antique masters in modern times

Thinking of this, Yan You immediately ran downstairs.

Not everyone can use the chemical reagents in the factory. Fortunately, his job is to sort scrap iron. Occasionally, some scrap iron can be used in addition to the garbage attached to the surface. At this time, nitric acid will be used, so the factory still stores Got some leftovers.

Looking around for no one, Yan You used the spare key to open the door of the factory building, and poured out half of the remaining solution with the prepared glass bottle.

Back in the room, he tried hard to recall the knowledge about nitric acid.

Nitric acid is very corrosive. Except for experiments, it should be diluted to reduce the concentration in daily use.

Thinking of these, Yan You felt a little low in his heart.But he was not sure how strong the original performance of nitric acid was.After thinking for a while, he took out an iron nail and placed it on the floor, and carefully poured a drop of solution on it.

As soon as the solution touched the iron nail, white smoke came out with a chirping sound and many bubbles were spit out.In the blink of an eye, not only the iron nail was pierced in two, but even a small hole was added to the stone brick below.

The power of nitric acid is so strong!

Yan You was overjoyed, quickly found several porcelain bowls, and added the same amount of nitric acid to each of them.He took clean water and poured it in different proportions, and then found the iron nails left in the house, and experimented one by one.

The iron nails soaked in different concentrations of nitric acid solutions had different changes.Some corroded too much, and some could not see traces at all.It was not until the solution with a specific gravity of [-]% was tested that the result Yanyou wanted finally appeared.

Looking at the iron nails that have been melted away from the rust on the surface and become as clean as new again, Yan You was very excited: "It's done!"

Liulichang tea room.

The tea was changed to three pots and refilled twice; several pairs of old men around who were playing chess and go were also watched by Mr. Mo, but there was still no sign of the child.

Later, Mo Lao stopped looking at his watch, and asked the waiter directly for a stack of outdated newspapers to read slowly, re-watching the city he had been away for many years from the news and people's livelihood.

Xiao Fang didn't dare to press at first, but seeing that a quarter of an hour had passed since the agreed time, he couldn't help becoming more courageous.

Calling the waiter again to bring a new Longjing tea, he poured a cup for Mr. Mo, and said casually: "It's been a while, why haven't you seen anyone yet? Could it be that there is a traffic jam on the road."

"This is not Hong Kong Island, and there are not so many private cars."

Seeing that the boss put down the newspaper and began to wipe the pocket watch that had been with him for many years, Xiao Fang tentatively said, "Maybe it's because the children are playful and have gone to other places. You see, it's time for dinner, and we have to wait." ?"

"Well, if you're hungry, go first and pick me up at night."

Mr. Mo said a few words, and Xiao Fang was in a hurry: "I am not hungry, but I am afraid that you will suffer from stomach problems if you are too hungry."

Xiao Fang was afraid that the boss would leave a bad impression on him.Still wanting to explain a few more words, a young man suddenly walked up to the table, panting slightly and said, "Old man, I'm really sorry, I forgot where it was for a while, and I almost searched the house to find it."

This young man is Yan You.He stayed at home for a while longer, he came running just now, and he hasn't recovered yet.Fine beads of sweat seeped from the roots of the hair, and wet the vest along the sharp chin.His whole face was flushed red, but his skin became fairer because of it.

Seeing that he was obviously very tired, Mr. Mo quickly put his pocket watch into the pocket of his Chinese tunic, got up and pulled out the chair for him himself, and pushed the tea in front of him: "I'm sorry to trouble you, take a rest."

Seeing Xiao Fang on the side, he was shocked from ear to ear: When did Mo serve others like this?This is a treatment that even his beloved little grandson has never received!I really don't know why his old man is so fond of this poor boy.

Although Xiao Fang is also a Chinese, he received a Western-style education since he was a child, and was born on Hong Kong Island, so he couldn't understand the regret of Mo Lao returning home in his old age.For Mr. Mo, Yanyou is not just an ordinary boy he meets by chance, but also reminds him of those classmates who also came from ordinary families in the school back then.

The so-called touching the scene to create emotion is probably the case.That sense of confusion made Mo Lao's every move extra soft.

Although Yan You is smart, he can't understand the unique thoughts of the elderly, he just met a very kind old man.

After drinking half a cup of tea in one breath, after a while, he took out a paper bag and put it on the table: "Old man, that's it."

Mo Lao, who had been looking forward to it all this time, was a little hesitant because of his close proximity to his hometown.Skinny fingers rubbed for a moment before slowly peeling off the kraft paper wrapped outside.

A gilt box shining with golden light appeared in front of the three of them.

It is incomplete, not only lacking the top cover, but only the base, and even the original beadwork around the body is completely peeled off.There are still black marks of different shades in many places, which are no longer exquisite, and there are traces left by the years everywhere.

Xiao Fang glanced at it, then murmured in his heart: "This box is really broken than expected, I don't know if it's what Mr. Mo was looking for. But even if it is, he will probably be disappointed..."

Before thinking for a second, he glanced at Mo Lao's face unintentionally, and was stunned again: Mo Lao, who is kind on the outside and strong on the inside, actually cried!Although it was just a teardrop from the corner of his eye, he was indeed crying!Is there something magical about this box?

Xiao Fang, who was full of doubts, did not dare to ask Mr. Mo, only full of doubts, his eyes kept turning around the can box and Mr. Mo, trying to find out the connection between them.

And Yan You, who had experienced wars and was used to seeing all kinds of things in the world, was not too surprised when he saw Mo Lao burst into tears, but thought with melancholy that it seemed that there was a past behind this remnant box.

