Chapter 31
“Here is the lip rouge you wanted.” Shen You also took out the makeup remover and blush.
After introducing the usage, Zhao Wanyi was indeed tempted. How could she not buy such natural and delicate rouge!
“I want all of these.”
His Highness the Crown Prince would arrive in the capital tomorrow, and the banquet would be held the day after.
“Excellent.” Shen You smiled as she calculated the money. “The total is one thousand taels. The pair of hairpins you selected costs six hundred taels since they are unique pieces.”
These were the heat-shrink flower hairpins she had stumbled upon while surfing the internet that day, which were actually plastic.
However, because the shop owner crafted them exquisitely, the price was not cheap either. She had spent six hundred to buy them back, and she had even paid extra for next-day delivery.
Hearing the words “unique pieces”, the satisfaction in Zhao Wanyi’s eyes increased even more.
Xiang He went to the carriage outside and brought back another five hundred taels of silver, paid the money, then left the shop.
Regarding the fact that such expensive items came without even a box from the shopkeeper, who only provided two paper bags, they had already grown accustomed to this.
It was the same last time as well.
Only because the items were irreplaceable could they tolerate such customs.
After closing the [Great Qi] shop, Shen You contacted Gu Shaoyu.
He asked whether he could bring someone knowledgeable along to take a look, and Shen You indicated that there was no problem.
After all, since it was such a valuable item, being cautious was normal.
More than an hour later, Gu Shaoyu arrived driving his somewhat ostentatious car.
However, Shen You had not expected that the knowledgeable person he mentioned was actually someone she recognized.
“Let me introduce him. Xu Jiayan, my grandfather and his grandfather are neighbors, and we have known each other since childhood. He conducts research on ancient texts.”
“I know.” Shen You nodded slightly.
She felt fortunate that she had also been cautious and had put away all the things that shouldn’t appear.
Outside were only things that could be displayed.
“We meet again.” Xu Jiayan said warmly. “Your shop has been renovated really well.”
He looked at the calligraphy hanging on the wall, as well as the paintings, and praised them repeatedly, even saying that the paintings especially showed deep foundations and extensive research into ancient artwork.
“They are all gifts from friends.” Shen You said naturally.
Seeing this situation, Gu Shaoyu came over and asked quietly, “What’s going on? You two know each other?”
“We know each other.” Xu Jiayan answered.
“That makes things easier then, we’re all our own people!”
After Gu Shaoyu finished speaking, he held a jewelry box up in an extremely careful manner, afraid of damaging the arrangement he had painstakingly assembled inside.
Shen You put on gloves and opened it to take a look. “This pair would probably auction for over two million now.”
“Good eye.” Gu Shaoyu nodded.
Originally, he had thought that Shen You, who was unknown in the antique street and had suddenly inherited a relative’s legacy, although she had studied a related major, had not handled many fine items herself and so definitely lacked experience.
He hadn’t expected her to discern the price at a glance.
“With your smashing, this piece is now only worth tens of thousands.” Shen You felt heartache just looking at it.
Since there was an expert present, she wouldn’t waste words.
She took out the silver restoration technique she had just used directly.
Although Gu Shaoyu was the youngest in his family and didn’t need to worry about the family business, and although he usually didn’t manage the family’s business much, he had been influenced by what he saw and heard since childhood and so wasn’t without insight.
Hence upon careful examination, he knew that Shen You could really restore items.
His face was full of excitement about his own salvation, however before he could ask about the price, Xu Jiayan said with surprise first,
“You know this technique?! Half a year ago, a batch of cultural relics was unearthed, and several pieces used techniques very similar to this one, but unfortunately they were severely damaged. The restoration team has been studying them for a long time without being able to restore them!”
“If convenient, could you go to the museum to provide guidance? I’ll speak with the director about the situation, and we should be able to arrange an external consultant position.”
This meant there would be a salary, what’s more this position would look quite respectable to others back in the county town. It would also provide assistance to her business.
However, Shen You just wanted to open a shop. She didn’t want to have too much connection with the museum.
“No way, Brother Jiayan, you’re being unfair! How can you cut in line like this? I came first. Shouldn’t you fix mine first according to order?”
Gu Shaoyu looked at Xu Jiayan accusingly.
Shen You said softly, “I don’t have the energy to run between two places or work another job. How about this: I’ll print out the method for making this technique and give it to you.”
“If that still doesn’t work, I’ll pick another time to go to the museum.”
This last sentence was just polite talk. Since she could create according to the method, then it was needless to say that the experienced veterans at the museum could do the same.
Xu Jiayan lips parted slightly. “But this is a lost ancient technique.”
Whether only she knew it or everyone knew it made a completely different impact from a profit perspective.
“I know.” Shen You only replied with one sentence.
She didn’t depend on this for her livelihood.
Seeing Shen You sit down at the computer to prepare for printing, Xu Jiayan thought to himself that this made sense. She had been willing to donate even Ru-kiln, so how could she care about such minor fame?
He could already imagine how excited the professor’s expression would be when he received this A4 page.
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but smile as he looked at Shen You.
Shen You gave the printed paper to Xu Jiayan, then turned to Gu Shaoyu.
“For your item, I estimate it will take at least half a month, and that’s even working quickly. Two hundred thousand, and I can restore it to be exactly like the original.”
“No problem!” Gu Shaoyu agreed immediately.
Two hundred thousand was nothing to him.
“You haven’t told Gu Yue about this matter yet?” Xu Jiayan spoke up at this moment.
Looking at Gu Shaoyu’s expression, he knew he really hadn’t said anything.
Xu Jiayan frowned. “Taking out such a valuable item without telling her is creating trouble for Shen You.”
“She just returned home today, I will tell her.” Gu Shaoyu explained,
“Since it can be restored to be exactly like the original, it’s not a big deal.”
“Wait.” Shen You stared at the items in the box and suddenly spoke. “There’s one small pearl missing.”
Gu Shaoyu’s eyes widened as he gasped, then he counted according to what Shen You had just said. Indeed, it was wrong.
“It must have been that I missed one when I was picking them up that day. Where can I find it now? I’m finished.”
It had probably been thrown away with the garbage by the housekeeper at home.
“Never mind, I can find one with high similarity for you.” Shen You said helplessly.
Hearing this, Gu Shaoyu breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t worry, I won’t make you pay for the order. I’ll transfer an extra fifty thousand to you.”
Shen You didn’t refuse. After settling the business, Gu Shaoyu suggested that they go have lunch together with him treating.
“Let me put the things away properly, and you two wait for me.” Shen You stored Gu Shaoyu’s box together in the storage compartment.
After opening the shop in the capital, the storage compartment had also been upgraded with more space, so fitting an extra jewelry box was no problem.
The dining location was set at a high-end Chinese restaurant four kilometers away.
**
Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows provided a view of the shimmering lake surface right beside the dining table.
Gu Shaoyu ordered two signature . dishes skillfully, then left the rest for Shen You and Xu Jiayan to decide.
“I won’t say anything else. Let’s use tea instead of wine to thank you for helping me solve this matter.”
Everyone raised their teacups and clinked them together, then officially began eating.
When they came out after thet were done, Shen You was still carrying a full package of pastries. If nothing else, Gu Shaoyu’s emotional intelligence was really high.
Seeing that she liked eating them, he directly had the server pack an extra portion, since there really were not many people who could repair his item.