Choosing the Right Brush
Second regular chapter of the week!
"Oh? Can I ask where you got that information from?" Mu Qingbai asked, shocked. The writing brush was indeed unique, however, its origin was rather questionable. He bought it at a high price from a writer friend who got it from the black market. Except for a few very close friends in his social circle, it was likely that no one else knew about its existence.
"There's no secret in the martial world. Since you run a business here, do you mind taking it out for us to have a look?" Guo Huai asked. How I got the information? If I told you I read your mind, would you believe me?" he thought.
"Hahah, interesting. Little friend, please wait for a while. I'll get it for you," Mu Qingbai said before walking into a room. In just a few minutes, he returned with around ten writing brushes in hand.
"Since you know about its origin, I naturally can't hide it now, right?" Mu Qingbai asked and placed the brushes in an orderly manner. "I spent 300 thousand to get it. It's one of these thirteen brushes. If you get it right, it's my loss. However, if you chose the wrong one, I won't spare mercy as well. Little friend, what do you say?"
"Hahah, you're indeed wise. Interesting… picking one of thirteen," Guo Huai said, smiling.
"Brother Huai, let's forget about the brush. We can just get an inkstone, I believe grandmaster will like it," Murong Weiwei said softly. Though she could easily take out 300 thousand, she did not want Guo Huai to be embarrassed if he picked the wrong one.
"Little friend, it's still not too late to give up. If you don't want to risk, I'll keep the brushes away. I'll give you a discount for these inkstones," Mu Qingbai said joyfully.
"Grandpa, this is my bank card. You may charge 300 thousand now. The brush we pick will belong to us, regardless if it's the right one or not," Guo Huai said as he passed a card to Mu Qingbai.
"Weiwei, this is my first time meeting grandmaster. I'll pay for the brush this time and give it to grandmaster on my name. Are you against it?" Guo Huai asked, looking at Murong Weiwei.
"Brother Huai, I took a good look at these brushes. The third and seventh brushes are carved from bamboo during the Republic of China. The fifth and tenth brushes should be from Qing Dynasty. However, I can't analyze the rest," Murong Weiwei said softly.
"Wow, you're very impressive, girl. Now, you just have to pick one among the nine brushes. It's really my loss that you're here," Mu Qingbai said. Although he acted like he was suffering, he was actually smiling deep down in his heart.
Guo Huai stepped forward and carefully looked at each brush, without even picking them up.
After around ten minutes, Mu Qingbai walked towards them with a teacup as he said, "What do you think, little friend? If you don't make a decision soon, I'll have to ask you to leave, hahah."
"These are indeed wonderful. Five brushes are made around the end of Ming Dynasty and the start of Qing Dynasty, I'm sure they're all rather expensive. Two brushes are made recently, also by experts. Judging solely by the materials used and crafting method, they can be called first class brushes," Guo Huai said, smiling.
"How about the remaining two?" Mu Qingbai asked subconsciously.
"The two left are both made in Ming Dynasty. One has flower-bird pattern, while the other has flower pattern," Guo Huai said.
"Hahah, little friend, you aren't expecting for me to give you a hint, are you?" Mu Qingbai said, trying his best to stay calm. "Please make your choice."
"No matter how I look at these brushes, I feel like this one looks the most pleasing to the eyes. Regardless if this is the one, I'll have it," Guo Huai said and held onto the first brush.
"Grandpa, you don't have to give me a proper packaging, I'll take this as it is. Hahah!" Guo Huai said and laughed. He then grabbed Murong Weiwei's arm and walked towards the exit.
"No way! Little friend, please wait!" Mu Qingbai yelled. The moment Guo Huai placed his hand on the first brush, he felt like his heart got stabbed with a knife. Although he bought it for only 150 thousand and sold it for 300 thousand, a unique writing brush will always be a treasure for people who loved to write. Who would complain for having another good brush anyway?
Guo Huai stopped walking and turned around before asking, "What is it now? Are you regretting your decision?"
"I won't go against my own words. There's nothing to regret about. May I ask who you're giving this brush to?" Mu Qingbai asked softly.
Before Guo Huai could even speak, Murong Weiwei stepped forward and said, "Grandpa Mu, you're going out of your business boundary, aren't you?" Though her voice was not loud, Mu Qingbai could tell that she was not too happy with his action. It was all his fault. He should have directly offered a price from the start, so that he did not have to go through this now.
"I'm really sorry. I hope you two can give this store a visit in the future," Mu Qingbai said while looking at the two people walking away from him.
"So detestable!" Murong Weiwei exclaimed, pouting. "People say that the old without ethics is hateful. I didn't feel this way back then, I only found out that it's true today."
"Hahah, I didn't know that our missy Murong Weiwei would get mad as well," Guo Huai said and laughed. "I don't blame the old man. While he should've bought it for only 150 thousand, it can easily be sold for 800 thousand in an auction."
"Brother Huai, how did you know that this was the right one? Also, how did you know that it even existed in the first place?" Murong Weiwei asked.
"It's because I know what he's thinking about, hahah!" Guo Huai said and laughed. "For example, you're now thinking that Brother Huai is lying once again. Hahah."
Once Guo Huai finished talking, Murong Weiwei suddenly blushed, because Guo Huai really 'guessed' her thought correctly.
After walking for around half an hour, Murong Weiwei said, "Brother Huai, grandmaster likes tranquility. You have to listen to me once we're there."
"Okay, I'll obey you," Guo Huai said with a smile. "However, I feel that grandmaster wouldn't like tranquility when I'm there. He'd like wine more, hahah."
Surprisingly, Murong Weiwei laughed. "You make grandmaster sound like an alcoholic. If he asks you to comment on his work, just say what you can see. Don't say anything inappropriate," she said.
"Don't worry, I know what to do," Guo Huai said.
As they talked, they eventually reached a big house. "We're here! I'll go knock on the door," Murong Weiwei said and proceeded to knock on the door thrice.
A woman around fifty years old opened the door. She wore a simple outfit and showed a pleasant smile. "Good afternoon, Grandma Wu! Grandpa's at home, right?" Murong Weiwei asked.
"Oh, it's Weiwei! He has been telling me about your visit again and again since this morning. Come in, I'll make you a good lunch," Grandma Wu said with a smile. "You brought a friend here? Let's come in as well, don't stay under the hot sun."
"Weiwei, grandpa went to your school yesterday. Why didn't you take care of him? He drank quite a lot of alcohol. His doctor had him checked, luckily he's fine," Grandma Wu said with a smile.
"Oh, I brought the culprit here! He gave the wine to grandpa yesterday," Murong Weiwei said, pointing at Guo Huai who was behind her.
"Nice to meet you, Grandma Wu. I came here spontaneously and could not bring you any gift. Here's an antique that I got from a street a while ago, it's yours now. You may give it to your grandson. The seller told me that it had been given light and can ward off evil," Guo Huai said before passing a Guanyin pendant to her.