Tomb Raider: I Am Hu Bayi's Cousin

Chapter 21 Professor Chen

The day after Hu Bayi and his two companions left the capital, inside Big Gold Tooth's shop...

Big Gold Tooth looked at the man and woman sitting in front of him. He was a little lost when he saw the man, Professor Chen, wondering what he was here for. Was he here to inspect the shop? He knew that Professor Chen, an archaeology expert, could tell at a glance whether something was a real funerary object or not.

If his shop had funerary objects, Professor Chen would probably report it.

So he was extremely reluctant to see Professor Chen come to his shop, but he had to put on a good show and keep smiling, as if he was very welcoming to Professor Chen's arrival.

"Little Jin, it's been years since I last saw you, and I often think of you."

Professor Chen first played the connection card, then casually introduced Shirley Yang's identity, and then got straight to the point.

"Comrade Xiao Jin, I won't beat around the bush. I'll just say it directly. I've come to bother you this time because I have a favor to ask." Professor Chen's words were very polite, and it was clear that he had lowered his stance.

In order to find the submerged ancient tomb and to locate the ancient city of Jingjue, he had to humbly beg Da Jinya for help.

Big Gold Tooth was shocked. What could possibly make Professor Chen, a highly educated man, beg him like this? Was it because he needed more funding for his archaeological work and wanted to borrow some money?
The thought of lending money to these archaeological experts filled Big Gold Tooth with resentment. "You've all finished excavating the ancient tombs, where am I supposed to get the goods to sell?" he thought. With that in mind, he said tactfully, "Professor Chen, the antique business is tough these days. I haven't made a sale in years. This deal you see today is the first one in years. My family is almost starving, I..."

His meaning was also very clear: there's nothing we can do to help.

Yang Xueli realized that the man with the large gold tooth in front of her was a cunning old fox, afraid of people borrowing money from him, but money?
Yang Xueli chuckled inwardly, but spoke in a friendly tone: "Mr. Jin, Professor Chen is preparing to go to the Western Regions to search for the ancient city of Jingjue and conduct archaeological research in the Western Regions, and I am the funder of this project."

When Professor Chen introduced Yang Shirley to Big Gold Tooth, he only said that she was a Chinese American and the daughter of a friend of his. He didn't say anything more.

Yang Xueli continued, "We came here this time hoping that you could recommend a few people who understand feng shui to us. Mr. Jin, please rest assured that if the people you recommend meet our requirements, I will give them ten thousand US dollars as a reward. If they find the Jingjue Ancient City, I will give them an additional ten thousand. In addition, I will also give you, Mr. Jin, ten thousand US dollars as a thank you fee."

Big Gold Tooth narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, clearly stunned by the American girl in front of him. He had never seen anyone so generous before. You know, in the 1980s, having 10,000 yuan was considered a sign of a wealthy family.

In the 1980s, 10,000 US dollars could be exchanged for about 63,000 yuan. At that time, money was very valuable. In rural areas of poor provinces, 3,000 to 4,000 yuan could build a two-story house.

For Big Gold Tooth, no fool would do a business that makes money. When there was a benefit, he immediately thought of Hu Bayi and his two companions. He knew a bit about their skills and was sure they could handle the job.

But I don't know if they're willing.

Big Gold Tooth grinned and said, "Miss Yang, are you sure you want to give this much?"

"Shirley is the daughter of a Wall Street tycoon and inherited the entire family fortune."

Professor Chen simply laid his cards on the table, revealing Yang Xueli's identity, which made Big Gold Tooth seem afraid that she would ask him for money.

Big Gold Tooth was shocked; no wonder his move was so extraordinary.

Then he said with a smile, "What a coincidence. I have many brothers and friends in the antique business, and quite a few of them are capable."

It just so happens that there are two brothers who are very capable. One is Hu Bayi, a true-blue revolutionary. His father fought in the north and south, starting with the anti-Japanese war in the north. After the victory of the anti-Japanese war, he fought in the partisan war, led his troops south, settled in the south, started a family, and his children went to the countryside as educated youth. Later, they joined the army, went to the depths of the desert, and went to the Kunlun Mountains. In the self-defense war, he led his troops to defeat the enemy.

As Big Gold Tooth spoke, he gave a thumbs-up and praised repeatedly.

After he got to know Huba and the others, they would chat and brag, each of them talking about some of their fathers' and their own impressive achievements, so it was normal that they all knew some things about each other.

