Chapter 93: Can't spend it all, absolutely can't spend it all! (Guaranteed 1 update)

To make the performance realistic, Wei Ming and Melinda walked arm in arm. After entering, they didn't separate, and the service staff just assumed he was a foreign national with yellow skin and a white heart.

Among the numerous dazzling goods, Wei Ming saw several motorcycles placed in the center of the lobby at a glance.

He dragged Melinda over to take a look. They were mainly Japanese brands like Honda and Yamaha. The American goods were just one Harley, not as good-looking as the future models, and the price-performance ratio wasn't high.

"You like this? Haha, biker boy."

"It's just a means of transportation, but it can save time. I like efficiency." Wei Ming took two looks, checked the price, and gave up. There were also ones for sale outside, and it was cheaper to use RMB. He could afford it if he saved up more.

The first floor didn't have what they wanted; it was all food, drink, and daily necessities. If they wanted to see arts and crafts, they had to go upstairs.

Just after going up, Wei Ming was attracted by a blue and white porcelain vase. It was painted with auspicious patterns such as deer, cranes, and pine trees. Although it was covered by a glass case, it wasn't a non-sale item. There was an introduction and price next to it.

Melinda fell in love on the spot and poked Wei Ming: "It's from the Ming Dynasty!"

She also understood some Chinese history and estimated that this vase was older than the history of the United States.

Wei Ming: "I know, but I advise you not to buy it. Although 800 dollars is a drop in the bucket for you, porcelain is fragile. I'm afraid you won't be able to bring it back to the UK safely."

The female service staff nearby understood English. After hearing this, she immediately leaned over enthusiastically: "Customer, please rest assured, we will provide shock-proof packaging, it definitely won't break."

However, Melinda was still willing to listen to Wei Ming and looked elsewhere: "Then what about this? Made of jade."

This was a lotus-shaped incense burner carved from white jade. The shape was very beautiful. The service staff introduced: "This is a work from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It seems it flowed out of the palace, and it's only 500 dollars."

The other party was very enthusiastic, and Wei Ming regretted bragging a bit. Why did he do that?

Melinda fell in love on the spot and whispered: "Bringing this back will definitely sell for a high price!"

Wei Ming: "Why is there some blood seepage in this jade? It wouldn't be a burial object, would it? Unlucky, unlucky."

Waiter: This foreigner is so knowledgeable. Is she really a foreigner?

"Then what about this snuff bottle?" Melinda saw another small thing.

"I know an old man who can make this stuff. Two hundred dollars, Qing Dynasty, also not good."

Melinda thought everything was a good thing. Wei Ming hurriedly pulled her to the calligraphy and painting area.

"I'm telling you this because I treat you as a real friend. Don't look at these paintings being cheap now. In the future, one piece will be worth more than those bottles and jars just now, and it's not easy to bump."

"I only know one Bai Shi among these people, I don't know anyone else," Melinda looked at the signatures and said to Wei Ming, "Introduce them to me."

Wei Ming: "It's not bad that you can recognize one Bai Shi. Bai Shi has many works, and there are many people who make a living by copying his paintings, so it's possible to buy fakes..."

Although Wei Ming didn't collect paintings himself, the circle of old people always liked this, so he was passively popularized with some knowledge.

Among these modern and contemporary works, Bai Shi's paintings were considered expensive. After all, he had passed away. Cheap ones were 50 dollars, and good quality, large-sized ones could be two or three hundred dollars. Of course, after thirty years, selling for two or three million should be easy.

However, those major masterpieces of Bai Shi that would sell for tens of millions or hundreds of millions in the future couldn't be seen. Early holders also knew that selling this stuff now was a cheap sale, so they were all waiting for a price.

Wei Ming helped Melinda choose a group of shrimp, a pair of cicadas, and a bird standing on a loquat tree, totaling 410 dollars. The paintings weren't particularly large, but they were all peak-period works with nominations and seals. The key was that they also fit the aesthetics of Melinda, a foreigner.

Then Wei Ming focused on helping her pick a few works by contemporary painters whose prices hadn't gone up yet.

"This Mr. Li Kuchan is Bai Shi's eldest disciple. I attended the People's Congress a while ago and saw his paintings and himself at the Great Hall. His price should rise soon."

Melinda: "Buy, buy, buy!"

The key was it was too cheap!

You could buy a large painting for dozens of dollars, and some were only a dozen dollars!

Wei Ming: "This Mr. Li Keran is also a disciple of Old Man Baishi..."

"Buy, buy, buy!"

Wei Ming: "This Mr. Wu Zuoren is the president of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. He..."

"Buy! Buy!"

"Huang Binhong..."

"Buy!"

"Guan Shanyue..."

Finally, looking at the pile of scrolls, Melinda asked: "How much money did it cost?"

Wei Ming: "About 500 pounds."

Melinda was very helpless; this money was spent too quickly.

Wei Ming: "How about we stop here today? A box can't even fit it. I'm afraid you won't be able to carry it."

Melinda nodded, then looked at the interior-painted snuff bottle again: "But I still want that one. How beautiful it is, and the painting is inside. It's too magical!"

Wei Ming pushed her away directly: "Isn't it just interior painting? I'll give you one later."

Ah Long's grandfather was not only good at comics but also a master of interior painting. Hengzhou's interior painting was very famous. Since the Qing Dynasty, a large number of Hengzhou interior painting masters had supplied snuff bottles to Beijing.

