Chapter 26: Give a Reason

Lin Sicheng gripped the steering wheel tightly, driving the Audi both fast and steadily.

Hao Junsheng looked pitiful, slumped in the passenger seat, clutching the teapot, his mind replaying the words Lin Sicheng had reminded him of.

Each word felt like a needle piercing his heart.

"Senior Brother Hao, this teapot is a pretty 'realistic' imitation!"

"Blue sand!"

"At least from the Qing Dynasty, the artistic level is very 'high'!"

"Blue sand!"

"Very unique and of great research value!"

"No matter how valuable it is, it's still blue sand... No, Lin Sicheng, which side are you on?"

The reminders came repeatedly, the hints were given again and again, and even the key words were emphasized.

He was practically shouting in his ear: "Senior brother, this is a huge bargain, hurry up and make your move!"

He himself is like a fool, blinded by greed, fixated on just three words: blue sand.

What's wrong with blue sand?

Even a pile of excrement, if carved by a famous artist, is worth a fortune.

Thinking back to his conversation with Lao Song in the store, Hao Jun felt like slapping himself twice.

Who says there are no famous Zisha (purple clay) masters outside of Yixing?

Aren't Chen Mansheng and Yang Pengnian examples?

Both of them are from Zhejiang Province, not Yixing, and not even from Jiangsu Province.

Who says that no famous Yixing purple clay teapots have ever been produced?

Isn't the Mansheng pot one?

Chen Mansheng served as an official throughout his life, with Yang Pengnian following closely behind. The two visited Ganyu, Liyang, and Huai'an, but never Yixing.

Therefore, even if you hit the 800 poles, Mansheng pot has nothing to do with Yixing.

But I hadn't thought of it until Lin Sicheng explained it to me, and then it suddenly dawned on me.

It can only be said that prejudice in people's hearts is a huge mountain: If it's not made in Yixing, what kind of Zisha teapot is it? If you're not from Yixing, what kind of Zisha master are you?

Oh right, it's not just me who thinks this way, Lao Song also thinks so.

Damn it, if he had known it was a Mansheng teapot, he would have been kicking himself for it: a treasure worth millions, which he had stuffed into his hands like trash.

Hmm, thinking about it this way makes me feel much better?

Seeing that he had recovered and a smile had returned to his face, Lin Sicheng nodded secretly.

I must say, Senior Brother Hao's mental fortitude is quite impressive.

He smiled and said, "Senior brother, this teapot is quite rare!"

"Of course, there are more Mansheng pots in existence, but only in comparison to Mingyuan pots!"

"It's quite valuable."

"Nonsense, I'd cut off my head if I lost two million... wait, something's not right?"

Hao Jun paused abruptly, glancing sideways at her: "What do you want to say?"

Lin Sicheng's expression was very solemn: "Senior brother, this teapot is of great value, not only for research, but also for its extremely high artistic and scientific value."

Putting everything else aside, just considering that it's the 'first blue clay teapot of the Qing Dynasty,' it's already a rare treasure, perhaps even a unique piece. With a few years of investment and a little manipulation, it's not impossible for its value to double or triple…

What is two or three times two million?

Four million, six million?

"Two or three times it is fine!"

"The crucial point is that this pot is also..."

"Alright, that's enough!"

Hao Jun waved his hand to interrupt, his expression equally solemn, "Lin Sicheng, you can call me senior brother, so we're both decent people. Let's not belittle each other! Besides, we have a long future ahead of us, what's the rush?"

Looking back today, was there any sentence Lin Sicheng uttered that was misleading? No.

Was I given any warning?

It was more than just a reminder; it was practically a shout.

And another reminder: it's hard to say whether he'll wake up or not; Old Song is sure to be the first to wake up.

Therefore, Lin Sicheng has done everything he could, and it is only natural that he took advantage of this opportunity today.

What frustrated him was that he was stupid and couldn't understand even with Lin Sicheng's guidance.

