Precious - Object Identification Eye

Chapter 4: Setting the Trap

"Hello! Is there something you need?" Yang Bo pretended not to recognize the other person, his face showing a somewhat silly expression.

"Young man, hello! Were you the one squatting next to me just now?" Director Qu narrowed his eyes and said.

Yang Bo was stunned, thinking that it was bad news, but he denied it verbally, "Oh? I didn't notice."

Director Qu laughed, "Young man, you have good eyesight. This fish basket vase was what I had my eye on earlier. The stall owner is a slippery fellow; if he knew I wanted it, he would definitely raise the price. So, I planned to take a detour and come back to buy it later, but I didn't expect you to scoop it up!"

Yang Bo was filled with doubt and didn't know how to react. He was well aware that what he had done was a bit shady, but he couldn't afford to worry about that now. Despite having made up his mind, Yang Bo was still young and felt a twinge of shame. "Oh, I'm so sorry about that," he said.

Director Qu waved his hand and smiled, "Young brother, since you also like it, it means we have some common ground. How about we discuss it together?"

After hesitating for a moment, Yang Bo wanted to refuse, but then he thought that if he could communicate with Director Qu and truly understand the fish basket vase, he wouldn't have to worry about being cheated by others when selling it. "Sure, please give me your guidance!" he agreed.

Director Qu smiled, "It's too noisy here. Let's go to a quieter place."

Yang Bo nodded and followed him with the fish basket vase in his arms.

They walked out of the alley in the ghost market and turned a corner before arriving in front of a brightly lit shop. Yang Bo was startled and looked up to see the words "Antiquity Hall"!

Standing in front of the door, Yang Bo hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and following Director Qu inside. At that moment, the owner of Antiquity Hall, Mr. Jia, came forward. He heard Director Qu politely say, "Mr. Jia, I'm bothering you again after treasure hunting in the ghost market!"

Mr. Jia clasped his hands and said, "It's an honor for Antiquity Hall to have Director Qu visit. How could it be a bother?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Mr. Jia finally noticed Yang Bo standing aside, "Xiao Yang, why are you here?"

"Oh? Mr. Jia knows Xiao Yang?" Director Qu seemed interested.

"Yang Bo works at Gude Antique Shop," Mr. Jia explained. "Director Qu, why did you bring him here?"

Director Qu smiled slightly at Yang Bo and explained, "Xiao Yang just bought this fish basket vase and asked me to help check its authenticity. Seeing that your shop was open, we came over."

Yang Bo looked at Director Qu with gratitude in his eyes because he knew that Director Qu hadn't revealed the details, which was a way of protecting him. He stepped forward, placed the fish basket vase on the table, and then stepped back.

Mr. Jia took a glance at it and laughed, "Xiao Yang has only learned about antiques for a year or two on his own. It's quite lucky for him to get Director Qu to appraise it just because he asked!"

Director Qu waved his hand and smiled, "Let's not waste time. Let's see what this fish basket vase is all about first!"

With that, Director Qu took out his magnifying glass and started examining the fish basket vase closely.

The fish basket vase was named after its resemblance to a fisherman's fishing basket, but in reality, it didn't have much practical use and could only serve as an ornament.

Mr. Jia looked at Yang Bo with some interest, wondering how this kid got such lucky and suspecting that the fish basket vase was probably a fake.

Director Qu tapped and examined it before sitting down and nodding slightly to Mr. Jia. Mr. Jia didn't hesitate either and took out his magnifying glass for a closer look.

Soon, Mr. Jia stood up, and Director Qu asked, "What do you think, Mr. Jia?"

Mr. Jia pondered for a moment and then shook his head, "I can't tell."

Yang Bo was filled with doubt. Not being able to tell meant that the fish basket vase was a counterfeit, but in his eyes, it did have some reaction!

Mr. Jia hesitated and said, "This imitation Jun kiln fish basket vase looks full, but actually, its belly is too bulging, which ruins the overall beauty!"

Director Qu also looked hesitant and nodded, "The lighting was dim when I observed it before, so I couldn't see clearly. Now it does seem as you said!"

Yang Bo stared at the fish basket vase. To him, it felt smooth and well-shaped, far from being "too bulging."

Regardless, being denied by two people he trusted made Yang Bo's heart waver. He felt dizzy, a wave of darkness engulfing him. He had come out hoping to make some money for his father's medical treatment, but now it seemed all his hopes were dashed. The eighty-five thousand needed for his father's treatment felt like a heavy stone pressing on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.

"Xiao Yang, finding bargains in the ghost market isn't easy. You must have heard many success stories, but remember that success is rare! Most people end up being deceived and losing everything!" Mr. Jia advised him. He exchanged a glance with Director Qu and added, "Xiao Yang, life is tough. Let me help you with this fish basket vase. At least there's a chance to sell it if it stays with me. If it goes with you, you'll definitely lose out!"

Yang Bo stared at the fish basket vase, and suddenly, a thick halo circle formed around it, looking surreal and making him dazed. He heard Mr. Jia's words and couldn't help but look over.

Then Mr. Jia continued, "Xiao Yang, how about fifty bucks for this fish basket vase?"

Yang Bo frowned, not knowing what to do!

Was he really going to give up? If the porcelain was fake, what other options did he have? If he was repeatedly deceived by his own eyes, could it be an eye disease?

No, he couldn't give up easily! Thinking of his mother's teary eyes and his father's groans of pain, Yang Bo decided to fight for it!

"Thank you, Mr. Jia, but let me take another look!" Yang Bo walked over and hugged the fish basket vase tightly!

Mr. Jia was shocked and angry, "Xiao Yang, what do you mean by this?"

"I just want to go out and have another look!" Yang Bo shook his head firmly.

"If you think my offer is too low, just say so. Even if you ask for a bit more, it's fine. But if you leave with that fish basket vase, don't come back!" Mr. Jia stood up, his voice stern!

Holding the fish basket vase, Yang Bo noticed that Director Qu looked surprised and doubtful. A glimmer of hope rose in his heart. There were tricks in this business, and maybe he was being tricked by both of them!

Thinking this way, Yang Bo ignored Mr. Jia's attitude even more and turned to walk outside. If he wasn't coming back, so be it!

Mr. Jia was so angry that his lips trembled, "Yang Bo, you think you're clever now! Don't come to me again in the future!"

Yang Bo walked straight out without looking back because he knew he had no choice but to move forward!