Manager Wen suddenly remembered: "Speaking of which, Mr. Zhao is quite proficient in this area, please do give us some guidance."
"Restoring ancient books, huh? That’s quite taxing." Zhao Minghua cleared his throat: "I’ll take a look later."
"There’s no need to wait; timing is everything. Mr. Zhao, you must give us some pointers."
"Manager Wen is really..." Zhao Minghua was somewhat helpless: "I came today to see some artworks that suit my taste, not for anything else."
"That’s easy to say, just take a look at the ancient books first. Later, anything you fancy, I’ll give you at cost, how about that?"
"Manager Wen really knows how to drive a hard bargain."
Chun Ning watched as Zhao Minghua and Manager Wen casually chatted about a matter he was quite interested in: the restoration of ancient books.
He was a bit puzzled; Zhao Minghua was known in Changzhou as a playboy, how could he possibly understand ancient book restoration?
Could it be that he’s just pretending too?
Chun Ning had some knowledge and interest in ancient book restoration, but he really didn’t understand it.
Of course, he knew even more that restoring ancient books wasn’t a small matter, one careless move could ruin a classic.
Could Zhao Minghua fake his way through this?
He also expressed his anticipation to witness such a miracle.
"Mr. Zhao, please you must help."
"Since Manager Wen has gone this far, I suppose I’ll take a look."
Manager Wen led the two of them to a study room, where three walls were covered with bookshelves. The shelves were filled with a dazzling array of books, momentarily making him lose focus.
Chun Ning was a man of letters, who couldn’t put down books, recalling that the Xiao family’s study also had many collections once, a pity indeed...
"Gentlemen, here is that ancient book."
One must say that as a shop manager, he had a keen eye, and Zhao Minghua didn’t deliberately introduce Chun Ning, because of his special status, but he included him in everything he did.
Manager Wen, being such a clever person, respects the friend you brought along without asking unnecessary questions.
When he called Zhao Minghua, he also called Chun Ning.
Chun Ning took a look at the ancient book...well, it was really damaged.
The entire book was rolled up, with many places damaged, and in the damaged areas, the words were even unreadable.
"Manager Wen, you must be joking, is such a specimen really worthy of restoration?"
Zhao Ming was amused: "Are you too idle? If it were up to me, why not just copy a new one?"
"Mr. Zhao, can you take a closer look?"
Zhao Minghua stepped forward and took a look.
"Alright, I admit, it has restoration value."
Chun Ning also looked, and when he leaned in to look, he was stunned—it was a medical book?
Because it depicted human meridians and skeletons, Chun Ning’s eyebrows twitched as he looked on.
If this book is...
"This is a handwritten copy of ’Essentials of Trauma Medicine’ from a medical sage of the previous dynasty," Manager Wen introduced. "Such an ancient book is priceless, but unfortunately, my knowledge is shallow and I don’t understand medicine. I can’t even half-understand the content, truly unable to start.
"Mr. Zhao, if you could restore this book, I would be willing to..."
Zhao Minghua raised his hand to stop him from mentioning the reward.
"Manager Wen forgets that I also don’t understand medicine," Zhao Minghua didn’t miss the subtle change in Chun Ning’s expression upon looking at the medical book, "Restoring this book without medical expertise is impossible, and you also need the skill to restore ancient books."
"I, of course, understand," Manager Wen felt immense regret, "The unfortunate reality is that such a person is nowhere to be found."
"Manager Wen, how about selling this ancient book instead?"
What?
"I mean, let me take this ancient book, and later I’ll find it a worthy owner. Simply put, preserving these important records in the book for future generations is a truly meritorious act."
Manager Wen...I asked you to restore the ancient book, not to take advantage of the situation.
"Everything has its destined opportunity. Now that I’ve encountered this ancient book today, and since I can find it a suitable owner, why not make it happen and give this book a chance to be reborn?"
"Mr. Zhao, are you sure you can let the ancient book be reborn?"
"Yes, but the person who can do it is definitely not me."
"Could I meet this expert?"
"No, she’s been living in seclusion for years and no longer meets outsiders."
"That’s truly unfortunate." Manager Wen was clearly struggling.
"If Manager Wen is willing to sell it, the price can be negotiated."
"The issue isn’t the price, it’s just that..." Manager Wen thought for a moment, "I have an unreasonable request."
"Please go ahead."
"Once the ancient book is restored, could I take a look at it?"
"Of course," Zhao Minghua replied, "But I estimate it’ll be at least a year or two later."
"Three or five years, no matter," Manager Wen genuinely loved the book, "I should still have a few years to live and hope to see the day this book is reborn."
"You surely will." Zhao Minghua said, "May I ask the price?"
Manager Wen held up one finger.
"Ten taels of silver?" Zhao Minghua asked.