Besides, if Lin Sicheng isn't allowed to pick it up, are we supposed to let Lao Liu and that guy surnamed Wu pick it up?

If those two bastards really pick me up, I'll regret it for the rest of my life.

Of course, to put it another way: logically and emotionally, Lin Sicheng should indeed give himself a share, but Lao Hao is lacking in that.

What he lacks is a friend like Lin Sicheng.

Look at those bastards around me, like Old Liu. Then look at Lin Sicheng, the difference in their character is obvious...

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Okay!"

Having said all that, to bring up anything about breaking up or not would just be pretentious.

As my senior brother Hao said: Time will tell.

"So, senior brother, are we still going to the hospital?"

"Since we're already here... Oh right, let's stop at the door and buy something!"

"Why buy anything else? Just put this pot in front of him and say that you helped me pick it up. I guarantee Grandpa will be all smiles."

"Lin Sicheng, stop talking nonsense!"

One thing at a time, what's the point of coming to the hospital to see a patient empty-handed?

Hao Jun ignored Lin Sicheng's advice, picked out some fresh fruit, and took two fine gift boxes.

The two went up to the sixth floor and heard hearty laughter from afar. Upon entering, they found Lin Changqing and Director Guan sitting by the window, chatting and laughing.

"Hey, Director Guan, didn't you go back to your unit? You're running pretty fast!"

"What, just because I sold myself to my workplace, I can't even leave work?"

The two exchanged a joke, and Hao Jun greeted Lin Changqing: "Professor Lin, I heard from Junior Brother Lin that you were sick, so I thought I'd drop by to see you!"

"Secretary-General Hao, Chengzhi, please pour some tea."

Judging from their tone of voice, the two were only nodding acquaintances. So Hao Jun didn't directly ask his grandfather for help, but instead went through a roundabout way by asking himself.

The result was quite the opposite; instead of helping, he ended up spilling the pot himself?

Lin Sicheng poured tea for his father. When he turned around, Director Guan took the box from Hao Jun and weighed it in his hand a couple of times: "It looks like a porcelain teapot. Where did you find it?"

Hao Jun took the teacup and said slowly, "Director Guan, take it easy. This is a Mingyuan teapot!"

Director Guan was startled: "What kind of kettle?"

"Chen Mingyuan's Mingyuan teapot!" Hao Jun said calmly, with a hint of pride beneath his composure, as if he had found the teapot himself. "It cost him 80,000!"

"Old Hao, you're ugly but dreaming!" Director Guan scoffed. "Don't even mention 80,000, you couldn't even get a hundred 80,000."

"I never said I paid for this 80,000. Besides, why don't you open it and see for yourself?"

It's impossible to disassemble it.

Director Guan didn't stand on ceremony and found a pair of scissors.

Not only Director Guan, but Lin Changqing also thought it was impossible. On a whim, he offered to help.

They quickly cut the tape and unpacked the cardboard box. The moment the spout was revealed, they both paused in surprise: it looked a bit like... an old Yixing teapot?

Upon closer inspection: it's not just similar, it's an old Zisha teapot.

Judging from the color of the mud and the tea stains, it must be at least two hundred years old.

But to say it's a Mingyuan pot... that's absolutely impossible.

The two moved much more gently, and after tearing away the foam, the porcelain teapot was revealed in its entirety.

After a moment of surprise, Guan Xingmin leaned back sharply: "Chen Mingyuan?"

Lin Changqing's eyes narrowed slightly, his pupils contracting involuntarily: "A fragrance pot?"

The former focuses on the characters, while the latter focuses on the shape.

Immediately, the two spoke in unison, but at different times:

“It’s fake!” Guan Xingmin said firmly.

"It's a fake!" Lin Changqing said with a look of disappointment.

It's not surprising that Professor Lin could see it.

Hao Jun raised an eyebrow and said, "Old Guan, what's fake about it? Give me a reason!"