Chapter 1898: Chapter 1898: Return to the Capital (2)

“In troubled times, gold; in prosperous times, antiques. This has remained unchanged through the ages. The country is visibly improving day by day. Although the situation in Shanghai seems chaotic, there is stability amidst the chaos. Prosperous peace is within reach. I feel hopeful; your decision to buy antiques instead of gold is indeed a wise choice.” Zhou Mingyu admired the vibrant and colorful lady in front of him, almost regarding her as a confidante.

Not only knowledgeable but also brave.

After the past twenty years of turmoil, countless people are like startled birds, afraid to touch cultural relics and antiques, fearing trouble.

Feng Qingxue’s expression was serene as she smiled gracefully, “I just feel that it’s a pity that our country’s cultural relics are being exported or sold to foreigners and are scattered overseas. The shops have too many good things.”

Of course, investment is one of the reasons; she didn’t deny her own mundane mindset.

She and Lu Jiang’s professions predestined them not to engage in business for wealth, and they didn’t know which path their children might take in the future. So these investments are necessary, at the very least to ensure there’s no shortage of money at home, sparing future generations from having to cook up schemes due to lack of funds.

Moreover, she harbored a vague plan in her mind that required money to support.

Zhou Mingyu thought for a moment and said to her, “I know an old fellow who has been terribly unlucky, his family fragmented, and his collection burnt to ashes. Now only a grandson remains alive. He’s luckier than me; earlier this year, his wrongful conviction was overturned. While those who did evil have yet to meet their retribution, he has been rehabilitated and even received over twenty thousand yuan in back pay. He’s terrified and is looking for a way to send his grandson abroad. I’ll ask if he’s interested in buying gold for you; I bet he certainly would be, as gold is in high demand now.”

“I appreciate it, ma’am.”

Feng Qingxue felt it highly likely because in the late 1970s and early 1980s, many people were trying to find ways to go abroad, including a significant portion who had suffered injustice and then been rehabilitated, too afraid to stay in the country, running away at the slightest sign.

Zhou Mingyu and she agreed on a meeting place, slightly off the back door of Jinjiang Hotel, setting the time for five in the morning.

The next day, Feng Qingxue woke up early while the children were still asleep and left a note for Fubao, saying she was going out to buy breakfast, then went out the back door with full gear. There, she saw Zhou Mingyu lingering near the public toilets, with her cleaning equipment.

Feng Qingxue pretended to go to the bathroom, and Zhou Mingyu followed her inside.

It was too early, and the weather was cold; every household had chamber pots, so nobody actually went into the toilet.

Zhou Mingyu took out a bulging cloth bag from her bosom and opened it to reveal stacks of banknotes, “That old fellow is very willing to buy gold; as long as the gram price doesn’t exceed thirty yuan. Here’s twenty thousand yuan; can you handle it? In the black market nowadays, gold is hard to come by and has soared to the point where you can’t even buy it at thirty yuan per gram.”

The bank’s buying price is a fraction less, but the state doesn’t allow circulation; you simply can’t buy it.

Feng Qingxue quickly calculated in her mind, “For your sake, I’ll offer three bars of ‘big yellow fish.’ How do you feel about that?”

Zhou Mingyu exclaimed in delight, “Wow, you’re so generous; that old fellow has got lucky. Twenty thousand yuan on the black market at most can buy two bars of ‘big yellow fish,’ and you might not even be able to buy them.”

‘Big yellow fish’ weighs ten taels per bar; according to the old scale, a tael is just over thirty grams.

Feng Qingxue took out the finest quality ‘big yellow fish,’ engraved with ‘Purity 991.0,’ and Zhou Mingyu and she exchanged cash for goods, inspecting each other’s items.

The money was genuine, and the gold was real; everyone was satisfied.