"!!!"
Three exclamation marks came crashing down like bombs.
Immediately afterward, Gu Huaiyue's video call invitation popped up, so fast that Zhou Yang was somewhat taken aback.
So excited? It seems this pen holder is even more sought after than I anticipated?
Zhou Yang pressed the answer button.
On the other side of the screen, Gu Huaiyue was wearing a comfortable silk bathrobe, clearly having just finished a day's work.
She was without makeup, with cucumber slices on her face, but her alluring beauty was still undeniable.
But at this moment, her phoenix eyes, which usually carried a hint of languor and scrutiny, were flashing with an unprecedented sharpness, and her tone was also tinged with urgency.
"Zhou Yang! Where's the stuff? Quickly, give me a thorough look! From every angle! No blind spots!"
Zhou Yang did as she was told, holding the pen holder in front of the camera and slowly rotating it as instructed.
From the texture and patina on the outer wall to the signs of use on the inner wall, and most importantly, the inscription on the bottom, everything is clearly displayed.
Gu Huaiyue was watching the video with extreme focus, her nose almost touching the screen, her eyes as sharp as an eagle's.
After a long while, she let out a long breath, her face revealing undisguised surprise and excitement.
"Judging from the video, it's an authentic piece! The patina is old and the characteristics of huanghuali wood are obvious. The 'Wen Shi Zi Chang' mark and style are also correct! It's a good piece! Absolutely a good piece!"
She paused, her tone carrying an air of unquestionable professionalism.
"Zhou Yang, bring the item to our Tianjin Auction House tomorrow. I need to examine it carefully again."
"If everything is confirmed, there happens to be a small boutique auction next week, and I can expedite your entry!"
"A scholar's object of this caliber, once it appears on the market, will absolutely cause a frenzy among collectors!"
"Can."
As long as the door is open, that's fine; at least we won't let Lin Chuan and Master Zhang down.
Zhou Yang readily agreed, "Tomorrow morning is too early for me. I can only come around 11 o'clock at the earliest, is that alright?"
"Okay, I'll wait for you at Jingxin Teahouse at 11 o'clock!"
Gu Huaiyue spoke with absolute certainty.
"Okay, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow!"
After hanging up the video call, Zhou Yang looked at the pen holder in his hand, which still emitted a faint fragrance of sandalwood, and a smile appeared on his lips.
Nothing was said that night.
The next day, at five in the morning.
The darkness outside the window began to slowly dissipate, and the entire city began to awaken from its slumber.
Zhou Yang opened his eyes to the sound of his alarm.
He quickly washed up, changed into casual clothes that were easy to move in, and drove away from the villa alone without disturbing Xu Yao, who was still fast asleep.
Destination—the largest slaughterhouse on the outskirts of the city.
The Pagani sped along the empty road, the roar of its engine sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet of the early morning.
He needs to get the freshest cow dung, still warm from the cow's stomach, and unprocessed.
Upon arriving at the slaughterhouse, the air was filled with a faint, distinctive stench of livestock, mixed with the smell of blood after slaughter.
Zhou Yang found Master Li and his group with practiced ease and obtained six large buckets of still-steaming raw materials for cow dung.
There was quite a lot of cow dung today.
Zhou Yang took them back to process; each bucket was heavy and exuded the unique "fragrance" of the freshest fermented hay.
Xu Yao was already in the zone, washing vegetables and cutting meat with practiced ease, clearly already Zhou Yang's most capable assistant.
The two worked together seamlessly, rushing as fast as they could, and finally managed to park the cart steadily at their designated stall on Huaiyang Old Street before 10 a.m.
With yesterday's trending topic and word-of-mouth recommendations from diners, Zhou Yang and his team had a much smoother time cooking the beef offal today.
No longer did uninformed onlookers point fingers and gossip, saying they were "cooking excrement."
Instead, there was an irrepressible sense of anticipation.
The unique, rich "grass aroma" of Niu Bie (a type of broth) intertwines with the complex fragrance of various spices, dominating the olfactory high ground of the entire street.
A long queue quickly formed in front of the stall, with curious young people as well as elderly men and women drawn by the aroma.
There were even a few stylishly dressed tourists from out of town who had clearly come specifically for this purpose.
Zhou Yang remained calm and composed, ladling soup, adding ingredients, and handing over bowls with fluid and effortless movements.
Xu Yao was responsible for collecting money, giving change, and packing, and the teamwork was seamless.
Business is good, so it seems that "beef offal hot pot" is not so "unique".
Zhou Yang felt a slight sense of relief.
So far, he has only completed three tasks: instant noodles, braised meat, and beef offal hot pot, all of which are acceptable to everyone.
I wonder what the next snack will be?
Insects, or live eggs with fertilized shells?
Zhou Yang was so busy with his hands that he barely had time to breathe, yet his mind was still wandering.
The broth of beef offal in the pot was bubbling and releasing an enticing aroma when two somewhat abrupt figures quietly appeared on the outskirts of the crowd.
A professional-looking camera was slung over his shoulder, its lens occasionally aimed at Zhou Yang's stall and the queuing customers.
The other one was holding a long-handled microphone and had a name tag hanging around his neck.
They look like a media reporter, or maybe... an online influencer?
The two people did not approach or disturb them; instead, they chose a spot not far from the stall and quietly took photos.
Zhou Yang caught a glimpse of them out of the corner of his eye, but seeing that they had no intention of causing trouble, he didn't bother with them.
Go ahead and take pictures, as long as it doesn't interfere with his business.
Those diners, engrossed in the delicious food, also noticed the two "uninvited guests."
But everyone here is a civilized person. If others' purchases affect them, and Zhou Yang, the subject of the photo, doesn't speak up, they won't attack others either.
Time passed second by second, and the six large buckets of cow dung were being consumed at an alarming rate.
After the last serving of beef offal hot pot was bought by a lucky customer, Zhou Yang breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Everyone, we've sold out of all the cow dung soup for today. Thank you all for coming!"
Zhou Yang announced loudly.
A collective sigh of regret immediately rose from the crowd.
But they... have tragically gotten used to not being able to buy them.
Just as Zhou Yang and Xu Yao were packing up their equipment, the man holding the microphone, leading his companion carrying the camera, quickly walked over.
He was around thirty years old, wearing black-rimmed glasses, with a professional smile on his face, and his tone was quite polite.
"Hello, you must be Mr. Zhou Yang? I'm a food blogger called 'Big Mouth Eats All Directions,' and I have millions of followers on Douyin and Bilibili."
He paused, seemingly observing Zhou Yang's reaction. Seeing that Zhou Yang was just looking at him calmly, he continued.
"I saw your trending topic yesterday, so I came all the way here today. Boss Zhou, your snacks are so unique!"
"I'd like to interview you, mainly to understand why you came up with the idea of changing the snack every week, and why you can make each one so amazing?"
"Could you share your culinary philosophy and cooking secrets with us? Or could I film the story behind the 'cow dung hotpot'? If we make a video, it's sure to go viral!"
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