Closer to Revealing My True Self
Chapter 97 - 89: True or False_3

Chapter 97: Chapter 89: True or False_3

For this very reason, those antique python-skin erhus from decades ago, which had lost their practical value and could only be treated as collectible art pieces, were highly speculative on the black market. Besides the difficulty in replicating their materials nowadays, they also carried additional values, such as being previously owned by renowned artists, which definitely increased their worth.

Therefore, the erhu left by Old Man Zou, if placed on the black market, would certainly fetch a high price.

However, seeing how composed Zou Fan was, it was quite apparent he was already aware of the erhu’s whereabouts. Inviting Feng Yi over might have just been a formality for appearances’ sake. It was very likely that the erhu would not end up on the black market.

Watching Zou Fan quickly adjust his emotions, freeing himself from regret and sighs, Feng Yi felt considerable admiration.

"You really have a great mindset," Feng Yi said.

Zou Fan smiled faintly, "Having started my own business 20 years ago, I’ve faced many big challenges. Life, you see, can’t be absolutely perfect; there are joys and regrets. One just needs to let it go. Besides, playing the erhu can cultivate one’s disposition and bring a tranquil and virtuous heart."

Feng Yi hadn’t reached such a state of mind when he was learning the erhu from his teacher, so he truly admired people who could cultivate their temperament through the instrument.

Like Mr. Zou here, who had the aura of a true boss, unruffled by chaos, handling everything with a smile amidst the turmoil.

Of course, one had to overlook his actual skill on the erhu.

Putting aside his skills at the instrument, he still possessed the air of a true boss, which Lu Yue had underestimated.

"Feng Yi, what’s the largest python you’ve seen in the wild?" Zou Fan asked.

"In the wild?"

"Yeah, not those in zoos."

"If we’re talking about the wild, then it would be the roughly five-meter-long Burmese python we caught this year while I was with a scientific expedition team in the Nan Chong Nature Reserve," Feng Yi replied.

"Five meters..."

As he said this, Zou Fan opened his secret chamber again and took something out of a safe.

"This was left to me by my grandfather. He once said he would make an erhu for me, and the python skin was all prepared. Unfortunately, just as it was about to be made, the most stringent conservation law was implemented, and the regulations were so strict that the erhu craftsmen didn’t dare take on the job, so it has just been left aside ever since."

Zou Fan unrolled the python skin.

"It’s also about five meters from a wild python, though after processing, the skin will stretch a bit more. The python probably wasn’t as big as the one you mentioned when it was alive. What do you think of this skin, compared to the current python skins?"

As he looked at the unrolled python skin, Zou Fan’s eyes filled with reminiscence.

Feng Yi’s face stiffened.

"This..."

Zou Fan snapped out of it and said with a light smile, "Don’t misunderstand, this skin was acquired before the strict conservation law was enacted, and it’s been authenticated. I won’t trade it away."

Feng Yi still didn’t utter a word.

Realising something, Zou Fan apologized with a smile, "I’ve been rude! I shouldn’t have shown you this!"

Most people who accompany scientific research teams into the mountains have a strong sense of wildlife conservation and could be offended by suddenly seeing such items.

Zou Fan only meant to ask Feng Yi for help in examining the skin. After all, wild python skins differ from one another due to different eras and habitats, which surely affect the quality.

It was a pity that such good quality python skin had been left for too long and was no longer suitable for making an erhu; it merely represented a sentiment, a fixation.

Zou Fan carefully rolled up the python skin and said, "I’m really sorry, I just wanted to ask about the difference between old and current python skins. I didn’t consider your feelings."

Feng Yi struggled, "...But this skin is fake."

Zou Fan’s action of rolling the skin paused.

"You said... what?"

"This isn’t real python skin," Feng Yi said earnestly.

The air seemed to freeze in an instant.

A little while passed.

"Mr. Zou! Mr. Zou, what’s wrong with you!"

Feng Yi rushed out, shouting to the outside:

"Hey! Downstairs!! Your boss has fainted!!!"