novelpaito Chapter 1316 Scene
Chapter 1316 Scene
Su Xing was busy for two more days. In addition to attending classes and drawing manuscripts, she also spent a lot of time repairing that ancient book.
However, given the extent of the damage to this ancient book, fully restoring it would be a considerable undertaking.
Su Xing sighed inwardly, realizing that she wouldn't be able to repair the ancient books during the antique fair.
Although she was slightly disappointed, she quickly adjusted her mindset.
Good things need to be repaired slowly and carefully; there's no room for carelessness.
Once it's fixed, she won't be short of opportunities to sell it, and she's not in a hurry to make money.
Wednesday.
After finishing his class, Su Xing prepared to head to the housing fair.
Because she was afraid of traffic jams, she didn't drive and chose to take the subway instead.
After getting on the subway, she sent a message to Shen Bai.
Can I stay asleep? "I'm out of school, on the subway, I'll be there in a bit."
Not long after, Shen Bai replied to her message.
Mr. Shen, the antique dealer, said, "Okay, call me when you arrive, and I'll come down to meet you."
Can I stay asleep? "Okay! (Expression: OK)"
Su Xing put on his headphones and listened to French during his subway ride to improve his listening skills.
When the subway arrived at the station, she hurried along while calling Shen Bai to tell him that she would be there soon.
Shen Bai said he would come downstairs to wait for her right away.
Around 5 a.m., Su woke up at the Xinggong International Hotel.
The area in front of the hotel's VIP building was already filled with very distinctive cars.
There are no exaggerated neon lights, only a few warm palace lanterns under the eaves, reflecting the hotel's own ancient architectural outline, which is calm and restrained.
This hotel is known as a "livable museum" and is also recognized within the industry as one of the most suitable venues for top-tier antique property exchanges.
As Su Xing approached the lobby entrance, he saw Shen Bai.
He was on the phone when he saw Su Xing wake up. He smiled at her, said a few quick words to the person on the other end of the line, and then hung up.
Su Xing walked towards Shen Bai and said, "Good evening, Mr. Shen."
"Good evening, let's go inside," Shen Bai said with a smile.
Su Xing nodded, "Okay."
Shen Bai was wearing a dark gray suit with subtle patterns today, with a small Hetian jade button on the cuff. He had a refined and elegant demeanor, but he was not ostentatious.
As for Su Xing... she was wearing a simple, understated dark coat and carrying a particularly large crossbody bag, thinking that she might come in handy if she could find something she liked.
If it weren't for her strong, beautiful face, her outfit would look quite ordinary.
The greeter opened the door for them, and the two entered the hotel.
The lobby of Xinggong International is always filled with Tang and Song Dynasty Buddhist statues and Ming and Qing Dynasty official kiln porcelain shards. Even the pillars and screens have the charm of old objects, which naturally match the atmosphere of antiques.
This is Su Xing's first time visiting this hotel.
Her eyes couldn't help but dart towards the standing statue of Guanyin in the Water Moon.
Shen Bai said, "It's dinner time now, and most of the homeowners at the housing fair have gone to eat dinner. Shall we grab something to eat before we continue shopping?"
"Okay." Su Xing followed Shen Bai in, naturally following Shen Bai's instructions.
Shen Bai took Su Xing up the elevator to the official restaurant on the second floor.
He had already booked a table here in advance.
After the two sat down, they quickly ordered a table full of food.
Because they had important business to attend to later, the two of them wanted to eat dinner quickly.
Afraid of overeating, Shen Bai ate while talking to Su Xing about the antique and real estate fair.
He said, "Tonight's property fair is on the fourth floor of the VIP building in the palace. The entire floor is reserved and only open to collectors and senior shop owners in the industry, so there is no publicity to the outside world."
Su Xing swallowed the food in her mouth, smiled and said, "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I definitely wouldn't have been able to get in."
She searched online for information about the antique and real estate fair, but found virtually no reliable information.
These high-end real estate fairs generally do not accept individual visitors.
Having Shen Bai's connections is truly wonderful!
Shen Bai laughed and said, "Why are you being so polite with me? Besides, you have the ability to participate in such a trade fair."
He genuinely believed that Su Xing wasn't a seasoned collector yet, but she had a keen eye, excellent professional appraisal skills, great restoration techniques, and incredible luck. Such a talent was perfect for the antique business!
