Old Tie didn't listen to me, which was unlike him. After restoring the hairpin, Old Tie took it to Old Lu. Old Lu had been in Panjiayuan for six or seven years and had a keen eye, having paid his dues for being cheated. Old Tie showed the抱头簪 (bào tóu zān - hairpin for securing hair at the back of the head) to Old Lu. Old Lu didn't make a fuss, claiming he'd go get money, and then informed a man named Fourth Master about the matter.
This Fourth Master was a native Beijinger, over fifty, with salt-and-pepper hair. He was thin but energetic, wearing a string of Vajra Bodhi seeds around his neck, the color of oxblood red. He was dressed in a Tang suit and wore old Beijing cloth shoes. On his right hand, he wore a white jade thumb ring with an intaglio of coiled cloud patterns. From time to time, Fourth Master would take out a small brush and, oblivious to his surroundings, brush his Vajra Bodhi beads.
I was summoned to a siheyuan. Fourth Master was lounging leisurely in a bamboo recliner in the courtyard. Beside him stood two young, muscular men radiating a fierce aura. Old Lu stood by, obsequious, while Old Tie squatted nearby like a deflated balloon.
"Is this a private execution?" I asked impolitely as soon as I arrived. Fourth Master said nothing, continuing to brush his Vajra Bodhi beads as if no one else was there. Old Lu chimed in sarcastically, "Every country has its laws, and every trade has its rules. If Tie Zhishan makes a living in Panjiayuan, he must understand the rules of Panjiayuan."
"What rules does Panjiayuan have?"
"Kid, don't get tough. In front of Fourth Master, you'll melt like iron."
...
"Are you Fourth Master?" I asked the man on the recliner. Fourth Master ignored me. Old Lu, puffed up with borrowed authority, interjected, "Is Fourth Master someone you can just call out to?"
"Don't you have a leash on that dog? Barking at me like that. The Qing Dynasty is long gone, so stop putting on airs. Fourth Master, a strong dragon doesn't pressure local snakes. It was my mistake not to inform you before setting up a game on your turf. As for the trade of antiques, everyone has their own methods. We were exposed because our skills weren't enough. If you let us go, that would be the end of it. Why arrest people? Is this grand display only worth fifty thousand yuan?"
Hearing this, Fourth Master smiled calmly. "Child, you truly know nothing?"
With that, Fourth Master stood up from the recliner and began to walk away. He was part of the "jianghu" (江湖 - the world of martial arts and undercurrents), and my words clearly marked me as an outsider. Seeing him leave, I quickly stopped him and said, "Fourth Master, may I have a word in private?"
"On what grounds?"
I stepped forward, and the two muscular men quickly moved to intercept, but Fourth Master raised a hand to stop them. He looked at me with a gentle smile and I took off the thumb ring from my hand and handed it to him. "Fourth Master, please take a look."
I don't know much about antiques, but I'm observant. Since I met Fourth Master, I noticed his thumb ring was the same style as mine. However, his thumb ring appeared to be made of white jade, crystal clear with distinct patterns, as if polished by glass, while mine was dark and obscure, feeling somewhat oily.
Fourth Master saw the thumb ring I offered and his expression grew serious. He finally used his fingernail to gently scratch it and muttered to himself, "So this is how it was hidden?"
"Fourth Master, can we talk now?"
"Let's talk inside. Oh, have that young man stand up and get him some tea."
When I turned back, Old Tie had already stood up, his legs clearly numb. I had saved him, but instead of gratitude, his eyes held a venom I had never seen before since childhood.
At this point, what could I say? I could only follow Fourth Master inside and talk to Old Tie later.
...
The house in the siheyuan wasn't large, filled with red sandalwood furniture. There was an exquisite tea table. Fourth Master brewed a pot of tea, then took a teacup, placed my thumb ring inside, poured in clear water, and added some baking soda.
The oil on the thumb ring reacted with the baking soda. I wanted to speak, but Fourth Master silenced me with a shushing gesture. He then looked up at the wall clock on the south wall. In just a few minutes, Fourth Master poured out the water and took a clean eyeglass cloth to rub it vigorously.
Slowly, my thumb ring became clear and translucent, looking succulent and inviting. The patterns on it gradually became distinct. I looked closely and saw that there seemed to be an inscription.
"Fourth Master, what is this?"
"Years ago, my brothers and I unearthed this treasure from Chongwen District. Time has passed, and people have changed. I thought these thumb rings would never be reunited. I didn't expect this green jade thumb ring to finally come home."
It seemed this thumb ring had a significant origin. Li Dazhi said he bought it for three hundred yuan from a Beijing street stall, which was likely a lie. I couldn't even buy a Qing Dynasty thumb ring for three hundred yuan in the ghost market. Shun Ge also realized this thumb ring was no ordinary item, but he hadn't deciphered the trick for concealing its true form.
Fourth Master was indeed a master in the antique world. He recognized the trick on the thumb ring at a glance and restored it to its original appearance. I pondered the value of this thumb ring and Fourth Master's identity, considering what to do next.
"Child, name your price. I won't haggle."
If I wanted to make money, this was a golden opportunity. But I wasn't here for money. Qin Sisi gave me this thumb ring; she must have had her own thoughts and plans. If I were to exchange this for millions right now, it would make me seem mediocre.
"Fourth Master, if you like it, I'll give you the thumb ring."
"Then I won't be polite and will accept it. Child, tell me your purpose. Since you're not here for that paltry sum, you must have your own agenda?"