Reminiscing that the complete jewelry box became incomplete due to the flames of war, and thinking that behind this ignorant little object may carry all kinds of life’s sufferings, joys and sorrows. Slowly disappear, leaving only melancholy.

He not only loves antiques, but also knows how to appreciate the beauty of antiques.The beauty of antiques lies not only in the meticulous craftsmanship of skilled craftsmen, but also in everything they have experienced.It is as big as the rise and fall of the world witnessed by the bronze bell and tripod, and as small as the flowery beauty of a beaded hairpin.Antiques carry not only craftsmanship, but also the heritage of thousands of years.

Not only because of the age, but also because of its humanistic value, it is the most precious antiques.

A random stone in the mountains may have a history of hundreds or thousands of years, but no one has ever regarded them as treasures.The reason lies in this.

Seeing this jewelry box that he had been thinking about day and night again, Mo Lao really couldn't hold back the agitation in his heart.When he calmed down a bit, he realized that not only was he holding the remnant box tightly in his heart, but he even shed tears.

After calming down his emotions, he just wanted to say a few words on the scene, to perfunctory the gaffe just now, but he met Yan You's eyes unintentionally.

Those eyes carried a calmness that penetrated the world, but they were not cold and heartless, but had a hint of compassion and concern.Like a close friend who you can talk to, you don't need to hide or excuse in front of him, you can completely relax and tell everything.Because you know, he will not laugh at you, let alone despise you, but will encourage and comfort you.

Such an expression is really not something a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy can possess.But in astonishment, Mo Lao couldn't help but slowly relax his originally tense heartstrings, and the shame he had before disappeared without a trace.Unconsciously, he opened his mouth to talk about this past that he had never mentioned to anyone.

"Little friend, if you have seen the photos, you should know that this is a box for collecting pearls. It is actually worthless. It is made of lead mixed with tin, and the outside is plated with gold. But to me, it has unparalleled value. , all these years I have been thinking about finding it..."

"My English teacher gave it to me. Western learning was fashionable at that time, but when I was a child, I studied the Four Books and Five Classics in private schools. When I was 14, I entered college and couldn't keep up with the progress. Especially in English, I had a terrible headache. My father I invited a gentleman here for me. He is only five years older than me, and he is still studying in the normal school. I will call him Mr. Xiao. He knew a lot. To me at that time, he knew everything and had a fatal attraction Before I knew it, I always mentioned him in everything, he was the person I admired most at that time.”

Speaking of this, Mo Lao was silent for a long time, his hands slowly let go of the jewelry box, slid down, and clasped the armrest of the rattan chair tightly so that his voice would not tremble so much.

"That bead was a birthday present from my grandmother when I was 16 years old. It was said to be a luminous pearl, but it was actually just a rare big bead. The light of the bead is relatively strong. Just a little light can fill the room with light. I loved it very much at the time. After I got it, I went to show it to Mr. Xiao. Mr. Xiao said that he had known that my grandmother would give me this, so he prepared a collection box for me. In fact, the small box that the beads themselves come with is already very valuable. I used a rare painting process. But for some reason, I prefer the box given by Mr. Xiao, I changed it on the spot, and after that, I always keep it with me, and I don’t want to leave it for a moment.”

Mo Lao paused again, as if thinking of that beautiful time when he was young, a faint smile unconsciously rose from the corner of his lips.

Xiao Fang said without losing the opportunity: "The so-called etiquette is less important than others. You have such a deep friendship with that little gentleman, so naturally you like what he gives you more."

But Mr. Mo didn't answer the words. He unconsciously took out his pocket watch again, rubbed it with nostalgia on his face, and continued: "Later, there was a foreign war and a civil war. The battle was raging, and the battle line was advancing steadily. It is said that forty-nine cities will be captured. For the sake of my family, I planned to move to Hong Kong Island. I asked him to take Mr. Xiao’s family with me, but he refused, and beat me severely, causing trauma. At that time, I had a high fever and was unconscious. Wait until I recover After I realized it, I was already on the plane to Hong Kong Island. I tried to find out about him, but there was no news. After liberation, I asked people to come back many times, but there has been no whereabouts of him. Alas... I have been away from home for decades, and I have already married a wife and had children, so I have no hope at all."

He stared at the pocket watch in his palm, pointed to the broken box, and smiled bitterly: "When I boarded the plane, my luggage was overweight. My family lost everything they could, including this box, and only took away the pearl. I came back this time , and just with the idea of ​​giving it a try, people went to Panjiayuan to look for it. I didn't expect that after so many years, there would be a day of reunion. Unfortunately, Mr. Xiao and I have never met."

Xiao Fang said flatteringly: "Don't be too sad. Although we can't see each other again, the friendship between you and him will never change. It is enough to have this friendship."

Is it really just friendship?Yanyou was noncommittal.He was keenly aware of some unreasonable things: If he was just thinking of friendship, why did Mo Lao's father beat his son so cruelly?Why did Mr. Mo specifically mention getting married and having children?

Perhaps, Mr. Mo still has some hidden secrets that he has not revealed, and that is probably the reason why he never forgets Mr. Xiao.

At this time, Mo Lao, who had calmed down all his emotions, said: "Little friend, I was able to find it thanks to you. Although it is only a half-queen, it is still a thought. I want to thank you very much."

As he said that, Mo Lao pushed a bulging envelope in front of Yan You: "With all due respect, your family is probably not very well off. This money may help you, so don't refuse."