Chapter 91: The Value Of Art (Part 2) Iii (2/2)
”Should I introduce you to him, Brother Chalk?”
I shook my head. ”No need.”
”Alright.”
Director Chen called out to the man in the car, ”This way first, Director Hai.”
The fatty in the car responded, ”Looks like the sun is too hot and our director is getting impatient!”
He got off the car and walked over. ”Who's this young lad beside you?”
”A brother. He's a ceramic artist and has a great business. I brought him here,” Director Chen said with a smile.
Fatty extended his hand. ”Your name?”
I looked at him, not daring to say a word.
Director Chen interrupted, ”He's afraid of strangers. It's hard doing business after all, so it's only natural that he's apprehensive.”
Fatty smiled, unoffended. ”Understandable. I started off like that as well.”
Director Chen returned the smile. ”Two orders, 700,000. Keep the collateral fee of the failed auctions and give me the rest.”
Fatty fished a stack of bank cards from his pocket and handed one over with Director Chen's name on it. ”Continue supporting my business.”
”Of course,” Director Chen rea.s.sured before taking his card.
Fatty looked over to me and offered me a name card. ”This little brother here. Should I tell you the ways here?”
Director Chen grinned. ”That'd be great! I was afraid of not sharing enough, causing him to misunderstand.”
”You're a loyal client, how can I turn away your brother?” He turned to me and asked, ”What do you think?”
”Thanks for your help,” I replied gratefully.
I slipped my left hand into my pocket and pressed the record b.u.t.ton on my phone.
”I run an auction business in Beijing City, which has interaction with a television program called Treasure Time. You probably already know about this, but just send your black money over, wait for the price you want and make a bid. Appeal for a withdrawal and I'll keep the 15% penalty fee while the rest of your money goes back to you - clean,” Fatty explained.
I nodded in realization and shut off the recording.
”Right, what's your name, little brother? You can tell me now,” he encouraged smilingly.
”Name's Chalk,” Director Chen answered on my behalf.
”Director Chalk, ceramic artist. Okay, I'll write it down so give me a moment.” Fatty took out a notebook and pen to jot it down. His pen was already poised on the paper when I saw him pause, his brows wrinkling.
He looked at me. ”You're Chalk.”
I thought about what the three customers said. Boss admired my work.
”Why? You two know each other?” Director Chen asked.
Fatty grabbed my collar, but I immediately broke free and ran.
”Grab him. He's problematic,” Fatty shouted.
In an instant, the people all around us that were 'fis.h.i.+ng' stood up and chased after me. They weren't as fast as me but I was still scared.
I looked back for a split second and saw the Benz speeding over.
Left without a choice, I jumped into the reservoir.
I could swim pretty decently but I still took in quite a lot of water.
I swam on and on for about half an hour before reaching a sh.o.r.e.
I sprawled down on the ground, almost paralyzed from exhaustion.
People started crowding over to me.
After a coughing fit, I stood up. They asked if I was alright but I walked far away from the crowd.
I rushed to the nearest police station, handed my phone's memory card and managed to muster the last of my energy to say, ”The recording inside.”
I promptly collapsed on the floor.
Epilogue.
Things came to an end and the program was being put under investigation.
Fatty was thrown into jail and in order to plead for a lighter sentence, he handed his notebook over to the police, allowing them to discover a Beijing money laundering site.
A month later, I closed my shop permanently because there practically wasn't any business.
The ceramic pieces looked great, but I wasn't really considered an artist.
”What are you waiting for?” Gla.s.ses shouted.
I snapped out of my reverie, looked down at my very own butcher knife and smiled.
”Coming!”
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