Zhuo Yu Feng Yang Chapter 15
byChapter 15: Undercurrents Before the Exchange Fair
With only three days left until the South City Antique Exchange Fair, a restless energy permeated the air of Antique Street. Every shop was busy inventorying their treasures, preparing to make an appearance at the fair. Only the entrance of Xianyun Studio bore a wooden sign reading “Closed for Rectification,” yet this did not stop the constant stream of people coming to inquire.
Jiang Zhuo had just placed the last restored blue-and-white porcelain vase with scrolling lotus patterns onto the curio shelf when his phone rang. It was the organizer of the exchange fair, whose tone was polite but somewhat distant: “Boss Jiang, I sincerely apologize, but there was a temporary issue with the booth originally reserved for you. I’m afraid we’ll have to move you to a corner spot.”
Jiang Zhuo’s fingertip paused on the gold foil pattern of the vase, his eyes chilling slightly.
He didn’t need to guess; Tiger was clearly pulling strings behind the scenes.
He spoke calmly, “It’s fine, a corner is a corner. As long as we can get in, the location doesn’t matter.”
The organizer sounded relieved, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then hung up.
Wang Youde happened to push the door open and walked in. Hearing the conversation, he slapped his thigh in anger: “This is clearly Tiger buying off the organizers! This is too much! No, I’m going to go argue with the organizers!”
“Don’t go,” Jiang Zhuo stopped him. “The exchange fair is crowded and full of prying eyes. Making a scene would only be a poor move. A corner booth might not necessarily be a bad thing.”
Wang Youde was stunned. “How so?”
“Tiger wants to humiliate me, but I intend to use that corner spot to make sure everyone remembers the name Xianyun Studio,” Jiang Zhuo’s gaze rested on the blue-and-white vase, the gold foil shimmering under the light. “Besides, the eyes in the shadows are the ones that see the clearest.”
Wang Youde pondered for a moment, then realized, “You kid, your mind is much sharper than mine! Alright, I’ll listen to you!”
As they were talking, Jiang Zhuo’s phone vibrated again. It was a message from Lu Chen, containing only a few words: [A lead on the Buddha head has surfaced. One of the people who handled it back then is a special guest at the exchange fair, surnamed Chen, nicknamed “Old Ghost Chen.” Tiger has been getting very close to him recently.]
Jiang Zhuo’s brow lifted.
Old Ghost Chen was somewhat notorious. This man was an old hand in the antique circle, having made his fortune years ago by smuggling cultural relics. Later, he whitewashed his identity and became a so-called “appraisal expert,” often pretending to authenticate items at exchange fairs, while secretly engaging in resale schemes.
It seemed Tiger intended to use the exchange fair as an opportunity to finalize the Buddha head transaction with Old Ghost Chen.
“Lu Chen found something,” Jiang Zhuo handed the phone to Wang Youde. “Tiger’s target is the lost gold-inlaid jade Buddha head from the Old Summer Palace, and one of the handlers is a special guest at this exchange fair.”
Wang Youde’s expression turned serious after reading the message. “Old Ghost Chen? That old bastard is no pushover; he has more tricks up his sleeve than a sieve has holes. Nothing good can come from Tiger teaming up with him.”
“Good or bad, we’ll only know once we meet them,” Jiang Zhuo put away his phone, his tone calm. “I want to see what kind of show these two are putting on.”
In the afternoon, Jiang Zhuo went to Jubao Pavilion.
The elderly man named Lin was sitting in the courtyard, basking in the sun and rubbing an ancient jade piece. Seeing Jiang Zhuo enter, he raised his eyes. “Young man, I heard about the situation at Xianyun Studio.”
“Elder Lin is well-informed,” Jiang Zhuo sat down on a stone stool.
“That scoundrel Tiger was in cahoots with Old Ghost Chen back then, cheating many people,” Elder Lin’s fingers gently rubbed the ancient jade. “Zhou Jingshan was framed precisely because he threatened their dealings.”
Jiang Zhuo’s heart skipped a beat. “You know about what happened back then?”
“I know a little,” Elder Lin sighed. “They were afraid Zhou Jingshan would discover the secret documents hidden in the interlayer of the incomplete scrolls. Tiger and Old Ghost Chen intercepted and swapped the scrolls, then framed him, all to silence Zhou Jingshan.”
This hidden truth subtly aligned with the information on the USB drive. Jiang Zhuo’s eyes darkened further. “Where is the Buddha head now?”
“I don’t know,” Elder Lin shook his head. “Old Ghost Chen is tight-lipped, and Tiger has only grasped the surface. At this exchange fair, they probably plan to use the crowded environment to exchange clues about the Buddha head.”
Elder Lin paused, then took a jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Zhuo. “I’ve worn this for decades. Take it. When Old Ghost Chen sees this pendant at the exchange fair, he will show some respect.”
Jiang Zhuo took the pendant. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, and the character “Lin” was carved on it. He gripped the pendant and thanked him solemnly, “Thank you, Elder Lin.”
“Don’t thank me,” Elder Lin waved his hand. “I only hope that Zhou Jingshan can be cleared of suspicion soon.”
When he left Jubao Pavilion, the sun was already setting in the west. Jiang Zhuo held the jade pendant, feeling a weight in his heart.
All the clues in his hands were now intertwined. The truth was not far off.
He returned to Xianyun Studio, placed the pendant in his inner pocket, and then took out his toolbox to begin polishing a small seal. The seal was made of Shoushan stone, engraved with the three characters “Xianyun Studio.” The carving was sharp, conveying a sense of resilience.
He intended to bring this seal to the exchange fair.
Even in the most remote corner booth, he would ensure the name Xianyun Studio resonated throughout the venue.
As night deepened, Jiang Zhuo’s phone lit up again. It was a message from Lu Chen: [I will be there on the day of the exchange fair. My younger brother will also be going with the old lady to watch the excitement. Please look out for him.]
Jiang Zhuo’s fingertip paused.
Lu Jingyang.
He replied with a simple “Okay,” put away his phone, and looked out at the night.
The wind was blowing, the clouds were moving, and a storm was quietly brewing.
The South City Antique Exchange Fair was destined not to be peaceful.