November came in a blink of an eye, and the weather gradually turned cold. The temperature difference between morning and evening in the capital was enormous. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel~fire~net
On November 1st, it was the grand opening of Yusuf Zuck’s new shop. He discarded the original name of the premises and renamed it ’Treasure Pavilion’.
On the opening day, Yusuf Zuck didn’t invite many people. Moreover, he didn’t know anyone in the capital, so those who came to congratulate him, besides Boss Eloise Hart, Boss Bryce Harper, Master Everest Zuck, and Fatty Ma, included Anna Cooke, who could be considered an outsider.
Of course, Yusuf Zuck’s original team was all present, and even Sara Zuck rushed over with two classmates.
With spirited fireworks and the unveiling of the Treasure Pavilion’s signboard, Yusuf Zuck invited everyone to be seated inside.
The decoration of an antique shop doesn’t pursue luxury but subtlety and an ancient charm instead. Yusuf Zuck’s new shop was simple and tidy, with not many antiques displayed; even some shelves were empty.
However, even though there weren’t many antiques, the collection was comprehensive, including porcelain, calligraphy and painting, Jade Artifacts, agate, and bronze ware.
There were only one or two items in each category, but each was genuinely authentic.
"Little Zhang, is this Tian Huang?" After walking around the shop, Boss Jerome Hart and Boss Bryce Harper immediately spotted a Tian Huang stone the size of half a watermelon in a cabinet. Seeing this Tian Huang, both bosses became instantly unsettled.
Those who collect antiques know that one tael of Tian Huang stone is worth more than three taels of gold, meaning one would not trade a tael of Tian Huang even for three taels of gold.
In recent years, the excavation of Tian Huang stone has been very scarce. People in Fujian who speculated on Tian Huang years ago have become billionaires, as Tian Huang is indeed more precious than jadeite.
"This was a gift from Big Brother Everest, I didn’t want it, but he insisted on pushing it into my hands, so I used it as the shop’s treasure!" Yusuf Zuck said with a smile.
"Haha, it’s nothing much!" Master Everest Zuck, who was sitting aside drinking tea, laughed. Besides bringing the jade Pixiu, he had Miss Faye Webb deliver this Tian Huang stone a few days ago. Having dealt with antiques and jade for a while now, Yusuf Zuck was aware of this Tian Huang’s value.
"How many grams does this Tian Huang have?" Eloise Hart asked, enviously.
"Over two thousand grams," Yusuf Zuck answered.
"Sigh~" Upon hearing Yusuf Zuck’s response, Boss Bryce Harper and Boss Eloise Hart both gasped sharply. They dealt with such items every day and knew that the current market price of Tian Huang stone had reached nearly twenty thousand per gram. Twenty thousand per gram times two thousand equals forty million!
That is to say, Master Everest Zuck gave a forty-million-yuan gift to celebrate the opening of Yusuf Zuck’s shop.
Such generosity was unheard of for gifts. Yusuf Zuck was a newcomer, a mere upstart, rootless and lacking influence. Yet, why did Everest Zuck show such favor towards Yusuf Zuck?
"What on earth is going on?" Boss Bryce Harper and Boss Eloise Hart exchanged glances, both unable to comprehend why the renowned Master Everest Zuck from the capital would be so kind to Yusuf Zuck. What could the reason be? Could Yusuf Zuck actually be his illegitimate son? After all, they both shared the last name Zhang!
"For lunch, I’ve booked Dong Lai Shun. It’s cold today, so let’s enjoy a hot pot." Yusuf Zuck announced to everyone in the room.
"Little Miss, could you take out this piece of calligraphy for me to see? Is this Zeng Guofan’s writing? An authentic piece?" Eloise Hart then turned his attention to a piece of calligraphy hanging inside a showcase; the calligraphy was an authentic piece by Zeng Guofan that Yusuf Zuck had acquired long ago. Thus, it was displayed for the opening of the new store.
At the same time, the ’little Miss’ referred to by Eloise Hart was none other than Anna Cooke, who had been helping out in the shop. Having arrived two days before the opening of the new shop, she could be considered an intern. On the opening day, she also brought a congratulatory gift on behalf of the Shepherd family. It wasn’t something very valuable but a piece of writing by her grandfather.
