Zhang Yingying fell into deep thought following Yun Que'er's words.
Zhang Yingying knew all too well about opportunities.
Back then, someone had introduced an opportunity for her father to work as a waiter in a big restaurant in the city.
At that time, most of the restaurants in the city served the leaders. So, getting a job as a waiter there was a great opportunity. Maybe one could meet some influential people and if they got along well, there might be more opportunities in the future.
Moreover, the salary was decent and there were chances for promotion.
However, after much thought, Lao Zhang decided it was too far away. He didn't know when he could come back if he went.
He was afraid that his wife and daughter would be bullied if he left them behind, so he declined the offer and later went to work in a dry - wet powder factory.
As years went by, Lao Zhang developed pneumoconiosis and his illness got worse and worse.
Last year, he couldn't catch his breath. He passed away before even reaching the hospital.
Zhang Yingying knew that her father had given up the chance in the city for the sake of her and her mother. Once the opportunity was gone, so was his life.
Even now, Zhang Yingying hated herself for being so young back then, only knowing how to play and have fun, and not persuading Lao Zhang to go to the city.
Yun Que'er noticed Zhang Yingying's sad expression and guessed that she must have recalled something sad. She quickly said,
"Sister Yingying, take your time to consider. There's no need to reply in a hurry."
Zhang Yingying nodded with red eyes. "Thank you. I will definitely think it over carefully."
Just then, Yun Jianzhou rushed over in a hurry.
"Xiao Que'er!"
Out of breath, Yun Jianzhou stopped in front of Yun Que'er. "There's something. Come with me."
Yun Que'er thought something serious had happened. She quickly said goodbye to Zhang Yingying and followed Yun Jianzhou.
It turned out that when they got home, it wasn't a big deal at all. Yun Jianzhou had already found out how to melt gold through his friend.
"You won't believe it. His great - grandfather was a goldsmith back then and left behind a set of tools for melting gold. He also wrote down the method."
Yun Que'er was overjoyed. "Are you sure it's reliable?"
"Reliable, definitely reliable." Yun Jianzhou waved his hand. "I asked his father to take the tools and the booklet to the town. The people there said it's an ancient method. Although the tools left behind are a bit old and not as good as the new ones, they can still be used."
Yun Que'er thought about it for a while and thought it was feasible.
Although the gold made with the old equipment and method would contain some impurities and the price would surely be lower, it was better than having the gold sit idle.
"Then, where are the things?"
"I didn't bring them back." Yun Jianzhou waved his hand. "His father said that these are old items. Although they're useless at home, they were left by their ancestors, so they can't be given away casually. So, we have to..."
Yun Jianzhou rubbed his fingers and Yun Que'er understood.
It seemed they needed to pay money.
"How much do we have to pay?"
"That's the tricky part." Yun Jianzhou sighed frustratingly. "It'll cost at least this much."
Yun Jianzhou showed five fingers and Yun Que'er was stunned.
Five hundred...
That was really asking for a fortune. Not only couldn't they gather so much money at once, but the cost was also too high.
Yun Jianzhou sat down beside Yun Que'er, looking a bit distressed. "Although it's their stuff and it's normal for them to ask for money. It's not really asking for a fortune, but we just can't afford it."
Yun Jianzhou rubbed his chin and thought for a long time. "Otherwise, let's rent it. See if we can get the price down."
Yun Que'er shook her head. "Things are valuable because they're rare. They know you're in a hurry, so even if you rent it, it won't be much cheaper."
Yun Jianzhou didn't believe it and ran over to ask again. He came back dejectedly.
"Damn it..."
Yun Jianzhou cursed angrily. "Do you know what they said?"
He pinched his fingers and imitated the voice.
"Oh, our family's stuff was hard for his great - grandfather to obtain back then. It was used to make gold thumb - rings for the emperor. Even the booklet contains secret imperial methods. What if you rent it and spread the method? If you want to rent, it'll cost three hundred."
After saying that, Yun Jianzhou's face turned dark.
"That's exactly what they said. Are they crazy about money?"
Yun Que'er was amused by Yun Jianzhou and laughed so hard that she rolled on the ground, holding her stomach.
"The asking price is really too high. But the stuff is useless sitting at home. Now that there's someone who wants it, they surely want to make a profit."
Since they were also trying to make money, Yun Que'er couldn't blame them.
After thinking for a while, Yun Que'er came up with an idea.
"They said it's something from the palace. In that case, find someone to verify it. If it really is, it's not a loss to buy it for five hundred. If not, we can find a way to lower the price."
Thinking of this, Yun Que'er told Yun Fujin about it. The next day, the siblings went to the town to find Li Chengfu.
"Really?" Li Chengfu was immediately interested when he heard about it. "If it really is something from the palace, it's an antique."
Yun Que'er nodded. "They said so, but we don't know. So, we'd like to trouble Uncle Li to take a look for us."
Li Chengfu liked Yun Que'er's cleverness. Since they came to him, it meant they trusted him. He immediately agreed.
They quickly rushed to that family and asked them to take out the things.
Li Chengfu examined them carefully. To be more certain, he even called a friend.
After they both had a look, they exchanged a glance and understood what was going on.
Li Chengfu quietly pulled Yun Que'er aside and whispered to her.
"Girl, they're right. It really is an antique."
Li Chengfu had sharp eyes and could tell at a glance.
"How much did they say they wanted to sell it for?"
"Five hundred."
Li Chengfu pondered for a moment and had a plan in mind. He lowered his voice even more.
"Girl, five hundred yuan is a lot, but I think this thing is worth more than five hundred. Of course, this is not certain. So, we'll pay whatever they ask. But there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Li Chengfu rubbed his hands and smiled a bit shyly.
"I'm also in the antique business, but I haven't found any good items. People in the circle don't want to work with me. I was thinking, if I could get this thing..."
Yun Que'er immediately understood. "Uncle Li, if you want it, we definitely won't compete with you. Besides, we don't understand antiques. It'll just sit idle in our hands after we use it. It's better to give it to someone who knows."
Seeing that Yun Que'er agreed so readily, Li Chengfu didn't hesitate either.
"Okay, since you're so understanding, girl, I definitely won't let you suffer. Once I get the thing, I'll give you five hundred yuan. It's like I'm buying it from you. After all, it was you who found it. I can't take it for free."
It was an unexpected bonus. Of course, Yun Que'er agreed.
"Thank you, Uncle Li. But can we borrow the thing for a few days after we get it? You can pay me later after we're done using it."
Li Chengfu readily agreed. "Sure, no problem. Let's go pay for it."