A Section of Hollow Wood chapter 3

The others quickly smiled apologetically and dragged Tom out to prevent him from saying more offensive things. The group was still not willing to accept this result, so they went to several other gold shops for appraisals. Finally, they were sure that the gold bar was indeed fake. On the way home, Tom and his friends were dejected and walked with heavy steps.

Just as they were about to reach home, Tom, the only one with a mobile phone, received a call from his wife. His wife quietly told them not to go back to the village for the time being because a city – dweller had come to their home and said that they had run away before finishing the house demolition. He must have thought they had found some treasures and was determined to get them back…

Tom was very unhappy. He decided to return the things to the city – dweller. Anyway, they were all fake and not worth much. The others had no objections. Immediately, the seven of them went back to Tom’s house. As soon as the city – dweller saw them, he loudly accused them of being unprofessional. Tom and his friends could only smile apologetically and admit their mistakes. They honestly gave all the “treasures” to the city – dweller. When the city – dweller saw the twenty – two “gold bars,” his anger immediately disappeared. His eyes lit up, and he presented these “gold bars” to an old man who had come with him for appraisal. The old man took out a magnifying glass and carefully examined each gold bar. Then he whispered something in the city – dweller’s ear. The city – dweller nodded seriously and then put the gold bars into a small leather suitcase. Before leaving, the city – dweller took out a stack of dollars from his bag and handed it to Tom. “Brother, this is ten thousand dollars. Thank you!”

Tom asked in surprise, “Aren’t the gold bars fake?” The city – dweller smiled and whispered in Tom’s ear, “One is fake, and the rest are real!”

The city – dweller left happily, but Tom was very depressed. Twenty – one of the gold bars were real, and only one was fake! And Tom and his friends had chosen this only fake one to be appraised. How unlucky they were! At this time, Jack and the other six people shouted, “Tom, we should also get a share of this ten thousand dollars, right?”

Tom didn’t say a word. He stared blankly at the city – dweller’s back as it gradually disappeared. Suddenly, he let out a tragic cry, “My gold!”