You're crazy!

With the start of spring, Jade Pavilion's most pressing matter was to prepare for new arrivals. Chicken-Blood Stone, Tianhuang Stone, Green Jade, White Jade—from the material to the size, and from the style to the price, everything had to be meticulously calculated and set.

Nourished by love, Ding Hanbai seemed to have a change of personality, working diligently and conscientiously. He stayed up all night creating itemized spreadsheets, held a meeting for the staff first thing in the morning, and even made a trip to the Second Shop, despite the dark circles under his eyes.

Finally home, he turned off the engine and got out of the car, only to run into Jiang Ting'en. He said in annoyance, “Why are you here again?”

Jiang Ting'en said aggrievedly, “The spring exams are coming up. I came to study with Ji Zhenzhu.”

Ding Hanbai said, “Is Ji Zhenzhu a name for you to call him? If I called you Ginger-Yellow Rosewood, would you like it?” He nitpicked at everything, then finally opened the trunk. “Move these things to the South Room. Be careful with them.”

Inside was a Balin Chicken-Blood Stone, a top-quality Da Hong Pao Stone. It was to be the most impressive item of the spring season. Ding Hanbai was exhausted and needed to catch up on some sleep before starting work. But before sleeping, he still had to brazenly go and ask for a meal.

A young man of twenty, the second pillar of the family, pestering his mother for this and that. Jiang Shuliu cursed at him, but her hands were busy preparing food. Between the previous round of family discipline and his recent diligent work, Ding Hanbai had been elevated from an unfilial son back to the apple of her eye.

Stir-fried beef tenderloin, blanched fresh mushrooms, crystalline ice plant with sesame oil, and two-potato congee. Ding Hanbai sat alone at the table, chewing slowly. Full and comfortable, he returned to the small courtyard and fell straight to sleep. But just as he lay down, he got up again. Being in a relationship was an endless source of worry.

The door to the next room was ajar. He stood outside like a homeroom teacher, peeking, glancing, spying, and peering—using every trick in the book to eavesdrop. It was quiet inside. Ji Shenyu and Jiang Ting'en were sitting side-by-side at the table. Studying, my ass. They had a colorful picture book spread open and were engrossed in it.

That posture, that atmosphere... it looked just like Baoyu and Daiyu reading "Romance of the West Chamber" together.

Alarm bells rang wildly in Ding Hanbai's mind. 'Could that be some trashy book Jiang Ting'en brought?'

With a loud bang, the two inside jumped in fright. Ding Hanbai, looking like a reincarnated Rakshasa with a dark and gloomy face, demanded, “Jiang Ting'en, did you bring this book?”

Jiang Ting'en stuttered in fear, “I s-searched for a long time to find it. I b-brought it right over.”

Ding Hanbai strode to the table and poked the other's forehead with his long index finger. “You little brat!” He paused, then saw the pictures in the book clearly. It wasn't naked bodies at all, but pink diamonds, colored crystals, gold, silver, platinum, and jade. Page after page was filled with all kinds of jewelry.

He met Ji Shenyu's gaze. The boy's eyes curved slightly, openly mocking him. “Senior Brother, you've been busy all night. Go get some proper rest.” Ji Shenyu stood up and pushed him out of the room. Then, leaning against the door, he whispered, “Ding Hanbai, you big idiot!”

Calling him by his full name, and a personal attack on top of that. Ding Hanbai's pride was wounded. “I was afraid he'd be a bad influence on you.”

Ji Shenyu thought, 'Who could possibly be a worse influence than you? The guy who draws dozens of erotic pictures like a comic strip at the slightest disagreement has the nerve to bust others for pornography?' He stepped back inside. Having mocked him enough and grumbled enough internally, he urged, “Hurry up and go to sleep. Don't make me waste my energy.”

Ding Hanbai didn't understand what energy he was talking about. It wasn't until he returned to his room and lay down that he realized: the bed was made, his pajamas were folded and ready by the pillow, and there was even a glass of plain water on the nightstand for when he woke up to soothe his throat.

He fell asleep, as peaceful as a Buddha statue.

He remained tangled in his bed, sleeping until the afternoon, and was blinded by the sunlight when he woke. Ding Hanbai took a shower to wake himself up and, feeling refreshed, went to the South Room to work. Before long, Ji Shenyu followed the sound and came over.

On the wide workbench, a top-quality Da Hong Pao Stone lay on one side, while a pile of damaged, genuine antiques was on the other. They each occupied a side—one carving, one restoring; one polishing, one aging. They were happily absorbed in their work, and it was impossible to say whose masterful hands were superior.

