Chapter 2, The Elegant Deception
I asked: "That gentleman, um, Daniel, has he signed any contracts or documents with you?"
I forcefully retracted my hand and shot a glare at Su Mei: it seemed that Su Mei had deceived me again; this deal had not been lost, but the trouble had only increased. I thought that after losing the treasure vase, the owner still dared not make it public and intended to search for it discreetly.
This morning, a distinguished customer appeared in front of Zhou Fuping's store. Although the visitor was quite young, seemingly only around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, his exquisitely tailored suit and remarkable demeanor led Zhou Fuping to unhesitatingly believe that he was the new heir of a certain family. Moreover, he felt somewhat fortunate, as he believed that younger customers tend to have a stronger impulse to shop and are more willing to spend money.
Finally, we will split up to investigate the hotels in the city. That person is carrying a large sum of money and is unlikely to skimp on themselves. Our target will be hotels rated four stars and above
Zhou Fuping was taken aback for a moment, staring at me in a daze
The middle-aged man named Zhou Fuping is the owner of an antique shop
The young man took out a seal and stamped a red impression on the note
Zhou Fuping has just opened a sky-high price: 5 million US dollars
I took a look at Su Mei and noticed that she had dyed her hair a light brown color and was wearing a pair of faded denim overalls. I couldn't help but sigh: "It seems the guests see you as a little sister."
I maintained a stern expression: "I am very tired and need to sleep." I picked up my luggage and left
Zhou Fuping saw the young man handing a stamped note to the driver and couldn't help but marvel inwardly. Indeed, it was a family of great wealth; with just this stamp, one could withdraw such a large sum of money, which was simply more convenient than going to the bank with a check.
Zhou Fuping, with a mournful expression, told us: "I blamed my old wife for being so easily deceived by strangers. Can you guess how she responded? She actually thought I was buying her a birthday gift. Good heavens, how could I possibly remember that her birthday is next week"
His wife asked him, "Old Zhou, what on earth are you up to? You suddenly emptied the money from the safe and even changed to a new driver. Aren't you out there..."
Su Mei has already gotten up: "What are you talking about? He is Mr. Daniel. Look, he is giving you the bottle."
I had a dream on the plane about the man I met in Italy
At this moment, I interrupted him: "Who sent it?" Zhou Fuping hesitated for a moment and did not tell me. I could only decide to wait until I had heard the whole story before asking further.
After watching the video, I discussed with Su Mei the locations where the scammer is likely to appear
Upon seeing Zhou Fuping's appearance, I was convinced that Daniel must be a person of considerable literary stature. However, when watching the videotape, it was quite different; Mr. Daniel on the tape was a rather elegant middle-aged man of European descent
As the door of the detective agency swung open, a person emerged, resembling a portly merchant. He approached me, grasping the hand that was not holding any luggage, shaking it vigorously with exaggerated gestures, his emotions running high: "Miss Gu, you must help me, save my life!" It felt as if I were watching a scene from a play
I sighed: "Let me put down my things first, you can speak slowly."
Zhou Fuping unconsciously straightened his chest, appearing quite uneasy, "It belongs to a person who has entrusted it to our establishment."
The young man surprised Zhou Fuping; he was very skilled at bargaining, ultimately concluding the deal at 3.8 million USD. Zhou Fuping was still very satisfied, as he not only made a profit but also saved on the costs of a public auction and the payment of our detective fees
He gazes at me amidst the fragrance of lilies filling the room, and without needing to look, I know he is staring at me. His face remains impassive, yet his heart blooms inch by inch, and even in dreams, I can feel that sweetness.
Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but smile, recognizing a refined method of deception. However, it is essential that the deceiver's approach aligns perfectly with the characteristics of the deceived. In other words, if Zhou Fuping had not been so confident in his judgment and eager to part with the goods, he would not have been easily deceived
I withdrew my hand without a word and said slowly, "Mr. Zhou, if you are not honest with me, how can I help you?"
