Read Novel Full Chapter 70.2 – Buy a Fake (II)
Chapter 70.2 – Buy a Fake (II)
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The three kids each had a caterpillar and played almost all morning, sneaking scares here and there. Whenever the adults showed even the slightest fear, the kids would laugh endlessly.
At noon, Xia Mian forced them to take a nap in bed.
“Chenchen, aren’t you supposed to go out with your Dad today? Hurry up, he’ll be here as soon as you wake up.”
“Xiao Feng, we’re going out this afternoon too, remember?”
“Huizhu, didn’t you promise to play with Niuniu?”
Only then did the kids settle down.
After an hour’s nap, the kids woke up one by one. Xia Mian took Xiao Feng and met up with Ning Shaoyun for a visit to an art exhibition. Most of the works were by Zhu Yuanhai and his top disciples, so Ning Shaoyun had specifically told Xia Mian to take Xiao Feng to see them. Although Xiao Feng hadn’t officially started learning painting techniques, his artistic nurturing began early, and he had a strong talent in this area.
Huo Xuewen drove them. He had promised his son to take him ice skating, so he was giving them a ride to the gallery after picking up the child.
Before getting out of the car, Ning Shaoyun carefully gave Huo Xuewen and Chenchen a few reminders. The father and son listened attentively. Just as Ning Shaoyun was about to get out, Huo Xuewen suddenly said, “Xiao Yun, what time will you finish? I’ll come pick you up.”
Ning Shaoyun smiled. “No need, I’m not sure either. Just take good care of Chenchen.”
Huo Xuewen pursed his lips and said nothing further. Xia Mian could tell he wasn’t silent out of awkwardness like before, but was overly cautious, as if afraid of upsetting Ning Shaoyun. Xia Mian sighed quietly and said nothing—this was Ning Shaoyun’s private matter, and she just needed to support her when necessary.
The exhibition was quite crowded. Zhu Yuanhai was a respected figure in the field, so his disciples naturally attracted attention, and many had come to look at their latest creations. Ning Shaoyun took Xia Mian and Xiao Feng upstairs to the lounge, where Zhu Yuanhai and several disciples were gathered.
As soon as they entered, they were greeted with great enthusiasm.
“Oh, our baby Xiao Feng is here!”
“Little Junior Brother, come here! Let Senior Sister have a good look at you—it’s been so long.”
“No, no. Xiao Feng, let me hold you, Your poor Senior Brother’s so nervous.”
In almost the blink of an eye, the little guy was surrounded. Xiao Feng seemed used to their attention and, seeing the senior brothers and sisters reaching for him, quickly ran to Zhu Yuanhai, hugging his leg and seeking help: “Teacher!”
Zhu Yuanhai smiled and patted his little head. To his other disciples, he said, “Stop teasing him. Are you going to embarrass me now?”
His disciples laughed.
“Well, with Xiao Feng here, we’re not nervous anymore.”
“Let’s get Xiao Feng to look at our paintings. He’s our best critic!”
Although Xiao Feng didn’t understand the world of art collection, he had very sensitive and rich emotions. In short, any painting that moved him had to be good.
“Baby Xiao Feng, come on, let’s go downstairs to see the paintings.”
Xiao Feng looked up at Zhu Yuanhai, who smiled warmly. “Go ahead. Take a look at a lot of paintings and learn more.”
“Auntie!” The boy immediately ran fast toward Xia Mian, afraid the senior brothers and sisters would catch him.
Everyone burst out laughing.
“Look at this clever little thing.”
“Yeah, his legs move so fast now, we can’t catch him.”
“Haha! He was so well-behaved at first.”
Xia Mian let out a soft laugh. Though she wasn’t part of their circle, she knew them all. During the New Year, she brought Xiao Feng along to pay respects to Zhu Yuanhai, where she met his other disciples. They all adored their little junior brother and handed him generous red envelopes.
Xiao Feng knew he was being doted upon, but today he wanted to stay with his aunt, so he held tightly onto Xia Mian’s leg and urged, “Auntie, let’s go look at the paintings.”
Xia Mian picked him up, and the seniors followed along. “Come on, let Xiao Feng ‘review’ them for us.”
Hearing this, Xiao Feng hugged Xia Mian’s neck tightly, as if afraid they would snatch him away.
Amused, one senior sister stroked his tuft hair. “Don’t worry, we won’t take you today. We shall look at the paintings together, okay?”
Xia Mian didn’t understand much about art, but once Xiao Feng saw the paintings, he became very focused, as if he could sense the wonderful world behind the colors.
The seniors walked behind them, quietly discussing and teasing Xiao Feng about his impressions of the paintings. When the child showed signs of relaxation, happiness, sadness, or amazement, the artist was always very pleased.
“Look, our Xiao Feng is feeling it.”
“Haha, it’s settled, I’m not nervous anymore.”
“We won’t embarrass the teacher.”
Gradually, everyone dispersed to attend to their own matters. Xia Mian took Xiao Feng and slowly continued looking. Before they knew it, more than two hours passed. After seeing the last painting, Xia Mian turned to look for Ning Shaoyun and found her awkwardly surrounded by two young men.
Xia Mian hurried over and recognized one of them. “Teacher Xinyun, I didn’t expect to meet you here!” The young man said, barely containing his excitement. He tapped his forehead, “Oh right, this is Professor Zhu’s disciples’ exhibition, it’s only natural for you to come.”
This was Wei Hongqiu, who had been very admiring of Ning Shaoyun at the Old Master Ning’s birthday banquet. The other young man, Xia Mian didn’t know, and Ning Shaoyun’s unease seemed to come from him.
He was dressed smartly, handsome, wearing gold-rimmed glasses that gave him a somewhat scholarly aura. But the way he looked at Ning Shaoyun was… intense?