Furthermore, Big Gold Tooth emphasized the words "pure and upright" with particular force, meaning that he wanted Professor Chen, an intellectual, to understand that his brother Huba was a cadre's son, not the kind of person who would engage in tomb raiding.

Big Gold Tooth really went to great lengths, probably all for that ten thousand dollars!
"After ten years of military service, Mr. Hu had already reached the rank of company commander. But during that counterattack, after the enemy surrendered, they suddenly launched a sneak attack and killed his soldiers. With red eyes, he grabbed a machine gun and shot the prisoners. He was dismissed from the army, but they also arranged a job for him. He refused and started a business reselling cassette tapes. He went to pick up some goods and probably won't be back for a few days."

"Hu Bayi?" Professor Chen and Shirley Yang exchanged glances. This man had a rich and varied background; he had been a company commander, ventured deep into the desert, the Kunlun Mountains, and participated in wars—suitable as a team leader. But this wasn't what they wanted. They cast questioning glances at Big Gold Tooth, who, seeing their looks, chuckled, "Master Hu's ancestors were no ordinary people. His grandfather's master was a Taoist priest, who taught him the art of finding auspicious burial sites. He was renowned for his feng shui skills, and his book was called 'The Sixteen-Character Yin-Yang Feng Shui Secret Technique.' It was a book on feng shui, and Master Hu received his grandfather's true teachings, mastering the art of finding auspicious burial sites."

Finding the dragon's lair? Professor Chen's face trembled with excitement. What a talent! This is exactly the kind of talent their archaeological team needs.

He cast an excited glance at Yang Xueli, who nodded and smiled slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with Huba's abilities. However, she wouldn't just listen to Da Jinya's one-sided words; she needed to test him herself.

Yang Xueli asked impatiently, "And the other one?"

Upon hearing this, Big Gold Tooth glanced at Professor Chen and said, "Professor Chen knows that person too."

Professor Chen asked in confusion, "Do I know him?"

Big Gold Tooth nodded and said, "He is Hu Bayi's cousin, Hu Ming, who was studying in the Archaeology Department of Capital University five years ago."

Professor Chen exclaimed in shock, "It's him!!"

Yang Xueli glanced at the surprised Professor Chen and couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Chen, what's wrong?"

Seeing Yang Xueli's puzzled expression, Professor Chen smiled wryly and explained, "This student, Hu Ming, was a famous talent back in the day, and his parents were also well-known economists. I just didn't expect that he was Hu Bayi's cousin."

Big Gold Tooth nodded and said, "Yes, Master Ming is indeed very capable. He also knows Master Hu's 'Sixteen-Character Yin-Yang Feng Shui Secret Technique.' Moreover, he has a good understanding of the history of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. He even had the honor of publishing some articles back then. Professor Chen seems to have invited him to join your team back then."

Professor Chen said somewhat awkwardly, "Yes, I asked Aiguo to invite him to his school, but Hu Ming didn't agree."

Big Gold Tooth glanced at Professor Chen. He knew a bit about his student, Professor Hao, so he didn't say anything.

Professor Chen changed the subject, saying, "Didn't he enlist in the army back then? Now he's back?"

Big Gold Tooth nodded and said, "He's back. He made the same mistake as Master Hu, so he came back with Master Hu. He was already a deputy company commander before he came back. Master Ming is also very skilled. He can take on more than a dozen people in just a few minutes."

Professor Chen nodded upon hearing this and said, "Indeed, Comrade Hu Ming is excellent at everything he does, but I don't know if he would be willing to join us."

Big Gold Tooth glanced at him and said, "I don't know about this either. I think it should be fine. After all, Master Ming is quite open-minded, but he doesn't like those who think they are superior."

After saying that, Big Gold Tooth glanced at Yang Xueli. He knew that Hu Ming responded better to gentle persuasion than force.

Professor Hao had gone to his school and ordered him to join their team. Hao Aiguo wasn't a professor at Hu Ming's school, so Hu Ming didn't give him a friendly look and had him thrown out.

Hao Aiguo even went to Hu Ming's school teacher to cause trouble for him, but after learning about the situation from Hu Ming, the teacher only told Hu Ming to pay more attention to the school's image in the future.

But this feud has been formed.

Professor Chen nodded upon hearing this and said, "Don't worry, Xiao Jin, I won't let Aiguo act recklessly again."

Big Gold Tooth said, "Okay, I'll tell Ming and the others when they get back."

Professor Chen nodded obediently, then stood up and said, "In that case, I'll leave it to you. Shirley and I will head back now."

Upon hearing this, Big Gold Tooth also got up to see the two of them off.

(End of this chapter)