Very well, I casually asked again: "How did you come by that bottle?"
However, things did not go as we wished. After a week of efforts, we still had no results; that person seemed to have vanished from the surface of the earth. Zhou Fuping was extremely afraid of the mysterious Daniel and refused to report to the police, even at the cost of his life. Without the assistance of the police, our chances of success were reduced to a bare minimum
Then, Mr. Daniel left the bottle behind and departed, leaving a deposit of 500,000 and a handgun, a licensed handgun. He informed Zhou Fuping that this could be used to protect the bottle
Subsequently, Su Mei called the reporters from various newspapers stationed in different locations. They were the most observant, yet also prone to gossip. Su Mei did not disclose the truth of the incident, but she did engage in a few light-hearted remarks about whether she had gotten involved with that young gentleman.
Zhou Fuping refused to answer me
But Zhou Fuping exclaimed upon seeing the screen: "How could this be? I have never seen this person before"
I almost thought that Zhou Fuping's nerves were not normal
Zhou Fuping replied to me that the store is equipped with closed-circuit television, and recordings can be viewed
When I saw the video of that fraudster, I noticed that the person hardly faced the camera at all. He always seemed to intentionally or unintentionally avoid the lens. Truly a master, the camera only captured his back, approximately 170 to 180 centimeters in height, slender yet sturdy, with an exceptionally graceful demeanor
Upon waking, the sky was dimly lit, and I felt an overwhelming sense of melancholy. His appearance had become intentionally blurred in my memory, yet in my dreams, I recalled that he had not sent flowers again, perhaps out of resentment. I sighed, uncertain of my whereabouts.
Zhou Fuping maintained the posture of holding his head with both hands, at which point his whole body began to tremble: "I don't know, I don't know why I did that at the time"
That day, while I was investigating a missing persons case, I met him. He gave me roses, and later, knowing that I liked lilies, he ordered several batches from China.
The bottle was delivered to Zhou Fuping's shop on a drizzly evening. The visitors were dressed quite ordinarily, yet their demeanor was inexplicably mysterious, all clad in black and speaking with a somewhat non-standard American English. They expressed a desire to hold a semi-public auction in two weeks, with a reserve price of 2 million; if the bids fell below 2.5 million, the sale would not proceed. The term "semi-public" means that only guests holding invitations would be allowed to enter. They reiterated their intention to hold a semi-public auction in two weeks, with a reserve price of 2 million; if the bids fell below 2.5 million, the sale would not proceed. The term "semi-public" means that only guests holding invitations would be allowed to enter
Either love me deeply, or forget me completely
Generally, antique shop owners assess a customer's identity starting from their vehicle. If it is a Rolls-Royce, the customer may likely be a significant buyer. If it is a Rolls-Royce accompanied by a uniformed chauffeur, then the identity of the major buyer becomes even more indisputable
Zhou Fuping raised his head, a look of confusion on his face. After pondering for a long time, he shook his head.
The middle-aged man kept wiping his sweat, responding: "Yes, yes."
Indeed, I guessed correctly; that person was already saying things like, "Only Miss Gu can retrieve the items."
At that time, I certainly did not know that he was a key figure in the Italian Mafia, nor did I realize that his pretext for approaching me was to eliminate me. I only knew that he loved me. After deceiving me and taking all my evidence, he sent me back to England and never sent flowers again, which indicates that he ultimately forgot me
However, a small issue arose when it came time to pay. The young man realized that he had forgotten his checkbook at home, and he had only intended to purchase a jewelry box worth around 1,000,000. As a result, he only had 1,000,000 in cash on him. Nevertheless, the young man stated that his home was not far away and that he could write a note for his driver to go home and fetch the money.