“Ah, so you are Teacher Xinyun, I’ve heard so much about you,” the second young man said. “I’m Ren Xiude…”
Wei Hongqiu interjected, looking genuinely puzzled. “Teacher Xinyun hasn’t released any public works yet. Where did you hear about her?”
Xia Mian suppressed a smile. This Young Master Wei was indeed innocent and straightforward.
Ren Xiude looked a little embarrassed, glancing helplessly at Wei Hongqiu, then said to Ning Shaoyun, “I’ve misspoken.”
He continued introducing himself, “I love art, so I opened this gallery. It’s truly an honor to attract an artist like you.”
Ning Shaoyun smiled politely. “So you’re the gallery owner. Quite young and accomplished.”
Ren Xiude laughed. “You flatter me, Teacher Xinyun.” He checked his watch. “It’s already this hour… a friend of mine just opened a French restaurant. The food’s quite good. I wonder if I might have the honor of inviting you to afternoon tea?”
Wei Hongqiu excitedly said, “If Teacher Xinyun goes, I want to go too!”
Ning Shaoyun quickly declined, “Sorry, I have other plans later.”
Ren Xiude said regretfully, “Then another time. How about exchanging contact info, Teacher Xinyun?”
This smooth approach made Xia Mian raise an eyebrow.
Ning Shaoyun kept smiling politely but said nothing—a clear refusal.
Ren Xiude laughed it off, “Looks like I was presumptuous. I thought since we’re all in the art world, we’d cross paths again.”
His response left Ning Shaoyun feeling embarrassed.
“Yes, Brother Ren, we’ll meet again when there’s a chance,” Wei Hongqiu said with a bright smile.
Xia Mian wasn’t sure if this young man really meant it or was just trying to ease the situation for Ning Shaoyun. Taking the opportunity, she stepped forward and linked arms with Ning Shaoyun. “Sister Ning, are you done? It’s getting late; we should go.”
Ning Shaoyun breathed a sigh of relief and said to the men, “Then I’ll take my leave first.”
Wei Hongqiu was completely like a fan meeting their idol, happily saying, “Keep it up, Teacher Xinyun. I’m looking forward to seeing your work!”
Ren Xiude looked full of disappointment and regret.
This made Ning Shaoyun a bit uncomfortable, so she quickly left with Xia Mian and Xiao Feng. The three of them went upstairs to bid farewell to Zhu Yuanhai and his disciples, then came down preparing to go home. They needed to cross this pedestrian street to reach the main road where they could catch a taxi.
Then, as they passed a street, Xiao Feng’s steps slowed down, and he kept looking around.
Xia Mian was puzzled, “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Feng pointed at an antique shop, “Auntie, antiques.”
Xia Mian: “…”
This whole area was full of galleries and art museums frequented by wealthy people and collectors. Gradually, the street developed into an antique street.
Ning Shaoyun let out an amused chuckle, “He remembers things very well. Now even his senior brothers and sisters know he likes antiques.”
“Every time Xiao Feng hides from them, as soon as antiques are mentioned, he immediately pops his head out.”
Xia Mian laughed too and patted the kid’s hair tuft, “How about we buy one?”
Since he was so fixated, it was better to just buy one, lest he keep getting tricked.
Xiao Feng’s eyes lit up in an instant, “Find a bargain!”
Xia Mian was both amused and exasperated, “Alright! A bargain it is, and if we don’t find one, that’s okay.”
Ning Shaoyun murmured, “This street might be well-known, but real collectors know that genuine antiques are more likely to be found in Zhuyu Alley. Around here, they mostly target newly rich novices—it’s rare to come across a true bargain.”
“That’s just perfect!” Xia Mian whispered back. Anyway, this kid didn’t know what was real or fake, as long as it was bought on the antique street, that obsession would be gone for now. They could explain things properly when he grew up.
Ning Shaoyun smiled and shook her head.
So Xia Mian took Xiao Feng along the street, seriously examining rows of ‘antiques.’ Although they decided to just buy something casually, since they were spending money, it might as well be something nice or practical.
…
“Boss, this one’s really authentic,” the man’s voice was full of urgency, “This vase has a pair. The other was sold at last year’s auction for a hundred thousand. I’m selling this one for just twenty thousand, really, twenty thousand.”
“I’m selling cheap because I’m in urgent need of money.”
“Give me a break, every one of those selling fake antiques says the same,” the shop owner clearly wasn’t convinced, “I’d pay you at most two hundred for that vase.”
“That can’t be.” The man’s voice sounded like on the verge of tears.
Xia Mian curiously glanced over and saw a man wearing an old military green jacket full of patches, looking fairly young but with a face full of sorrow and red-rimmed eyes.
Some shop owners watching the commotion teased, “That’s pretty convincing.”
“Perhaps you should consider an acting career.”
It seemed this kind of thing happened often here. Xia Mian didn’t pay much attention until she felt a sudden tug on her hand. She glanced down and found Xiao Feng suddenly stopped, staring fixedly at the brightly colored vase in the man’s arms.
Xia Mian: “???”
The boy pointed at the vase, “Antique!”
Xia Mian was stunned for a moment, then looked at the vase, which did look somewhat familiar.
Ning Shaoyun also vaguely recalled, “Is that the enamel ware from the previous dynasty that was at the auction?”
“Enamel goose-patterned yuhuchun vase,” Xiao Feng recited in a childish voice.
Xia Mian: “!!!”
‘Are all geniuses like this? Months later and still remembering?’
The man holding the porcelain vase suddenly brightened when he heard this, looking at Xia Mian excitedly, “You recognize it!”
‘No, it might be hard to believe, but only this little guy recognized it.’
Author’s Note:
Xia Mian: “I only planned to buy a fake, really!”