An Yuanxi asked again.
"Zhou Di, I heard that you have a good relationship with Yang Chen. Do you know where he is now?"
Zhou Di replied cautiously:
"Actually I stayed at his villa for a few days to restore some porcelain items for him. I wouldn't say that we have a good relationship. As for where he is, I think he must be in Qudu."
An Yuanxi pressed further:
"Do you think it is he who transported all the antiques from the Cultural Relics Bureau to Qudu?"
Zhou Di responded:
"Sir, I can't say for certain. I did not have worked at the bureau for a long time. Could you tell me who informed you that he's involved in moving the antiques from the bureau?"
An Yuanxi ignored his questions and said:
" I've heard he is particularly interested in the antiques and jade items, especially a pair of so-called 'gay's mummy'. Well, you are here to repair my things but let me warn you: not to play any tricks. You are working for too slowly."
Guan Yunkai, with blood dripping from his mouth, interjected:
"Commander, we have been trying our best to work as quickly as possible. Some of them are really difficult to repair and even Hu Zhenghan is helping us now."
An Yuanxi looked around at the three of them and then waved his hand dismissively. They left as abruptly as they had arrived, leaving the three persons slumped in their chairs, exhalling deeply. Hu Zhenghan kept rubbing his chest, while Zhou Di felt relieved that no one had discovered the exact locationof the relics from the Cultural Relics Bureau. However, some questions lingered in his mind: Who told An Yuanxi that I was an apprentice in the Guan family? Who informed An Yuanxi about my connection with Yang Chen? Could it be Guan Yunkai? Maybe. Or Hu Zhenghan? No, it couldn't be Hu Zhenghan because he didn't know that I had restored the porcelains for Yang Chen. It must be Guan Yunkai. Zhou Di glanced sideways at Guan Yunkai, who was also looking at him with a puzzled expression. Guan Yunkai, with resentment in his voice, said:
"Who told An Yuanxi that someone in my family can carve the ball sculpture?"
Zhou Di shouted back:
"Who? It must have be you."
"Why would you think it is me? My father never told anyone about this except me. My uncle, Guan Jing, is the only one who ever carved a 25-layer ball sculpture."
"If it wasn't you, then who else could it be?" Zhou Di thought back carefully to the moment he met Guan Qin. Suddenly he said in a low voice, "Yes, there was someone else there at that time but I don't know his full name. His surname is Chen. Do you know who he is?"
Upon hearing this, Guan Yunkai's face became darkening, replied
"Chen Qing, a prominent figure in the appraisal world. Could it have be him? Oh, no....."
At that moment, Yang Zichun walked into the room and said:
"Pa, Chen'er peed."
Zhou Di groaned:
"How did he pee again?"
Hu Zhenghan chuckled and said:
"Chun'er is really smart. While you all went out to meet the Wasoku bastard, he poured a glass of water onto Aichen's diaper, then threw the wet diaper into the trash tin, took a piece of cloth and solemnly started wiping Aichen's butt. He was so calm, even calmer than me. In fact, I was so scared that I couldn't stop shaking."
Zhou Di smiled, patted Yang Zichun on the head and then kissed him on the forehead, thinking: "A wise goose never lays a tame egg. He is indeed Yang Chen's child."
But as he turned around, he noticed Guan Yunkai looking downcast. He didn't ask him anything and followed Yang Zichun to change Aichen's diaper. This time Aichen had really peed. While changing the diaper for Zhou Aichen, Zhou Di spoke to Yang Zichun:
"Chun'er, go and ask Uncle Guan come here."
After a shot while, Guan Yunkai walked in the room, his expression heavy with dejection. Zhou Di asked:
"What's wrong with you? You've seemed distracted ever since Chen Qing's name came up. Does he know a lot about your family?"
Guan Yunkai sighed and said:
"My father was quite close to him. They often examined the valuable items together. Whenever they got something noteworthy, they showed it off to each other and even boasting. If he has said anything to that Wasoku butcher, I am afraid someone in my family might be in danger."
"But An Yuanxi didn't press you further about the antiques in your family. I doubt that Chen Qing has disclosed much to An Yuanxi at this point. Actually, I don't think that Chen Qing would ever willingly share such information with An Yuanxi. On the contrary he might want to keep them for himself. Does he know where your family has hidden the antiques?"
"I don't think so. Only members of my family know where they are. Actually my father had kept this secret until I turned 40 years old, and even then, he strictly instructed me never to disclose it to anyone, not even my wife and children. Actually I have never seen them there yet."
"Does Chen Qing know where your family is?"
"Yes, he does. That is what worries me. I have two sons. The elder son, Guan Zhengjie, doesn't take anything seriously and only has superficial knowledge about everything. He learned some carving skills from my father when he was an obedient child, but now he spends most of his time at auction houses with Lin. My younger son, Guan Zhengtao, is truly talented at carving, especially the jade carving. However, he is extremely introverted and inexperienced. Although he's already 17, he lacks exposure to the world, which limits his understanding and knowledge. I intended to take him out to gain more experienc, but now..."
His voice trailed off, filled with uncertainty.
After saying this, Guan Yunkai couldn't help but sigh. Zhou Di comforted him:
"Just do what you think is best. Sighing won't change anything now. I suspect that Chen Qing is currently putting pressure on your family. If your wife and children don't know where your antiques are, I don't think it is useful for him to pressure them further. He will eventually come here. When that happens, you'll have the chance to see what he is going to do and then we can figure out a solution together."
Guan Yunkai nodded and replied:
"That seems to be the only option. If he does come, you'll have to help me out at any time. After all, he is from the older generation so there are some things I can't say outright. I was told that you're assertive and forthright. You can speak your mind without hesitation. Can I count on you?"
