Through their conversation, Gu Wei also learned about some of Hou Yongxian's activities in the capital.
It turns out that after Hou Yongxian was released from prison, he secretly started an antique business with his old friends.
As a result, when he returned, the man was tricked and almost imprisoned.
Fortunately, after much effort, the issues have now been resolved.
As they chatted, Gu Wei deliberately steered the conversation toward raw jadeite.
Unexpectedly, Ke Yi was quite knowledgeable in this area and talked at length about it.
Gu Wei nodded secretly, feeling that it basically matched the information he had looked up.
From the 1950s to the present, jade has always been a state-run industry.
Foreign trade departments would go to the border areas to inspect, price, and purchase goods, and then allocate them to state-owned jade carving factories in various provinces and cities.
The quantity of jadeite is extremely limited, mainly consisting of "brick-sized" or "kilogram-sized" pieces, which are mostly used to make decorative items and handicrafts for export to earn foreign exchange.
If the original trajectory had remained unchanged, jadeite would not have been hyped up during the collecting craze until the late 1980s.
The priority for business lay with those who had left the border city trade bureaus to start their own businesses; they were the earliest and largest sellers of raw jadeite...
"Three yuan per kilogram for Hetian jade pebbles?" Gu Wei asked uncertainly.
“Yes,” Ke Yi continued, “Jade farmers are not allowed to trade jade privately after they find it; they must go to the exchange, where the appraisers will only give them this much money. Moreover, large pieces of mountain jade are valuable, while small pieces of pebble jade are worthless.”
Gu Wei changed his mind before he could finish speaking, "That... is too much work."
Ke Yi nodded: "It is indeed hard work. Sometimes you can't find a single piece for several days. There was a family that collected jade for more than half a year, but in the end they only sold it for a little over seventy yuan. However, if it is second-grade white jade, it can fetch fifty yuan per kilogram, and first-grade Hetian jade is priced at about one hundred yuan per kilogram."
Hearing this, Gu Wei was filled with emotion.
If those jade farmers knew that the price would increase many times over decades later, I wonder what they would think.
"Go back and tell Grandpa Hou that I am somewhat interested in jadeite rough and Hetian jade. If possible, please help me get some over here."
Ke Yi was overjoyed that Gu Wei had a new need after their chat, and readily agreed, "Okay, I will definitely pass it on when I get back."
The braised pork and ribs were taken out of the pot one after another, put into a large bowl, and covered to keep warm.
Gu Jianguo quickly stir-fried a few more dishes.
In addition, there was luncheon meat and canned sardines in tomato sauce, making for a very lavish spread across the table.
After closing the shop door, Lin Yu and Lin Hang came to the back room.
Everyone sat down together and began to eat.
This was Ke Yi's first time dining at Gu Wei's house, and he was initially a little reserved and embarrassed to eat much.
Later, as Gu Jianguo and others enthusiastically kept serving him food, he completely let loose.
Finally, I ate five big bowls of rice.
Gu Wei truly envied people with large appetites; he could only eat two bowls of rice at most.
Gu Jianguo and his friends have been eating more oily food lately, so they don't eat as much as before.
A customer arrived suddenly and devoured his food in no time, prompting everyone to smile kindly.
Ke Yi, however, blushed with embarrassment and stammered, "It's just so delicious..."
After getting to know Ke Yi, Gu Wei felt that Ke Yi was a very good person worth befriending, and generously said with a smile, "If you think my great-uncle's cooking is delicious, come to my house for dinner tomorrow."
Although Gu Jianguo was only a few years older than Ke Yi, he was on friendly terms with Hou Yongxian and naturally treated him, who had a rough life, as a junior. He chimed in, "Yes, I plan to make big meat buns tomorrow. I guarantee you'll all be eating until your mouths are greasy."
A warm feeling welled up in Ke Yi's heart. Besides the Marquis who had adopted him, the Gu family had given him the warmth of home. "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."
After the meal, while the table was being cleared, they continued to drink tea and chat.
Gu Wei noticed that Lin Hang was acting differently than usual; he seemed particularly listless.
He called the person to his side, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Lin Hang looked up at Gu Wei, pouted, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Brother Gu, actually I also want to go to school."
Gu Wei was taken aback, then gently patted Lin Hang's small shoulder: "Can you handle it?"
Hou Yongxian had taken them to other places for medical treatment, and they were planning to have Lin Hang undergo surgery, but unfortunately his physical condition did not allow it.
Lin Hang's voice involuntarily rose a little, "I'm much better now. Really. As long as I don't do strenuous exercise... but my sister won't let me!"
For a moment, everyone fell silent and turned to look at Lin Yu.
Lin Yu hadn't expected her younger brother to complain to Gu Wei, and her face instantly turned red. "Xiao Hang, I'm only doing this for your own good! What if you have another relapse..."
With tears in his eyes, Lin Hang said, "Sis, I know you're doing this for my own good, but I really want to go to school..."
Lin Yu was caught in a dilemma and looked to Gu Wei for help, saying, "Brother Gu, I really don't know what to do. Please help us make a decision."
Ke Yi was also undecided about this matter, and he looked at Gu Wei as well.
With everyone in the room staring at him, Gu Wei suddenly felt immense pressure.
He thought for a moment and then said, "Knowledge changes destiny, and learning enriches life. If Xiao Hang really wants to go to school, why not let him try first, but only if he can guarantee that he can take good care of himself."
Lin Hang immediately clapped his hands in delight and cheered, "I can guarantee it!"
Gu Hongjie clapped along happily.
Seeing that Lin Hang's face was now radiant, Lin Yu sighed inwardly and gave in.
Afterwards, they agreed that Ke Yi would handle the matter the next day, and then the three of them got up to say goodbye.
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