Opening an antique shop and getting rich through all the worlds

Chapter 119

At this time, in Lan City of another dimension.

After Quan Jian and his companion had eaten their fill and left the shop, they kept a low profile all the way, following the main group’s trail.

The group was in poor condition—someone had just collapsed from unhealed severe injuries.

They had escaped from Shelter No. 5, and their original location had been destroyed.

Before the approaching disaster, reaching Shelter No. 2 was their only hope.

“It’s all my fault. If I’d discovered the danger earlier, Quan Jian and the other wouldn’t have had to lure away the mutants, and they wouldn’t have…” The young man sitting on the rock blamed himself.

“Now isn’t the time for grief. We don’t have many supplies left and must reach our destination quickly.”

The speaker was the captain. It wasn’t that he wasn’t sad, but that there were still many people here who needed them.

He could only show a cold, hard side to steady the team.

A team member quietly wiped away tears.

Just as the team had rested and was preparing to move out, a low calling voice suddenly came from behind.

The sentry turned to look and couldn’t help but cry out in joy: “It’s Quan Jian and companion!”

“It really is them! They’re still alive!”

Everyone stood up excitedly to greet them.

“How are you? Are you alright?”

“We’re fine.” Quan Jian let out a long breath and told his companions about yesterday’s events. He was so excited that he couldn’t catch his breath several times.

The matter of that shop was too bizarre, but the two stood before them perfectly fine, and their wounds had been treated with medicine.

Everyone had to believe it.

“Just gold and antiques can be exchanged for food? That’s wonderful!”

Everyone was very happy. No matter who that boss was, as long as they could exchange for food, that was all that mattered!

That night at their resting place, the captain’s first task was to take out the map.

“Have people familiar with the city area come look and see which direction we should go where we’re more likely to find the things the antique shop owner wants.”

Going to Shelter No. 2 meant heading toward Lan City anyway.

Originally they hadn’t planned to enter the city, but now knowing there was a shop inside where they could exchange supplies, how could they not go?

Thinking of the shop Quan Jian had described, the team members all showed envious expressions.

They also really wanted to eat hot boxed meals.

---

When Shen You returned from the studio, it was already dark. She received materials sent by Fu Xicheng on her phone.

“Why are you suddenly interested in ancient cotton textile development?” he asked again.

“After collecting the fire resistant cloth, I looked at some antique clothing exhibition materials and suddenly wanted to learn more.” Shen You typed back.

“The antique clothing circulating in the market is all from the Qing Dynasty. Teacher has a few pieces from the Ming Dynasty in his collection, but they’re not at the studio, so you didn’t see them last time. I’ll send you some photos.”

When it came to his professional field, Fu Xicheng was very enthusiastic.

Shen You naturally wanted to broaden her horizons. Looking at the photos Fu Xicheng sent, she switched to her 11-inch tablet to view them.

Ming Dynasty cloud brocade cross-collar jackets and embroidered horse-face skirts preserved so well were truly rare.

Modern reproductions always lacked something in texture.

Antique clothing that survived was basically only from the Ming and Qing periods. Earlier pieces were all excavated from tombs, mostly fragmentary, and after restoration were kept in museums.

This was Shen You’s first time seeing Ming Dynasty antique cloud brocade in private collection.

These big names in the circle really did have increasingly precious collections.

“Teacher has never envied anyone, but now he envies you. He says collecting fire resistant cloth would make his life complete.” Fu Xicheng sent another message.

Shen You smiled and thanked him, then opened the materials he’d sent.

With over ten pages of content, it would probably take her several days to understand it all.

There were many technical terms from traditional textile majors inside.

When she received another message from family relatives, it was already several days later. They had contacted everyone they could.

All those who had once trusted them and lent them money had suffered greatly, so this time no one dared to help.

The auction of cars and houses was already decided. They could only rent housing and couldn’t afford the housekeeper’s salary anymore.

Having driven luxury cars worth hundreds of thousands and lived comfortable lives, their current situation felt as uncomfortable as being covered in thorns.

Her sister-in-law even sent a message to Shen You’s mother, saying she wanted her son to stay with Mother Shen. But this time she was refused.

*

Shen You methodically delivered goods to Great Qi and continued restoring artifacts. What she had on hand was a Tang Dynasty silver-gilt double-headed hairpin, and the restoration was going smoothly.

In her spare time, she continued consulting Fu Xicheng about ancient cotton textile techniques.

She told him about Great Qi’s textile tools and current level, rephrasing it so she could find methods suitable for Great Qi.

That evening, when Wen Zhi came, he brought food—all the most fashionable winter snacks from the capital, plus osmanthus wine.

Ancient wine, due to brewing technology, especially this kind of clear-colored wine, was quite expensive.

Shen You followed Great Qi’s winter drinking method, setting up a stove to heat it. Soon, a faint osmanthus fragrance filled the air.

“You didn’t steal this from the old emperor again, did you?” Shen You took a small sip. This wine was so good it seemed like imperial tribute.

Wen Zhi smiled. “When we’re sharing the realm, how can taking some things be called ‘stealing’?”

“Is this what Li Heng wants?”

Just glancing at the materials Shen You had casually placed on the table, he guessed correctly.

“Mm. If this works out, I need to think about what to exchange for. Ancient hand warmers are exquisite, and there are phoenix crowns.”

She’d been coveting Teacher Zhang’s for a long time, but being a family heirloom, he definitely wouldn’t sell it.

Wen Zhi’s brow furrowed as he listened, asking sullenly: “You want him to give you a phoenix crown?”

What was so good about Li Heng? He might not even keep his crown prince position.

“The palace has sent many women to his residence. Those aristocratic families supporting him will inevitably have marriage alliances. Didn’t you say before not to easily trust imperial family members?”

Hearing his words, Shen You knew he’d misunderstood and corrected him:

“I’m having him bring it for trade, not as a gift. If I can successfully help Great Qi improve cotton textile technology, asking for a phoenix crown befitting an imperial consort is perfectly reasonable.”

Wen Zhi’s expression relaxed.

“I’ll get one from the palace treasury for you. Otherwise, trade something else with him?”

Afraid Shen You would refuse, he listed another reason:

“The palace treasury has things from previous dynasties, many with lost craftsmanship. In the modern world, they’d also be antiques.”

This sentence made Shen You’s heart skip.

Great Qi’s contemporary creations were certainly valuable and could serve as well-preserved Ming-Qing replicas in the market.

Previous dynasty items were different. The Ru kiln porcelain she’d obtained earliest was already antique in Great Qi’s time, which was why it was so valuable.

“Why don’t you just name a price?” Shen You suggested.

“You’re helping me figure out how to retrieve the token. That’s worth much more than a phoenix crown.”

Wen Zhi lifted his goblet and tilted his head back to drink the osmanthus wine.

His rolling Adam’s apple and languid posture in the lamplight were truly elegant and refined.

Shen You looked a few more times. “But I haven’t found a method yet. Taking things without results—what if I can’t deliver…”

No matter how good-looking he was, his transactions could really be deadly.

For uncertain matters, Shen You didn’t dare make promises.

Wen Zhi raised his eyes and chuckled softly: “My transactions aren’t decided so casually. Don’t worry.”

“Good, I trust you.” Shen You also smiled and nodded.

The two held ancient goblets but toasted in the modern way.