Chapter 18: Mister Tang

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“You can say whatever you want,” said Xu Yang.

Xu Yang had to deal with these two. Anyway, he knew what was going on. In fact, with his knowledge of appraising, he quickly figured out why the owner of the shop considered this painting a fake.

Everything else about the painting was fine, just like an authentic piece, but it looked a bit blurry. That was because there was an extremely thin film on top of this painting, something very hard to detect. Unless it was a master appraiser, no one could find it. The owner of the antique shop was not at that level, so he didn’t notice it.

Chen Guanglei sneered and said, “We’ve hit the nail on the head, haven’t we?”

Xu Yang didn’t pay attention to Chen Guanglei and said to Guo Shan, “Since the owner of this shop doesn’t want your painting, I’ll buy it for 50,000 yuan.”

It was a painting worth 50 million yuan, so it seemed quite unfair to Guo Shan to sell it for 50,000 yuan. But in this business, that’s just how it was. It could only be said that Guo Shan didn’t have the luck to get this money.

Xu Yang would have been willing to give Guo Shan more, even a few hundred thousand or a million. But if he did it now, it would surely arouse suspicion and Guo Shan would think the painting was very valuable and probably wouldn’t sell it to Xu Yang.

Guo Shan immediately said, “Okay, thank you.”

Xu Yang said, “Okay, let’s exchange WeChat contacts, and I’ll transfer the money to you.”

Guo Shan said, “Sure.”

The two exchanged WeChat contacts, and Xu Yang transferred 50,000 directly to Guo Shan.

“Thank you so much, you’re a great person. I have another family heirloom at home, a painting by Tang Bohu. Would you like to buy it and hang it on your wall for appreciation? If you want it, I can go get it for you right away,” Guo Shan said with a smile.

“No need, I saw this painting and thought it was nice, so having this one is enough,” Xu Yang said as he waved his hand.

“Alright, if you want anything in the future, you can contact me. I can get it for you. Goodbye,” Guo Shan smiled and left.

“Spending 50,000 on such a painting, what a fool!” Chen Guanglei mocked.

“Do you have to use such foul language? It’s not appropriate,” Xu Yang asked and frowned.

“What’s inappropriate about it? You’re a fool, and I’m just stating a fact.” Chen Guanglei sneered.

“I thought earlier that you two might be putting on a show,” Gao Chengwen said. “Now I’m sure, you’re not putting on a show. You really are a fool, getting swindled out of 50,000!

“Earlier, that guy, before he left, clearly revealed his identity. He’s just a street vendor who resells antiques. Thank goodness I didn’t raise the price, or I would have been the one losing money,” Gao Chengwen said as he shook his head.

“Is that so? Is he a peddler selling antiques?” asked Xu Yang.

Xu Yang was stunned when he thought back to what Guo Shan said earlier, it seemed to be true. Guo Shan mentioned that if Xu Yang needed anything, he could contact him to get it. That made Guo Shan sound like an antique dealer.

“I can confirm it.” Gao Chengwen nodded and said. “Young man, you probably thought you had landed a treasure, but it’s not that easy. If it was that easy, everyone would be rich, and I wouldn’t even need to open a shop here.”

“If you can find a treasure, I’ll be the king of treasures.” Chen Guanglei sneered.

Zhao Yulu also said, “Xu Yang, you are becoming more and more unrealistic. If you continue like this, the money you earned in the futures market will be lost sooner or later.”

Xu Yang didn’t pay attention to what Zhao Yulu and Chen Guanglei said, thinking about what Gao Chengwen had said. ‘Could that guy really be an antique reseller?’

Xu Yang had wanted to compensate the guy with more money after some time, maybe several hundred thousand or even a million. After all, the painting was worth 50 million. But if Guo Shan was an antique reseller, there was no need to give him more.

Just then, another young man in his late twenties walked in.

“Mr. Gao, did someone just buy a fake Wu Daozi painting for 50,000 in your shop?” The young man was a relative of the owner of the antique shop across the street and was familiar with Gao Chengwen.

“Yes, it’s him who bought it,” Gao Chengwen said, pointing to Xu Yang.

“Wow, buddy, you actually spent 50,000 on that guy’s painting? He bought it for a few hundred from a street vendor. You’ve been had,” the young man said sympathetically, looking at Xu Yang.

“Xu Yang, did you hear that? Now you know you’re a fool.” Chen Guanglei taunted.

“Xu Yang, I’m really worried about my sister. Being someone like you, she’s not going to be happy,” Zhao Yulu said.

Xu Yang glanced at them but didn’t say anything. Only he knew that the painting was authentic. He didn’t plan to explain to these people, and even if he did, they wouldn’t believe him. He would take the painting back, have it appraised by an authoritative expert, and then sell it.

As long as it was authentic, there would be no shortage of buyers. Xu Yang thought he could even find an auction house and let others bid on it. Perhaps it could even be sold off for fifty million. Sometimes, in an auction house, prices would go higher than in regular transactions.

Xu Yang was about to put the painting away when a voice rang out, “Wait!”

The voice came from the entrance.

Xu Yang turned to see a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties walking in.

“Mr. Tang, why are you here? Your visit to my shop truly honors us,” Gao Chengwen said, welcoming the middle-aged man with a big smile.

The newcomer was Tang Zhengqi, the vice president of Jaster City’s Antique Appreciation Association, a renowned expert in antique appraisal. Many people who weren’t sure about something often sought his opinion.

“Mr. Gao, let’s not chat for now. I’d like to take a look at this painting,” Tang Zhengqi said to Gao Chengwen and then came over to Xu Yang, staring at the painting for a while before turning to Xu Yang and asking, “Young man, did you buy this painting?”

“Yes.” Xu Yang nodded.

“Mr. Gao, did you sell this to him?” Tang Zhengqi asked Gao Chengwen.

“No, it was someone else who…” Gao Chengwen explained the situation. He also mentioned what the young man had said earlier.

“This guy is a fool, spending 50,000 yuan on a painting that someone else bought for a few hundred from a street vendor,” Chen Guanglei seized every opportunity to taunt Xu Yang.

“Xu Yang, did you hear that? You know you’re a fool now,” Zhao Yulu said.

Ever since Xu Yang came to the shop, he had been called a fool many times. Chen Guanglei made it clear that he didn’t like Xu Yang at all. Whenever Chen Guanglei saw Xu Yang, he would think that Xu Yang had been with the Zhao sisters and Chen Guanglei was unhappy about it.

Tang Zhengqi looked at Chen Guanglei, then at Gao Chengwen, and finally at the young man before saying slowly, “If he’s a fool, I’m afraid there are no smart people in this world.”

Everyone was taken aback.

Gao Chengwen quickly asked, “Mr. Tang, what do you mean?”

Tang Zhengqi pointed to the painting on the table that hadn’t been put away yet and said, “This painting is authentic.”