Chapter 504: Testing

Chapter 504: Testing
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Just as Xia Wan was about to walk in and take a look at the embroidery works, a
short and fat old man walked out from behind a screen on the other side.
“Old Tao, why are you here?” the short and fat old man asked the elder who had come earlier.
“I went to the newly opened bookstore today,” Old Tao said with a smile. “I was hoping to find some good works, but I didn’t expect to find a treasure.”
“That’s right!” Old Tao said as he gestured in Xia Wan’s direction. “Here, it’s this little girl!”
“Young lady, I still don’t know your name,” Old Tao realized something after he finished speaking and quickly said to Xia Wan.
Xia Wan bowed to the two elders and said, “My name is Xia Wan. I’m a
third-year student from the county high school.”
“This is my classmate, Liu Hua,” Xia Wan did not forget to introduce Liu Hua.
Although Liu Hua was still a little nervous, she still bowed respectfully to the two elders.
Old Zhao sized Xia Wan up before saying to Old Tao, “You brought two middle school students here…”
Old Zhao did not continue, but Xia Wan could clearly hear the meaning behind his words.
He was obviously doubting whether Xia Wan and the others, as mere high school students, could appreciate these “works of art.”
Xia Wan could understand Old Zhao’s meaning, and Old Tao could understand it too.
He quickly walked toward Old Tao and whispered something to him.
Xia Wan didn’t mind and just waited quietly.
These “artists” had always thought highly of themselves.
The reason why there weren’t many guests in this gallery was partly because of the poor location, but more because the artists were picky about their “guests.”
This was also one of the important reasons why the early development of the domestic art industry was difficult.
After Old Zhao heard Old Tao’s words, he first looked at Xia Wan with slight surprise. Then, his expression changed slightly, like a child who had thought of a bad idea.
Old Zhao said to Xia Wan and Liu Hua, “Young ladies, please take a seat over there. I’ll be right back.”
Xia Wan and Liu Hua nodded at Old Zhao. They saw the short and fat old man excitedly crawl behind the screen.
Old Tao smiled awkwardly at Xia Wan and Liu Hua. “Old Zhao rarely comes into contact with others. His personality is a little strange. Please don’t mind him.”
“You’re worrying too much. We won’t take it to heart,” Xia Wan shook her head at Old Tao.
“That’s good, that’s good,” Old Tao said as he glanced behind the screen.
Not long after, Old Zhao had already run out excitedly with a small box in his hands.
Old Tao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Xia Wan saw the difference in Old Tao’s expression and guessed that Old Zhao was probably testing them.
She didn’t care.
She was here for the books that Old Tao had mentioned, so she didn’t really care if she could pass these small tests.
Old Zhao brought the box in front of Xia Wan. “Little girl, take a look at what’s inside first.”
Old Zhao opened the box and showed the contents to Xia Wan.
Xia Wan and Liu Hua looked at the box at the same time.
Inside was a small piece of fabric that looked like a ribbon.
The fabric was only the size of half a palm and looked like it was cut from some clothing.
Liu Hua looked at the fabric and frowned. She did not speak for a long time.
Xia Wan was also staring at the fabric, as if she was thinking about something.
Old Zhao looked at Old Tao proudly as if he had defeated him.
Old Tao was helpless. He could only shake his head and sigh.
After a while, Xia Wan and Liu Hua did not say a word. Old Tao quickly stepped forward to help. “Old Zhao, this thing of yours is rare to begin with. Let the two girls see it. They might not have seen it before.”
Old Zhao took the box back and closed the lid with a bang.
“I told you two little girls wouldn’t know anything. You’re exaggerating!” Old Zhao said and was about to put away the box.
“Sir, can you let me see the fabric inside again?” Xia Wan asked.
Old Zhao subconsciously hid the box by his side. “What do you want? Didn’t you just see it?”
“Could it be that you really recognize this thing?” Old Zhao said suspiciously, obviously not believing that Xia Wan could really recognize this treasure.
Xia Wan did not answer him directly. She just turned to Old Zhao and said, “I want to take another look to confirm it.. Is that okay?”