C6 Within Three Days

In the hospital, Lin Luo sat silently by the bedside, gazing at his daughter whose complexion was deathly pale and whose small lips were devoid of color. His heart ached deeply.

"Xiao, Daddy will definitely save you!"

He tenderly took his daughter's slightly cold hand, and a warm Genuine Qi flowed from his fingertips into her body. But this Genuine Qi could only temporarily halt the spread of the leukemia cells; it couldn't cure her leukemia.

After taking his daughter's pulse, Lin Luo tucked her hand back under the covers.

"With my current abilities, acupuncture alone isn't enough to cure Xiao. I need the power of medicinal herbs to eradicate the leukemia cells in her body, but..." He sighed, feeling defeated. "Having just been reborn, I don't have the money to buy even the smallest piece of ginseng, let alone the exorbitantly priced herbs needed."

Money truly was the root of all evil...

The door to the ward burst open—it was his wife, Xiao Qingli, returning. Lin Luo looked up to see her eyes red and swollen from crying, her expression bitter, and her whole demeanor one of utter despair.

"Qingli," he called out softly as he stood.

But Xiao Qingli didn't respond to him; instead, she went straight to the bedside. Tears streamed down her face as she saw her daughter Lin Xiao's pallor. She collapsed beside the bed, sobbing, "Xiao Xiao, I'm so sorry... Mommy has failed you..."

Lin Luo's heart twisted in pain, understanding that his wife was distraught over not securing the funds for their daughter's surgery. He moved closer, gently offering comfort.

"Qingli, don't be sad. I'll find a way to pay for Xiao Xiao's surgery."

Xiao Qingli let out a bitter laugh, tinged with sarcasm. "What can you do? Take out a loan with exorbitant interest rates?"

"No," Lin Luo replied, shaking his head, his eyes resolute. "I will earn Xiao Xiao's surgery money through honest means. I won't let you or our daughter suffer any more because of my issues!"

Xiao Qingli's sobs slowly subsided as she clung to the last sliver of hope in her heart, looking up at Lin Luo through tear-stained eyes.

"Lin Luo, this is the last time I'll trust you. If you don't raise the money for Xiao Xiao's surgery within three days, I'll die right before your eyes!"

Xiao Qingli's gaze was unwavering. Lin Luo understood all too well that once Qingli resolved to say something, she would see it through.

But Lin Luo wouldn't back down. He had made a vow never to let his family down again!

"I'll have the money for Xiao's surgery within three days! I won't let you do anything foolish!"

With those words, Lin Luo turned and left the hospital.

...

By the time Lin Luo reached the Antique Market from the hospital, daylight had broken. The vendors had set up their stalls and were quietly awaiting customers.

Lin Luo was there because, for him, the quickest way to make money was through antique hunting.

Yet, this venture was fraught with uncertainties and heavily reliant on luck.

Today, Lin Luo's luck was not on his side. After scouring the entire Antique Market, he only managed to unearth a somewhat tarnished Ming Dynasty bronze coin.

"It seems that antique hunting isn't the most effective way to earn money."

Holding the bronze coin, Lin Luo let out a sigh.

He headed to Wu Guowen's Antique Shop, intending to sell the coin.

Inside Wu Guowen's shop, a plainly dressed middle-aged man adorned with a Qing Dynasty jade necklace sat at a tea table, conversing with Wu Guowen.

"Boss Wu, the piece you've asked me to appraise must be something special, isn't it?"

"That's right. I'm planning to sell a Bronze Cauldron, but I'm unsure about its era and market value, which is why I've called on you, Master Jia, for an appraisal."

Wu Guowen chuckled, adding a compliment, "After all, Master Jia, there's no one in River City who can match your expertise in antiques!"

Flattered by Wu Guowen's praise, Master Jia's pride swelled even more.

Assuming the air of a connoisseur, he smiled subtly and then inquired:

"Boss Wu, what are you willing to offer me this time?"

Master Jia was eager to discuss his appraisal fee, the matter of utmost importance to him, but their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the entrance of a disheveled man.

"Boss Wu, I've got a Ming Dynasty copper coin here to sell. What's it worth to you?"

Lin Luo, with the freshly found copper coin in hand, walked into the Antique Shop.

"Just a moment, Master Jia. I'll have a look," Wu Guowen said, approaching the counter. He picked up the Ming Dynasty Hongwu Coin that Lin Luo had set down, gave it a cursory glance, and then scrutinized it with a magnifying glass.

"This is a Hongwu Coin from the Ming Dynasty, and it's the Nine Blessings version no less! For this coin, I can offer you 50,000!"

The Nine Blessings Hongwu Coin was highly sought after by collectors!

Without further ado, Wu Guowen pulled out 50,000 yuan in cash, ready to close the deal with Lin Luo.

But as he was about to hand over the money, Master Jia stepped in to intervene.

"Hold on, Boss Wu. Don't be too hasty with the payment, lest you get taken for a ride."

Taking the coin from Wu Guowen, Master Jia examined it closely and remarked, "Boss Wu, while this item's collectible value is significant, the numerous scratches and poor condition greatly diminish its market value. It might even be unsellable."

With a sneer, Master Jia gave Lin Luo a once-over, noting his unkempt appearance.

"He must have stumbled upon this by sheer luck."

Annoyed by Lin Luo, Master Jia decided to lowball him.

"Young man, this item isn't worth much. Tell you what, out of the goodness of my heart, I'll take it off your hands for 200 yuan."

Lin Luo let out a cold laugh at Master Jia's absurd proposition.

"A Ming Dynasty Nine Blessings Hongwu Coin has a market value of about 50,000 yuan. Even though mine isn't in the best condition, it should still fetch at least 20,000 yuan. If you're planning to swindle me, I'd advise against it. When it comes to antiques, you may not know as much as you think."

Upon hearing the remark, Master Jia's face darkened instantly. He glowered and demanded,

"Young man, do you realize who I am?"

"A nobody."

As tensions flared between the two, Wu Guowen stepped in to defuse the situation.

He extended 50,000 yuan to Lin Luo and said, "Antique Friend, I'll take this Hongwu Coin off your hands. The price doesn't matter to me; I'm just adding it to my collection."

Despite being in need of money, Lin Luo wasn't one to take undue advantage. He accepted only 20,000 yuan.

"I'll just take 20,000. Please keep the rest."

Wu Guowen paused, his gaze on Lin Luo now tinged with respect.

Master Jia, on the other hand, sneered dismissively and retorted,

"You've been caught out by me, too ashamed to take the money, I see."

Lin Luo shot him a cool look before turning to Wu Guowen, "Boss Wu, do you know if there's another antique market around here? I've scoured this area and it seems there's nothing of value left to buy."

"Another antique market? In all of River City, this is the only antique street. What do you need it for?" Wu Guowen asked, puzzled.

"Oh, nothing much. I'm just looking to make some extra cash."

Ready to leave, Lin Luo turned to go, but Wu Guowen called after him.

"Antique Friend, hold on a second. If you're looking to make money, I might have an opportunity for you. Are you interested?"