"I'm not here for the fifty thousand yuan. Honestly, I don't lack fifty thousand yuan. I'm doing this to find the person who cheated my brother."
"Revenge is not advisable!"
"A person fights for pride just as the Buddha receives incense. If you endure everything silently, you might as well be dead living in this world."
"Youth, so young. What's your name, child?"
"Tang Nan!"
"Little Tang, I'll be frank with you. Bringing your friend here today was a last resort. My goal is the same as yours: to find the person who cheated your brother."
I knew it clearly but pretended to be surprised. "Fourth Master, why are you looking for him?"
"Bi Dawang is my brother-in-law. He's always been idle and lacks any proper skills, though he knows the eight alleys of Beijing like the back of his hand. Just a while ago, Bi Dawang found a girl about seven or eight years younger than him and seemed to have settled down. His sister was happy for him and was already thinking about betrothal gifts. But my brother was harmed. My wife has only this one brother, and she cries to me every day. How can I not be troubled? So, during this period, I've been reminding the old contacts who can pass messages that anyone who plays these matchmaking games should be brought to me."
"So that's how it is. I thought it was a professional skill issue."
Fourth Master chuckled lightly. "Child, this small corner of Beijing is a mix of dragons and snakes. There's always someone better. The day you took the jade off the 抱头簪, made earrings with Tibetan silver, and sold them to Old Lu, I happened to visit his shop to see some new walnuts he acquired. From the marks on the jade, I knew it was taken from the 抱头簪. It was truly a waste of a precious item. However, after it was restored, I saw it. It's not bad. Rub it often, and when it develops a natural patina, it will fetch a good price."
"My brother said this is not an official piece because its length is insufficient."
"Collectibles are priceless. It's precisely because you cannot use a fixed standard to appraise every treasure. A hairpin is worn on the head, and its length depends on the volume of hair. Your 抱头簪 might have belonged to some princess. However, Qing Dynasty accessories sell for a good price only with relevant documentation as a foundation. Keep your 抱头簪."
I smiled bitterly. "Fourth Master, this is my bait."
Fourth Master said calmly, "Go call Old Lu in."
Old Lu, bewildered, followed me in. Fourth Master looked at Old Lu. "A misunderstanding between family members. This child is the son of an old friend of mine; there's a connection. Return the hundred thousand yuan you earned from him."
"Fourth Master, this..."
Fourth Master's expression darkened. "I wasn't asking for your opinion."
"I understand, I understand."
I could see that Fourth Master was a man who responded to firmness rather than softness. As soon as Old Lu relented, Fourth Master took a wad of cash from a drawer and put it on the table. "Old Lu, can you do me a favor?"
"You say, you say."
"Spread the word that you've been deceived."
"I understand, Fourth Master."
"Very well, you may go!"
With Fourth Master's instructions, Old Lu bowed and left. After Old Lu left, Fourth Master poured me a bowl of tea. While I was drinking tea, he opened the safe under the table, took out a round red lacquer box, placed the green jade thumb ring I had just given him inside, then took off his own white jade thumb ring and placed it inside as well. He looked at them with apparent satisfaction and smiled.
From my angle, I couldn't see what was inside the lacquer box, but I guessed there was more than one thumb ring.
Perhaps sensing my gaze, Fourth Master cautiously put the red lacquer box back into the safe and asked me calmly, "What do you plan to do when you catch the culprit?"
"Hand them over to the police."
"Absolutely not. Let the jianghu handle its own affairs. If the woman shows up, notify me."
"All right, Fourth Master."
"Then you be busy. Take your brother with you."
This was a polite dismissal. I understood. For me, today had been significant progress. I had met a figure of great importance in the antique world, which would undoubtedly aid my future plans.
...
Upon leaving, I took Old Tie with me. On the bus, I looked at the silent Old Tie and said helplessly, "Old Tie, didn't I tell you not to get involved?"
"They framed me. Finding the culprit is my business. Why shouldn't I be involved?"
"Old Tie, I know you're angry now. When your anger subsides, we'll talk about what's happened to me over the past year."
"I know what's happened to you."
"What do you know?"
"No need to say. I ask you, Tang Nan, your thumb ring is gone. Did you give it to that Fourth Master? The thumb ring Fourth Master fancies must be very valuable. How much? I'll pay you back."
"Is this about money now?"
"How much is it? Two hundred thousand, five hundred thousand, one million? A thumb ring is at most worth this much."
"Enough is enough, Tie Zhishan. Are you never going to stop? Ever since I came to Beijing, you've only talked about money. We're brothers, aren't we? When did we become so distant?"
"Since you became wealthy. Now everyone in our hometown knows you, Tang Nan, got rich buying stones in Ruili, while I, Tie Zhishan, jumped off a building buying stones in Ruili. When people talk about you, it's always with envy. When they talk about me, it's always with disdain. Yes, we're brothers, but reality has shown what status means. Without money, I don't even deserve to be your brother."
"That's not how I see it," I said loudly.
Old Tie shouted even louder, "You don't see it that way *now*. When you constantly help me, when you owe me favors, you'll think how proud and glorious it is to have your childhood brother become your lapdog."
"You son of a bitch!"
Enraged, I cursed and threw a punch at Old Tie. He started bleeding from the nose. He, who had never fought before, lunged at me like a madman. The bus descended into chaos. The driver stopped the bus and yelled at us, "Get off, or I'll call the police!"