The Family Heirloom chapter 1

There is an antique shop called “Elegant Scholar’s Studio”. It not only buys and sells antique calligraphy and paintings but also frames and restores various collections for people. The shop owner, Mr. John, is a retired teacher. He likes this business and has some insights.

One morning, Mr. John had just opened the shop when a young man in a jacket riding a bicycle came into the store. He took out a dirty and black – looking thing from his bag and put it on the counter, saying, “Sir, can you remove the rust from this?”

Mr. John put on his reading glasses and carefully examined the object. But no matter how he looked at it, it seemed like a pickaxe used for digging in the countryside. Why would someone bring a broken pickaxe to an antique shop to remove the rust?