CHAPTER 9: DISCRETION

"I am assembling a collection of jade pieces of a similar nature. This piece appears to be a fragment of something larger. I would like to engage your exclusive services for a month or two to help identify and guide me to collect the remaining pieces."

On hearing the real reason for this meeting, Tang Lin paused and then meticulously rewrapped the jade piece and pushed it gently towards Zhao Jun.

"Unfortunately, I do not offer such exclusive services, Mr. Zhao. Neither do I source acquisitions. The scope of my job entails appraising and authenticating a piece of antique. Anything else is me dancing outside of familiar waters."

Her refusal was immediate and firm, yet polite. She stood with her back straight, not in the least bit affected by the intimidating aura that was emanating from his body.

"I'm willing to offer twenty million yuan as compensation for the duration," he said casually and returned to his seat, as if he was making a passing comment about the weather.

"That should be enough to make up for any other appraisal jobs you miss out on, as well as any inconveniences caused."

He sounded self-assured, like he was certain she would agree.

The amount was shocking, he was offering way more than she typically earned for a couple of months.

It was a very enticing offer, one that she allowed herself to consider for a brief moment.

Tang Lin's instincts, however, screamed caution.

The quiet voice of reason in her head told her that anyone who was willing to pay that much must have motives beyond simple authentication.

Motives that could spell danger for her.

"May I ask if I have to be the one for this job or was I a random choice?"

Before she could catch herself, she had blurted out the question that was foremost on her mind as she considered his offer.

"Heh. Miss Tang sure knows how to ask the right questions," his smile was a little too unnatural.

This made Tang Lin uncomfortable. She wanted to slap herself for speaking earlier.

That question would definitely make her seem interested to an extent.

So, she tried to offer an explanation.

"I… uh, I was just curious. Do not think much about it. I'll just…"

"Because it chose you, Miss Tang," Zhao Jun replied leisurely, not letting her finish explaining.

Surprised by his response, she did not speak for some seconds.

Huh? Choose me?

She thought, then asked just that.

"The jade. If I told you that it chose you, would you believe it?" Zhao Jun asked, his eyes never leaving hers. 

Of course not!

The voice in Tang Lin's heard was screaming, yet she kept listening.

"I want to commission you for this project because I cannot think of anyone else who could do it. As for whether it makes sense or not, you should not worry about that for now. You will probably understand it later."

There was a profoundness in his words and eyes that seemed to hold her spellbound.

She wanted to flatly refuse again, but the words felt like they were stuck in her throat.

"Ahem…"

She forcefully cleared her throat and got ready to spew out some carefully crafted, high sounding and professional words to turn down the offer and leave.

Yet right at that moment, as if on cue, her phone chimed with a text message notification.

Glancing down, she saw it was from Master Wen. She found this unusual, since the older woman rarely took the initiative to text her.

She couldn't help but mumble an "excuse me, I need to check this" to Zhao Jun before unlocking her phone to read the message.

It simply read: The Jade Remembers.

Tang Lin froze in place, not moving for a full minute.

Then subtly, she looked around to see if Master Wen was somewhere in the room.

Or perhaps there are surveillance cameras that she is watching me from?

Seeing neither Master Wen nor any cameras, she lowered her head and willed herself to be calm.

When she looked up again, she was met with Zhao Jun's confident gaze that held no uncertainty.

Then it hit her. Maybe this was no coincidence. This was something that sought her out.

Suddenly, hope filled her heart. That perhaps this was something that could guide her to find some answers to the questions that daily plagued her.

That it could be an opportunity to put together the broken pieces of the memories that haunted her.

If that was the case, she was willing to try.

Straightening up, she finally responded.

"One month. But I have conditions."

Zhao Jun looked at her, brows raised in question, "Naturally."

"I must maintain my own schedule and accommodations. I will diligently report my professional findings only, nothing more."

"Hmm. Agreed," Zhao Jun replied. Hesitating for a beat, he extended his hand. "When are you able to begin?"

"I will examine the piece more meticulously tomorrow," she replied, refusing to shake his hand.

She did not trust herself to not fall apart if she were to make contact with him again.

Not after the turn of events since she walked into the office.

"Send the contract to my email, or drop it by my office for review first. We'll be able to proceed from there."

Then as an afterthought, she added, "if there is nothing else, I would like to take my leave now, Mr. Zhao."

Watching her leave, Zhao Jun spoke up behind her.

"One more thing, Miss Tang."

He began to take a few steps towards her.

"Discretion is very important to this project. We require the highest level of discretion and privacy. Of course, this will be mentioned in the contract, but a prior notification is crucial. What do you say?"