"It’s been fifty-three whole years, half a century has passed, yet I never thought I could still see my sister’s jewelry." Mr. Feng sighed with emotion.
Mr. Feng has two sons, three daughters. Three grandsons, two granddaughters. Many granddaughters and grandsons actually, even he himself was not very sure how many altogether.
His three daughters were quite adventurous. Born to him, then remarried, and more children thereafter. Mr. Feng couldn’t keep track as a grandfather. At most, during the traditional Lunar New Year, he would give them a red envelope according to old customs.
Nowadays, young people increasingly prefer Western Christmas, but he alone still keeps the traditional New Year customs. As he gets older, his longing for his holand grows more urgent.
The family moved years ago, leaving only his sister behind with her husband. Half a century later, he’s now a declining old man, unaware if his sister, once dazzlingly beautiful, is still around.
Has my aging sister grown old like ?
He dreams of returning to the embrace of the motherland, but now the tis are unstable; the mainland intends to implent reform and opening up, yet no definitive signs are seen. As the biggest antique art dealer in M Country, a return is sothing the country would rather not see.
With this thought, he sighed. If alive he cannot return, then after dying, his ashes should be brought back, buried in the Feng family’s ancestral ho on Shanghai Beach.
"I wonder if my sister is still alive? How did the necklace co from the mainland to here?"
"A ship-running doctor brought it out while selling watches at our store; he didn’t know its value, mistaking it for an ordinary silver necklace."
"Is he in the trade business?"
"Hardly any trade business." Housekeeper Xing shook his head, chuckling, "From my judgnt, the man is likely doing illegal work; I’ve already set soone to watch him, results will co soon."
The old man gazed at the necklace, reminiscing youthful tis, a gentle smile erging on his kindly face, "You don’t know, my sister was always the fairest and strongest-willed. Her possessions would only remain within her descendants, never given away or spread."
This was the Feng family tradition; those dealing with antiques had this habit.
"Unless the family falls into decline..."
As the old man was speaking, the study door was pushed open from outside, admitting a tall, exquisite-featured girl whose appearance was like an art piece. Wearing the most expensive dress from fashion weeks, a pigeon egg-sized ruby ring adorned her hand.
"Grandpa, whose family has fallen into decline again? Surely they’re not coming to surf on us?" the girl pouted in displeasure.
She was Mr. Feng’s most favored granddaughter among the countless grandsons and granddaughters, uniquely doted upon, even listed as an heir within the family.
Only she in the Feng family could barge into Mr. Feng’s study unannounced.
"Zhenzhen, don’t be naughty." The old man frowned, "Talking nonsense again."
"I’m not speaking nonsense." Feng Zhenzhen playfully stuck out her tongue, "Every day soone cos to sponge off us, only Grandpa, the good Samaritan, tolerates them."
Mr. Feng is a famous philanthropist in M Country, with several charity organizations under his na. Any Chinese facing difficulties receives help through these institutions.
He even sponsors one or two young people with dreams each year.
"Zhenzhen, you should seriously learn business; remaining so naive won’t do." The old man turned to Housekeeper Xing, saying, "You personally take Zhenzhen along, teach her how business is done."
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