CHAPTER 314: CHAPTER 102: UNWORTHY AND UNATTAINABLE (PART 2)

"I also heard from grandmother that the Japanese man sold jewelry and even requested people’s birth details. Grandmother gave him the birth dates of our entire family, and he had only relaxed when it came to mine," Qiu Zhi also knew some of the situation back then, and while speaking, he touched the cufflinks on his sleeve with deep emotion.

"Spiritual? Requesting birth details?" If it were someone else, even if they were obsessed with jewelry, they would find the behavior of that Japanese collector odd.

Su Ziceng didn’t continue speaking. "Granny Qiu, could you tell me the address of that Japanese collector?" Su Ziceng had already decided on the first destination for her Subi Auction House: Japan.

Director Luo had also mentioned that on the eve of the Great Revolution’s victory, the retreating Japanese army had plundered a large number of precious cultural artifacts. In recent years, neighboring Japan had experienced a bubble economy, with a large number of industrialists declaring bankruptcy. Given the geographical and cultural connections between the two countries, it should be the most appropriate source of goods.

"After experiencing bankruptcy, that entrepreneur originally intended his jewelry to offset debts, but he refused to surrender them. To avoid harassment from the court and creditors, he moved away from Capital City and became itinerant. I can’t give a specific contact address. However, his mother is from Nagano, Japan, so every spring, he goes to Karuizawa to view the cherry blossoms," after listening to Mrs. Qiu Senior’s explanation, Su Ziceng immediately stood up, murmuring to herself that it was April and she might still catch the late cherry blossom season in Japan.

"Ziceng? You’re going to find that collector?" Qiu Zhi and Su Ziceng had known each other for two years. Su Ziceng had transformed from the nouveau riche that was the word on the street to her current decisive and swift actions. In this process, Qiu Zhi couldn’t help but be influenced himself.

Su Ziceng shared her plans without reservation with Mrs. Qiu Senior, which was a form of respect for the comprehensive details Granny Qiu had provided. After hearing about the challenges faced by Su Ziceng and Subi Auction House, Mrs. Qiu Senior fell into a moment of silence. Listening, Qiu Zhi pondered; originally, he thought the decision made by Su Qingzhang and the others was right, but after hearing Su Ziceng’s plans, he had other thoughts. The green light from the Green Love Cufflinks on his sleeve grew clearer and clearer.

Unexpectedly, Ziceng had much more courage than he—she was willing to struggle against her family, even daring to confront her own father in court. Thinking of these, Qiu Zhi actually felt an inferiority complex more intense than when he held unrequited feelings for Wen Maixue. Wen Maixue, whom he had always viewed with reverence, had been like a swan since youth, naturally making everyone feel inferior.

But Su Ziceng was different. Qiu Zhi still remembered Su Ziceng at the Eve Ball, like him, they were both newbies to the social circle, naively avoiding everything around them. But now, she had learned to face challenges head-on, moving further and further away. In fact, this feeling was not only felt by Qiu Zhi; even Hang Yishao had been confused and scared by Su Ziceng’s transformation for a while.

When a person discovers that someone who started on the same starting line is unknowingly running ahead, they all feel this way; even more so when that person is considered a potential life partner.

Engrossed in her thoughts, Su Ziceng didn’t notice Qiu Zhi’s psychological changes, but Mrs. Qiu Senior did. Such changes, for an elder like Mrs. Qiu Senior, were also rather conflicting. As an elder, one’s heartfelt desire for the younger generation is to live a life free from worries. But contrary to their wishes, the soaring eagle is bound to encounter storms.

After Su Ziceng took her leave, Qiu Zhi sat stupefied in the courtyard, as the light rain from the sky became heavier, but he barely reacted. An umbrella over his head, Mrs. Qiu Senior held it with a loving face over him.

"Granny, I think..." The courage that Qiu Zhi had always lacked suddenly gathered in full today, "I want to start seriously learning about the stock market." After speaking, Qiu Zhi lowered his head, knowing he was being capricious and that his grandmother would definitely not agree with his request.

"Go ahead and do it," Mrs. Qiu Senior didn’t refuse. Her beloved grandchild was bound to grow up, the family’s protection would one day lose its effect, "As long as Granny is here, my beloved grandchild can do anything he wishes to do." The changes in Qiu Zhi were not sudden. Over the past two years, Mrs. Qiu Senior had watched him become more cheerful and more clear about his goals. While she felt relieved, she also felt sorrow. But these emotions should not turn into restraints that hinder his growth.

"Also, regarding Ziceng and my situation, I think I should let it go," Qiu Zhi felt that Su Ziceng only had a friendly affection for him, without any superfluous romantic feelings.

"Granny knows," Mrs. Qiu Senior sighed, handing the umbrella to him. Su Ziceng was not suitable for Qiu Zhi; the Qiu Family needed a gentle and obedient mistress, while Su Ziceng was destined to soar in the vast sky. However, it didn’t matter; having such a friend by his side was good for Qiu Zhi.

The tea today was indeed very meaningful, Mrs. Qiu Senior felt that she was witnessing the rise of the younger generation. She walked to the spiritual tablet of the late Mr. Qiu of the Qiu Family, muttering: "Old man, you must protect those kids." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)