Chapter 26: The Perfect Forgery
People who run antique shops probably have aesthetics leaning that way to some extent, and Wu Xie’s home naturally does too. So that Ming Dynasty coffin placed in the room actually blended perfectly into the decor, looking just like an original decorative piece. This made Lin Yan subconsciously ignore it every time he entered, and then he would accidentally trip over it.
“Ah!” Hearing the soft cry from next door, Wu Xie sighed for the 180th time this week.
According to Lin Yan, that thing in his head was suppressed by yin energy, but according to Zhang Qiling, it might also be slowly fusing with him. Logically speaking, with such a powerful thing added to his head, how could Lin Yan still trip over the coffin every time? And no matter where they moved the coffin, he could still trip over it?
If his relationship with Lin Yan had reached that level, he might even move the coffin to his own place, sleep on it, and move it back later.
Then he heard Lin Yan moving the coffin again.
Not to mention anything else, it seemed Lin Yan’s strength had increased a bit compared to before; at least moving an empty coffin was effortless now. He heard Lin Yan grunting as he moved the coffin to the corner of the living room and kicked it once, so he stuck his head out from the room to take a look: “Yo, moved it again?”
Lin Yan ruffled his hair into a bird’s nest: “I share an irreconcilable enmity with this coffin! Damn it, how can I trip over it no matter where I go! This isn’t scientific! I’ve put it here now—if I trip over it again, I’m a dog! Damn!” He kicked it hard again, but when his foot landed on the coffin, he subconsciously held back a bit—he still needed to sleep on it, what if he damaged it?
As a result, that evening after dinner when Lin Yan came to Wu Xie to talk about something, Wu Xie heard the familiar sound again.
“Ah! I damn well put it here—how can I still trip over it!”
Wu Xie silently poked his head out from the room: “Lin Yan? Little Dog Lin?”
Lin Yan looked utterly defeated: “Whatever you say, destroy me, I’m tired.”
Suddenly he turned his head to stare at Wu Xie, his gaze gradually turning dangerous, his expression gradually becoming ferocious as he secretly thought inside, if Wu Xie’s grandfather’s nickname was Old Dog Wu, then wasn’t Wu Xie also Little Dog Wu! If he got the chance, he would absolutely pin that nickname on Wu Xie!
Wu Xie involuntarily shivered.
After the joking, they got down to business. The two sat upright in the living room with a small lamp on, looking so serious that outsiders might think they were discussing national affairs.
Wu Xie spoke first, and he even put on a pair of plain glasses: “This meeting has three agenda items. First, there’s a lead on that bronze fish; second, the silk manuscript that Third Uncle had appraised before leaving has results; third, the things we brought back have been sold!”
Lin Yan clapped supportively: “Then how about we discuss the third agenda item first?”
Wu Xie nodded and pretentiously flipped through the paper in his hand: “That jade burial suit and the inlaid jade have been sent to auction and are still in process—we don’t know when it’ll be scheduled, so let’s not talk about that yet. As for the other things we brought back, like the jewelry Panzi brought, give them to him, along with some medical fees and mental distress compensation. Any opinions on this, Comrade Lin Yan?”
Lin Yan shook his head: “None, it’s only right. Panzi is probably the one among us who’s been recovering the longest. No issue with this part. Also, where did you get those glasses? I haven’t seen you wear them before. You’ve got that vibe now!”
Wu Xie gave him a white-eyed look: “Wasn’t it you who said we need a sense of ceremony? Ahem, don’t interrupt! Continuing… Let me see, next is—oh right, the bronze fish wasn’t sold, but the box was. These days, antique mechanism boxes with history are in good demand. Everyone gets this amount—” He wiggled three fingers, adding: “Third Uncle organized the expedition, so he takes the lion’s share, the rest is split evenly. Any objections?”
Lin Yan, well aware that he had just been baggage and a human backpack this time, shook his head again: “No objections! Anything else? Anything else?”
Wu Xie continued: “Also, the bead you took from the female corpse’s belt sold for this amount—” He held up a palm, then grabbed a calculator and punched some numbers: “Deducting the medical fees you owe us, plus the medical fees, mental distress, nutrition fees you smashed into my place, and the cost of keeping you…”
He shoved the calculator in front of Lin Yan and pulled out a wad of bills from his pocket, counting out seven Grandpa Maos: “This is what’s left. Oh, wait, no.”
He took his hand back: “We don’t know how long you’ll stay here yet. Calculating by the month, this pretty much covers the food costs.”
