Chapter 44: Absorbing Meteorites
“Uncle Jing, you really have that much confidence in meteorite collecting? Aren’t you afraid of losing everything?”
Zhao Zhengshan looked at Su Xiaofan with some confusion. His way of thinking and behavior still carried a somewhat old-fashioned mindset. He always felt that the antiques handed down by their ancestors were the proper path for collecting.
“Uncle Zhao, I already told you earlier. I entered this business late, and all the good stuff has already been taken by people like you. No matter how hard I try, I can’t catch up with you.”
Su Xiaofan spoke with a serious expression.
“Meteorite collecting hasn’t been around for very long. The domestic market is basically still a blank slate. If I get involved now and meteorites eventually become a major collecting category, then collecting them won’t be any worse than collecting antiques.”
Su Xiaofan was genuinely serious about collecting meteorites. Putting everything else aside, the fact that some meteorites could be absorbed by his Restoration System alone meant that he was destined to search for meteorites all over the world.
“Zhengshan, you don't need to worry about Xiao Su. Let him do what he wants. Young people aren't afraid of failure.”
Jing Shizhen said to Su Xiaofan, “After buying this batch of meteorites from me, you already have a pretty good starting collection.
“But you still need to find more meteorites to add to your collection. Ideally, you should form several different series, such as iron meteorites, stony meteorites, and rarer ones like lunar meteorites and volcanic meteorites.”
“Once your collection becomes extensive, when meteorite collecting becomes popular in China in the future, whenever people want to buy meteorites, you’ll be the first person they think of. I don't need to explain the benefits of having a monopoly, right?”
“I understand, Uncle Jing. I’ll travel all over the world when I get the chance…”
Su Xiaofan made it sound good, but inwardly he was complaining bitterly.
He was using collecting meteorites as a pretext. His real purpose was simply to obtain those meteorites that could be absorbed. No matter how expensive an ordinary meteorite was, it couldn't compare with the Restoration Points in his mind.
Thinking about the prices of these meteorites, Su Xiaofan was already getting a headache. He had spent more than sixteen million yuan just to acquire the three meteorites he had discovered could be absorbed.
Relying solely on buying them with money didn't seem very reliable to him. Even if he could restore some valuable antiques in a short period of time, he didn't dare to sell them too frequently. Otherwise, he would definitely attract people's attention.
Therefore, Su Xiaofan really intended to search for meteorites himself.
Nowadays, meteorite fall sites could easily be found online. With the Restoration System's precise ability to identify them, as long as there really was a meteorite at a reported location, it wouldn't be able to escape his grasp.
“Xiao Su, professionals should do professional work. I think you should focus mainly on collecting. As for finding meteorites, there are meteorite hunters who specialize in that.”
Jing Shizhen gave Su Xiaofan some advice. Searching for meteorites was not a simple task. Not only did one have to overcome harsh natural environments, but one also needed the ability to identify meteorites.
Of course, more importantly, one needed a certain amount of luck. Otherwise, it was entirely possible to step on a meteorite without even realizing it.
“Uncle Jing, I’d like to buy them too, but I don't have any money left.”
Su Xiaofan lowered his head dejectedly.
He had earned more than sixteen million yuan in a single day, which could be considered the highlight of his life. But before even two hours had passed, the money no longer belonged to him. The emotional roller coaster was almost unbearable.
“If you want to become a meteorite hunter, the first thing you need to learn is wilderness survival.”
Jing Shizhen thought for a moment, then pulled out a sheet of Jingxin Hall's stationery and wrote down a series of numbers.
“How about this? I'll give you a phone number. If you have time, stay in the capital for two months and undergo some training there. It'll reduce the chances of accidents when you go out in the future.”
Although he didn't know exactly what Su Xiaofan was planning, Jing Shizhen could see that the young man really intended to search for meteorites. He didn't mind giving Su Xiaofan some help.
“Okay. Thank you, Uncle Jing.”
Su Xiaofan quickly nodded and accepted the piece of paper from Jing Shizhen.
Su Xiaofan knew that he really was just an ordinary person, exactly as his name suggested. His luck over the past few years hadn't been particularly good either.
Although he now had the Restoration System in his mind, Su Xiaofan didn't think that meant he had suddenly become the protagonist of some story. Therefore, the professional training Jing Shizhen had mentioned was indeed very necessary.
“Boss, everything has been brought up, but there are some procedures that need to be completed first.”
While the few of them were chatting, Manager Liu had already brought up the painting Zhao Zhengshan had purchased, as well as Su Xiaofan's meteorites, from the storeroom.
The long sandalwood box should contain the painting 'Ten Thousand Blessings Coming to Court' by Zhang Daqian, while the silver combination-lock case probably contained the meteorites Su Xiaofan needed.
Although Su Xiaofan was anxious inside, he knew that now was not the time to absorb the meteorites. He couldn't show his eagerness either. He could only wait until all the formalities were completed before checking the meteorites that belonged to him.
Su Xiaofan had already witnessed Jingxin Hall's efficiency.
While they were drinking tea and chatting, the staff had already prepared the contracts and completed all the necessary procedures. All that remained was for Su Xiaofan and Zhao Zhengshan to sign and affix their fingerprints.
After Su Xiaofan signed the contract, a staff member opened the silver combination-lock case and allowed him to verify the meteorites inside.
The moment he saw the meteorite containing the solar-storm energy factor, Su Xiaofan felt an intense desire to absorb it. Suppressing the impulse in his heart, he closed the case.
The case had been given to Su Xiaofan by Jingxin Hall. It had been manufactured by an internationally renowned security company.