Of course, Yusuf Zuck didn’t display that piece of writing as it was indeed valuable.
Master Everest Zuck had already noticed Anna Cooke and examined her several times. Being a fortune-teller and physiognomist, he could of course discern her features.
When Anna Cooke handed over the calligraphy to Eloise Hart, Everest Zuck whispered, "Whose little noble lady have you coaxed over here?"
"You’re awesome!" Yusuf Zuck gave a thumbs up. What makes a remarkable person? Everest Zuck was undeniably one, with eyes sharp as fire.
"You better not ask, they don’t want others to know!" Yusuf Zuck shook his head. Regarding Delaney Valencia’s identity, even Miles O’brien didn’t know; aside from Jerome Hart, everyone else simply knew she was the temporary worker that Yusuf Zuck had recently hired.
The so-called temporary worker was one who would come to work temporarily on weekends and then received a salary from Yusuf Zuck for the work accomplished.
However, Delaney Valencia naturally possessed a depth that seemed as if one could see through autumn waters. Not to mention her beauty, she also had a distinct aura—indescribable but akin to Ancient Jade, exuding a vintage charm.
"Heh, a place where dragons hide and tigers crouch!" Everest Zuck chuckled.
In Yusuf Zuck’s humble shop, indeed, dragons hid and tigers crouched. Yusuf Zuck himself need not be mentioned, and there was Jerome Hart, who unexpectedly had the air of an internal martial artist. Then there was Fleur Carson, who despite keeping his killing intent under wraps, could not hide it from Everest Zuck; it was clear as day, a man embodying Blood Energy and bloodthirst.
There was also Delaney Valencia, Samuel Ross, the pillars, Dream Morrow—none of them common folks.
"Little brother, I won’t join you for lunch. I’m flying to Australia this afternoon." The fat man sipping tea at the table was riding high recently since his company had signed a contract with a wealthy conglomerate. His advance team had already arrived in Australia, and the contract’s site was worth nearly a hundred billion.
Of course, he didn’t come empty-handed today; besides bringing two sets of completed villa titles, there was an extra set, also in Sara Zuck’s name.
A commercial building’s ground floor, two hundred square meters in size and facing the street, had already been renovated plainly and was now inviting tenants.
Being in the construction business, what he least lacked was buildings.
For Yusuf Zuck’s sake in securing the Australian project, although no profit had been made yet, by the project’s end, earning tens of billions was a sure thing.
So, a street-facing shop was not a big deal. This was just an initial reward for Yusuf Zuck, with more to come.
Yusuf Zuck was not one for airs— he accepted everything graciously.
"Australia is different from home; watch your safety. It’s best to bring a bodyguard or something." Yusuf Zuck reminded.
"Mmh, I’ve got it all arranged. Safety first when you’re abroad!" the fat man nodded with a smile.
"Then I wish you smooth sailing in advance!" Yusuf Zuck said with a salute.
"Thanks for your auspicious words, haha!" the fat man returned the salute with a laugh.
"Haha, that’s that!" While Yusuf Zuck and the others were inside talking, suddenly, a loud laugh came from outside, followed by seven or eight young men, all unsavory-looking, barging in.
Fleur Carson and Samuel Ross, who were busy outside, saw that these newcomers were up to no good, and they immediately rushed in.
Yusuf Zuck was momentarily stunned, then immediately furrowed his brows.
After the seven or eight men entered, they split apart, and then Bud Trujillo, in a suit and shoes, walked in.
He had been released, and even after his release, he hadn’t given up on finding Yusuf Zuck. Coincidentally, or perhaps fatefully, he did find out Yusuf Zuck’s whereabouts, and knowing that Yusuf Zuck’s new shop was opening today, he brought his men over.
"Heh, quite a crowd here." Bud Trujillo scanned the people in the room, then fixated his gaze on Yusuf Zuck, smiling insincerely, "Finally found you, Mr. Zuck. You seem to be doing quite well for yourself, but shouldn’t we settle our old scores?"