Su Mei suddenly said: "Boss Zhou, you just mentioned that Daniel said the bottles cannot be sold casually, so how did you manage to sell it? https://mhetushucomcom"
When Zhou Fuping presented that antique vase, he actually felt somewhat lacking in confidence, as even he could not clearly articulate the history of the vase. He could only infer from its bluish porcelain and ice crack patterns that it might be a product from the Qianlong era. However, although the vase is an ancient artifact, it astonishingly adopts an abstract form. This vase is not the typical oval or round shape; it is surprisingly a vertically positioned triangular shape. The lines are not soft at all; from any angle, it appears as a rigid triangular form, not a conical shape, but rather like a flat triangle. Yet, despite being an ancient object, it remarkably features an abstract design. The top has been truncated to create an opening, so the side profile of the triangle is technically an isosceles trapezoid. From today's perspective, such a shape could easily be classified as postmodernism, yet its material is undeniably an antique, which adds an element of mystery and contemplation.
This fellow has been able to keep me under his thumb for over a decade with this infuriating yet pitiable appearance. I can never bring myself to confront him. Speaking of which, the first proverb that I wholeheartedly admire is "One thing controls another," which resonates deeply with me.
Su Mei wanted to apologize but felt too embarrassed to speak up, her expression somewhat awkward. She was always like this, impulsive and quick to speak before thinking, and the worst part was that her mind was not dull. If she offended someone without realizing it, she would act quite self-righteous. However, she was always the first to pick up on subtle cues and would immediately know when she had misspoken. With her stubborn nature, she found it difficult to admit her mistakes directly, hesitating and stammering, her face flushed, looking quite pitiful.
We believe that the airport is the preferred location. I first contacted a friend at the immigration office, asking them to pay attention to a man of such height, dressed in a dark suit, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with an injured right hand. We consider this to be a ruse and do not regard it as a distinguishing feature
Zhou Fuping held his head in both hands: "No, we only have a verbal agreement, but that is terrifying. If I have no money and no bottles, they will definitely..." He trembled, his eyes staring blankly at the doorway, murmuring, "My whole family..."
Because he identified him as a major customer, Zhou Fuping's attitude was extremely courteous. Moreover, the young man's right arm was injured and was suspended in a white bandage across his chest. When Zhou Fuping inquired with concern, the young man mentioned that he had been injured while skiing in Switzerland. Although Zhou Fuping's face showed great regret, he was secretly overjoyed, as young people who typically understand enjoyment and adventure are less likely to be concerned about money and are more willing to spend lavishly on what they desire.
The young man pondered and asked Zhou Fuping to write down the following words: "Dear, I will send someone back to collect three million in cash. Please open the safe and give him the US dollars. Do not ask too many questions; I will give you a surprise." The signature was a character "Fu."
Zhou Fuping raised his head in surprise and said, "Sir, does your name also contain the character 'Fu'?"
The most mysterious aspect is that the guests only need to organize activities through Zhou Fuping, taking care of the venue and other arrangements, while the guests are determined by the visitors themselves. In other words, Zhou Fuping has no idea who will be coming. However, the visitors require a first-class venue and banquet, along with male servants, as male servants are better at keeping secrets than female servants
The young man smiled, truly charming, and said that his father hoped he would have good fortune throughout his life
The mysterious guest did not reveal his identity to Zhou Fuping, only disclosing a surname: Daniel
At that moment, I also saw the oddly shaped bottle, peculiar and seemingly without value
Zhou Fuping trembled again upon hearing me mention Daniel, appearing quite frightened, and simply said: "If we can't find the bottle, we are doomed"
Zhou Fuping screamed, "It’s not him, I have never seen this person before. Mr. Daniel has a deep and long knife scar on his face, from the corner of his left eye to the corner of his left mouth; even if he turned to ash, I would still recognize him"
I saw him like this, and my heart stirred. I asked, "Mr. Zhou, do you remember what that fraudster looked like? Can you recall without watching the video tape?"
Indeed, that young man is a discerning individual; the moment he saw the bottle, his eyes lit up.