Ji Shenyu finished his work first. Taking advantage of the good weather, he moved the objects to the corridor to dry. Cucumber-peel green glaze, rouge-red glaze, blue-and-white with yellow overglaze, slip-bodied with incised patterns... They were all arranged neatly, adding a splash of color to the early spring courtyard.

Once these antiques were dry, they could be wrapped in old newspaper, packed up, and sold to buyers. Another layer of calluses had formed on Ding Hanbai's hands. He walked out of the South Room, assigning tasks like a general. “When the time comes, you take this small-mouthed zun and that pear-shaped pot to my master. He's idle anyway. While you're at it, grab a few forgeries from him to sell alongside them.”

Ji Shenyu asked, “Sell forgeries alongside them? Why not just take a few more restored genuine pieces?”

Ding Hanbai said, “Who shows off several genuine pieces all at once? Even if an expert can tell the items are real, they won't dare to believe it, let alone buy them.” This was a business that required both caution and risk-taking. There were many rules, and even more unwritten conventions.

Two days later, the vase was completely dry. The glaze was smooth and even, the traces of damage were invisible to the naked eye, and it was impossible to distinguish which of the fine colored spots had been artificially added later. Just before leaving, Ding Hanbai was wiping down his bicycle. He hadn't ridden it in a while, and the tires were flat.

He looked up and saw Ji Shenyu walking over, holding a bag. Good heavens! My dear ancestor! A person as handsome as jade like this only comes along once in decades, and what on earth was he wearing... Baggy corduroy pants, a wrinkled shirt, a dark blue work jacket, and on his feet, a pair of green rubber shoes!

Ding Hanbai's eyes stung. “You're crazy!”

Ji Shenyu felt wronged. “Didn't you tell me to dress more plainly?” He had gone to great lengths to put this outfit together, only to have it completely vetoed. Beauty was supposed to be in the eye of the beholder, yet this guy was openly showing his disdain. On the way, he didn't pluck leaves from the trees, nor did he play any of his usual tricks. 'Even a taxi driver would make small talk,' he thought, and smacked Ding Hanbai on the back.

Ding Hanbai flinched. “What was that for?”

Ji Shenyu asked, “Am I that ugly to you?”

Ding Hanbai mumbled, “...Where did you get those clothes?”

Ji Shenyu had borrowed them from one of the shop assistants. “Is it any of your business?”

Their bickering was always like this—all questions, no answers. The streets were bustling with traffic, so they couldn't ride fast. They just kept asking each other questions, one after another, all the way to the Antiques Market. When they got off the bike, they glanced at each other, their throats parched. Before getting down to business, they went to drink some soda first.

Before long, Zhang Sinian also arrived. Three people, two genuine items. Ding Hanbai and Zhang Sinian were already familiar faces in this area, so they had to set up a stall together. Ji Shenyu was on his own. He found a shady spot, sat on the ground, and laid out the four items from his bag.

A small-mouthed zun, a gourd-shaped brush washer, a bamboo-carved brush pot, and the ribs of a fan. Each piece was exquisitely crafted, but only the small-mouthed zun was genuine. He waited for people to ask the price. Several hours passed quietly. People kept asking, but no buyers appeared.

After a while, Zhang Sinian sauntered over. He only looked, not touching, and asked in a low voice, “How was it repaired?”

Ji Shenyu replied, “Multiple layers of blown glaze.”

Zhang Sinian said, “These little green spots are very well done. You didn't just mix some pigment, did you?”

Ji Shenyu replied, “The oxidation method.”

Zhang Sinian thought for a moment. “I think I've heard of that. Is this what they call a Baby Face?”

Ji Shenyu said, “Fewer spots. It’s called Drunken Beauty.”

After another moment, Zhang Sinian stood up and sighed to himself, “Six-Fingers can rest in peace now.” He wandered around with his hands behind his back, glancing at the tall, elegant Ding Hanbai selling the pear-shaped pot, then at Ji Shenyu, who was sitting peacefully, waiting for a buyer. Humming a Beijing Opera tune, the thought of retiring after achieving success suddenly came to him.

In truth, he hadn't really achieved enough success to retire, but his apprentice was so promising. What was wrong with taking a little credit for himself?

As time continued to wear on, Ji Shenyu was dozing with his head bowed when a shadow suddenly fell over him. He looked up at the man in front of him, who seemed familiar. Unexpectedly, the man grabbed him, fuming, “You little swindler!”

