Rebirth of Bloody Romance

Zhong Yuemin walked into the party hall and saw those familiar figures at a glance. Luo Jianguo, Yang Xiaojing, Wu Pingjin, these former buddies, their smiles were still so friendly, but a little more mature and steady.

"Yuemin, you're finally here." Luo Jianguo greeted Zhong Yuemin enthusiastically when he saw him. "We all thought you weren't coming!"

Zhong Yuemin smiled. "How could that be? How can a gathering like this be without buddies?"

"Haha, yes!" Yang Xiaojing interrupted. "We are brothers. Do you still remember those days?"

"Of course I remember!" Zhong Yuemin said with emotion. "Now it feels like those days happened just yesterday."

Zheng Tong and Yuan Jun also walked in. From a distance, they heard Yuan Jun shouting, "Zhong Yuemin, I finally see you. It's really not easy to see you now!"

"Yuan Jun, damn it. Can you please talk properly and stop being so sarcastic? When did you ever look for me?"

"Fuck, I came to see you several times before the New Year, and I even went to your house to see you on New Year's Day?"

Zhong Yuemin smiled and replied, "You are so lucky. You chose to come to me when I was not at home. Who can you blame?"

Yuan Jun and Zheng Tong began to greet people they knew.

Zhong Yuemin's reunion with the "veterans" was a journey back in time and a gathering of emotions. They had experienced those unforgettable years together, and now, although they have gone their separate ways, the deep friendship they felt when they met again remained the same.

Watching these old friends chatting and laughing, Zhong Yuemin couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion. He felt that this gathering was not just a simple gathering, but also a spiritual baptism.

As night fell, the party was drawing to a close. Everyone said goodbye to each other and agreed to meet again next time. Zhong Yuemin walked out of the restaurant and looked up at the starry sky.

Yuan Jun, who followed behind, said to Zhong Yuemin and Zheng Tong, "Brothers, my buddy is getting married."

"Hey, when is it?"

"It's almost time. Yuemin, don't be lost when the time comes."

"That can't be possible. I won't go anywhere these days. I'll just wait for you to get married, okay?"

Yuan Jun replied jokingly, "It doesn't matter if the person comes or not, but the gift bar must come."

"Fuck, this friendship boat capsized in an instant!" Haha...

Zheng Tong said to Zhong Yuemin at this time, "Yuemin, during the Chinese New Year, I met my cousin. He's not doing well. How about you give him a bowl of rice to eat?"

Zhong Yuemin thought for a moment. "Let me meet him tomorrow."

"Okay, no problem. He's very good in the antique business."

"Zheng Tong, let me be clear. I'm not running a charity, so don't blame me if you don't understand anything."

"I see. You will definitely like him."

"let's talk tomorrow!"

The next day, Zheng Tong brought Zheng Tiancheng to see Zhong Yuemin. Zhong Yuemin was drinking tea in the yard. When he saw Zheng Tong and a strange old man coming in, he immediately stood up to greet them. Zheng Tong introduced Zhong Yuemin and said, "Yuemin, this is my uncle Zheng Tiancheng."

Zhong Yuemin carefully looked at the old man. He was wearing a washed blue Zhongshan suit, a pair of worn-out cloth shoes, and a head full of white hair, but his face was ruddy and his demeanor was vigorous, giving people a calm feeling. Zhong Yuemin was happy when he heard his name and said jokingly, "Uncle Zheng, are you a master at making things look old? Look, your name is Tiancheng, which means natural, right?"

Zheng Tiancheng waved his hands quickly. "You can't say that!" His voice was trembling, obviously due to excitement. "I'm just an ordinary person. How can I know anything about aging? I just like antiques since I was a child. I have seen some real and fake things, and I have some experience."

"Uncle Zheng, we are not outsiders. Just tell me the truth, do you know anything about antiques?" Zhong Yuemin asked casually.

Hearing this question, Zheng Tiancheng looked at Zhong Yuemin's face again and answered with a smug look on his face. "My family has been running pawnshops for generations. I have been living in the city since I was seven or eight years old. I have handled countless good things. Although I am not well-educated, I still have the talent of a playboy. I walk birds and dogs, appraise treasures and collect them. In Liulichang, one word from me is worth ten words from others. Even Zhang Boju and Ma Dingxiang would write to me to show their admiration for me."

