Chapter 78: How much is it short of you?

  There was a pot of tea on the living room table, and Mr. Zhou grabbed the teapot and took a few sips hastily, he rushed over and was really thirsty.

  "Old Zhou, you impatient fellow, can't you speak clearly? What's this about discovering a genius?"

  The person who opened the door walked back with a helpless look, Liu Yi Yang was definitely not unfamiliar with this person. Teacher Zhou came to find Liu Yi Yang's big boss, Zhao Jianmin, the major shareholder of Xuan Ya Zhai.

  Zhao Jianmin was in the living room of his suite, drinking tea and reading a book. He didn't expect Zhou Laoshi to rush over like that, but their relationship was very familiar, and he also knew Zhou Laoshi's temperament, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

  After drinking the tea, Mr. Zhou let out a comfortable belch, put the white paper he brought on the table, and took out several photos from his pocket, placing them all in front of Zhao Jianmin. He said: "Today I didn't go to the museum to give lectures to students, after finishing the lecture we did an exam, really didn't expect that this time still discovered a lot of talent, the most powerful is this one, we only gave them half an hour's time, then let them find three fake items from hundreds of objects, at the same time we also placed a hidden high imitation. This student not only found out that high imitation, but also made very accurate comments, take a look at his comments, isn't he more powerful than the genius you discovered...

  Teacher Zhou said as he straightened up the photo, a hint of pride still on his face.

  He and Zhao Jianmin have a good relationship, they have known each other for more than 20 years. There is also a beautiful story about how the two met. It was a long time ago when Teacher Zhou went to the countryside to collect goods, coincidentally meeting a businessman from Bin Hai who came to play, that businessman took a step ahead and spotted the treasure he wanted to collect.

  He saw his booked item being snatched away by a sudden appearance of Cheng Yaoguang, and naturally, Mr. Zhou was not pleased. Unfortunately, he didn't have as much money as Zhao Jianmin, so in the end, this treasure was forcibly taken away by Zhao Jianmin, leaving Mr. Zhou fuming with anger.

  At that time, Zhao Jianmin was also just beginning to take an interest in antiques and liked collecting and studying them. This was the first time the two had met.

  Neither of them expected that they would meet again just a few days later. Zhao Jianmin knew an old collector and had been learning from him, while Zhou Laoshi was a disciple the old collector had mentored when he was younger. Strictly speaking, the two could be considered as fellow disciples under the same master, but neither of them knew about this connection.

  They met at the master's house, and Zhao Jianmin felt a bit embarrassed, so he took the initiative to return the things he had snatched last time to Teacher Zhou. Teacher Zhou wouldn't want them, and in the end, the old collector also knew about this matter, and pulled the two together for a meal, which was enough to let the two turn their animosity into friendship, without becoming sworn enemies.

  Two people don't fight, they don't know each other. Since then, they often discuss and study together. In the end, one of them became a master appraiser and a collector, while the other also gained some fame, and their business became even bigger. Until now, Zhao Jianmin still collects the treasure he snatched from Teacher Zhou back then, which is also a testament to their friendship.

  Because it was a scramble to get to know each other at the very beginning, and I didn't know if it was fate or not. After so many years, no matter what, both of us liked to compete with each other. Whatever good treasures or discoveries we had, we would first show them off to each other. For over twenty years, this habit has never changed.

  So after discovering Liu Yi Yang's genius, Zhao Jian Min immediately went to tell Zhou Laoshi with pride, showing off that his store had young geniuses, and it was not easy to find such talents, geniuses were almost impossible to come by, this was even more exciting than finding a precious treasure, let alone the fact that Liu Yi Yang was an employee of his store.

  Teacher Zhou still remembered Zhao Jianmin's triumphant look that day and had been feeling resentful ever since. Today, after discovering Liu Yiyang's test paper and reading the comments, he immediately photocopied a copy of the comments and took pictures of the fake goods with his phone. As soon as he returned from dinner, he came to Zhao Jianmin's place, also to show off.

  "Jin Dynasty Yue Kiln Celadon, four-system disk-mouthed pot, isn't this the one from the museum?"

  Zhao Jianmin first took a look at the photo and immediately raised his head to ask, "He often goes to the museum and knows some of the important things inside. He has also donated a batch of cultural relics to the museum."

  "I'm not asking you to look at the stuff, read the reviews. I'm telling you, this is a review written by a 20-year-old student, and this kid is the most talented young person I've ever seen, absolutely better than that one you mentioned!"

  Teacher Zhou smiled with satisfaction, as if discovering Liu Yi Yang was a remarkable thing.

  "How fierce can this student be? What's his name?"

  Zhao Jianmin put the photo aside, gently shaking his head, and picked up the copied evaluation. With just one glance, he was drawn in by the comments inside. This evaluation of the Yue Kiln celadon was extremely accurate, and what's more, it was simple and clear. Even he might not have been able to make such a precise evaluation.

  "There is a name on Douban, this student is from Bin Hai Medical University, named Liu Yi Yang. Old Ma and Old Hu both guessed that he was born into a wealthy family, but it's not clear which one yet!"

  "What did you say his name was?"

  Zhao Jianmin suddenly let out a sharp cry, and he too saw the name written on the white paper, Bin Hai Medical University Antique Society, Liu Yi Yang.

