Leaving the jade shop, Lu Zheng continued wandering through Treasure Tower, visiting two more stores.
This time, Lu Zheng had learned his lesson, insisting on velvet cloths and gloves each time.
His behaviour amused the owners of both shops, but they complied with his requests.
Because both charged appraisal fees.
One was five hundred, the other eight hundred!
And these weren’t even proper appraisals, just quick looks and initial judgments.
The first shop declared Lu Zheng’s bloodstone fake, while the other called it dyed Xiuyu jade.
It wasn’t until the third shop that his phoenix bloodstone seal was valued at three million.
Finally, Lu Zheng arrived at a large jade store at the other end of the street, Haibao Pavilion.
“It’s nice, but a pity, though the flaws don’t overshadow its merits, the value drops significantly.”
“The colour is vibrant, but too uniform, lacking natural patterns, not aesthetically pleasing.”
“There’s a slight colour difference between the inside and outside, easily mistaken for a fake.”
“However, our carving master could touch it up, might still be salvageable.”
“Sir, the top-grade bloodstones on the market go for just over a million. With its flaws, if you’re set on selling, we can offer fifty thousand!”
“Sir, those auction reports are just insider bidding tricks to inflate prices. How many deals actually close over the years? They’re all offline trades.”
“Don’t believe me? I can refer you to an auction house for an on-site consultation!”
“Of course, you could go through the auction process, deducting appraisal and handling fees, that’s fine too.”
“Sir! Sir, don’t leave yet, we can discuss the price further.”
“We’re sincere, and we’re telling the truth. Other small shops either lack expertise or are full of scams, places that chew you up and spit you out.”
“Sir, here’s my card, my phone number’s my WeChat. Add me anytime, I can have our A-grade appraiser take another look.”
Lu Zheng politely, but with difficulty, extricated himself from Haibao Pavilion.
“What era is this, still using tricks from a decade ago? No wonder they’re reduced to tourist business.”
Lu Zheng glanced back at Haibao Pavilion’s lavish storefront at the street corner, then walked away without looking back.
…
At noon, Lu Zheng grabbed a quick bite, then returned to the first shop from the morning, Zhongyu Studio.
“They say people shop around and end up back at the first place. Didn’t think I’d fall for that cliché too.”
Lu Zheng muttered to himself, “Good thing the boss here isn’t a pretty girl, or this would feel straight out of an urban web novel.”
Then he spotted a pretty girl.
She wore white strappy sandals with rhinestone accents, a knee-length sleeveless sky-blue knitted dress, a watch on her wrist, a bag on her lap, sitting elegantly, tall and poised, with long, straight black hair past her shoulders, seated at a round table in Zhongyu Studio, listening attentively.
As for her appearance, Lu Zheng could only say he’d never seen such a refined girl.
When she noticed Lu Zheng enter, her eyes flicked toward him briefly, without turning her head.
Lu Zheng quickly glanced at her, not lingering, and soon locked eyes with the shop’s boss.
He also noticed another older man.
Gu Pingzhong wasn’t at the counter but seated with the older man at a round table inside, pouring tea for him.
“Boss!”
“You’re back. What, couldn’t find a better offer than mine?”
“Two said it’s fake, one valued it at three million, another at fifty thousand.”
Since Gu Pingzhong had made an offer, Lu Zheng had nothing to hide.
“You didn’t look in the right places. There are sharp-eyed experts out there,” Gu Pingzhong smiled, “but they’ve got to be around.”
Many experts, like him, didn’t sit in their shops all day.
“I don’t have the energy to traipse around.”
“That’s millions we’re talking about!”
Lu Zheng said matter-of-factly, “Exactly, so I’d rather secure the deal!”
As Lu Zheng and Gu Pingzhong talked, the older man and the girl glanced his way, showing slight interest at the mention of millions.
“Sit!” Gu Pingzhong pointed to a chair at the table, “I’ll call an old friend to come over, but let me finish this deal first.”
“No rush, take your time,” Lu Zheng shook his head, then asked tentatively, “Um, can I watch you do business?”
Before Gu Pingzhong could reply, the older man laughed, “We’re not doing anything illegal, just trading collectibles. What’s there to hide?”
As Gu Pingzhong made a call, the older man sized up Lu Zheng, wondering what treasure he was planning to sell.
Lu Zheng sat down, now properly looking at the older man.
Dressed in casual clothes, Lu Zheng couldn’t identify the brand, but they looked comfortable, smooth, and refined, likely expensive.
His face was ordinary, but his bright eyes, paired with neatly combed black hair, gave him a strong presence.
Probably a successful businessman.
Then, Lu Zheng’s gaze shifted to a wooden box on the table, about twenty centimetres square, containing a pair of white jade bangles.
That must be the deal.
After Gu Pingzhong finished his brief call, he continued with the older man, “So, Master Liu kept that Hetian seed jade hidden for twenty years and split it into three parts. I was there, took one share, and made a few pieces of jewellery. The most valuable is this pair of Double Phoenix Prosperity white jade bangles.”
“I see. So, at three million, these bangles are indeed worth it.”
“Exactly.”
Lu Zheng was speechless. Another multi-million deal? Was this how the antique trade worked?
They chatted more about the jade’s story, and Lu Zheng listened quietly, not interrupting, occasionally glancing at the girl, who was also listening attentively.
Then, accidentally, their eyes met.
They shared a knowing smile, then looked away.
After the tea was finished and the payment transferred, the deal concluded in a friendly atmosphere. The older man took the bangles, removed the girl’s watch, and put a bangle on her wrist.
Lu Zheng blinked, suddenly feeling the scene was a bit off.
Then, as they stood to leave, Gu Pingzhong saw them to the door. Lu Zheng noticed the girl take the older man’s arm, whispering closely as they walked off, oblivious to others.
Lu Zheng’s sharp eyes caught her quickly kissing the older man’s cheek.
Lu Zheng: ╭(°A°`)╮