Zhong Yuemin wanted to laugh when he heard this. Zheng Tiancheng must be bragging. You look down on the four major collectors. You really don't have anyone in your eyes? Why don't you go to heaven?

Zhong Yuemin smiled and said, "Uncle Zheng, you sound very capable! Can you tell me about the origin and value of these antiques?" After saying that, he placed a piece of porcelain on the table.

Zheng Tiancheng picked it up and looked at it carefully. "This piece of porcelain is a blue and white porcelain from the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, produced in Jingdezhen. At that time, Emperor Chenghua ordered a batch of blue and white porcelain to be fired for use in the palace. The pattern of this porcelain is the auspicious pattern of dragon and phoenix that was popular at the time, which symbolizes the majesty and auspiciousness of the royal family. This kind of porcelain was very precious at the time, and generally only the royal family could use it. After hundreds of years of circulation, the number of this kind of porcelain in existence is now very small, so its value is very high."

Zhong Yuemin listened with great interest. He asked, "Oh, then what is the approximate value of this porcelain?"

Zheng Tiancheng held up three fingers and said, "At least this number."

Zhong Yuemin didn't care. After all, antiques at that time were not valuable. "It's only 300 yuan!"

Zheng Tiancheng shook his head and said, "No, it should be worth at least 3000 yuan."

Zhong Yuemin was stunned after hearing this. If it was 3000 yuan, that would be a lot! Money is valuable at this time. "So expensive?"

Zheng Tiancheng nodded proudly. "So, antiques are not something that ordinary people can afford. But if you are interested, I can help you find some good and cheap antiques."

Zhong Yuemin was quite satisfied after hearing this. He felt that although Zheng Tong's uncle was a little arrogant and boastful, he did have a deep understanding of antiques. So he asked again, "Can you tell me some ways to identify antiques?"

Zheng Tiancheng smiled and said, "Of course. To identify antiques, we must first look at the surface features such as shape, decoration, and glaze color; secondly, we must look at the internal features such as body quality, body color, and bottom foot. For example, this piece of blue and white porcelain has a regular shape, exquisite decoration, bright glaze color, and fine body quality. These are the key points for identification."

Zhong Yuemin was confused and had no interest in this. "You are talking too professionally. I feel dizzy."

Zheng Tiancheng laughed. "It's okay. You need time to accumulate experience with this stuff. You will slowly understand it as you deal with antiques more in the future."

Zhong Yuemin nodded. "Okay, let's talk about antiques today. I'd also like to ask you for some advice."

So, the three of them sat around the stone table in the courtyard and talked about antiques. Zheng Tiancheng talked about his experience of finding rare antiques when he was young, and Zhong Yuemin listened with great interest. He found that the old man not only had a deep understanding of antiques, but also had rich practical experience.

"Yuemin, the antique business is very complicated," Zheng Tiancheng said earnestly. "If you don't want to be cheated, you need to have a pair of sharp eyes."

Zhong Yuemin sighed inwardly after hearing this, it seems that Zheng Tong's uncle is indeed a rare expert, so he asked him to help identify the old items in his hands. Unknowingly, an afternoon passed. Zheng Tiancheng stood up and said goodbye. "I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."

Zhong Yuemin tried to persuade him to stay. "Uncle Zheng, it's a rare visit for you. I'll treat you to a meal later. I'll take you to a place in the afternoon. How about you help me identify it?"

Zheng Tiancheng tried to decline, but finally stayed after Zhong Yuemin repeatedly urged him to stay.

After Zhong Yuemin returned to the house, Zhou Xiaobai asked in a low voice, "Yuemin, where are you taking Zheng Tong's uncle?"

"Zheng Tong's uncle is an expert in antiques. I want him to help me identify how many of those things are real. Wife, will you go this afternoon?"

"Forget it, I won't go. I'll go back to my mom's house later."

"That's fine. Just slow down on your way. I'm leaving first."

"understood."

Zhong Yuemin was pushing his own 28-inch bicycle. "Uncle Zheng, do you want to sit on mine or Zheng Tong's?"

