Chapter 326: Chapter 111: The Trail of Yellow Love
The egg-yolk-colored small diamonds clustered together, forming the shape of a floral crown. The colors were too vivid, an excessive yellow, with identically small-sized shattered diamonds, the artificial traces were all too apparent.
Those eyes that Orleans thought represented the beauty of the East quickly dimmed as the jewelry turned out not to be Yellow Love.
The yellow imitation diamonds in the jewelry case mockingly gleamed, ridiculing the young man with insufficient discernment.
In the tea room, the appreciation guests began to whisper among themselves. The female international student could not stand the young man’s overbearing style and curled her lips, "Everyone is laughing at him, it’s fake." Judged by the young man’s previous actions, almost everyone thought that the black box contained a treasure of immense value, only to find out it was a fake.
Buying fake diamonds is not unheard of, Su Ziceng also remembered buying one once herself. Decades later, when artificial diamonds became prevalent, fake diamonds were even more common.
However, watching this young man get humiliated brought pleasure to everyone. It’s known that one should still adhere to basic etiquette in life, it doesn’t matter if one’s parents haven’t taught them well, but it’s wrong to embarrass oneself publicly.
"What’s going on?" The young man also noticed the change in the appreciation guests’ eyes and questioned the translator beside him.
The translator was also somewhat puzzled; he had bought the jewelry together with the French Viscount and had spent nearly 20 million francs, "They said it’s fake," truth can’t be concealed forever, it’s better to make it clear to him.
"What?" A flash of anger crossed the young man’s pale face as he picked up the necklace and shouted loudly, "Who said it’s fake? Our Olson family has been in the diamond industry for many years; this necklace was acquired by me at a high price." The Olson family’s wealth was enough to rival countries, which had nearly doubled since Mussen’s time. For years, the diamond and jewelry business had been their primary industry.
"I say it’s fake," the Chief Secretary stood up, he had endured the young man’s behavior for a long time, and had it not been for considering the other’s special status, he would have had him promptly thrown out.
The Chief Secretary was of average Japanese stature, barely reaching 1.7 meters, but having been in the bureaucracy for many years, he spoke with an official tone, naturally carrying a kind of authority.
No matter how arrogant Orleans was, he knew that a powerful dragon can’t suppress the local snakes. Weakening in momentum, it seemed like he shrank a bit, while the translator quickly gave a smiling face and pulled him back to his seat.
"I also say it’s fake," said the owner of Lanshan Tea House hosting this appreciation event: "Please take a careful look at the appreciation book in your hands."
Only then did Orleans pick up the small booklet he had tossed aside, flipping to the last page, where he finally saw a diamond necklace almost identical to all his "Yellow Love."
"What is this about?" Su Ziceng also followed to the last page, she had only paid attention to the first few pages before and did not expect Yellow Love to be placed on the last page.
"This necklace was donated by the patriot Mr. Yamai Ichiro ten years ago and has been kept in the Chuyun Grand Shrine in Shimane, waiting for the right moment to be auctioned." Such private donations must be auctioned publicly. Before making the donation, Yamai Ichiro specified that the proceeds from the auction should be used to improve the living conditions of the elderly post-war.
"Ten years ago?" Su Ziceng recalled the sometimes-mad, sometimes-sane Yamai Ichiro, who was not bankrupt ten years ago and should have been normal back then.
"Chuyun Grand Shrine?" Su Ziceng didn’t have much impression of it, and the female student explained that it was Japan’s most famous Shrine, supposedly a divine land.
The Chief Secretary didn’t tell everything. The deeper reason why Yellow Love was enshrined in the Chuyun Grand Shrine is that Yamai Ichiro was forced to donate this valuable diamond necklace. The necklace occasionally emitted bizarre mirages, women’s screams, and men’s cries, which, over time, even drove the non-religious Yamai Ichiro insane.
After Yellow Love was donated, it was purified and prayed for by the Divine Palace of the Chuyun Grand Shrine, and the eerie sounds gradually subsided. This year, it became almost indistinguishable from a normal jewelry necklace. Hence, it underwent a preliminary assessment before entering the market at this appreciation event.
"I have never heard of it," Yellow Love, officially recognized, naturally held more credibility than what Orleans acquired from the common folk. Orleans was almost vomit-blood furious, the much-troubled acquisition turned out to be worthless fake. It was a significant loss of face, as the Olson family enjoyed a global reputation, yet Viscount Orleans of the family bought a fake necklace and foolishly showboated in front of those who knew better.
Orleans’s face had turned almost as red as Lord Guan’s, and he nearly crushed all his teeth grinding them together. He wanted to smash the door and run out, abandoning the damn fake. But he couldn’t leave; he had to find out by what means he could get that necklace hidden in some grand shrine.
Although the Olson family was rich enough, Olson lacked the exceptional talents of Mussen, and the diamond mines in Africa had also failed to find another "God’s Light" like before. So, whether by buying or by stealing, it was imperative to recover the Olson family’s artistic hallmark "Mussen’s Blessing".
Without Orleans’s interruptions, the appreciation event could finally proceed normally. Like Orleans, Su Ziceng couldn’t focus on the remaining items; her only concern was to await news of the final item, "Yellow Love."
After the Tea Girl changed the tea three times, there was a brief pause in the appraisal event. Su Ziceng, initially listening indifferently, began to pay closer attention.
Director Luo was right, collections from Z country and most of Asia were circulating on the Japanese market. These Japanese, who had made fortunes during the war, now appeared polite and cultured, which deeply angered Su Ziceng. Solely to prevent Z country’s cultural heritage from falling into others’ hands, she must also bring those artifacts back to her country.
Unfortunately, her capabilities and financial resources were currently limited, and she could only focus her efforts. As Su Ziceng looked through the appraisal catalog, her mind was already crafting promotional words for her next auction.
"Next, let’s discuss the last item of this appreciation event, a piece from Mussen’s Blessing - the situation surrounding Yellow Love." The Chief Secretary raised his voice, emphasizing specifically.
Su Ziceng’s deep brown eyes and Olson’s silvery gray eyes both intensely fixed on the opening and closing mouth of the Chief Secretary. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian () to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)