Wuxi City is a well-known ancient city, newly built around 500 BC as written in history’s record. To this date, it has already existed for about 2500 years. Owing to its long-established history, Wuxi City has an abundant culture, therefore it’s h.o.a.rded antiques such as calligraphy and paintings has been thriving. Inside the city there are many antique stores, also, there are large scale antique bazaars in the area.
Among the antique bazaars, Cheng Huang Temple is very well-known. At present this coming weekend, there will be a bazaar to get rid off many treasures which many people will be attending. With the growing living standards, more and more people are slowly being fond of antiques. That is why bazaars always bring a lot of people together and is always bustling.
On the street in front of the Chang Huang Temple, at either sides of the road are vendor stalls. All the owners of these stalls were putting their utmost energy to sell objects to pa.s.sing customers.
In front of one unremarkable small vendor booth, there was an individual with a figure that is thin and tall. His nimble expression shows that he is a youngster, and in front of him was an old man wearing plain and simple clothes. He was selling items that were engraved bamboos.
“Respectable elder, you seem to be a person that is experienced, so for the other people do not say anything!” The youngster who spoke was named Li Yuan, his face had a serious expression when he spoke: “Observing the workmanship in these engravings, these things are wrapped in starch paste. This must be at least a Qing Dynasty good right? I only quote the seller’s first offer of 2500, looking at these things, if another person asks, I would say that it is at least two to three times the price!:”
Li Yuan met with the old man a while ago, however it seems that he was unable to trick him. Listening to to what was said and with shining eyes he asked: “Truthfully, if other people were to come here you would have multiplied the price!”
Li Yuan glared with his two eyes and said: “Without a doubt, at least multiplied it two to three times. Do not tell anyone else, these things came from the p.a.w.n shop. After selling two to three times the price to a suitable client, it will not be an issue!”
Hearing that these bamboo engravings were used for moneymaking, the old man was all the more emotionally interested. However he was somewhat hesitant in acquiring these bamboo engravings.
Looking at Li Yuan his age must not be old, maybe not much older than twenty. However despite this he was an experienced person. He knew that at this time he must not forcefully urge his counterpart, if he failed in baiting he might scare him away. Therefore after a while ago he has not said much, only showing a smiling expression to his counterpart.
As within the expectation of Li Yuan, the old man very quickly decided with determination. Trembling he fished out money from his pockets, at the same time in a low voice he murmured: “In any case if that old woman’s medical care needs to be paid again next week, I will buy these in advance and think about it later!”
Originally when he saw the old man bring out his money, Li Yuan from the bottom of his heart was joyous. However he heard what his counterpart said, his smiling expression froze.
Li Yuan’s facial expression became rigid, he asked the old fellow: “You said that this money was originally supposed to be for a doctor checkup?”
The old man nodded his head: “Yes, this money was supposed to be for the checkup of that old woman. However since this is a good opportunity, I will make an early investment! In any case so long as I buy this bamboo engravings, I do not need to worry about that old woman’s medical care!”
When the old man was speaking, Li Yuan’s hand extended to his pocket. There was a sound and he brought out his counterfeit phone, in a loud voice he spoke: “Yes, yes, the bamboo engraving is with me. What? There is someone who wants it? There is also someone who wants to buy it here..? 3500?! Good, good, I will at once go there and meet up with you!”
Slowly putting away his phone, Li Yuan apologetically faced the old man: “I am very sorry, respectable elder this object, my friend wants it. Therefore… there is not much I can do, I can only be unfair. I am very sorry!”
“Ai ai, didn’t we already have an agreement?” The old man resentfully argued, however Li Yuan was determined in saying no. The old man had no choice but to slowly walk away.
However it could not be avoided as he was walking away he was angrily mumbling. Naturally the youngster was unable to negotiate trustworthiness.
Looking at the back of the old man leaving, Li Yuan displayed a bitter smile. In fact no one was really interested in buying his bamboo engravings. He only said those things in the phone in order to trick the old man into leaving.
Li Yuan without a doubt did things for the sake of buying and selling, however he also had a bottom line as a person. He knew that the money was supposed to be used for visiting the doctor, Li Yuan did not hesitate to cancel the transaction for little money. Inside, Li Yuan could not help but sigh, in his mind he thought: “Ai, my luck!”
Inside his pocket, Li Yuan only had a remaining of 300 Yuan, he could not help but expose a helpless smile. After looking up at the sky, he began to pack up the small stall. Although it was still quite early, he still had something to do,
He skillfully fixed up the stall, then Li Yuan went to his bicycle to depart the Cheng Huang Temple market. In the busy main street, Li Yuan was riding his bike moving forward.
From time to time a luxurious limousine pa.s.ses by Li Yuan, sometimes through the car window he sees a beautiful young lady. When such a time period pa.s.ses, on Li Yuan’s eyes it could be seen that there is a flash of envy and admiration. After all his age of manhood has arrived, such a beautiful woman has a big attraction.
Ever since his mother pa.s.sed away, after his senior high school he never continued to study. Rather he began to mix in with the market place and set up a stall. In Li Yuan’s mind, he has truly arrived at the bottom of society, the beautiful girl in the grand car is only but a remote dream and nothing more.
However even if he knew it perfectly well, Li Yuan never renounced his dreams. In his mind he thought, “If life didn’t have a dream, compared to being a fish what is the difference.”
“Let’s wait and see, sooner or later one will reach the heavens. When that time comes a grand car will be bought, and in every car there will be a beautiful girl sitting inside!” Looking at the BMW 4 series by his side, Li Yuan in his mind loudly spoke out.
However Li Yuan’s bright future unexpectedly appeared by smashing on his forehead. Li Yuan even heard a bang, although it hurt, it was truly scary.
“What is this!” Li Yuan at once stopped his bike, immediately looking at what caused the disaster—on the floor there was something spinning, it was a peach pit.
“Who did this, who would throw such a litter away!” Li Yuan loudly complained and looked around. He was searching for the person who threw the peach pit that hit his head.
However where Li Yuan was currently at, there were no buildings or pedestrians. Even in the fast lane there were no cars at all. This caused him to be confused, in the event that there were no people at all, then were did this peach pit come from?
In such a surrounding it was impossible for it to happen, Li Yuan’s attention suddenly focused on the peach pit. He picked it up from the ground, looking at it, it doesn’t seem to be a normal peach pit. It possessed a thin veined pattern, and it appeared to be a deep purple color. It had a smooth and glossy appearance on the surface, it clearly looked like an old toy.
Li Yuan was constantly at the market place in Cheng Huang Temple, his insight was usually correct. It really did seem that this peach pit was different, the hit he received on his head which caused him anger dissipated. With bliss he said: “It seems that the heavens really care, it’s time for my fortune to change. Next week I will sell off this peach pit, who knows I might be able to sell it for several hundreds of cash. Maybe this will solve my rent for next month, haha, this is genuinely good!”