Chapter 163

Cao Weiguo pushed the money back, "Don't be so polite with me. Help me find more old objects in the future; consider this a deposit."

Lu Jin Peng said solemnly, "Weiguo, don't worry, I will definitely find good things for you."

Cao Weiguo smiled, "Xiaofei is at the age where he's growing, buy him more meat to eat."

After chatting for a bit, Cao Weiguo carried the sack and left.

However, he didn't go straight home, but instead took several turns through the alleys.

Then, in a deserted place, he stored the sack into his storage space.

After returning home, Cao Weiguo dove straight into his study.

He bolted the door and took out the sack.

"Whoa! There really is a lot of stuff!"

Cao Weiguo placed the sack on the floor and took the items out one by one.

These items included old books, bronze ware, wood carvings, stone carvings, and quite a few porcelain pieces wrapped in rags.

"A yellow rosewood brush pot!"

"Good stuff!"

Cao Weiguo was the first to discover a brush pot, made of top-quality yellow rosewood.

Specifications: 13.3 cm high, 11.6 cm in diameter, carved with a serene pine and crane motif.

Holding it in his hand, he was immediately moved by the meticulous craftsmanship and ingenious design.

Even on its base, clever craftsmanship had been applied.

Whether in material selection, composition, carving, or polishing, this brush pot was a rare masterpiece.

After ten minutes, Cao Weiguo peeled back a blue-gray rag, and a blue-and-white jar came into view.

Seeing the full appearance of this blue-and-white jar, Cao Weiguo's eyes widened instantly.

The blue-and-white jar was 6.7 inches high and 8.4 inches in diameter, with a simple and elegant shape, and the blue color was crystalline and vivid...

The inner wall was plain, the neck was decorated with floral sprays, and the shoulder and near-bottom areas were decorated with lotus petal patterns.

The pattern on the belly was peony flowers, with smooth lines and a beautiful form.

The glaze was warm and moist, with an inner luster, which was the hallmark of fine porcelain.

The base was inscribed with the six-character, two-line regular script mark "Made in the Xuande Year of the Great Ming Dynasty."

Cao Weiguo took out a magnifying glass to examine it intently, finally waving his fist in excitement: "I'm rich! I'm rich! I'm rich!"

This was an official kiln blue-and-white porcelain piece from the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty!

Struggling to calm his surprised heart, Cao Weiguo picked up the blue-and-white porcelain, unable to put it down.

He placed it on the desk to examine it carefully; the ink strokes were natural and solemn, the lines were smooth, and it had a sense of being completed in one go.

After examining it for a long time, Cao Weiguo put the blue-and-white jar into his storage space.

Subsequently, Cao Weiguo looked through the other old objects and found a Yuan Dynasty lacquerware landscape carved red plate.

Besides this, the other items, although old, had no real collection value.

Cao Weiguo tidied up the four thread-bound books and also stored them in the storage space.

The remaining wood carvings, bronze ware, and porcelain were wiped clean and placed in the corner of the study.

It wouldn't be bad to ask a carpenter to make a display shelf for them later.

"Is Weiguo home!"

Just after tidying up the old objects, he heard Shazhu's voice.

Cao Weiguo opened the door and saw Shazhu standing in the courtyard holding a bottle of white liquor.

"Master He, is something the matter?"

"Weiguo, I've come to ask for your help."

Cao Weiguo invited Shazhu into the study: "What kind of help?"

Shazhu smiled and said, "I've been suspended for reflection, haven't I? Without work, there's no income. I know you have wide connections, so I wanted to ask you to help introduce some odd jobs."

Shazhu didn't want to beg Cao Weiguo for help, but he was truly forced by life.

A penny can stump a hero!

Right now, his pockets were truly empty, and he still owed quite a bit of debt.

If he didn't find a way to get some money, he would really be drinking the northwest wind.

Cao Weiguo casually brushed him off: "I'll keep an eye out for you, and if there's work, I'll let you know."

This was just a polite remark; who knew if there would be work or not.

Shazhu smiled honestly: "Is there anyone needing a chef recently? I'm really short on money here."

Cao Weiguo shook his head: "No, if I encounter anyone looking for a chef, I will notify you."

Shazhu placed the white liquor on the table: "Then please put in the effort."

"Take this liquor back!"

Cao Weiguo returned the liquor to Shazhu: "I'm not used to drinking this."

Shazhu said: "Just a small token, do you dislike this liquor for being poor?"

Cao Weiguo said: "I accept the gesture, but take this liquor back. You're not having an easy time right now, keep it for yourself to drink. I'm not lacking a sip."

Shazhu sighed and took the liquor: "Alright, once I get back on my feet, I'll send you a bottle of good liquor."

After seeing Shazhu out, Cao Weiguo locked the door and returned to the living room.

Song Yulan asked: "What did Shazhu want from you?"

Cao Weiguo sat down and took a sip of water: "He asked me to find some cooking work."

Song Yulan smiled: "It's really not easy for this Shazhu to lower his face and ask you for help."

Cao Weiguo smiled and said: "Maybe he's starving."

People are iron, rice is steel; if you don't eat a meal, you feel hungry.

Who cares about face when they're hungry?

Middle Courtyard

The Eldest Uncle walked up to Shazhu: "Did Cao Weiguo agree to help you?"

Shazhu nodded: "He agreed, said he would help me keep an eye out."

The Eldest Uncle pondered: "Judging by how he helped Lu Jin Peng and Qin Huairu, this Cao Weiguo still has some conscience. It's good that he agreed to help."

Shazhu said gloomily: "But whether we can encounter someone looking for a chef is entirely up to luck. Who knows when there will be work."

The Eldest Uncle sighed: "Don't worry, just wait. In a while, I'll bring you some cornmeal; you can make do for a few days."

Shazhu thanked him: "Thanks, Eldest Uncle. Speaking of this courtyard, only you, the old lady, and Qin Jie are good to me."

Hearing Shazhu's words, the Eldest Uncle also felt depressed.

He had no other choice!

If he weren't counting on Shazhu to support him in his old age, he wouldn't be willing to give money and grain time after time.

With his hands behind his back, he returned to his room and took half a bag of cornmeal for Shazhu.

The Eldest Uncle said: "Although Cao Weiguo agreed to help introduce you, don't just sit there waiting; go out and look more."

Shazhu nodded: "Understood, I'll go out and look for work tomorrow."

He now knew the hardships of life.

Days without money are hard to live!

In the past, he had a monthly salary, didn't worry about food or drink, and lived a relaxed and carefree life.

But now he couldn't be carefree anymore.

Most of his previous salary had been lent to Qin Huairu.

Added to several incidents, his meager savings were wiped out.

If it weren't for the Eldest Uncle's relief, he would already be starving.

After the Eldest Uncle returned home, Qin Huairu approached the door.

"Zhuzi, did Cao Weiguo agree to help?"

Shazhu smiled and went out: "He agreed."

Qin Huairu smiled brightly: "That's good. If there's work to do, there's income, and I can rest easy without worrying about you starving."

Shazhu was moved: "Thanks for your concern, Qin Jie."

"Qin Huairu, do you remember the eating but not the beating, is that it!"

Before they could say two more words, Jia Zhangshi came out shouting.