Chapter 500: National Treasure
Chapter 500: National Treasure
Lu Hongjun found the key to Box Number Four and slowly opened it.
As soon as the box was opened, Lu Jiaxin's eyes widened at the sight within. Lying inside was a green and pink porcelain piece, vibrant in color and exquisitely patterned.
Noticing her transfixed gaze, Lu Hongjun smiled and asked, "How is it? Isn't it better than the one Su Hexuan bought?"
Snapping out of her daze, Lu Jiaxin replied, "I haven't been back yet, so I don't know what that porcelain looks like. Stop keeping me in suspense and open the rest of the boxes."
If the first box contained something so exquisite, the other five boxes probably held treasures as well.
The second box contained a Dingyao white porcelain vase with a fish and flower pattern and official script, while the third box held a guan yao powder-blue vase with a celadon glaze and a unique handle design. The fourth box revealed a bronze coin-patterned tripod cauldron.
The fifth box contained a jadeite cabbage sculpture. While the first four antiques were impressive, it was this jadeite cabbage that truly excited Lu Jiaxin.
Lu Jiaxin had once visited the Bay Island Museum and seen one of its prized possessions—a jadeite cabbage statue. The one before her now shared similarities, with the white part of the jade carved into the cabbage stem and the green part crafted into leaves. However, it lacked the two insects that were part of the museum piece, making it slightly less impressive. Nonetheless, the layers of the cabbage were distinct, and the deliberately retained green jade gave it a charming dark green hue, almost like a radiant glow.
After admiring it for a while, Lu Jiaxin realized that the sixth box had been opened as well. Inside was a Guanyin statue for praying for children. This Guanyin statue was about 40 centimeters tall and was a translucent, snowy white color.
Lu Hongjun proudly said, "This Guanyin statue is carved from a single piece of mutton-fat jade. It took a herculean effort for me to acquire it."
Lu Jiaxin looked at him and asked, "You said you plan to give these to Lu Shan and have him pass them down to Goudan and Gousheng, to be kept in the family for generations, right?"
Lu Hongjun nodded. "Each of these treasures is worthy of becoming a family heirloom."
Any one of these six items would be a highlight of a museum. Lu Jiaxin scoffed, "You intend to give such precious items to Lu Shan? Do you want to jinx his family? Do you want them to meet an early end?"
Once word got out, their lives would be in danger. After all, people would kill for such treasures. However, in her hands, there was no such worry. No one could take these treasures from her. Her residence was equipped with the most advanced security system in the world.
Lu Hongjun's expression turned somber. "That's why I dared not give them to Shanzi. I didn't even dare to give one item each to Goudan and Gousheng, lest they cause a ruckus. I'm getting on in years and can't take the stress, so it's better to just endure it. What's most important is for the children to grow up safely."
Lu Jiaxin caressed the jadeite cabbage and asked, "Did you come by these items legally? Tell me the truth, and I'll help you figure something out."
"Of course, I acquired them legally," Lu Hongjun replied. "I traded them for resources that were in short supply. If I had taken them by force, I would have been punished by now."
Lu Jiaxin knew that these antiques were likely obtained by her father through trades for scarce resources during his time. However, since Lu Hongjun didn't consider it a violation of rules or discipline, she didn't press the matter further.
These treasures were rare and exquisite, and Lu Jiaxin loved them dearly. Once she returned to Hong Kong City, she would display them in her home and admire them every day.
Closing all the boxes, Lu Jiaxin said, "I'll have someone take these to Hong Kong City. If you have any requests, now is the time to speak."
Lu Hongjun indicated that he had no requests.
A suspicious look crossed Lu Jiaxin's face. "You have no requests? You're just going to give me all these treasures?"
Lu Hongjun said, "I suddenly feel that these items can only be passed down safely if they're with you. Giving them to Lu Shan is too risky."
Upon mentioning Lu Jiaxin, Lu Hongjun's expression turned sour, "That child is too honest and sincere. I worry her father might deceive and take advantage of her."
Speaking of Lu Hongjun, his anger surfaced, "I used to think he was an honest man, but who knew he had such deceitful intentions. He didn't even consult me about something as important as adopting a child."
Yesterday at dinner, when he noticed Lu Hongjun and his second wife were absent, he suddenly realized that despite their strained father-daughter relationship, they were still family.
Lu Jiaxin remarked, "He wants to adopt Shanzi so that he can rightfully claim the possessions in your hands. If he knows you've given them all to me, he'll definitely have objections."
Lu Hongjun replied in displeasure, "What more could Lu Hongjun possibly want? I've already given him a spacious three-bedroom apartment and a shop space of over 50 square meters."
Lu Jiaxin's tone shifted, "What else do you have?"
"Nothing more." Lu Hongjun's quick response raised Lu Jiaxin's suspicion. "These things you're giving to Shanzi... Be sure that they won't bring him any harm or disaster."
"Rest assured, they won't," Lu Hongjun assured.
Lu Jiaxin didn't pursue the topic further. "It's getting late. You should head back."
Lu Hongjun's expression changed, "You want me to go back at this hour?"
Lu Jiaxin, feeling generous, didn't press the issue. "Then spend the night here. I'll have someone send you back early tomorrow morning."
"What time is your flight tomorrow? I'll see you off."
Lu Jiaxin rejected the offer. Without further ado, she retired to her room for the night. As she walked away, Lu Hongjun's gaze fell on the six boxes on the table, his expression complex.
Judging from Lu Jiaxin's earlier reaction, she seemed to genuinely like these items. However, the fact that she left them out so casually instead of putting them away was intriguing. Firstly, she seemed to like them but didn't treat them as rare treasures. Secondly, she seemed confident in the safety of this place.
He recalled a former comrade praising his extraordinary daughter, but when pressed for details, the comrade remained tight-lipped. Lu Hongjun couldn't help but wonder about the extent of his daughter's business success to elicit such praise. Nonetheless, as her biological father, he knew that her success would ultimately benefit him in his old age.
Unconcerned about her father's thoughts, Lu Jiaxin returned home and called Nie Zhan, who answered this time. Sensing fatigue in his voice, she asked, "Did you go to the old residence again today?"
Nie Zhan knew she disliked his family, but he believed in honesty between couples. "Yes, but I won't agree to any unreasonable demands."
Lu Jiaxin didn't inquire about the demands, deeming it unnecessary. "If your grandfather asks you to clean up the mess at Wan Sheng Bank again, just return the shares of Wan Sheng Real Estate to him."
Nie Zhan couldn't help but chuckle. Lu Jiaxin was truly fearless now, readily giving up a company worth 3 billion yuan.
Lu Jiaxin affirmed, "Return the shares to him, and we'll acquire another real estate company. That way, they won't have any more room to complain."
"Nie Zhan, don't always give in to him. The more you yield, the more he'll take advantage. When I was young, I always tried to consider my father's situation, even if it meant enduring grievances. But in the end, he only cared about his new wife and stepdaughter, never considering my feelings. It was only after I stopped acknowledging him that he dared not act so arrogantly anymore."
"By the way, he also gave me his final collection today—six antique pieces. Once they're shipped back to Hong Kong City, I'm sure you'll love them too."
Nie Zhan knew Lu Jiaxin's taste, and her excitement indicated that these antiques were national treasures.
(End of Chapter)
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