.
“Miss Shen, my name is Xiao Yu.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Please, have a seat.”
His trademark peach blossom eyes curved into an easygoing smile.
“You look about the age of a student.”
“If you don’t mind, may I call you Little Sister Sangyu?”
…
Sir.
Aren’t you getting familiar a little too quickly?
Still, Shen Sangyu could tell he meant no harm.
It was simply his naturally friendly personality.
“I don’t mind.”
“I’m still in my senior year of high school.”
Meanwhile, Li Ming had already brought out the rhinoceros horn cup that Shen Sangyu had entrusted to him.
Xiao Yu himself knew very little about antiques.
As his grandfather often complained…
His grandson was simply someone with more money than sense.
So this time he had deliberately brought along an appraisal expert.
“Lin Dong.”
“Go have a look.”
Xiao Yu remained seated while the middle-aged man beside him carefully examined the cup.
Just as Shen Sangyu was about to explain its age and craftsmanship, Xiao Yu stopped her.
He seemed far more interested in talking to her.
“Sang Sang, you chat with Mr. Xiao.”
“I’ll explain the cup to Mr. Lin.”
Li Ming smiled.
Shen Sangyu nodded before turning back to Xiao Yu.
“Mr. Xiao, since you’re interested in buying this rhinoceros horn cup, I assume you’re already aware of my conditions?”
“Of course.”
“I’m Huaguoese, and my family’s elders have always loved collecting rhinoceros horn cups.”
“So don’t worry.”
“We collect them.”
“We don’t resell them.”
“And we certainly don’t send them overseas.”
“As for the price…”
“What are you hoping for, Little Sister Sangyu?”
His answer immediately put Shen Sangyu at ease.
Although Xiao Yu carried himself with a carefree, almost playful attitude…
When he spoke about never allowing the artifact to leave the country, the seriousness in his eyes was unmistakable.
Shen Sangyu shook her head.
“What price do you have in mind?”
Although rhinoceros horn cups were extremely rare, several had appeared at international auctions over the years.
One Ming-to-early Qing dynasty cup bearing the mark of You Kan had once sold for forty-five million yuan.
However…
That example had almost no decorative carving.
Its craftsmanship couldn’t compare with the exquisite piece in Shen Sangyu’s possession.
“Fifty million.”
Xiao Yu answered without hesitation.
Since Shen Sangyu had been so straightforward, he saw no reason to play negotiation games.
In truth…
He would still have accepted another five million on top of that.
Good businessmen always left themselves room to negotiate.
Seeing Shen Sangyu fall silent in thought, Xiao Yu assumed she wasn’t satisfied.
He was just about to increase his offer by another five million when—
“That’s fine.”
“If Mr. Lin confirms everything is authentic, you can take it with you today.”
What Shen Sangyu was actually thinking was…
My little savings of five hundred thousand yuan are about to become fifty million?
How many extra zeros is that…?
Xiao Yu couldn’t help feeling a little surprised.
Despite her young age, Shen Sangyu handled business with remarkable decisiveness.
By then, Li Ming and Lin Dong had completed their examination.
“Mr. Xiao.”
“There are no issues.”
“It’s indeed a rhinoceros horn cup bearing You Kan’s mark.”
“The condition is excellent.”
“The carving is exceptionally fluid.”
“The material is top quality.”
“Finding another one like this today would be nearly impossible.”
“The old master is going to be overjoyed.”
Lin Dong could barely contain his excitement.
Looks like Old Master Xiao truly loves collecting rhinoceros horn cups.
The tiny trace of hesitation remaining in Shen Sangyu’s heart disappeared completely.
There was no better home for an antique than the hands of someone who genuinely cherished it.
“Excellent.”
Xiao Yu stood.
He gestured for Lin Dong to hand over the bank card.
“This card contains fifty million yuan.”
“There’s no PIN.”
“And here’s my business card.”
“If you ever visit the capital, Little Sister Sangyu, be sure to contact me.”
“Ah… thank you, Mr. Xiao.”
She accepted both the card and the business card.
The card contained nothing except his name and contact information.
Is this even considered a business card?
She shrugged and casually slipped it into her pocket.
If she ever visited the capital…
She’d naturally look for Third Brother Fu.
…
Before leaving, Xiao Yu smiled again.
“If you ever come across more treasures you’d like to sell…”
“You absolutely must let me take a look first.”
After all…
Winning his grandfather’s favor, and earning more invitations back to the family estate for dinner, depended entirely on finding treasures like these.
After Xiao Yu and his group departed, Shen Sangyu spent nearly half an hour persuading Li Ming before he finally agreed to accept the five million yuan she insisted on giving him.
Without Uncle Li…
She never would have found such a suitable buyer so quickly.
Nor would she have received payment this smoothly.
“Uncle Li…”
“This is our little secret.”
“You absolutely can’t tell my parents.”
Besides…
The previous bronze wine vessel had also been handed over to her for practice without Li Ming asking for anything in return.
The moment she completed the bank transfer—
One of Qibaozhai’s assistants came running over in a panic.
“Boss!”
“Someone from Boss Shen’s shop next door is asking for you.”
Shen Sangyu hadn’t told her family she was visiting Qibaozhai.
Normally, Shen Qian and Zhou Hui would both be busy at Qinan Restaurant.
What could have happened that required Li Ming?
For a brief moment, Shen Sangyu’s heart tightened.
She immediately grabbed Li Ming’s arm, ready to rush downstairs.
Then…
A thought flashed through her mind.
After everything that had happened yesterday…
Meng Chengxi must have become desperate.
Shi Qing has come to redeem the painting?
The moment she reached that conclusion, Shen Sangyu calmed down.
The deadly trap that had claimed her life in her previous life…
Had finally arrived.