Zheng Tiancheng thought for a moment and replied, "Take your seat! Zheng Tong is a boring guy, and he still wants me to take him with me."

The roads in the hutongs are like teahouses in old Beijing, full of stories and charm. But there is also a bit of "cunning" hidden in these stories. Zheng Tiancheng, an old Beijinger, got panicked as soon as he got on his bicycle and his butt was not even warm.

"Yuemin, slow down! My old bones can't stand the bumps." Zheng Tiancheng shouted at the top of his lungs, as if the wind in the alley was standing up for him.

However, Zhong Yuemin turned a deaf ear to Zheng Tiancheng's grumbling. He and Zheng Tong rode very fast, as if they were enjoying the challenge of the slippery road. The scenery of the city flew past them, the sun shone on the snow, and the sun shining through the puddles and trees became particularly dazzling. Zhong Yuemin and Zheng Tong were like two nimble swallows, speeding on the slippery road. Zhong Yuemin squinted his eyes, enjoying the blend of sunshine and snow, as if he was isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city.

"Hey, Uncle Zheng, you better sit tight, I'm going to speed up." Zhong Yuemin raised the corners of his mouth and revealed a wicked smile.

These three people, one old and two young, one steady and two crazy, started a unique cycling battle in this alley. This is not only a contest of speed and passion, but also an interweaving of time and memories.

The sunshine after the snow shone on the road, and the puddles and tree shadows became the symbols of their racing. Zhong Yuemin rode very fast, as if he wanted to capture every moment of the city. Zheng Tiancheng, on the other hand, tried to keep himself steady, mumbling while enjoying this rare time of riding in the alley.

Living in this city, sometimes it really feels like a world of change. But as long as there are such moments, those past memories and emotions seem to come alive.

Zheng Tiancheng was deeply attracted by something as soon as he stepped into the courtyard near Yan University rented by Zhong Yuemin. The large jar under the eaves looked ordinary, but it shone with a mysterious light in his eyes. "Yuan blue and white porcelain?" He exclaimed, his eyes full of disbelief.

"Prodigal son!" Old man Zheng was so angry that his beard was shaking. "This is Yuan blue and white porcelain, and you threw it here like garbage." He was heartbroken and deeply disappointed with this ignorant young man.

At this time, Zheng Tong and Zhong Yuemin also walked into the yard, forming a dramatic scene with Zheng Tiancheng. Zheng Tiancheng's eyes were attracted by the big jar again. He took a few steps forward and looked at it carefully. "Chenghua out of the halberd?" He asked tentatively.

Zheng Tiancheng shook his head repeatedly. "This is a Xuande furnace! There is also a gilded bronze Buddha statue! A pink-glazed elephant-ear vase!" He listed them all, with excitement flashing in his eyes.

Suddenly, Zheng Tiancheng paused, picked up a piece of porcelain and examined it carefully. "Ru kiln moon white glaze?" He asked doubtfully, then shook his head, "What a pity, it's a high imitation."

Zhong Yuemin had been riding for such a long time that he felt a little thirsty. He had just put tea leaves into the purple clay pot and was about to make himself a cup of tea. Zheng Tiancheng hurriedly snatched the purple clay pot and held it in his palm. After looking at the signature, he became furious and even cursed. "You little bastard, do you know what kind of pot this is? Chen Hongshou's Tianqu pot! You actually use it to drink tea?"

Zhong Yuemin looked indifferent and replied nonchalantly, "Uncle Zheng, isn't a teapot used for drinking tea?"

Zheng Tiancheng was so angry at Zhong Yuemin that he was speechless. He stared at Zhong Yuemin, his mouth twitching, as if he was trying his best to hold back his anger. After a while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Boy, do you know the value of this pot? It's not an ordinary thing!"

Zhong Yuemin blinked and looked at Zheng Tiancheng in confusion. He certainly didn't know the value of the pot. He only knew that he was very thirsty and needed a cup of tea to quench his thirst. He looked at the purple clay pot in Zheng Tiancheng's hand and suddenly laughed: "Uncle Zheng, no matter how valuable this pot is, it is still a teapot. Teapots are used to drink tea, aren't they?"