Because they bought too many things, the Friendship Store indicated they could deliver to the door, and even deliver people.

Melinda: "Then can we pick it up later? Darling and I will go eat first."

"Of course, madam."

Since Melinda still had so much money left, Wei Ming borrowed some and bought some imported film and chocolate on the first floor, and would return the RMB to her later.

Melinda felt she had lost out. Unexpectedly, after leaving the door, Wei Ming returned the money according to the black market price, which made Melinda breathe a sigh of relief.

"What do you want to eat? You choose, my treat!" she said, patting her bulging chest.

Nonsense, of course it's your treat. Feeling like he had been a guide for a day, his heart was suffering, he had to make up for it. He thought for a while: "Let's go to Kaorouwan."

There were two famous barbecue restaurants in Beijing, one was Kaorouwan, and the other was Kaorouji.

The former focused on beef, and the latter focused on mutton. Wei Ming wanted to eat beef again.

Because of Melinda's foreign face, although there were only two of them, they still got a private room on the second floor. Otherwise, in the lobby on the first floor, would other customers be eating or looking at people?

Although this time-honored brand often received foreigners, Melinda was too ostentatious.

After ordering, Wei Ming asked: "First time here?"

Melinda nodded, curious: "I've eaten hot pot, but I haven't eaten this. How do you do it?"

This way of eating at Kaorouwan is called Griddle Barbecue. In the middle of the table for two, there is a large iron plate heated up, with charcoal fire underneath. On the table is a seasoning bowl containing soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, cooking wine, halogen shrimp oil, scallion shreds, and coriander leaves. Dip the beef slices in the seasoning, put them on the iron plate and turn them over to roast. You can eat them when the color changes.

Wei Ming often ate it in his previous life: "I'll demonstrate it for you."

He held a pair of long chopsticks and flexibly turned the meat slices. Soon the fragrance came out, and Melinda had already started swallowing saliva.

!

"This is too fragrant!"

"Then what are you waiting for? Pick it up."

"I'm waiting for you to feed me." She smiled, while tying up her curly long hair with a rubber band.

Then Wei Ming's chopsticks arrived. Because they were long enough, they were passed directly from that side of the table to this side, holding the meat steadily.

Melinda supported her chin and hurriedly took a bite, praising: "Delicious!"

This scene was just seen by the waiter who served the dishes. Her face was slightly red, and her heart was surging.

This man is too powerful, actually dating a foreign woman. He must have some strengths!

In addition to barbecue, they also ordered two refreshing side dishes.

Next, the two chatted while eating.

"Melinda, do you think my novel would have a chance if it were translated into English?"

Melinda thought for a while, then shook her head: "I've actually read your *Prophet of Ducks* and *Two Oxen*. I can understand them, but I'm afraid those foreigners won't have any interest. And because of the usage of those slang and dialects, it will make many translators shy away. Your works obviously have more vitality locally."

Wei Ming: "I have other works."

"Those poems?"

Wei Ming shook his head: "Actually, I have another pen name, writing fairy tales."

"Oh?" She was really interested.

After a full meal, they ran into a newsstand after going out. Melinda asked: "Are your works here?"

Wei Ming asked: "Master, do you have the latest *Children's Literature*?"

"Sold out."

Wei Ming smiled: "I have a copy in the dormitory, I'll give it to you when I go back. I'm on the night shift today."

"Good."

Afterwards, the two returned to the Friendship Hotel, re-checked all the goods against the detailed list, and confirmed there were no problems before letting the store load the car.

Wei Ming and Melinda also returned with their car. As for the two bicycles, they would send someone to ride them over.

On the car, Wei Ming briefly talked about the story outline of *The Tale of the Heavenly Book*. Once she heard it was a classical theme and involved heavenly gods and monsters, Melinda felt it was difficult.

Arriving at Peking University, seeing Wei Ming and Melinda returning together in a car, the colleagues were all envious.

And Mei Wenhua was only worried, where is my bike?!

"It's behind. The people from the Friendship Store will ride it back."

Next, Wei Ming helped Melinda send a box of paintings back to Shaoyuan.

When he came back, he saw Mei Wenhua hugging his little Flying Pigeon, wanting to cry but having no tears: "That auntie is almost two hundred pounds, the wheels are about to be flattened!"

Wei Ming: "Brother, my condolences."

Wei Ming was just about to go to the dormitory to change into his uniform and prepare for work when a colleague at the gatehouse said: "Phone call, from Liu Rulong."

Ah Long often came, and everyone here knew him.

"Hello."

Liu Rulong just told him: "I contacted my mom. She is at my grandfather's in Foshan, and she should have already boarded the train back."

"Well, that's good."

"I also received the royalties, 40 yuan," Ah Long said excitedly, "Let's split it in half. You did most of the character design."

Wei Ming laughed: "How could I have such great credit? How about this, don't calculate money with me. Tell our grandfather to get me a snuff bottle. I'm giving it to a foreign friend."

After hanging up the phone, the colleague said again: "There's also a letter."

Wei Ming had fewer letters recently, only about ten a day. He picked it up and looked, pointing to the first one: "Why is there no stamp on this?"

"Oh, a kid sent it to you."

Wei Ming opened it and saw a few childish big characters: Why is there no more after this!?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 94 =====