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Chapter 367: Zhu Qianying’s Old Acquaintance

Chapter 367: Chapter 367: Zhu Qianying’s Old Acquaintance

Zhu Qianying had a vague understanding of his intentions, but chose not to delve too deeply into them; after all, if he had something to say, she was happy to let him say it.

Whether she should listen, and whether she should remember what she hears, was her business, wasn’t it?

About twenty minutes later, the car suddenly turned into an ancient street from a bustling city. They arrived at the Luiyin Road that Zhu Qianying was talking about.

"Brother Chen, stop at the fifth unit after you turn into the fourth alleyway, the one with the date-red wooden door!" she instructed.

The car quickly stopped in front of the door she had specified. Zhu Qianying, with the snacks she had bought halfway through the drive, got out of the car.

Following suit, Yan got out as well, walking shoulder to shoulder with her to the date-red wooden door as she rang the doorbell.

After a while, an elderly voice sounded from inside, "Who is it?"

"Uncle Dong, it’s me, Ying Zi!"

The door opened a crack, and an aged face peeked out. Upon recognizing Zhu Qianying, he first looked surprised, then overjoyed, "Ying Zi, is it really you?! I thought I had misheard!"

With the door fully opened, a man who looked about seventy years old stepped aside, inviting Zhu Qianying and Yan inside.

"Ying Zi, when did you come back?"

From the old man’s words, it was evident that he and Zhu Qianying knew each other well.

"I came back a little over a month ago. But, I have been a bit busy recently and couldn’t find time to visit you."

While listening to their nostalgic conversation, Yan took the chance to observe their surroundings.

Upon entering, they were greeted with a shabby courtyard, which led to a similarly old and run-down house.

Yan had never heard Zhu Qianying mention this person before. Then again, had she ever voluntarily shared anything about herself with him?

It took him five years of marriage to learn that she was a jewelry designer; so wasn’t it perfectly normal that he didn’t know anything about her network of friends?

"Ying Zi, Xiao Shao said she’s coming back in two months. Did she tell you about this?"

"Yes, she did mention it to me. It’s good; now you’ll have someone to take care of you, Uncle Dong."

"My old bones don’t need anyone to take care of them. I told her not to come back, but she won’t listen."

Yan, trailing behind, listened to Zhu Qianying and Uncle Dong converse back and forth, and felt a slight sense of jealousy.

On the car ride over, he had spoken to her at length without receiving much of a response, yet she continued to patiently engage in conversation with this old man.

However, Yan managed to glean some information from their conversation: Zhu Qianying and the old man had a mutual acquaintance named Xiao Shao, who was probably a relative of the old man.

"Uncle Dong, Xiao Shao cares about you; you shouldn’t scold her so much, or you might scare her away!"

Listening to their conversation, Yan, the Young Master, was even more puzzled. He had thought that Zhu Qianying intended to purchase gifts, so why were they catching up on old times?

Just when he was lapsing into confusion, Zhu Qianying finally shifted the topic, "Uncle Dong, my friend here is interested in buying some jade artifacts and paintings, and doesn’t mind if they’re a bit pricey."

After saying this, Zhu Qianying cast a glance at Yan.

Being as intelligent as Yan was, he instantly caught on and continued, "Uncle Dong, I am Ying Zi’s friend. I’m going back to Capital City to visit my elders tomorrow, and I thought I might buy some paintings and porcelain to please them."

Only then did Uncle Dong turn to properly look at Yan.

"Alright, let me show you."

Shortly after this, Yan quickly realized why Zhu Qianying had brought him here.

They were led into a room by Uncle Dong, and as soon as the light was turned on, Yan was astonished by the myriad of collectibles stored within.

It was not that he had never seen such a vast collection, but the fact that they lay in such a shabby, dilapidated room was shocking indeed.

Of course, for a wealthy person, these items were not much. Judging from their appearance, the quality was uneven. Whether one could find something valuable from here depended on individual discernment.

Yan had never had much of an interest in these things, but Zhu Qianying was quite proficient; after a round inside the room, she chose a set of white jade cups, a blue and white porcelain vase, and a landscape painting.

Zhu Qianying seemed very satisfied with these items. Holding them carefully, she returned to the living room and whispered into Uncle Dong’s ear, "Uncle Dong, my friend is a rich man. If the price is too low, he won’t take it seriously. So, feel free to quote the price."

Uncle Dong turned his gaze to Yan once more, then gave a nod to Zhu Qianying after a few moments, indicating that he got the message.

"Yan, did you bring a cheque?"

Zhu Qianying winked at Yan, to which Yan immediately responded, "Of course!"

The driver, who had been waiting in the living room, promptly handed over his wallet.

"Alright, Yan, since you are Ying Zi’s friend, I will give you a discount on these three items. How does 150,000 sound?"

"Uncle Dong..."

It seemed as if Zhu Qianying wanted to say something, but Uncle Dong waved his hand, indicating that there’s no need to say anything more.

Zhu Qianying hesitated, then eventually said to Yan, "Yan, please issue a cash cheque of 150,000."

A little while later, after Zhu Qianying and Yan had returned to their car and driven off from the alleyway, Zhu Qianying finally said to Yan, "Give me your account later; I will transfer the money."

Yan knitted his eyebrows, "Since it’s a gift for my grandparents, it’s only normal that I pay for it."

For some reason, Zhu Qianying insisted, "This is a gift from me. It has nothing to do with you!"

Her obstinate demeanor reminded Yan of a few years back, when she had first visited his parents and gifted them a jade Ruyi artifact. Worried that she was spending beyond her means, he had insisted on reimbursing her. Back then, just like now, she had become irritated!

Her tendency to draw clear boundaries with him at such times, whether in the past or the present, had always left him with a headache.

However, whereas he had been oblivious and acted on whim back then, even against her will, he would definitely not be so foolish now.

Since she insisted, he thought, he might as well respect her decision!

"Alright, I’ll send you the account details via email."

After he sent his account details to her via his mobile phone, he asked, "Is Uncle Dong your friend’s father?"

Zhu Qianying hesitated, then nodded, "Sort of!"

"Sort of?" Yan was confused as to what she meant by that.

"Well, Xiao Shao is my very good friend, and Uncle Dong could be considered her foster father."

"I see!" It looked like Zhu Qianying’s circle of friends was truly different from that of the young heiresses of L City.

Perhaps, it had something to do with her own awkward position?

"Actually, Uncle Dong’s asking price for those three items was at least 20% lower than their market value. However, that’s simply how he is. Otherwise, I suppose he wouldn’t be in his current situation."

Only then did Yan understand why Zhu Qianying had misled Uncle Dong into assuming that Yan was the buyer.

No doubt, if Uncle Dong knew that Zhu Qianying was the buyer, the price would have been even lower.