abnabooks Chapter 104 The Book Contains a Meteorite House
Chapter 104 The Book Contains a Meteorite House
"Creak—"
The heavy solid wood study door was slowly pushed open, and an aura mixed with the coldness of metal and the vicissitudes of time instantly rushed in.
No one could have imagined that deep inside this luxurious villa, which should have been filled with traditional Chinese writing implements, Tang Zhen had personally transformed it into a private meteorite museum, revealing his obsessive passion for it.
The antique sandalwood shelves on the wall are stacked one on top of another, displaying meteorites of varying heights.
Some surfaces are covered with uneven fusion crusts, traces left by the burning during the passage through the atmosphere, etched with the vicissitudes of the universe; others gleam with a cold, silvery-gray luster, they are pure iron meteorites, their textures flowing with the unique chill of interstellar space; even the gaps in the solid wood bookshelves and the velvet lining of the desks are scattered with fragments of Gobi meteorites and desert meteorites, each piece polished to a shine, arranged with utmost care, revealing the owner's obsession.
"Hehe, Section Chief Chen, Miss Hu Tao, and Steward Hu, please excuse the poor fellows!"
"I have no other hobbies in this life, except for my obsession with these strange rocks from outer space!"
Tang Zhen walked at the very front, his feet barely touching the ground, his eyes shining, eager to tell everyone about the wonders of each piece in his collection.
He gently stroked a meteorite with ice cracks, his knuckles turning slightly white with excitement. His voice brimming with anticipation, "This is an iron meteorite I found ten years ago from the Antarctic ice sheet at great expense. It has a nickel content as high as 16%, which is extremely rare! And this one, I personally went deep into the Gobi Desert and buried it in a sand dune for half a month before digging it out. Each one was hard-won!"
He spoke animatedly and eloquently, every word revealing his deep passion for meteorites. He was completely devoid of the composed demeanor of a Shanghai tycoon, revealing only his undisguised love for them.
"Wait a minute!"
He strode to a prominent spot on one side of the study, carefully placed the stubborn stone that Chen Feng had given him, examined it from all sides, his face full of joy, and then led everyone to the deepest part of the study with satisfaction.
They went to the inner room.
"Gentlemen!"
Tang Zhen suddenly stopped in his tracks, the fanatical smile on his face instantly vanished, and his expression became extremely solemn. He even raised his hand to straighten his clothes, showing a dignified demeanor.
He slowly walked to a crystal-clear bulletproof glass display case, took a deep breath, and gently opened the case's intricate latches.
"Click!"
A soft sound seemed to strike the hearts of everyone present.
The entire room fell silent instantly, and all eyes were focused on the display case.
On a dark red velvet base, the Tang family's prized possession—a fragment of extraterrestrial alloy—lies quietly at rest!
It is as thin as a cicada's wing, yet it exudes a sense of weight as heavy as a thousand pounds. Its color is dark as ink, but under the warm light overhead, it reflects a cold, piercing light like a diamond. Its edges are extremely sharp, as if it could cleave everything in two from a distance.
One glance was enough to tell that this was no ordinary object, but a true celestial treasure.
Tang Zhen reached out and gently stroked the meteorite, his expression both devout and proud: "Gentlemen, this is the treasure of my Tang family, an extraterrestrial alloy meteorite!"
He paused, his voice low and mysterious:
"Years ago, I ventured deep into the forbidden Gobi Desert, encountered a sandstorm, and barely escaped with my life before I stumbled upon this fragment!"
"It was from that moment that I truly understood what it means to be outmatched!"
"Look closely, its density, hardness, texture, and grain are unmatched by any known mineral on Earth; it is a truly rare treasure from outer space!"
The study was deathly silent; everyone was stunned by the extraterrestrial alloy.
Only Chen Feng's gaze was fixed on the alloy meteorite, his pupils slightly contracted, and his fingertips unconsciously tapped the bookshelf beside him, his heart instantly churning with turmoil.
"Great stuff! This is definitely great stuff!"
……
Time slips by unnoticed, and before we know it, the sun is at its zenith.
Sunlight streamed through the villa's windows, casting warm rays of light.
"master!"
"The banquet is ready; please take your seats!"
The butler's respectful voice broke the silence of the study.
"good--!"
Tang Zhen reluctantly withdrew his gaze and led everyone to the restaurant.
Inside the spacious and luxurious restaurant.
A long mahogany table is covered with a clean tablecloth, and a dazzling array of delicacies are laid out—the steaming baskets are filled with plump, yellow roe of Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, steaming with white vapor; the glossy West Lake vinegar fish is fragrant and delicious, a Hangzhou dish specially prepared for Walnut; the plump shrimp tails are bright red and tempting, paired with several exquisite seasonal vegetables; aged Shaoxing daughter red wine is poured into white jade wine glasses, and the mellow aroma of the wine fills the room, instantly satisfying all the senses.
After taking their seats.
Tang Zhen completely shed his obsessive demeanor from the study and reverted to the Jardine Matheson general manager who had been working his way up in Shanghai for many years!
