Chapter 3
Jiang Cheng frowned at the sound and turned to look at the speaker.
In his forties, with a tall and slim build and long hair, the man had an artistic appearance. His name was Zhang Xingrui, one of the shop owners in the Antique Market. However, his reputation in the industry was quite poor. Zhang had swindled many antique enthusiasts by passing off fakes as genuine antiques, and he had even orchestrated schemes that led people to financial ruin.
Jiang Cheng’s grandfather, Jiang Dajun, was a man of integrity and deeply disliked Zhang Xingrui. They had many conflicts, and Jiang Cheng suspected that Zhang Xingrui might have been involved in schemes that deceived his grandfather. However, there was no evidence to prove it yet.
Jiang Cheng’s expression turned unpleasant. He said coldly, “Some people should manage their own affairs. One day, they might just get killed by a victim in the streets.”
Jiang Cheng was determined to investigate his grandfather’s schemes thoroughly someday, and when that day came, he would seek vengeance. For now, he had no desire to engage with Zhang Xingrui and turned his attention back to the vendor.
“How much for this porcelain plate?” Jiang Cheng asked.
The middle-aged vendor put down his phone and looked at the yellow-glazed porcelain plate. He said, “This plate is quite pretty. How about a thousand yuan?” His tone indicated that he didn’t believe the plate was genuine but was simply selling it as a beautiful imitation.
“That’s a bit expensive,” Jiang Cheng replied calmly, his expression natural.
After some haggling, they agreed on a price of six hundred yuan, and the vendor packed the plate in a wooden box.
Seeing that Jiang Cheng had actually bought the yellow-glazed porcelain plate, Zhang Xingrui, who had been watching the scene, burst into laughter. “Hahaha, a new joke in Tang City Antique Market has been born! Six hundred yuan for an official kiln porcelain plate from a street stall, hahaha!”
Zhang Xingrui laughed heartily, almost to the point of tears.
Jiang Cheng ignored him, treating him as a clown. For now, his abilities were not enough to deal with Zhang Xingrui effectively.
But just wait.
Jiang Cheng quickly got up, thought for a moment, and headed toward the direction of Wanbao Pavilion.
There were many well-known large shops in the Antique Market, but the one offering the highest prices for porcelain was Wanbao Pavilion. Its owner, Xu Zheng, was a nationally renowned porcelain appraisal master.
Jiang Cheng was going to Wanbao Pavilion for two reasons: First, to confirm the accuracy of his left eye’s appraisal ability. Although he had verified it before, finding official kiln porcelain from a street stall was still somewhat absurd.
Second, if it was indeed genuine, he would sell it directly to Wanbao Pavilion. He was in urgent need of money and wanted to make a quick profit.
Zhang Xingrui watched Jiang Cheng’s direction thoughtfully for a moment and seemed to guess what he intended to do. He sneered, “Daring to get it appraised? Dream on! I think Nabao Pavilion is going to go out of business now.”
“Jiang Dajun’s grandson is also a fool. In a couple of days, I’ll set up another scheme to acquire Nabao Pavilion’s shop.” He had long coveted the well-located Nabao Pavilion shop.
Originally, he thought that after Jiang Dajun’s death, Nabao Pavilion would soon go out of business, and acquiring it would be simple. Unexpectedly, Jiang Cheng had inherited it.
Fortunately, Jiang Cheng was a fool.
With this thought, Zhang Xingrui followed Jiang Cheng closely.
…
Wanbao Pavilion was a large and stylishly decorated store with many customers inside. Two employees were attending to customers while the owner, Xu Zheng, was reading a book and drinking tea at the counter.
“Master Xu.” Jiang Cheng approached Xu Zheng politely.
Xu Zheng looked up and smiled, “Xiao Cheng, what brings you here? Has your grandfather’s funeral been taken care of?” Xu Zheng and Jiang Dajun had known each other for years. Their relationship wasn’t particularly close, but they were familiar.
Jiang Cheng nodded and responded, “Yes, Master Xu. Are you available now?”
“Something up?”
Just as Jiang Cheng was about to take the yellow-glazed porcelain plate out of the wooden box, Zhang Xingrui walked into Wanbao Pavilion. He intentionally spoke loudly, “Boss Xu, you might not know, but this kid bought a ‘kiln porcelain plate’ from a street stall and wants you to appraise it, hahaha.”
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng looked at Zhang Xingrui expressionlessly and said, “Still haunting me?”
“Kid, don’t be so harsh. I’m at least your senior, worried that you might be cheated. Don’t end up like your grandfather, dying from a botched appraisal and becoming a joke,” Zhang Xingrui said with a face full of glee.
Jiang Cheng’s face turned extremely unpleasant. He stared at Zhang Xingrui and quickly thought of something. He suddenly asked, “Zhang Xingrui, I heard you’re very interested in my family’s shop?”
This unexpected question surprised Zhang Xingrui. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to drop the pretense and said, “Yes. That shop’s location is really wasted on you guys running Nabao Pavilion. Are you planning to sell it to me?”
Jiang Cheng smiled, “Let’s make a bet then.”
“Hmm?” Zhang Xingrui was puzzled.
Jiang Cheng picked up the wooden box in his hand and said, “Let’s bet on whether this porcelain plate is real or fake. If it’s a fake, I’ll sell you the shop. If it’s real, you owe me 100,000. What do you say?”
Upon hearing this, even Xu Zheng, who was nearby, was taken aback. After a moment’s hesitation, he advised, “Xiao Cheng, don’t be impulsive.” He knew that Jiang Cheng wasn’t an expert in identifying antiques.
Zhang Xingrui, on the other hand, was delighted and said, “Haha, great, it’s a deal!” He was afraid that Jiang Cheng might back out, as he didn’t believe for a moment that the yellow-glazed porcelain plate could be real.
After a pause, Zhang Xingrui added, “Let’s make a written agreement and ask Mr. Xu to be a witness.”
Xu Zheng was a respected figure in the Antique Market. With him as a witness, it would be difficult for Jiang Cheng to back out, otherwise, his reputation would be completely tarnished, and he wouldn’t be able to continue in the Antique Market. His shop would also have to be sold.
In Zhang Xingrui’s view, the bet was already in his favor.
If he won, no matter if Jiang Cheng kept his promise or tried to avoid it, the shop would be his for sure.
As for losing?
Zhang Xingrui didn’t even consider that possibility.
“Alright.” Jiang Cheng replied calmly.
Seeing that Jiang Cheng agreed, Xu Zheng shook his head and sighed, unable to dissuade him. Given his long-standing relationship with Jiang Dajun, it was quite something that he even spoke up at all.
Subsequently, Zhang Xingrui, with a face full of smiles, and Jiang Cheng wrote up an agreement. Both signed, and Xu Zheng was asked to be the witness.
“It’s also good. Xiao Cheng, if you sell the shop, you can do something else.” Xu Zheng looked at the written agreement, held it in his hand, and sighed as he spoke to Jiang Cheng.
Jiang Cheng maintained his composure and said nothing more. He placed the wooden box containing the yellow-glazed porcelain plate on the counter and said, “Mr. Xu, please take a look.”
“Haha, is there really a need to check? If you could find a genuine imperial kiln porcelain from a street stall, I’d write my name backwards. I suggest we discuss the price for selling the shop. Don’t worry, since it’s for your grandfather’s sake, I’ll offer a higher price.” Zhang Xingrui said, very pleased, with a tone of sarcasm.
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