Chapter 274 Young Master

The car drove all the way to the outskirts of the city and finally stopped by a quiet dirt road. In front of us was a courtyard surrounded by blue bricks. It looked like it was self-built, covering a large area. The courtyard walls were high and the gatehouse was simple and unassuming.

Qin Fen stepped forward and knocked on the brass ring on the door.

A short while later, the black lacquered wooden door creaked open, and a young man appeared inside.

He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with almost transparent white skin, phoenix eyes, fine eyebrows, and a high nose bridge. He exuded an incongruous air of refined elegance, as if he were a noble young master who had stepped out of a literati painting.

A hint of amazement flashed in Nan Zhiyi's eyes, and she subconsciously took a second look.

Gu Xiao, who was next to her, noticed that the hand holding hers tightened unconsciously, the pressure becoming a little too strong.

Qin Fen was clearly familiar with the newcomer and greeted him with a smile: "Mr. Zhou, sorry to bother you."

Boss Zhou glanced indifferently at the people outside the door and nodded slightly: "Please come in."

He stepped aside to make way, his demeanor composed and measured.

The four people walked through the screen wall corridor.

Qin Fen introduced them: "This is Mr. Zhou Xingzhi. Mr. Zhou, this is Minister Gu Xiao whom I mentioned to you, and this is his wife, Comrade Nan Zhiyi."

Zhou Xingzhi bowed slightly: "Nice to meet you."

Gu Xiao: "Boss Zhou, thank you for your help."

Nan Zhiyi smiled and replied, "Hello, Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Xingzhi had little interest in small talk and said directly, "You've come for the furniture, so why don't you go and take a look at the warehouse in the backyard?"

Having said that, he turned and led the way.

The group passed through the first courtyard again. The house was well-maintained, with several pots of orchids under the eaves. There was a small rockery and fish pond in the corner of the courtyard. It was very clean and elegant, and it was indeed a well-maintained residence.

After passing the main house and through a moon gate, a spacious backyard suddenly opened up before you, but the main space was occupied by a brick warehouse with its doors and windows tightly closed.

Zhou Xingzhi took out the key and opened the warehouse door. A smell mixed with old wood, tung oil and faint herbs wafted out.

The warehouse is extremely tall and spacious, with several glass skylights in the roof that provide ample yet soft light.

The interior is dry and well-ventilated, and the temperature is slightly lower than outside, clearly indicating that it was carefully designed and is ideal for preserving wooden artifacts.

The furniture is categorized and arranged in an orderly manner. Furniture made of different materials such as huanghuali, zitan, chicken wing wood, and old mahogany are divided into their own sections.

The different forms of desks, tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves, and beds are also clearly distinguished.

Despite their large number, they are not cluttered at all, making them comparable to a museum of classical furniture.

Qin Fen and Gu Xiao succinctly explained to Zhou Xingzhi the layout of the new courtyard, the size of the rooms, and the types of furniture that needed to be furnished.

After listening attentively, Zhou Xingzhi paused for a moment and then offered a few concise suggestions on how to match different styles and materials of furniture according to the room's orientation, size, and purpose. It was clear that he not only understood furniture but also the charm of life.

Looking at the warehouse full of exquisite items, Nan Zhiyi couldn't help but ask, "Boss Zhou, can I choose any of the furniture here?"

Zhou Xingzhi: "These are all carefully selected by me. If these are not to your liking, I have two other warehouses outside the city with some other collections."

He spoke casually, yet Nan Zhiyi was once again astonished; this Boss Zhou's background was truly unfathomable.

She stopped talking, calmed down, and began to carefully select items.

In the end, all three main rooms were furnished with huanghuali wood, especially the master bedroom, where a two-tiered canopy bed was chosen.

This bed is enormous and intricately structured. The door panels, partitions, and eaves are carved with patterns of "Gourd for Generations" and "Lotus Entwining Branches," symbolizing good fortune, and the craftsmanship is exquisite.

She also prepared a room for Xiaoman, choosing a set of old mahogany furniture. The furniture was made of high-quality materials, but the style was more lively, making it suitable for a child's growth.

"Mr. Zhou, these are all we need."

Zhou Xingzhi's gaze swept over the items she had chosen; the lady of the house certainly had good taste.

He didn't immediately offer a price, but instead looked at the canopy bed: "Good eye. This two-tiered canopy bed is from the late Ming Dynasty, made of top-quality Hainan rosewood, and crafted with the finest skills of the 'Beijing style.' It's truly remarkable that it has been preserved in such good condition to this day."

He paused, then gave a price: "This bed is worth one thousand yuan."

In 1978, this was undoubtedly a huge sum of money, equivalent to nearly two years' salary for an average person.

Gu Xiao: "Okay. Boss Zhou's price is fair."

Zhou Xingzhi clearly appreciated Gu Xiao's straightforwardness and didn't beat around the bush. After a moment's mental calculation, he quoted the total price: "Five thousand for all items. In addition, you are responsible for delivery to my door and sending an experienced craftsman to help with proper installation."

This price is already quite reasonable, given by Zhou Xingzhi out of consideration for their friendship and personal connection; it is far below its true artistic and collectible value.

Gu Xiao replied decisively, "Deal. Thank you, Mr. Zhou."

Qin Fen smiled and thanked Zhou Xingzhi, saying, "Boss Zhou, thank you for your trouble."

Zhou Xingzhi nodded slightly in response, then said, "Please wait a moment, everyone. Now that it's settled, let's arrange for loading and delivery while the masters are all here today."

His gaze fell on the intricately structured canopy bed, and he explained, “Especially this canopy bed, with its complex mortise and tenon joints, requires a skilled craftsman to carefully disassemble it, mark it, and then reassemble it in order at your residence. If a novice were to do it, it would be very easy to damage the tenons or not be able to put it back together, which would be a pity.”

Gu Xiao and Qin Fen exchanged a glance, and in their hearts, they held Boss Zhou in even higher regard for his experienced and meticulous approach to things.

“Mr. Zhou is very thoughtful,” Gu Xiao nodded. He naturally hoped that it would be as soon as possible so that Zhiyi could see what the new home would look like. “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”

Nan Zhiyi nodded quickly.

Gu Xiao handed the money he brought to Zhou Xingzhi.

However, Mr. Zhou simply placed it on the flower stand next to him, without even lighting it, and went out to find someone.

Before long, he led several experienced craftsmen into the warehouse.

The craftsmen moved gently and skillfully, especially when disassembling the canopy bed. They were extremely careful, marking each component with an ink-stained string at the hidden joints, then carefully wrapping it with a thick, soft cloth. They even chanted slogans while carrying it, their steps steady.

During a break while loading the truck, Zhou Xingzhi gave Nan Zhiyi some more advice: "These kinds of old furniture should not be exposed to direct sunlight, dryness, or excessive moisture. Just wipe them with a soft, dry cloth on a regular basis. Every one or two years, it's best to have a professional maintain them with a special care cream. The craftsman we went with today, Mr. Yu, has been with my family for decades. His skills and character are trustworthy. If you need any maintenance in the future, you can contact him directly."