Zhou Di glanced at him and said:
"If he is really causing trouble for your family, why are you so concerned about his status as your elder generation? For protecting your interests, you must say what you need to say and do what you have to do, just like your father did. Don't care about who he is, even if he were a God. But rest assured, I will help you when you need it. But ultimately, this is your responsibility. After all these treasures belong to your family. Learn more from your father's example."
Guan Yunkai, inspired his encouragement by Zhou Di's words, felt his spirits lift and immediately responded firmly:
"Alright, I may not have the ability to do something against the Wasoku people. But if Chen Qing really threatens my family, I will face him head-on and do my best to protect them. If my home is destroyed, there is no point for me being scared."
As expected, about a week later, Chen Qing and his son, Chen Geng arrived in Yucheng. However, it was so strange that they went directly to Zhou Di's shop. Who had informed them where Gun Yunkai was living now? Zhou Di intended to meet them with Guan Yunkai together, but Guan Yunkai refused. To his surprise, he found his wife also present as well. He quickly stepped forward, took her by the arm and asked:
"What's going on? Why are you here?"
She replied:
"Yunkai, the Chen family is pressuring me to hand over Dad's collections. I told them all the pieces had been smashed by Dad, but they don't believe me and insisted on bringing me here to ask you."
Guan Yunkai turned to Chen Qing and said:
"Uncle Chen, what is the meaning of this? If you want my father's collections, you should ask Commander An Yuanxi. Why are you pressuring us like this? Let me make it clear: my father had smashed all of his collections."
Chen Qing replied calmly:
"I have seen those fragments myself, but some valuable items were not among those fragments. Out of respect for my friendship with your father, I did not have informed the Commander. If he finds out, do you think you and your wife would survive?"
Guan Yunkai, his frustration mounting, said:
"Uncle Chen, I don't know what you are talking about. I don't understand why you keep insisting that my father had more antiques which I have never seen. Fine, you are a good friend of my father. Maybe he showed you some valuable items, but I don't know which kind of items he had shown you. I'm his son but I don't know where they are if it is true. Now that suddenly he has passed away, he didn't get a chance to tell me anything. How could I possibly know what collections he had? Now you come here and tell me about this. Even you demanded some answers. Sorry, I have no idea what you want me to say."
Chen Geng sneered and said:
"Yunkai, my dear brother, who would believe you? No one believes that your father didn't tell you where his collections are before he died."
Guan Yunkai shot back:
"Chen Geng, even you also mentioned that they were my father's collections so it's none of your business. Whether my father told me or not is my concern. Uncle Chen, you are so closer to my father. Did he ever share anything else with you?"
Chen Qing was disappointed at this and asked:
"Are you saying your father didn't leave any kind of will to you?"
"You know how my father died. He was in good health and passed away suddenly. He had no time to write his will."
Chen Qing sighed and apologized:
"Sorry, Yunkai, it is my fault for pressing. It seems that your father really didn't tell you before he died. Geng, leave the money for Yunkai."
Guan Yunkai asked, confused
"For what?"
Mrs Guan interjected, her voice trembling:
"Yunkai, he wants to buy our house."
Panicked, Guan Yunkai protested:
"No! This is our only house to live now. If we sell it, where do we live?"
Mrs. Guan burst into tears and said:
"Our children have left home. It's just me now."
Guan Yunkai was surprised at this, shouting:
"What? Where are our children? Tell me clearly what is going on."
Mrs. Guan held onto Guan Yunkai, gripping him on the collar and staring intently at him. Guan Yunkai understood immediately what she meant and spoke up:
"Uncle Chen, the Guan family has lived in this house for three or four generations. If I sell our ancestral property to anyone, I would be an unfilial son. Even though our family is torn apart right now, I believe there be a day when we can reunite. I need to keep this house for my children and grandchildren so I can't sell it. Please, Uncle Chen, you were my father's closest friend and you know more about my family well. Why do you want to buy my house? Where will my wife live if you buy it?"
Suddenly Chen Geng pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Guan Yunkai, saying:
"Then let your wife live here. This is a notice from the Wasoku Garrison in Yichun requisitioning your house. My father, out of respect for his friendship with your father, offered you some money. But you have chosen punishment over reward. Fine, this notice is to save money for my father."
Guan Yunkai was shocked, trembling as he took the notice. With tears in his eyes, he said:
"Chen Qing, I once thought you were my father's best friend. But now, after he was killed by the Wasoku people, you're treating us like this, taking advantage of your position with the backing of the Wasoku people. Can you justify this to your conscience? You're truly betraying the friendship you had with my father. You have colluded with Wasoku people to seize my house. Do you dare to tell them how many antiques you have hidden in your home? Do you really think they can let you go?"
Chen Geng retorted with hatred:
"Guan Yunkai, don't try to threaten us. All of the antiques belonging to our family have already been handed over to the Wasoku people. Now we're just searching for more antiques to hand over to the Wasoku people. My father is now the director of the Antiquities Research Institute, leading a major research project on Midlands antiques for the Wasoku. Out of respect for your past friendship with my father, my father did not press you too hard before. But now, It's like casting pearls before swine, failing to recognize a good opportunity when you see it."
After saying this, Chen Qing and Chen Geng left the shop. Guan Yunkai hugged his wife, standing silently for a while. Finally he spoke up:
"Let me arrange a place for you to live first."
He walked into the studio and saw Zhou Di and Hu Zhenghan working, one was repairing and the other was carving a jade piece. Yang Zichun was drawing something on a scrap material while Zhou Aichen slept peacefully in the basket beside him. Guan Yunkai addressed to Zhou Di:
"Mr. Zhou, can we have a private conversation with you?"
"Sure."
Zhou Di replied, following Guan Yunkai out.