“Young lady, are you here to sell something?”
Fang Jinzhu was tilting her head to examine a Qing dynasty conical bowl before 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 clutching 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 his entire life. For any customer entering this shop, he could gauge their intentions with about 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, and he couldn’t help but lean in a bit 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 just here today on my family’s behalf to inquire about market prices. But if the offer is fair, I might consider selling…”
As she spoke, she took out the calligraphy and painting and generously handed it over. “I’d appreciate it if you could take a look and give your opinion.”
Liang Weiguo accepted the calligraphy and painting, but his attention was then drawn to Shu Shu beside her.
Noticing the old man’s gaze on her, Shu Shu grinned sweetly at him.
Though she didn’t speak, Liang Weiguo clearly saw the words “Hello, Grandpa” in the little girl’s eyes. Instantly filled with affection, he couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke her fine, soft hair. “Good, good, what a polite and well-mannered child.”
After saying this, his expression turned somewhat displeased when he looked back at Fang Jinzhu. “Are you her mother?”
Fang Jinzhu was taken aback for a moment before she realized what he meant and quickly replied, “No, I’m her older sister…”
Hearing this, Liang Weiguo shook his head, walked back behind the counter, 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 little boy appeared on the screen.
“Look here, my eldest grandson is not even two years old, but he’s almost twice the size of this little girl!”
As he spoke, Liang Weiguo gestured toward Shu Shu beside Fang Jinzhu with his chin. “You and she are so far apart in age. Your parents must have had her later in life. Judging by your clothing, your family’s circumstances must be quite comfortable. So why has the child been raised to look like this?”
“Just look, 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 Shu Shu and thought their family must be mistreating the child!
“What you say is true, Uncle…”
For some reason, seeing Liang Weiguo’s reaction actually made Fang Jinzhu feel much more at ease. She smiled and explained, “Previously, my parents were busy making a living, and I was focused on my studies. We did indeed neglect caring for my little sister’s nourishment. 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 Shu Shu with a kind smile. “Here, sweet little treasure, Grandpa has something tasty for you. Eat up and grow a bit plumper!”
Shu Shu’s eyes lit up, and she looked up at Fang Jinzhu.
Fang Jinzhu smiled and gently patted her little head. “Grandpa cares about you. Take it, and remember to say thank you to Grandpa!”
Shu Shu then raised her little hands to take it, her big eyes curved as she said crisply, “Thank you, Grandpa!”
Liang Weiguo’s heart melted with sweetness, and he immediately smiled, his face creasing with kind wrinkles. “You’re welcome, you’re welcome! When you finish, Grandpa will get you more. Grandpa has plenty here!”
Shu Shu picked up the walnut cake, first brought it close to her little nose to sniff, then stood on tiptoe and held it out with both hands toward Fang Jinzhu. “Yummy, Sister, eat!”
Her eyes were sparkling with anticipation, making anyone who looked at her unable to resist being drawn in.
Touched, Fang Jinzhu quickly crouched down, held the little hand, and took a small bite. “Mmm, Shu Shu’s feeding is really delicious!”
Then she pushed the walnut cake toward the little one’s mouth. “Sister has had some, now you eat! If you like it, Sister will buy you more later!”
Shu Shu smiled happily, her eyes curving again, but she shook her head while holding the walnut cake. “No buy, Shu Shu eat this, enough!”
Seeing this scene, the affection and envy in Liang Weiguo’s eyes nearly overflowed.
Ah, little girls are just so adorable!
So young, yet so sensible and well-behaved.
Not like his own grandson, who not only snatches food from his mouth but is also so mischievous he’d turn the house upside down if he could!
He needed to go back and discuss with his son and daughter-in-law, to see if they could give him a little granddaughter like this!
Seeing that Fang Jinzhu had a generous and gentle temperament and didn’t seem like someone who would mistreat a child, and that the little girl beside her was quite attached to her, Liang Weiguo finally relaxed. As he unrolled the calligraphy and painting, he smiled and asked Fang Jinzhu, “Miss, where did this calligraphy and painting come from?”
Fang Jinzhu had already prepared the story about the antique’s origin. “Uncle, this calligraphy and painting belonged to my grandfather. He loved collecting these old things in his lifetime. To be honest, I don’t even know where he found this piece.”
Liang Weiguo glanced at Fang Jinzhu from behind his magnifying glass, then returned his gaze to the calligraphy and painting. “Then why do you want to sell it?”
Suddenly, his magnifying glass paused at a certain spot on the painting, and he leaned in abruptly.
Fang Jinzhu noted Liang Weiguo’s reaction but continued speaking as usual. “To be honest, my grandfather passed away several years ago. My parents are busy making ends meet and don’t know how to appreciate these old antiques. They thought it would just gather dust in the storage room, so they asked me to come and test the market.”
“…”
Liang Weiguo didn’t respond, his magnifying glass almost pressed against the painting.
Fang Jinzhu felt a bit nervous and anxious too. After saying this, she fell silent and waited quietly nearby.
After about ten minutes, Liang Weiguo had examined every inch of the calligraphy and painting in detail before finally looking up.
His excitement was completely unconcealed as he met Fang Jinzhu’s gaze. “Miss, please wait here for me!!”
Without waiting for Fang Jinzhu’s response, he turned and went into the inner room of the shop.
Another five or six minutes passed before Liang Weiguo emerged, carefully holding a thick, old ancient book. He spread it open on the counter like a treasure, meticulously flipping through it as if searching for something.
“Found it!!”
Just as Fang Jinzhu was feeling puzzled, Liang Weiguo exclaimed loudly. When he looked up, his eyes were gleaming with excitement. “Miss, come take a look quickly!”
Fang Jinzhu hurried over and saw him pointing to an ancient illustration in the book, accompanied by classical annotations. “Miss, look. The painting style and brush techniques of the calligraphy and painting in your hand are very similar to this illustration in the book. Even the seal carving craftsmanship and composition are identical…”
“If my estimation is correct, the lady’s calligraphy and painting originate from the Tangwu Small State two thousand years ago!”