Professor Deng was an archaeology professor at a university. He usually liked to wander around small towns.
Seeing the disbelief of his friends in the group, he wasn't angry. After all, he had misjudged things quite a few times. But this time, he was sure he had found a treasure.
Although the robe was covered in dust, the pearl - linked circle patterns were still recognizable. The rings were broken, and the pearl dots were blurred. Its former grandeur had been eroded by the wind and dust. It felt smooth and soft to the touch. Beneath the dirt were golden threads, finer and denser than the silk fabrics beside it. This could only be because the silkworms at that time couldn't produce tough silk.
In the laboratory, Professor Deng's hands were trembling with excitement. The fluctuations of the calibration curve clearly showed that this was a historical relic. A robe from 1600 years ago was now in his hands. He looked at the robe bit by bit under the light. The wandering golden threads seemed like characters, softly telling the story of the past.
Professor Deng hurriedly took out his phone. He wanted to contact the owner of that shop but found he didn't know how to operate this high - tech stuff. Immediately, he called his favorite student.
"Wen Qi'an! Come with me to Qinghe Town right now!"
"I've actually found an ancient robe in a small shop!"
Professor Deng knew there were some capable people in the folk who collected all kinds of antiques through various channels. But he was curious. How did that gentle - looking little girl manage to preserve it so well? Where did she get it from, and did she have any more? As for the girl being a tomb - raider, his eyes had never misjudged people in decades. This girl had a clean aura all over her. She clearly ran an honest business. Moreover, collecting antiques relied a lot on luck. He had already found out that this little girl had just moved here recently. She was really a lucky person! There was a talent in his project team who was terrible at everything but excellent at collecting antiques.
In the grocery store, Wen Chuyan was carefully checking the shelves. The arrival of that child the other night had given her a new idea. The layout of the grocery store needed to be rearranged. Besides the packaged snacks, daily necessities, and instant foods, there should also be a special area for rice, flour, and cooking oil. Wen Chuyan looked at the large grocery store plan and re - organized it in an orderly way. Then she slowly lay down on the rocking chair and ordered a fried chicken. She also called Uncle Wang, who was in charge of the goods supply, and Uncle Zhao, who made the shelves.
First, there should be finished rice and flour. This kind of staple food was popular everywhere. Vegetables were not considered, but dried goods could be. For fruits, two boxes would do. There should also be modern handicrafts. It was time to let the mysterious Eastern power - Yiwu - come into play! The goods should be neatly arranged. Ballpoint pens, toilet paper, all these should be stocked. Wen Chuyan watched as the more than 100 - square - meter grocery store was gradually filled. Many other things would be delivered the next day. A cash register and an anti - theft door should also be installed. Only then did Wen Chuyan slowly lie back in the rocking chair.
She didn't know that soon after, her cousin would come with a big shot in the archaeological field and an unofficial staff contract. She became an unofficial staff member of the university.
The moment the door was opened, Wen Chuyan thought it was the delivery guy. Her voice was lazy as she stared at the soap opera.
"Just put the stuff there."
Before Professor Deng could say anything, Wen Qi'an rushed forward in a single step.
"Yanyan! It's really you!"
Wen Chuyan turned her head.
"Cousin?"
Wen Qi'an introduced Professor Deng with a smile.
"This is my tutor, a big shot in the archaeological field."
Then he stood behind Professor Deng and winked at his cousin.
Wen Chuyan felt a bit nervous at this moment.
"Hello, hello. May I ask what's the matter?"
Could it be that her asking price was too unreasonable? She thought a robe couldn't be that expensive!
To her surprise, Professor Deng held her hand.
"Yanyan, people really can't be judged by their appearance!"
"The robe you sold me is of great research value."
"I just want to ask how you preserved it. If we had this kind of technology, it would be a great progress in the archaeological field."
Wen Chuyan was immediately stunned. She couldn't very well say that her grocery store could travel through time, could she?
Seeing Wen Chuyan's silence, Professor Deng felt a bit embarrassed.
"I know this request is rather presumptuous. People like you who rely on their skills for a living certainly can't disclose things casually. Did I scare you, little girl?"
Wen Qi'an walked over.
"Teacher, I told you you were being too hasty."
"Yanyan, teacher wants to ask if you have any other antiques. We can offer you a very fair price to buy them."
Wen Chuyan felt a bit headache. As for whether there were more things or not, it was hard to say. Because the ability of the treasure - gathering basin was not very stable yet. Maybe it would travel to other places for transactions at any time.
Professor Deng's voice was a bit hoarse.