He raised his glass, stood up, and laughed heartily: "The presence of so many distinguished guests today is a great honor for the Tang family. Come, let me first offer you all a toast!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank together.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere at the table became increasingly harmonious.
Tang Zhen took a small sip of wine, lightly tapping the glass with his fingertips, and slowly began to speak, displaying his shrewdness and worldly wisdom in the business world.
He began by discussing the turbulent Shanghai stock market, his tone somber and his words hitting the nail on the head: "The Shanghai stock market is currently volatile and unpredictable, with foreign capital secretly stirring things up. Merchants from all walks of life are scrambling to get in, seemingly paved with gold, but in reality, it's full of traps. Without foresight and connections, you can easily lose everything. The intricacies involved are quite profound!"
After discussing the stock market, the conversation shifted.
He then spoke of trade between the North and South, his tone brimming with years of accumulated experience: "The North traded furs and medicinal herbs, while the South traded silk and tea. The trade between the North and South appeared prosperous, but the extortion at checkpoints, the perilous nature of the Grand Canal, and the fragmentation of power in different regions meant that to build a stable and long-term business, one not only had to keep accurate accounts but also understand the intentions of all parties involved and strike the right balance. One wrong step and everything would be lost!"
When it comes to getting excited.
Tang Zhen slowly put down his wine glass. His gaze towards Chen Feng held less formality and more sincerity, revealing the helplessness and emotions buried deep within his heart.
"As the general manager of Jardine Matheson, I deal with foreigners every day, and it's the most unpleasant experience of all!"
"Those foreigners in the concessions are all two-faced, wielding extraterritoriality to act arrogantly and domineeringly. On the surface, they talk business with you and follow the rules, but secretly they trip you up at every turn, seizing our Chinese assets and squeezing out our Chinese businesses. Their faces are utterly despicable!"
"But given the current situation, I am in a position where I often have no choice but to deal with them, learn to compromise and endure. Even though I have a sense of national duty, I have too many concerns and cannot act as boldly as young people. I can only protect the Tang family's assets and safeguard my family!"
He sighed deeply, his gaze falling on Chen Feng, full of admiration and approval: "But you are different, especially Section Chief Chen. You dared to stand up and expose the evil deeds of the Green Gang, unafraid of power or danger. This courage and sense of responsibility are something I can never match in my life. I admire you from the bottom of my heart and I completely agree with you!"
Tangtang sat beside her father, her bright almond-shaped eyes constantly glancing at Chen Feng, her little face full of excitement.
Watching her father's attitude towards Chen Feng gradually change from initial wariness and scrutiny to appreciation and praise, and now to full of approval and expectation, her long-held anxiety instantly subsided, like a stone falling into soft cotton.
She secretly poked at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks, her eyes crinkling into a smile, her lips curving upwards involuntarily, a sweet feeling welling up inside her: "Dad has finally completely approved of our approach!"
As they clinked glasses and drank, the effects of the alcohol gradually intensified.
Tang Zhen slowly put down his wine glass, the smile on his face fading slightly. He stared intently at Chen Feng, his tone solemn:
"Section Chief Chen, I saw that earth-shattering duel on the high platform over the Suzhou Creek from the building opposite... It was spectacular! Absolutely spectacular! Youth is wonderful! Knowing martial arts is wonderful!"
"And across such a wide river, with only a pistol, you managed to subdue your enemy with a single shot! That marksmanship, that skill, I, Tang, have only ever seen in books in my entire life! In Shanghai, you are the only young talent like yourself!"
The atmosphere around them instantly became quieter.
Tang Zhen's tone shifted, now full of warm invitation: "You've come from afar today, so there's no need to rush off. Tang Family Garden may not be the most luxurious, but the food and lodging are excellent. Just settle in and rest for a couple of days! I have some important business to attend to at my trading company this afternoon, but I'll definitely take you to my Tang family's private shooting range tomorrow when I have some free time!"
talking.
He turned his head to look at the taciturn Old Lady Niu beside him, his eyes full of meaning, and lowered his voice: "Section Chief Chen and Old Lady Niu are both top-notch fighters. It'll be a good opportunity for them to have a friendly spar, and let this old man broaden his horizons!"
Everyone echoed their agreement, and the atmosphere at the table was filled with joy.
Tang Zhen smiled and stood up, raised his hand to signal to everyone, then turned around to leave to handle his business.
But just as he turned and disappeared...
The bright and enthusiastic smile on his face suddenly froze!
His eyes, which had been smiling just moments before, were instantly shrouded in a thick gloom; his once light steps became incredibly heavy, each one exuding a sense of oppression.
When I got to the door.
He slowly clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his jawline tense, and his whole body exuding an indescribable heaviness and sorrow.
In that instant, it felt as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on his spine, making it hard for him to breathe.
Chen Feng picked up his wine glass and gazed at the doorway. His senses were heightened, and his eyes were deep and intense.
"The Tang family... they're probably in trouble!"