  "Liu Yi Yang, what a great name! Too bad he was born into a wealthy family, otherwise who knows, maybe there could have been a chance for us to be together!"

  Teacher Zhou said with envy, the fate he spoke of was that of a master and apprentice. Such a genius, no one wouldn't want to take as their disciple. Don't look at these appraisal masters' glamorous appearance, but it's really hard to cultivate a good apprentice.

  However, he also knew that geniuses like Liu Yi Yang would never be willing to be apprentices, as they had already made up their minds that Liu Yi Yang was from a noble family and people from noble families would never become apprentices for others, but instead would surely make their own family prosperous.

  "This kid!"

  Zhao Jianmin shook his head and smiled wryly as he watched the commentary, having a familiar feeling when he asked casually, not expecting it to be Liu Yiyang indeed. If it was Liu Yiyang, then there's nothing surprising about it, he had long known that Liu Yiyang was formidable, a true genius.

  "What's with this kid, do you know him?" Mr. Zhou, who had sharp ears, heard what Zhao Jianmin said and hastily asked a question.

  "I recognize him, but you're wrong about one thing - he's not from a wealthy family. Do you remember the genius who identified that official kiln porcelain I told you about before? He's an employee at my store and his name is Liu Yi Yang. He's currently a student at Bin Hai Medical University and works part-time at my store in Bin Hai."

  Zhao Jianmin shook his head and said slowly, the school and name all matched, plus the familiar feeling, he was already certain that what Teacher Zhou said was Liu Yi Yang, it's impossible to have someone with the same name and surname who is also so powerful.

  "So the genius you were talking about is him, no wonder!"

  Teacher Zhou's mouth was agape, he didn't expect the person brought over to show off would be the same one Zhao Jianmin mentioned earlier. Previously, Zhao Jianmin only said it was an employee in his store, without mentioning a part-time identity or name, which led to this misunderstanding.

  "You just said he isn't from a noble family?"

  This made Teacher Zhou lose interest in thinking about this absurdity. He immediately remembered another phrase by Zhao Jianmin and hastily asked a question.

  "Yes, he is from Licheng, Henan Province. His family was ordinary and had no connection to antiques. Half a year ago, the master of Xuan Ya Zhai discovered his hands and taught him antique conservation. Since then, he has been working at Xuan Ya Zhai. According to himself, he learned by doing, reading many books and practicing through conserving antiques, which brought him to his current level."

  Zhao Jianmin said slowly, with a hint of emotion on his face as he spoke.

  Half a year ago, he was also an apprentice and learned about collecting and appraising. In half a year's time, he still didn't understand anything, but Liu Yi Yang already had expert-level standards. What else can you call this except genius?

  "You're saying he's been in contact with antiques for only half a year?" Teacher Zhou asked again, his eyes wide open and his mouth agape.

  Zhao Jianmin was told this information, which was undoubtedly a bombshell for him. From the beginning of his studies as a child, he had already reached such a high level at this age that it was a genius. But having only been in contact with it for half a year and being a late starter, how could he be so formidable? Zhao Jianmin didn't dare to think about it anymore and couldn't imagine it either.

  "Yes, don't even mention you, even I who knows everything about him can hardly believe it!"

  Zhao Jianmin said with a heavy tone, thinking that Liu Yiyang had such super strong identification ability in just half a year, he felt like he had encountered a freak. Fortunately, this freak was currently within his company, which was his greatest comfort.

  "No way, I have to go find him and ask him in detail. To have such strength in just half a year, I really can't believe it!" Teacher Zhou stood up directly and said as he was about to walk out.

  "Old Zhou is back, where are you going to find him, do you know where he is? Besides, who has ever been as reckless and impulsive as you, barging in like this?"

  Zhao Jianmin quickly grabbed him and said with a mixture of laughter and tears, "Teacher Zhou's temper is really impatient. It's almost 10 o'clock at night now, even if we can find someone, it's not suitable to go at this time."

  "Then I'll go tomorrow, can't let them know about this news. Old Zhao, do you think I have a chance?" Mr. Zhou's eyes suddenly lit up, and he finally sat down, but then said something that Zhao Jianmin didn't understand again.

  "What's hopeful about this? Don't be ridiculous, speak clearly!"

  Zhao Jianmin asked bluntly, the relationship between the two was very familiar, and it could be seen that Teacher Zhou could directly rush into his room late at night. Normally, they had never had any taboos when talking to each other.

  "You know, I've never had a good apprentice, he's young and a genius, can we have a master-apprentice relationship?"

  Facing Zhao Jianmin, Teacher Zhou did not hide his concerns and said directly that at their age, they all wanted to find a good apprentice to inherit their legacy, but it was not easy to find a good apprentice, who had extremely high requirements for enlightenment, wisdom, and fate.

  Those who beg for apprenticeship all day don't count, most of those who ask for apprenticeship come for their fame, and nobody likes such people.

  After listening to Mr. Zhou's words, Zhao Jianmin's face was rarely serious, he straightened his back and asked in a low voice: "Old Zhou, I won't comment on what you said for now, I just ask you, how much worse is he than you now? In half a year, he has become like this, how long will it take him to catch up with you, or even surpass you?"

  "How much is left for me?"

  Teacher Zhou was slightly stunned, sitting there foolishly staring ahead, and didn't move for a long time.