Ji Shenyu suddenly remembered. “You're the big brother who bought the Celadon Vase?”

The hatred in Zhang Yin's heart swelled. He, who prided himself on being an expert, had done one humiliating thing after another. In a flash, his arm was brushed aside. It was Ding Hanbai, who had appeared out of nowhere!

Ding Hanbai said, “Director Zhang, when you fail to snag a bargain, you can blame heaven, earth, or your own blindness, but you can't blame the seller. Nobody forced you to buy it, right?”

That protective posture made it clear they were in it together. Zhang Yin was so angry he spun around on the spot. And that wasn't all. He turned his head and saw his own father watching the spectacle. He suddenly felt as if a dark cloud was hanging over his head, without a single shred of relief.

How could Ding Hanbai feel at ease leaving now? He simply set up his stall right next to Ji Shenyu, a pair returning home together.

Before long, Zhang Yin returned, unable to swallow his anger. Despite being a refined director from a major institution, with gold-rimmed glasses and a briefcase, he started howling at the top of his lungs—“Forgeries! Fakes! Swindlers!”

Zhang Sinian scurried away, terrified the crowd would recognize the man as his son. He couldn't afford that embarrassment. Ji Shenyu was thin-skinned and had never dealt with a hooligan before. He asked, “Senior Brother, he's shouting like that. What should we do?”

Ding Hanbai said, “Anyone in this circle who gets duped has the same problem: they rely on their ears, not their eyes. But any true expert couldn't care less about what's being said. They only trust what they see with their own eyes.”

The commotion Zhang Yin caused attracted a large crowd, which surrounded them layer by layer like a rising tide, packed so tightly that nothing could get through. Gradually, some people noticed the items. Sifting through the laymen and filtering out those looking to barter, a knowledgeable person finally came forward to ask about the red-glazed small-mouthed zun.

It was a genuine piece, but also a damaged one. They told him the truth.

But the extent of the damage and the proportion that had been repaired—that depended on the buyer's discerning eye.

The man examined it carefully. He could tell it was a genuine piece, but he couldn't see which part had been restored. It sold, and sold readily. Ding Hanbai couldn't guarantee he'd meet someone with such a discerning eye every time, so he handed over his business card, said a few clever words, and attempted to build a connection without being either servile or overbearing.

Too many people liked antiques, but those who were both knowledgeable and wealthy had their own collector circles. He needed to find an opportunity to enter that circle. Then, selling things would be quick and effortless, and demand might even outstrip supply.

As they packed up to go home, with Ding Hanbai giving Ji Shenyu a ride on the bike, Ji Shenyu finally asked, “Senior Brother, why did you say I should dress plainly to come here?”

Ding Hanbai said, “If you're just visiting occasionally, it doesn't matter. But if you come often, you have to be more low-key. Above all, you can't show off your wealth. But you also can't be like you were today. With your delicate skin, dressing in rags actually looks a bit fake.”

It took about a month, off and on, to sell off those items. Ji Shenyu only went that first time. After that, he just listened to Ding Hanbai report the prices when he came home, just like a household manager.

At the end of the month, spring was in full bloom. It was a wonderful time of year. In the small courtyard, the door to the inner room was tightly closed. The secretive young couple was shut in the study settling accounts. How much spent, how much sold, which types of artifacts were most popular, the respective profits from flipping antiques and from the porcelain kiln—draft papers flew about, and the beads of the abacus clacked nonstop.

Ji Shenyu asked, “Are we still a long way off from opening the Antique City?”

Ding Hanbai answered, “We're nowhere near that. Do you think business is so easy? Many people have to sell their houses and land just to scrape together the capital. It's like gambling.”

Ji Shenyu thought, he had neither a house nor land. Other than restoration, forgery, and carving, he had no other skills. Aiya, he had so righteously refused to take a share of the profits before. He'd tried to be a hero too soon. The hand moving the abacus beads stopped. He stared blankly into the air, calculating. How many pieces he would have to complete each month, how much salary he could earn, and he also added in the money from selling some of Liang Hecheng's things.

“Senior Brother,” Ji Shenyu said after finishing his mental calculation and flicking a bead on the abacus, “I have about this much. You can have it all.”

Ding Hanbai turned to look at him, his gaze deep and suffused with a light that seemed to pull Ji Shenyu in. Ji Shenyu tried to decipher the emotion within it, not even reacting when the stray cat stepped on his foot under the table. Suddenly, Ding Hanbai reached out and touched his face. The touch was very light, as if he was afraid his calluses might hurt him.