"Yanyan, forgive this old man for calling you like this following your cousin. Although we can't offer the same high price as the auction house, we are absolutely fair and just and won't cheat."
Wen Chuyan smiled helplessly.
"Professor Deng, it's not about this."
"I don't know when I'll come across any more."
"How about this? I'll contact you first if I find any more, okay?"
Professor Deng's eyes lit up. Wen Qi'an looked at his cousin with a look of frustration. He quietly took out his phone.
"Silly girl, our project team is researching Eastern Jin Dynasty antiques.
"Our family has always been urging you to find a job.
"Seize this opportunity and become our unofficial staff member! There are a lot of such staff members. Don't be shy!"
Looking at the vibrating phone, Wen Chuyan summoned up her courage.
"Professor Deng, I'd like to join your project team."
"Ah, no no no. Just an unofficial staff member. I don't need a job. I just want a work permit.
"Mainly because my parents think my grocery store business won't work out."
?
Professor Deng looked at this little girl who asked for so little and couldn't help laughing. He glared at his good student who was looking everywhere but at him.
"Even if you didn't say it, I would have tried to get you in."
The day was short. As night fell, a middle - aged man with his head down walked in. He looked haggard.
"Shopkeeper, could you do me a favor and give me a glass of water? I'll leave after taking a short rest."
Wen Chuyan saw that the man was soaking wet and carrying a huge package. She picked up a paper cup and poured him a cup of hot water. Then, out of pity, she gave him a few pieces of toilet paper. Only then did the middle - aged man look up. This glance made him unable to look away. The small shop in front of him was clean and bright. The lights above were shining brightly, making the whole room as bright as day. The shelves on one side were made of excellent steel and filled with all kinds of items whose names he didn't know. On the other side, there were crystal balls, and inside them were delicate figures.
The middle - aged man knelt down and kowtowed.
"Fairy, have I come to a fairyland?"
"Fairy, you are so kind. You even let a commoner like me drink the water that only immortals can drink."
Saying that, he banged his head on the ground.
Wen Chuyan dodged to the side and tried hard to help the man up. She shouted at the agile man.
"This is just a grocery store! It sells all kinds of food and daily necessities! It's not a fairyland!"
The middle - aged man got up doubtfully. He still hunched his back and didn't dare to look Wen Chuyan in the face. He asked carefully.
"Fairy, do you mean that everything here can be bought?"
"Even for a merchant like me?"
Wen Chuyan felt a bit sad at this scene. It was just a normal transaction of paying money for goods. Why be so humble? Seeing Wen Chuyan nodding, the middle - aged man carefully picked up the crystal ball and asked.
"May I ask how much this thing costs?"
Wen Chuyan didn't know how to quote the price. The man had already taken out all the things in his bag. Silver ingots, strings of copper coins with patina, excellent jade pendants, and expensive silk. All these were taken out by the man. He carefully placed the things in front of Wen Chuyan and then began to undress. Just as the man took out a small piece of silver from his shoe, Wen Chuyan immediately stopped him. She pointed at the things in front of her and shouted.
"These are more than enough. They can buy a lot of things."
Just the silver ingots and copper coins were enough to buy more than a dozen crystal balls. The floating - flower jade pendant and the silk that was shining with a colorful light to the naked eye were even more valuable. Their purchasing power was immeasurable. They could almost buy everything in the store.
Hearing this, the middle - aged man happily hugged the crystal ball in his arms. Seeing that he was about to leave, Wen Chuyan called him back.
"You've given too much. You can buy other things. See if there's anything else you want in my store?"
The man became even more excited when he heard this. He carefully turned around.
"Fairy, can I have two more such crystal balls?"
He carefully observed Wen Chuyan's expression. Seeing Wen Chuyan expressionless, he said in a low voice.
"Fairy, one will do.
"I only need one."
After all, in his eyes, Wen Chuyan was a hidden immortal who just came down to have fun.
Wen Chuyan gave him all the things helplessly. While packing, she was frantically poking the system in her mind.
"Does this situation count as an equivalent exchange?"
After a long time, Wen Chuyan heard the lazy voice of the system.
"As long as both parties are satisfied, it's an equivalent exchange."
"What's wrong, host? Isn't this common sense?"
Wen Chuyan packed the crystal balls and gave them to the middle - aged man. The middle - aged man walked out tremblingly. But Wen Chuyan found that her cash register seemed to light up for a moment.
The door was opened again. A well - dressed little boy came in again. He looked just like the child who had eaten ordinary instant food as if it were a rare delicacy. Looking at the cute little boy, a hint of smile flashed across Wen Chuyan's face involuntarily.