"Do you know the origin of this pot?" Zheng Tiancheng asked in a deep voice.

Zhong Yuemin was shocked, but he remained calm on the surface. "Isn't it just a teapot? What could it have been made of?"

"Hmph! This pot originally belonged to a great collector. After he died of illness, the pot ended up in the antique market. Do you know how this collector got this pot?" Zheng Tiancheng stared into Zhong Yuemin's eyes.

Zhong Yuemin shook his head. "I'd like to hear more details."

Zheng Tiancheng took a deep breath. "It is said that this pot was a gift from Chen Hongshou to a close friend. This close friend once made pots with Chen Hongshou, and the two were as close as brothers. Later, this close friend died of illness, and Chen Hongshou specially made this Tianqu pot in his memory."

Zhong Yuemin was secretly surprised. It turned out that this teapot had such a story. He looked at the purple clay teapot in Zheng Tiancheng's hand and was stunned for a moment.

Zheng Tiancheng glanced at him and said, "Now that this pot has fallen into your hands, it is fate. But you must remember that every antique has its unique story and value. Treat them with awe." Zhong Yuemin nodded.

Zheng Tiancheng, an expert who has been immersed in the world of antiques for decades, has a keen eye and a unique vision. Paintings, calligraphy and porcelain are his lifelong love. Countless rare treasures flow in front of his eyes, which is amazing. However, the world is so big that there are all kinds of wonders. There are still many mysterious things that he has never seen.

Today, Zheng Tiancheng came here with Zhong Yuemin and was instantly shocked by the scene before his eyes. Those legendary rare treasures actually appeared before his eyes so realistically.

In the world of porcelain, Zheng Tiancheng saw the delicacy of blue and white porcelain, the splendor of colorful porcelain, and the mystery of underglaze red porcelain. Each piece of porcelain seemed to tell an ancient story, a trace of time and a witness of history. In the world of calligraphy and painting, he saw the wisdom and talent of the ancients. There were both bold and unrestrained cursive and gentle and elegant fine brushwork. Each painting seemed to be a poem, a melody, which made people think deeply.

Zheng Tiancheng looked around reluctantly, as if immersed in endless artistic treasures. He took a deep breath and said to Zhong Yuemin, "Xiao Zhong, today really opened my eyes. I have never seen so many precious works of art in my life. They are all national treasures, national treasures!"

He paused, as if he found it difficult to speak, but finally spoke out his true feelings: "I am already in my 50s or 60s. I would be willing to die now if I can see these things. But I still feel a little unwilling. You see, I am always thinking about these precious cultural relics. I want to make a request, I wonder if you can agree to it. Can you let me live here?"

Zhong Yuemin answered with some embarrassment. "Uncle Zheng, look at my rooms. They are either full or occupied. Where is there any room for you?"

Zheng Tiancheng showed an earnest expression. "I just want to ask you a favor. Some of these bronze and porcelain wares are rusty and cracked, and need to be repaired and maintained. I am an expert in this area and can help you with these tasks. Don't worry, I don't want a penny from you. I just hope that I can stay here with you and look at these treasures every day, and I will be satisfied."

Ning Wei was stunned after hearing this. He didn't expect Zheng Tiancheng to make such a request. He looked at Zheng Tiancheng carefully, and seeing the sincerity and persistence in his eyes, he couldn't help but feel touched. He said to Zhong Yuemin, "Captain, I can live in the same room with Uncle Zheng."

Zheng Tiancheng quickly agreed. "Sure, sure, I can sleep anywhere as long as there's a bed."

Zhong Yuemin actually wanted Zheng Tiancheng to help him. He knew nothing about antiques and really needed a professional. And Zheng Tiancheng really liked these things, not money or any other ulterior motives. "In that case, then okay, I'll have to bear with you for a while. When we find a suitable house in the future, I'll buy it and we'll have a place to live."

Zheng Tiancheng asked, "Xiao Zhong, do you want to buy a house?"

"Well, if there is a suitable one, I will definitely buy it."

"I know there's a yard that's perfect for you, and it's also perfect for storing your treasures. I just don't know if it's sold yet? I'll ask you in a couple of days."

"Okay, thank you for your trouble."