He liked to invite Su Xing to similar exchange meetings, partly hoping to benefit from her good fortune.
Or she could find a bargain and sell it to Zhenbaozhai.
After all, he's a businessman.
Su Xing smiled and said, "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony with you."
She lowered her head, then took another bite of food and chewed it carefully.
Seeing that she was eating with great relish, Shen Bai couldn't help but start drooling again.
He subconsciously picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth...
The two didn't eat for very long during dinner. After finishing, they prepared to go to the fourth floor.
As you walk through the corridor, you can smell a faint scent of sandalwood and old wood. The corridor of the palace is spacious and covered with thick carpets, which absorbs the sound of footsteps. Famous paintings and calligraphy are hung on both sides, and wood carvings and porcelain vases are placed at the corners. All of them are from the hotel’s own collection and are not temporary decorations.
The elevator went straight to the fourth floor. As soon as you exited the elevator, two security guards in black suits quietly checked your invitation information. Without an invitation, you couldn't even get to your floor.
The security personnel were already very familiar with Shen Bai, and VIPs of Shen Bai's caliber could also bring guests.
They simply glanced at Su Xing and said nothing more.
Su Xing followed Shen Bai further inside.
The entire corridor was so quiet that only soft breathing and footsteps could be heard. All the room doors were ajar, with no signs or announcements. Those in the know would naturally know which room to go into.
This is a true high-end antique fair, free from the noise of street stalls and the crowds of exhibitions. Merchants lay out their most treasured items directly on the beds, TV cabinets, and desks in the rooms, using the rooms as shops and the beds as cabinets. Viewing, handling, inquiring about prices, and making transactions are all done in a private and quiet manner.
Shen Bai stepped aside and led Su Xing to the innermost room. "The further in you go, the more valuable the items become. The outer rooms contain mid-range goods, while the inner rooms contain repatriated items and private collections from several major collectors."
Zhenbaozhai also sent over a lot of goods, but Shen Bai didn't need to be present. There were antique salesmen and appraisers in the guest rooms of Zhenbaozhai.
He figured it would be Su Xing's first time at such a trade fair, so he would show her around first.
Su Xing listened to Shen Bai's low explanation and nodded repeatedly.
They pushed open one of the slightly ajar doors and went inside.
The boutique guest room, spanning over 60 square meters, is spacious and free of clutter, with all items neatly arranged according to their categories.
The large bed was covered with dark blue velvet and displayed Hetian jade pendants, Qing Dynasty jadeite safety buckles, and old amber beads.
On the desk are important writing implements: Duan inkstone, Huzhou brush, Ming and Qing dynasty ink, and several well-preserved fragments of ancient books.
On the TV cabinet are some porcelain miscellaneous items: small Song Dynasty porcelain cups, blue and white porcelain cups, bronze censers, and small figurines, each with a sense of heritage.
Su Xing felt dizzy and disoriented.
There were only three or four people in the room, all wearing white gloves, handling things gently, speaking in a soft voice, and no one making a loud noise.
An elderly collector nodded slightly when he saw Shen Bai, saying, "It's Young Master Shen."
Shen Bai greeted him with a smile, "Good evening, Uncle Zhang."
Uncle Zhang's eyes fell on Su Xing again, "And this young lady is...?"
Young Master Shen's female companion?
Shen Bai said, "This is Miss Su, my friend, who is also in this circle."
Zhang Shuchong nodded as he woke up.
It seems she's not that kind of female companion anymore.
Su Xing smiled politely and courteously, "Hello, Mr. Zhang."
Since Shen Bai called the other party Uncle Zhang, she didn't need to try to get close to him.
It was a bit hot in the hotel, so Su Xing put her coat in her arms and didn't put it back on.
She wore a beige knit sweater underneath, paired with charcoal gray straight-leg pants. She didn't wear any eye-catching jewelry, only a watch on her wrist, which looked quite expensive.
Moreover, her temperament was too extraordinary; she looked like a low-key young lady from a wealthy family.
Uncle Zhang subtly sized up Su Xing, then dropped his initial disdain.
Shen Bai walked to the bedside, put on a pair of white gloves, and handed a pair to Su Xing as well.
Su Xing also put on gloves.
Shen Bai then picked up a Qing Dynasty Hetian jade pebble carving and handed it to Su Xing.
He whispered, "You can take a look. Zhenbaozhai has been working with these collectors for many years, and many of their items are quite good."