C6 Experts Have Arrived

Curator Zhang, also known as Zhang Tingtao, had a name that carried an artistic flair. Yet, his recent return had left this genteel and scholarly middle-aged man in a state of awkwardness, sitting on the living room sofa and frequently dabbing at his brow with a handkerchief.

"I'm truly sorry. After I got back to my office, I immediately reported the issue of the Single-Half Ring stamp to our provincial museum leaders. Little did I know that within a mere two minutes, I'd receive a direct call from the capital. Dean Zhao from the National Museum of China has decided to come with experts to appraise it right away!"

Zhang Tingtao was visibly uncomfortable as he recounted the events. He hadn't anticipated such a swift and significant response from the capital. It seemed that if the National Museum's experts confirmed the stamp's authenticity, they might insist on taking possession of it.

This development spelled trouble for Chu Yunhe's plans to participate in the auction. The National Museum's purchase of the Single-Half Ring would surely be at a price far removed from the competitive bidding of numerous buyers, likely much lower.

But there was no helping it. As the director of the city museum, Zhang had an obligation to report such a discovery, and personally, he longed for the 'Red-Patterned Small Ring' stamp to stay within the country's borders.

For Chu Yunhe, who was looking to auction off the stamp to fund his comeback, this situation was profoundly unfair.

Chu Yunhe felt somewhat powerless. The internet of his time was nowhere near as advanced as it would be later, making it challenging to track down the contact information for Jia De Auction House. Given his current social standing, which hardly qualified him as an avid collector, he had reached out to several friends but still hadn't secured the auction house's number.

Now, with a VIP from the capital en route to his home, Chu Yunhe was filled with regret. Had he known, he would have acted more strategically, sending the stamp directly to the auction house for appraisal.

But it was too late for regrets. He could only hope that the stamp was genuine and that the offer from the Palace Museum would be generous.

"Curator Zhang, there's no need for such formality. Having experts from the capital come to appraise the stamp is a good idea—it lends more credibility. Honestly, I'm still feeling uneasy. How did such a rare, horizontally joined pair of stamps suddenly appear in our home? It's like something out of a dream!"

Chu Yunhe was less than thrilled, but he kept his composure. He was resolute—if the stamps were genuine and the Palace Museum's offer didn't meet his expectations, he wasn't about to hand them over without a fight.

In the kitchen, Ma Yan was bustling about with dinner preparations, with Chu Jun lending a hand. Chu Yunhe might have had his share of success, but now it was his time to hustle. He hadn't splurged on a villa or hired any servants; every penny was poured into his business, leaving his family's lifestyle indistinguishable from the average person's.

Zhang Tingtao felt awkward and uncomfortable, as if his presence was a form of surveillance. Chu Yunhe, however, had made up his mind to keep things pleasant, engaging Zhang Tingtao in conversation that ranged from trivial to profound, maintaining a decent atmosphere.

Dinner was modest, far from lavish. Chu Yunhe had considered suggesting a toast to Zhang Tingtao, but with representatives from the Palace Museum due to arrive soon, and knowing alcohol could interfere with work, Zhang Tingtao politely declined the offer.

With Zhang Tingtao, an outsider, present, the meal felt bland and joyless. Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts, resulting in a lackluster appetite. They ate simply and finished quickly.

"Jun, did you get enough to eat? Once they leave, I'll make you some egg drop soup," Ma Yan offered affectionately as she washed the dishes, glancing at her son who was helping out.

"Heh, you always take the best care of me, Mom. So, what do you think that stamp could be worth?" Chu Jun asked, stowing away the leftovers in the fridge and then leaning on the door, watching his mother.

"Well, I think..." Ma Yan began, her brow furrowed in thought, but she was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" Chu Jun dashed to the door, already suspecting it was the delegation from the capital. Upon opening it, he was taken aback. The turnout was beyond his expectations—a crowd was crammed into the hallway, led by four individuals from the Palace Museum, with two police officers in tow.

When Chu Jun caught sight of the police, his expression immediately soured. What did this mean? Were they really going to resort to force if negotiations failed?

Could he, a mere citizen, stand up to the state's apparatus of violence? Fuming inside, he managed to say, "Please come in!" before turning on his heel and heading back.

"Director Lee!" Zhang Tingtao and Chu Yunhe came from the living room to warmly greet the newcomer, recognizing only Director Lee among the group.

"Mr. Chu, allow me to introduce you. This is Lee Ming, the director of the provincial museum administration," Zhang Tingtao said.

Lee Ming appeared youthful for his role, primarily handling administrative duties. In his forties, he was smartly dressed in a crisp, short-sleeved white shirt and black trousers, his leather shoes gleaming. He had been dispatched to the airport specifically to welcome the delegation from Yanjing, given the province's responsibility for hosting.

"Hello, Mr. Chu Yunhe, I'm Lee Ming. Let me introduce the other leaders. Here we have Director Zhao Changjiang from the Palace Museum, Director Shen Zhaoqiang from the National Philatelic Museum, and Professor Wu Wanli, an expert in our country's philatelic community. The last two gentlemen are police officers from the capital, specially here to..." Lee Ming trailed off, seemingly embarrassed, before swiftly changing the subject: "They've come to take a look at the unique stamp in your collection!"

Chu Yunhe shook hands with each person, taken aback by the level of importance they seemed to place on the visit, especially noting the stern faces of the police officers, which left him feeling somewhat uneasy.

"Come, let's have some tea," Ma Yan suggested as she emerged from the kitchen, pouring tea for the guests. Truth be told, the living room was cramped with such a crowd; the sofa was insufficient, and they had to bring in extra stools.

"No, let's first see the stamps! Business before pleasure," Lee Ming interjected, aware of the urgency felt by the visitors from Beijing who had been fixated on the stamps throughout the journey.

"Please, have a seat. I'll retrieve them right away," Chu Yunhe offered. He had already secured the stamps, knowing their immense value and the irreparable loss should they suffer any damage.

He quickly retrieved a small red box from the bedroom. It was the same jewelry box he had bought for his wife's gold necklace last year. He set it down gingerly on the coffee table and opened it, drawing everyone's attention.

The red velvet lining came into view, but Chu Jun held back from joining the crowd. His eyes darted between the two police officers, his mind racing with uncertainty. Amidst the mental chaos, he picked up on the collective gasp that rippled through the room. The three experts from Beijing stood there, their expressions a mix of shock and awe.