The other man didn't speak for a long time. Ji Shenyu added, “You don't have to pay it back... Mine, you don't have to pay back.”

With a meow, Ding Hanbai kicked the stray cat away. That clueless little beast, learning to be a third wheel. He looked at Ji Shenyu the whole time, feeling touched and moved. The boy was only seventeen... He had long been prepared to take care of and dote on him, but as they spent time together, not only did Ji Shenyu help with everything, he was even giving him all his money.

“It's a beautiful day, want to go for a walk?” Ding Hanbai suggested, his voice hoarse. “Let's go on a spring outing. I'll take you somewhere.”

He had arrived here in the height of summer, lived through autumn and winter, and now it was spring, yet Ji Shenyu still only knew a few streets. This vast city was ever-changing; the tall buildings and tiled roofs were captivating. He bounced along on the back of the bicycle all the way to a construction site in the city.

There were safety signs around them, and the unfinished building was covered in green safety netting. Ding Hanbai stopped the bike and looked up, saying, “I'm going to open the Antique City here. When I come every day, I'll park right at that entrance.”

Traffic flowed endlessly by as the two of them studied the half-finished building from the roadside, as if the nets were already removed, the signs taken down, and the brand-new building was waiting for them to move in. The first floor would sell porcelain and miscellaneous goods, the second floor jade, the third calligraphy and paintings, the fourth rare books, and the fifth could have some classical furniture. If it couldn't fit everything, they'd open a second branch. Daimao, Jianjia, Culture Street—all the scattered vendors would one day be brought under their banner.

Ding Hanbai rang the bell and pedaled away, riding straight past the Second Ring Road. The grass was growing and orioles were in flight. He switched to pushing the bike and walking, while Ji Shenyu remained seated on the back, willfully enjoying the service.

He stopped under a row of dense trees. Behind the trees, a high wall enclosed a villa complex. There was a lake nearby, gardens, and paths paved with cobblestones. The residents inside were all rich or powerful—countless overseas Chinese who had returned to invest, retired high-ranking officials. Ding Hanbai said, “In the future, after the family property is divided, I'll buy two houses here. One for us to live in, and one for Old Ding and Old Jiang.”

Ji Shenyu was slightly dazed. “Then I'll go to the Villeurbanne Market and buy that French dining set to put in the villa.”

Ding Hanbai said, “I'll take you to France, to England, to see the Louvre and the British Museum. I'll show you that Western Clock, a true symbol of eternal love. And that's not enough. We'll open a teahouse across from the Antique City, brew our favorite teas, and stock it with the snacks you love to eat. There'll be a resting area on the second floor, and once a year, we'll hold a collector's meeting and invite all our friends from the circle to attend.”

He rattled on and on, then realized Ji Shenyu was staring at him in a daze.

He asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Ji Shenyu shook his head shyly. He felt incredibly lucky to have met Ding Hanbai. Even if there was no romance, just being martial brothers would be enough. Even being rivals wouldn't matter; he would still feel lucky.

Ding Hanbai got on the bike to head home. The trip had been exhausting but also extremely satisfying. As soon as they got home, he hurried back to the small courtyard, went into the bedroom, and plopped down on the edge of the bed. Ji Shenyu followed him in, closed the door, and wrung out a towel to wipe his hands and face. Ding Hanbai tossed the towel aside and patted his thigh.

Ji Shenyu sidled over and obediently sat on his lap.

Holding him like this, Ding Hanbai asked, “All those plans are for things I like. What about you? What do you like?”

Ji Shenyu answered, “I like jadeite.”

Ding Hanbai said, “Then I'll make a set for you. And in the future, I'll take you to experience stone gambling.”

Ji Shenyu added, “I also like lilacs. The 'Ding' in Dingxiang is the same as your surname.”

Ding Hanbai smiled. “Then we'll plant lots of them, along with roses.”

This small courtyard, these rooms, these furnishings—there was nothing wrong with any of it. Ji Shenyu never had to worry about food or drink, and he rarely asked for anything. After a long moment, he leaned on Ding Hanbai's shoulder and said, “What I like most is Senior Brother.”

Ding Hanbai kissed the top of Ji Shenyu's head. Last time, he had understood lighting beacon fires on a high tower for a laugh; now, he understood building a golden house to hide one's love. Nothing was set in stone yet, but he already wanted to pick out wood tomorrow to make a plaque and name that teahouse the “Pearl Teahouse.”

He figured the rumor in the industry would be that Boss Ding of the Antique City was going to wear down the teahouse's threshold with his constant visits.