I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 395 - 337: Luo Bojian
Yang Cui was in trouble, and Mrs. Jiang could no longer stay.
She was worried about gossip. It was fine if it didn’t concern her, but if it involved Ming Yue, she could fight back, yet she wouldn’t allow anyone to take this opportunity to slander them.
Mrs. Jiang insisted on going back, and Jiang Mingyue went to bed early the night before, getting up to work before dawn the next day.
The dough she had kneaded the night before was now just right.
She sliced some meat and chopped some minced meat.
By the time Shen Fanghua got up, her daughter had already fried a basin of crispy pork and spring rolls, which were just cooling down.
Jiang Mingyue wrapped them in oil paper and placed a bag of rice at the bottom of the carrying basket. In these times, nothing was more precious than food.
Mrs. Jiang strongly disapproved of taking it out, "You child, you don’t know how to live frugally. Keep these for yourself. Our family is doing well now, there’s no need for you to go to such trouble, take them back quickly."
But her hand was held down by another slender hand. Despite appearances, this girl, who did farm work every day, wasn’t as delicate as she seemed.
Jiang Mingyue gently loosened her grip, "Mom, let your daughter show a bit of filial piety. Mom works so hard at home, she should eat something good to nourish her body. Besides, every time my big brother brought me honey, I couldn’t finish it all. I secretly sold the extra to neighbors, making several bucks a bottle. If you don’t take it, then I can only give the money to Mom."
Shen Fanghua laughed with exasperation, finding it hard to refuse, "You’re the only daughter who gives everything to her family when usually daughters only take. Listen to me, just this once. In the future, save your money so you’ll have some private savings by the time you and Jin Zhi get married. Don’t be foolishly focused on the family. Your big brother is married after all, and no matter how close the relationship, once he’s married, he’ll also think of taking care of his own family. Don’t find Mom nagging, it’s true.
You’ve been more than generous with them. If it wasn’t for you, how would your big brother have the ability to become a secretary? Now your second brother going into military service is also thanks to you, and the same with your third sister. This family rose because of you, it’s enough. Be a bit more self-interested in the future. Mom will also quietly save some money for you at home, but I won’t meddle in anything else. I’m saying all this so you’ll be more mindful, understand?"
Jiang Mingyue certainly understood, but she also knew that her big brother, second brother, and third sister were sincerely good to her. Heart for heart, she naturally thought of them whenever she had something good. She indeed knew the right balance and realized Mrs. Jiang was worried she’d suffer losses and was reminding her.
"Got it, I’ll listen to Mom."
After eating, Jiang Mingyue insisted on escorting her to the road, and on her way back, she bumped into someone.
"Sorry!"
The person crouched down to pick up their things, not even lifting their head when they replied, "No problem."
Jiang Mingyue immediately crouched to help pick up, only to find that besides a stack of books, she’d also knocked over a box, its lid slightly open, revealing a heavy gold bracelet.
Jiang Mingyue’s eyes lit up, "Sir, may I ask if this bracelet is for sale?"
The man looked to be twenty-four or twenty-five, with dark circles around his eyes. Jiang Mingyue also noticed that his shirt, though clean, had sleeves and collars worn through, clearly an old piece.
At a glance, he appeared to be someone economically struggling.
The man, having heard this, finally looked up to examine the girl, surprised to see she wasn’t even twenty yet, with bright eyes and a smile that naturally made people like her. Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, he slightly pondered and nodded, "Follow me."
The man’s name was Luo Bojian. His parents separated when he was very young, each forming a new family, leaving him a burden both sides wanted to shirk. They each pushed him away, unwilling to raise him, until his grandparents, unable to bear it, took him in. He lived with them since young. A year ago, his grandmother passed away, leaving him and his grandfather to rely on each other. Unexpectedly, his grandfather also fell ill a short while ago.
He spent all his savings on his grandfather’s treatment, borrowing money from colleagues as well, yet still couldn’t cover the medical costs, forcing him to sell some jewelry his grandmother left him. But in these times, jewelry sold by weight was worthless, except this gold bracelet might be of some value. He planned to exchange it at the bank, resulting in the earlier incident.
"So, it’s Mr. Luo. My name is Jiang Mingyue."
"Mr. Jiang, please have a seat, I’ll get you a glass of water."
Jiang Mingyue intended to refuse, but as she saw the glass, she almost lost her breath.
"Mr. Luo, do you have more of these cups? May I take a look?"
Luo Bojian was startled but didn’t question it directly, instead offering her the glass.
"Just these four, I’ll have to think about where I’ve put the others."
Jiang Mingyue picked up another to inspect, confirming her suspicion.
Indeed, it was as suspected.
"Made in the Kangxi era of the Great Qing."
These are Kangxi-era underglaze blue and polychrome Twelve Flower God cups, each corresponding to one of twelve flowers. If gathered, a set could easily fetch a billion at auction in the future. But separately, they vary in value, even the cheapest over a million. The most valuable is the Osmanthus Flower cup, but it wasn’t among these four.
"Mr. Luo, once your gold bracelet reaches the bank, it’ll only be valued at the current gold price. At most, you might get sixty bucks. How about I give you a hundred?"
Luo Bojian froze, excitedly rubbing his hands, "Would it be taking advantage of Mr. Jiang?"
Jiang Mingyue: "..." There was a double entendre there!
"Not at all. Now, onto this set of cups, does Mr. Luo know they are from the Kangxi era?"
Luo Bojian’s mouth dropped, overwhelmed with a growing cold sweat of terror.
Jiang Mingyue realized he didn’t know; if he did, he would have dealt with them already, not placing them conspicuously for guests in an age when antiques were burned or smashed.
"I, I..."
"No need to panic, Mr. Luo. Just by discussing this openly, I’m indicating I’ll keep this confidential and won’t disclose today’s event. I smelled a strong medicinal scent earlier; it seems Mr. Luo has someone ill at home and needs money desperately. See, I want these cups too. Please, name your price, Mr. Luo."
Luo Bojian froze, then immediately decided, waving his hand, "Though I’m in desperate need of money, Mr. Jiang has already offered more for the bracelet. I can’t be overly greedy. You know, these cups are a curse nowadays. If Mr. Jiang isn’t afraid, take them without asking for money."
As expected.
Jiang Mingyue waved her hand, "Still, better pay for them. They’re likely to become very valuable in the future, and I’m saying this upfront: If Mr. Luo regrets this in the future and has the means, you can buy them back at ten times today’s price."
Luo Bojian waved his hand again, "There’s no need for that; things should be sold at current value. No matter how valuable they become in the future, it’s rightly what Mr. Jiang deserves. I won’t regret today’s decision, only be grateful for Mr. Jiang’s help today.
Since Mr. Jiang has reached this point, I’ll shamelessly propose a condition. I don’t want money for the cups; if Mr. Jiang can get some rice, ten pounds will do?"
Ten pounds of rice? It’s only a few bucks now.
But for some, it’s life-saving grain, invaluable and hard to get.
"Alright, I’ll bring it over in ten minutes."
Ten minutes later, Jiang Mingyue brought twenty pounds of rice, along with ten big bills, giving them to Luo Bojian.
The man’s eyes filled with tears, nearly kneeling to Jiang Mingyue.
Jiang Mingyue quickly placed the cups carefully into the carrying basket, covered them with cloth, and was about to leave.
"Thank you!"
"Mutually beneficial, no thanks needed. Remember to find the other cups, and if there are more good items like this at home, you can find me at number 42."
