Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 986: Chapter 982: Late-stage Stomach Cancer

Talking about the museum inevitably brings up the Secret Color Porcelain in Taicheng, and naturally, Zhou Shitao won’t forget to mention the investigation in Jingdezhen.

During this time, Zhou Shitao has already sent people to secretly infiltrate Changnan, but that Old Mr. Zhong hides his identity very well. Zhou Shitao’s people have investigated for days without finding any information.

”Are you sure the name you heard is accurate? It’s definitely Old Mr. Zhong?” Zhou Shitao couldn’t help but ask Huo Sining.

Huo Sining frowned slightly, as she had been standing outside the booth where Hattori Keiko and Watanabe Yasu were, just separated by a bead curtain. She had indeed clearly heard Watanabe Yasu and Hattori Keiko mention the name ”Old Mr. Zhong” several times. But now, with Zhou Shitao asking, Huo Sining suddenly felt a bit uncertain.

”Maybe it could also be Old Kui Zhong? You know, Dongyang people don’t always pronounce accurately, so a little deviation isn’t impossible.” Huo Sining said somewhat helplessly.

Zhou Shitao was both amused and resigned upon hearing this, but Huo Sining’s guess was reasonable. He nodded and said, ”Alright, I get it. Whether it’s Old Mr. Zhong or Old Kui Zhong, this person has been at large for so many years. We’ll catch him sooner or later!”

Huo Sining understood Zhou Shitao’s concerns. Even if she completed the task Zhou Shitao gave her by inspecting all the museums in the country, as long as this Old Mr. Zhong is still out there and uncaptured, all her efforts would be in vain. To him, the country’s museums are like paper shells. He swaps whatever he wants with impunity, entering and leaving like no one’s watching.

Until this person is caught, the country’s museums will not have peace.

Huo Sining couldn’t help but sigh, knowing full well that someone who can remain hidden for so many years must have extraordinary abilities. Finding him might not be so easy.

However, whether or not he can be found, what needs to be done must still be done. It wasn’t just Zhou Shitao who thought this way; all four people in the room understood the urgency and importance of this matter.

After discussing serious matters, naturally, they shifted the conversation elsewhere. Huang Zhenlong noticed the new four-character inscription on Zhou Shitao’s table and curiously asked, ”Old Zhou, you haven’t given away calligraphy or paintings in years. Why the sudden urge to write such a piece with such a high appraisal, and who’s it for?”

Such a four-character couplet would be seen as flattery if given by an ordinary person. However, given that it was written and bestowed by Zhou Shitao himself, if the person weren’t upright and conscientious, Zhou Shitao would never violate his conscience to inscribe such high praise.

Thus, Huang Zhenlong was curious, wondering who it was that Zhou Shitao held in such high esteem.

Zhou Shitao knew Huang Zhenlong’s curiosity. If he didn’t answer, Huang Zhenlong might pester him endlessly. Thus, he decided to explain, knowing that while Huang Zhenlong was thick-skinned, he wasn’t a gossip.

”You know that person from the Qin Family. He was always dedicated in his early years, accomplishing many practical things. After retirement, he continued to contribute at the Jade Association. He’s upright and clear-headed, well-worthy of these words.”

At first, Huo Sining didn’t realize who Zhou Shitao was talking about until he mentioned the Jade Association. Then she realized, it was referring to Qin Tian’s grandfather, Qin Lianshan.

Zhou Shitao is a towering figure in the antique world, while Qin Lianshan is a politician. Though he later became the president of the Jade Association, he’s merely a novice in antique appraisal. How could these two possibly be connected? What’s more, from Zhou Shitao’s tone, the two seem to be on very good terms.

What puzzled Huo Sining more was why Zhou Shitao would suddenly decide to give Qin Lianshan such an inscription.

Huo Sining wasn’t the only one confused; even Huang Zhenlong was baffled: ”Everyone knows you two are close, but do you really need to praise him so openly? Don’t you feel embarrassed?”

Zhou Shitao couldn’t help but let out a long sigh, ”It’s not that I’m praising him openly, but I fear I might not have another chance.”

Huang Zhenlong was stunned, sensing an underlying meaning in Zhou Shitao’s words: ”No more chance? What do you mean?”

Zhou Shitao lowered his gaze, hiding the pain and loneliness in his eyes: ”I rarely praise anyone, but Qin Lianshan truly is a diligent and honest man. Unfortunately, good people always seem to meet a bad end. Such a good person, yet in his later years, he has to suffer from illness.”

Huo Sining’s heart skipped a beat. Zhou Shitao’s words gave her a bad feeling. Elderly, suffering from illness, what disease did Elder Qin have that made Zhou Shitao speak in such a melancholy and desolate manner?

”Qin Lianshan is ill? What illness? You must be joking, right? I just saw him two days ago, he was exercising in the morning, looking as fit as ever!” Huang Zhenlong was skeptical.

Zhou Shitao said helplessly: ”He’s been covering it up because he didn’t want you to know. The test results came out half a month ago; he kept it hidden, even cautioned the doctors against disclosure. If my second son hadn’t happened to be on duty at the hospital that day, he might have successfully kept it secret!”

Seeing Zhou Shitao’s serious expression, Huang Zhenlong finally realized Zhou Shitao wasn’t joking. His smile faded instantly as he dryly asked, ”What illness does Elder Qin have?”

”Terminal stomach cancer.”

Zhou Shitao’s face was heavy, his words almost repressed, taking a long moment to reluctantly utter those few words.

Huang Zhenlong’s expression froze, and beside him, Huo Sining and Ji Kun also looked up in shock.

Though she hadn’t interacted with Qin Lianshan much, Huo Sining liked the old man who favored wearing traditional Chinese clothing. Plus, he was Qin Tian’s grandfather and Ouyang Jun’s maternal grandfather, which made Huo Sining feel a natural kinship toward him, as if he were half her grandfather too.

But Huo Sining never would have imagined that such a responsible elder would be afflicted with cancer, and it’s already in its late stage.

Suddenly, she remembered her meeting with Ouyang Jun yesterday. He had been smiling broadly, looking triumphant after successfully acquiring five machine tools, and when speaking with Qin Tian on the phone, both laughed heartily, dreaming endlessly of the future.

Seeing their current state, it was clear they were kept in the dark by Master Qin. Huo Sining couldn’t help but wonder, if these two knew about Qin Lianshan’s serious illness, what would they feel? Would they still be so happy and carefree, painting such a beautiful future?