CHAPTER 319: CHAPTER 319: LUCIUS CUP

Mayu is the kind of kid who doesn’t like studying.

So, after finishing high school, she went out to work early.

But she had good luck. Just as she was looking for a job, a French chef opened a high-end French restaurant in Tokyo. Seeing Mayu’s good looks, he hired her.

Though Mayu wasn’t good at academics, she showed a special talent for desserts and pies. She quickly progressed from a restaurant waitress to a chef assistant.

She even apprenticed with the French chef and officially became a French cuisine chef.

"My master thought I had a great talent, so he suggested I participate in the World Puff Pastry Competition, and that’s why I came."

Mayu explained to Chen Yiyang, full of joy while eating French desserts in the hotel, about how she came to Paris.

Chen Yiyang was also a bit hungry.

But when he tried a bite of the dessert earlier, the sugar content overwhelmed him instantly.

"So how do you connect with the competition officials? Also, this kind of competition, can you handle it all by yourself?"

"My master introduced me to his friend in France, who also runs a restaurant. Tonight, I’ll visit their place to get familiar with the equipment and then connect with the competition officials through the restaurant," Mayu replied.

"Can you take me with you? I could pretend to be your agent."

"Eh?!" Mayu widened her eyes and looked at Chen Yiyang upon hearing that.

"Why, is it not okay?"

"No, it’s okay. It’s just that, as a French cuisine chef who hasn’t studied for long, saying I have an agent feels a bit odd." Mayu hesitated for a while before speaking.

"But I can’t cook either, or I could pose as your assistant."

"How about we say you’re my cousin?" Mayu fiddled with her fingers and then suggested.

"Works for me," Chen Yiyang nodded.

His main hope was to meet people in the French chef community through Mayu and eventually connect with people from the French International Cuisine Association.

Given the importance of puff pastry in French cuisine, it’s likely that many contestants and judges have status in the culinary association.

After resting for a night, Chen Yiyang woke up the next morning in a bed steeped in French style.

He then looked at the large empty space beside him.

Hmm, it feels like something’s missing.

He opened his phone, and today’s treasure hunting news popped up.

Today’s news: Chameleon-like cup – A Lucius Cup from Ancient Rome is being sold at the Paris Saint-Ouen Flea Market; buying this cup will make it a real find.

Related item images and locations are attached on the second page.

Lucius Cup?

What’s this thing?

Chen Yiyang had an afternoon date with Mayu to visit the restaurant introduced by her master.

So initially, Chen Yiyang didn’t plan to go out this morning.

Plus, he hadn’t heard of the Lucius Cup.

Thus Chen Yiyang deemed it as some locally distinctive and worthless little artifact, not worth making a special trip for.

But to be safe, Chen Yiyang still searched online for information about it.

The Lucius Cup is a bicolor glass cup made by Ancient Romans roughly 1600 years ago.

Very few of them exist today.

The cup’s most notable feature is the ancient technique similar to modern nanotechnology, making it appear green when light shines from the front and red from the back.

The best-preserved Lucius Cup is in the collection of the British Museum, London, listed among its treasures.

?!

This thing can actually be considered a treasure in the British Museum?

Chen Yiyang hurriedly searched for how much this cup could sell for.

Then, he found nothing.

Because this thing is incredibly precious, extremely rare, and difficult to replicate.

So there are no public auction records.

The few existing ones are all held by private collectors, mostly inaccessible to the general public.

Buy it!

This find must be secured!

Chen Yiyang got dressed immediately and headed out.

To be safe, he didn’t look for the local Paris guide but instead went to find Mayu.

Mayu had just finished a cross-country call with her master in Tokyo and was surprised to see Chen Yiyang.

"President Chen, what’s up?"

"I’m planning to visit the Paris flea market. Are you interested? You could help me translate along the way."

Though there was an important matter in the afternoon.

But Mayu knew that without Chen Yiyang paying for the hotel, she wouldn’t be able to stay in the Palace of Versailles.

So she immediately said, "No problem, Mr. Chen, I’ll get my makeup done and head out."

Mayu was quick with her makeup, and Chen Yiyang waited just half an hour before she accompanied him out.

Not wanting to alert the guide, Chen Yiyang found a driver through the hotel to take them to the Paris flea market.

Saint-Ouen Flea Market is a very old flea market in Paris, dating back to 1884, and is known as one of the origins of flea markets.

Originally, it was a place for Paris’ poor to exchange goods, but it gradually developed into the traditional European market people now imagine.

The market is predominantly composed of stalls and narrow shops and is quite chaotic, with almost anything for sale.

With many tourists and local residents present, it even gave Chen Yiyang the feeling of visiting a crowded local market back home.

However, Chen Yiyang was curious about how a national treasure-level cup could remain unnoticed in such a busy location.

Since Mayu was unfamiliar with the place and the hotel’s driver stayed outside, waiting.

Chen Yiyang didn’t waste any time and led Mayu to the place mentioned in the news.

To Chen Yiyang’s surprise, the stall selling the Lucius Cup, though small, was filled with various items.

Three huge shelves were crowded with items.

Moreover, these items weren’t related to antiques or art; rather, they were popular tabletop gaming items.

"Asian friends, are you enthusiasts of tabletop games too?" The stall owner, a long-haired French youngster, warmly greeted Chen Yiyang and Mayu as they approached.

"Yes, I enjoy playing Baldur’s Gate and am interested in tabletop role-playing games."

"Oh, I see." The French youngster gave Chen Yiyang and Mayu a casual glance before losing some enthusiasm.

"So, are you looking to buy some tabletop role-playing related items? But, the things here are quite hardcore; if you’re only into Baldur’s Gate as beginners, I recommend not deciding lightly."