Zhou Fuping would certainly not easily give up this lucrative deal; he immediately expressed his willingness to serve and write a letter for the young man
The origin of the vase is indeed shrouded in mystery
At this moment, Su Mei interjected, "Fool, if you don't tell us the ins and outs of the matter, how are we supposed to know who is aware of your treasure vase and who is plotting against you"
Thus, when the young man expressed his desire to select a valuable antique ornament, Zhou Fuping's service attitude was almost obsequious. He presented one expensive antique after another, including the store's treasure—the six-panel Song Dynasty screen. However, the young man remarked that it was too large. He was choosing an anniversary gift for his newlywed wife, who preferred small and exquisite items, such as jewelry boxes and vases. Consequently, Zhou Fuping immediately thought of the antique vase that was stored in his shop.
The young man's home is indeed not far away. After half an hour, his driver had already brought the money. The young man paid the amount in full, placed the remaining money in his jacket pocket, picked up the bottle, and got into the car to leave. Zhou Fuping was still exhilarated, believing he had made a significant business deal this month. It was not until his wife's phone call that he was jolted awake.
I thought for a moment and asked Zhou Fuping: "What kind of clothes does that person wear, and what are their characteristics?"
As soon as I got off the plane, I rushed to the detective agency, but I was still a step too late. Su Mei had a sorrowful expression on her face: "The bottle was deceived away, our business... why didn't they entrust it to me? I am so astute, how could I let someone casually deceive away valuable items?"
I was taken aback; Zhou Fuping's tone was so innocent and certain, and the closed-circuit camera does not lie. The only explanation, whether it is the completely unremarkable fraudster or Mr. Daniel, who can recognize even in ashes, is that Zhou Fuping was hypnotized during the meeting. The impressions left afterward may be strikingly clear or utterly chaotic, but in reality, they are all the result of brainwashing. Poor soul! The only explanation, whether it is the completely unremarkable fraudster or Mr. Daniel, who can recognize even in ashes, is that Zhou Fuping was hypnotized during the meeting. The impressions left afterward may be strikingly clear or utterly chaotic, but in reality, they are all the result of brainwashing. Poor soul!
Su Mei jumped up and gave me a playful slap on the head: "Still laughing, you messed up the Italian business, and now this deal is gone. You are always so picky, refusing to take anything, and now you're running out of rice to cook..." Seeing my expression, she suddenly fell silent
I sighed: "Aren't you going to hold a public auction? If it is sold this way, will its owner be dissatisfied?"
Finally, Mr. Daniel told Zhou Fuping that the true value of this bottle is undoubtedly above the auction price; it is a priceless treasure. The purpose of the auction is merely to invite guests to explore the mysteries of the precious bottle.
Zhou Fuping finally said: "It is not that I do not want to tell you, but I truly do not know who they are"
Who is it
Zhou Fuping prepared paper and pen, and the young man, using his uninjured left hand, spent quite a while drawing on the paper but was unable to write a single character. In the end, he despondently dropped the pen and said he could only buy a small ornament within one million.
Zhou Fuping nodded repeatedly in agreement, stating that his own father also hoped for his safety and well-being
I exchanged a glance with Su Mei, realizing that Zhou Fuping must have been under some form of hypnosis or similar influence at that time, resulting in his confusion and memory loss. This indicates that the visitor is not merely a simple fraud.
Zhou Fuping shivered upon hearing my words, suddenly grasping my hand in a nervous manner: "Miss Gu, please help me. I can no longer come up with that much cash to settle the accounts; they require at least 2,500,000 US dollars." If it weren't for the genuine panic in his expression, I would have thought he was trying to take advantage of me.
I gently said to Zhou Fuping: "Although the responsibility for the accident with the bottle lies with you, there are reasons behind it. The person coming has received the news and is coming for you. Mr. Daniel may have already known about the difficulties beforehand, but did not explicitly mention them. He should also bear part of the responsibility. Mr. Daniel should not make things too difficult for you."