Lin Yan was completely petrified across from him, eyes glazed over, face ashen. Seeing him like this, Wu Xie sighed too: “Sigh, seeing you like this, I don’t have the heart to ask for rent anymore. This can offset it for me.”
Lin Yan jolted, nearly jumping up: “There’s rent too?!” He thought about how this week he’d been eating Wu Xie’s food, using Wu Xie’s stuff, and occasionally being taken by Wu Xie to a restaurant for West Lake vinegar fish and such—turns out it was all waiting for him here! If it was like this, better to follow Zhang Qiling—at least he wouldn’t ask for money.
But thinking about it was one thing; if he really followed Zhang Qiling, he’d still be stuck in some tomb right now, nowhere near as comfortable as at Wu Xie’s home. This was evident from how he’d gained at least three jin in a week—Wu Xie really ate well! Sigh, now he could only hope Zhang Qiling would come back soon and tell him how to solve the thing in his head. Otherwise, he might end up owing Wu Xie even more.
Seeing Lin Yan’s dejected look, Wu Xie nearly burst out laughing and couldn’t help putting his fist to his mouth to cough twice to cover it.
“Ahem, so Comrade Lin Yan, which agenda item would you like to discuss next?”
Lin Yan waved his hand weakly: “Whatever, I’m tired, it’s all the same.” It was clear he hadn’t recovered from the shock of the money flying away from his hands.
Sure enough, human nature is schadenfreude!
“Ahem, then about the first agenda item.” Wu Xie straightened his expression: “A few days ago I went to Second Uncle’s place, and he told me not to inquire about this thing. Later I secretly used other channels—cough, just a bit of connections—from the underground circles, and heard that the family looking for the bronze fish has the surname Huo.”
“Nine Gates Huo Family?” Lin Yan frowned, vaguely recalling a tricky character who appeared later, Old Lady Huo. This was an extremely difficult woman who had pitted Wu Xie more than once, even making him owe billions to New Moon Restaurant? At least before he transmigrated, he’d heard jokes saying that for the next decade or so, Wu Xie and Fatty had been working for free at New Moon Restaurant to pay off the debt. Tsk tsk, truly miserable!
Although this old lady died in Bana at the end and seemed to get somewhat redeemed? But that didn’t change his view of her. By the way, was this old lady Huo Xiangu or not? He only remembered Wu Family head Wu Xie, Jie Family’s Hua Er Ye, Huo Family’s Huo Xiuxiu— he really didn’t remember this old lady’s identity.
Seeing him frown, Wu Xie hurriedly asked: “You know the Huo Family?” He was just short of asking if he knew why the Huo Family was looking for the bronze fish.
Lin Yan shook his head: “I’m really not clear on this—I only know there’s a Huo Family among the Nine Gates.” No helping it; the later info dumps were too massive, basically processing as he went, so how could he remember earlier foreshadowing? How would he know why the Huo Family wanted the bronze fish! It was already good that he remembered it was related to the underwater tomb in Xisha twenty years ago!
Seeing Lin Yan’s expression didn’t look like he was hiding anything, Wu Xie just shook his head and let it go: “Forget it, no use talking about it now. The Huo Family and our family don’t seem to have much interaction these days. Third Uncle or Second Uncle should have some leads—if we investigate, it won’t escape them. But Third Uncle isn’t here now, and Second Uncle won’t let me get involved.”
He was silent for a few seconds: “Better leave it be. We can only see if there’s a chance to connect later.”
Lin Yan nodded.
They both fell silent for a few seconds unprompted, neither wanting to bring up this heavy topic again. Finally, Lin Yan broke the silence: “Isn’t there still one more piece of news? What’s the situation with that silk manuscript?”
On this topic, Wu Xie perked up: “Speaking of which—you definitely won’t guess what the test results are.” He looked at Lin Yan mysteriously, and Lin Yan played along: “What are the results?”
“The results… The gold content purity in this silk manuscript is too high; with that era’s techniques, it couldn’t possibly be produced! In other words, this is a perfect fake!”
Lin Yan looked up in shock and met Wu Xie’s eyes. They both said a name at the same time: “Zhang Qiling!” “Mute Bottle!”
“No…” After two seconds, Lin Yan suddenly reached out a hand to stop Wu Xie who wanted to speak: “Why can’t it be your Third Uncle? Don’t forget, both groups had the time! Also, why make such a perfect fake for us? Or rather, for you to see?”
PS: Saw someone asking about the romance subplot… Personally, I’m leaning towards no CP, since it’s about seeking truth and resolving regrets—writing romance feels off… Of course, another reason is fear of messing it up and affecting the plot, so better not to write it…
