Chapter 42 - 41 The Real Reason for Choosing Yubao Square

When he spoke those words, he had already considered that maybe the girl would not agree.

Sure enough, Gu Qiaoqiao rejected him, her voice crisp as she said, “No need to look for me, I can come to you.”

“Alright, then it’s settled,” Zhang Yi did not hesitate, but instead instructed his assistant to get the money.

The money was thoughtfully prepared in two denominations, with fifty-one five hundred yuan bills and the remainder in ten yuan bills.

Gu Qiaoqiao put the money in her down jacket’s pocket, the first money she had ever earned in her life; she was very happy, and thus generously handed the cardboard box to Zhang Yi, “Boss Zhang, the box is for you.”

Boss Zhang’s mouth twitched; such exquisite nucleus carving in this battered box was truly a waste of its beauty.

However, he would never let Gu Qiaoqiao know that her nucleus carving was currently the foremost piece in Yubao Square’s collection.

If there were any regrets, it was that the piece wasn’t carved by a famous artist, nor did it have any historical provenance or backstory.

But a flaw does not hide the jade.

Good things never lack people who truly appreciate them.

Seeing Boss Zhang’s face smile like a sly fox, Gu Qiaoqiao also curved her lips upward.

The reason she had come straight to Yubao Square on Antique Street was something she had heard about in her past life.

Especially about Boss Zhang Er from here, who started following the Old Patriarch at ten and became the second manager by fifteen.

It wasn’t because of the Old Patriarch’s deep affection, but because this person had a discerning eye and an open nature, giving a fair price whether buying or selling.

He wouldn’t depress the price just because the other party was anxious to sell, nor would he inflate the price just because the other party genuinely loved the item.

In the end, it was always a win-win situation.

Therefore, the people who came here never had to worry about being cheated or deceived.

Yubao Square was originally in Jinling City and had withstood several hundred years, including multiple wars, but rather than declining, it had continued to grow and develop.

But no one knew why, eighty years ago, it closed all its shops in Jinling City and moved to the Imperial Capital.

Even so, Yubao Square still maintained an unshakable status as a leader in the Imperial Capital.

Zhang Yi murmured in his heart, but did not neglect his tasks, smiling warmly as he said, “Thank you then, Miss Xiao Qiao.”

He took the box and carefully placed it on the table.

“Boss Zhang, goodbye.”

“Miss Qiao, take care on your way.”

As Gu Qiaoqiao walked out of the main entrance of Yubao Square, sure enough, she saw Bai Yun’s dodging figure in the corner of the wall.

Gu Qiaoqiao’s eyes, clear as spring water, flickered with a dark light. She carefully looked around, then took out several ten yuan bills from her pocket, her eyes shining joyously as she stared at them for a long time before reluctantly putting them back.

Then she walked towards Bai Yun.

Bai Yun was startled and hastily turned and mingled into the crowd.

When she turned her head back, she could no longer see Gu Qiaoqiao’s figure.

Bai Yun’s eyes were fierce, and she let out a cold laugh, then quickly walked toward the bus station.

She wanted to go to the Qin Family immediately to expose Gu Qiaoqiao when she returned, and then Gu Qiaoqiao would not only be driven out of the Qin Family, but might even be sent to detention, which would really be satisfying.

After Bai Yun had gone, Gu Qiaoqiao came out from behind a sign. She was just about to turn the corner when she saw a young man a few steps away, his eyes smiling as he looked at her.

Gu Qiaoqiao was startled and before she could react, the man quickly walked over, greeting her with a smile, “It really is Qiaoqiao. I thought I had recognized the wrong person for a moment.”

It was Luo Fan, Luo Zhenyu’s grandson.

Gu Qiaoqiao hadn’t expected to run into him, so had he seen her holding the money earlier?

Gu Qiaoqiao chuckled, “Hello, Mr. Luo.”

“What Mr. Luo, call me Big Brother Luo…” Luo Fan clearly wasn’t pleased with Gu Qiaoqiao’s distant form of address.

Luo Fan, unlike Qin Yize’s cool demeanor, liked to smile a lot, his peach blossom eyes also brimming with mirth.

He seemed very warm and affable.

She wasn’t pretentious, “Big Brother Luo…”

Then she continued to ask, “How is Grandpa Luo’s health?”

“Much better, he’ll be able to leave the hospital in half a month,” Luo Fan was very happy to hear this address of Big Brother Luo.

He didn’t know why his grandfather had instructed him to treat Gu Qiaoqiao with such high regard, but as the designated heir, he knew his grandfather had his reasons.

However, his grandfather had also instructed him not to disturb her unilaterally.

“That’s good.” Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t have a watch and wasn’t sure of the time, she looked at the sun and said to Luo Fan, “Big Brother Luo, I have other matters, I need to leave now.”

Luo Fan knew she was married and had many inconveniences.

He didn’t try to hold her back, but instead said cheerfully, “I came by car, how about I drive you back?”

“No need.” Gu Qiaoqiao politely declined, “I still need to look around the store.”

Having said that, Gu Qiaoqiao smiled at Luo Fan, turned, and walked towards the store.

The smile remained on Luo Fan’s face, but his gaze deepened significantly.

He turned his head towards the grand door of Yubao Square, recalling the scene he had just witnessed, and walked towards Yubao Square.

Zhang Yi found a beautiful stand made of Bai Yu, then carefully took out a nucleus carving, his eyes reflecting his admiration.

Once this nucleus carving entered Yubao Square, its value was no longer just eight hundred yuan.

However, he hadn’t planned to sell it just yet.

After nurturing it here for a year or so, its value would definitely multiply several times over.

At that moment, Luo Fan strode in.

Smiling before he spoke, he greeted, “Uncle Zhang, happy New Year.”@@novelbin@@

Zhang Yi saw Luo Fan, who had grown into a handsome young man since they last met.

The two naturally exchanged pleasantries.

Then Luo Fan didn’t beat around the bush and directly asked, “That girl in the beige down jacket who came here earlier, what was she here for?”

Hearing this, Zhang Yi sized up Luo Fan, picked up his teacup, smiled, and said, “With customers coming and going here, I can’t really tell who you’re referring to.”

Luo Fan weighed his words, knowing this was the store’s rule, and then shared with Zhang Yi the incident that had occurred on the night of the third day of the New Year involving his grandfather.

Zhang Yi was very surprised, and it was only when he heard that Elder Luo had turned from danger to safety that he relaxed, “I will visit Elder Luo in the hospital in a bit.”

Then he asked Luo Fan, “Are you sure that girl is the wife of Elder Luo’s life-saver?”

“I’m sure, we greeted each other outside earlier, but I didn’t have the heart to ask what she was doing here.”

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes and took out the nucleus carving, “This girl came here to sell this.”

To his surprise, Luo Fan, seeing such a beautifully exquisite nucleus carving, asked, “Is this a family heirloom?”

Zhang Yi shook his head, “No, it’s newly carved, not even three days old.”