After Su Xiaofan's fingerprints were registered, only he could open it. It also had a built-in tracking system, so even if someone stole it, it could be recovered in the shortest possible time.
The long sandalwood box in Zhao Zhengshan's hands was also extremely valuable. In terms of these details, Jingxin Hall had done an impeccable job.
Of course, Jing Shizhen would earn at least a forty-percent profit on the painting, so even giving Zhao Zhengshan a gold-trimmed box was nothing significant by comparison.
There was a small problem when they made the bank transfer.
Su Xiaofan's bank card could receive unlimited amounts of money, but it couldn't transfer unlimited amounts outward. His card had a daily outgoing transfer limit of 1.5 million yuan.
Fortunately, it wasn't yet five o'clock, and there was a bank right in Liulichang. Su Xiaofan took his identification and rushed to the bank, where he finally completed the transfer.
“Let's go. I'm treating you two to dinner tonight.”
Seeing that the transaction had been completed, Jing Shizhen was in a very good mood.
A transaction of this size wasn't something Jingxin Hall saw every day.
Jingxin Hall's busiest periods were usually during the autumn and spring auctions. Those were the occasions when the maximum profits could be obtained from antiques.
Although Su Xiaofan really wanted to return to his accommodation immediately and absorb the meteorites in the combination-lock case, he couldn't refuse when an elder offered to treat them to dinner.
Su Xiaofan and Zhao Zhengshan left their purchases at Jingxin Hall and went to Donglaishun in Liulichang for hot pot.
However, Su Xiaofan was somewhat distracted throughout the meal.
Perhaps because they had made such a huge transaction that day, Jing Shizhen didn't let the two of them take a taxi when they left. Instead, one of Jingxin Hall's business vehicles drove them back to their guesthouse in Yanjing.
“Xiao Su, when are you planning to return to Luochuan?”
Before entering his room, Zhao Zhengshan stopped Su Xiaofan.
Su Xiaofan thought for a moment.
“I'll stay a few more days. This is my first time in Yanjing, and there are still many places I haven't visited.”
“I'm going back tomorrow. I was actually hoping you'd come with me.”
Zhao Zhengshan raised the sandalwood box in his hand.
“With this thing beside me, I don't feel at ease. I just sent a message home. Tomorrow, the company car will come pick me up and take me back to Luochuan.”
Even though the Zhao family had assets worth tens of billions of yuan, eighty million yuan was still a huge amount of money. Especially since Zhao Zhengshan wasn't involved in the family business, this money was practically his entire fortune.
“I'll stay and have some fun for a few more days. It wasn't easy coming all the way here.”
Hearing that Zhao Zhengshan was leaving tomorrow, Su Xiaofan was secretly delighted. Without Zhao Zhengshan around, he'd have more opportunities to find bargains.
As for the meteorites in the combination-lock case, Su Xiaofan wasn't worried at all. Once he returned to his room, he could absorb them. The remaining items could simply be left in the safe at the guesthouse.
“Alright. If I'm leaving early tomorrow, I won't come say goodbye. We'll keep in touch after we get back to Luochuan.”
Zhao Zhengshan nodded.
“If I hadn't bought this painting, I would definitely have stayed in Yanjing for a few more days. But this painting isn't convenient to carry around, so it's better for me to return as soon as possible.”
“Okay, Uncle Zhao. Get some rest early.”
Su Xiaofan replied and swiped his card to open his room.
Although he had been running around all day and his body was already exhausted, his spirits were incredibly high.
He tossed the case onto the bed and immediately jumped onto it. In just a few moves, he opened the combination-lock case.
Jingxin Hall had taken meticulous care with everything. Each meteorite had been placed inside a black velvet pouch to prevent them from colliding with one another. Every pouch had a note attached to it stating the type, size, and weight of the meteorite.
As for the few tiny but most valuable meteorites, Jingxin Hall had placed them in exquisite jewelry boxes. Their attention to detail was clearly impeccable.
There was also a sheet of paper on top of the case briefly explaining precautions and preservation methods for the meteorites.
Su Xiaofan glanced over it and only then learned that newly fallen meteorites were strictly forbidden from being wiped or cleaned.
This was because all the substances attached to a newly fallen meteorite had scientific research value. Whether it was cosmic dust, a fresh fusion crust, or secondary substances formed when the meteorite interacted with Earth's materials during its fall, all of them had important scientific value.
“What the hell use is any of that to me?”
Su Xiaofan curled his lips and casually tossed the paper aside.
Even if he found a meteorite, the first thing he'd do was check whether it could be absorbed. Where would he have the time to worry about scientific research?
“Let's absorb the glass meteorite first.”
Su Xiaofan took out the glass meteorite that he had first discovered could be absorbed.
The meteorite weighed roughly forty to fifty grams, about one or two ounces. Its entire surface possessed a glass-like luster, somewhat resembling the meteorite pendant Su Xiaofan had worn before.
【Glass Meteorite: Absorbable. Absorb?】
Focusing his attention on the meteorite in his hand, the information asking whether he wanted to absorb it immediately appeared in his mind.
“Absorb!”
Su Xiaofan silently commanded.
In just a few seconds, the glass meteorite in his palm had already transformed into a small pile of gray powder.
【Restoration Points: 55!】
Looking at the information that had reappeared in his mind, Su Xiaofan couldn't help clenching his fist, unable to hide the excitement on his face.
This glass meteorite looked rather ordinary, but it had given him '50 Restoration Points', a full five times more than the Restoration Points he had obtained from absorbing the Yin Sha Stone back then!
(End of Chapter)
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