Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 594: Chapter 592: So It’s Him

Upon seeing the pair of jade cups, Huo Sining couldn’t help but brighten up.

This wasn’t her first time strolling through the Antique Street in S City with Su Qingqing. They had been here countless times before without much to show for it, but she had never expected to come across such a fine item today.

It seemed that Su Qingqing’s words were proving true. They had encountered robbers and had a narrow escape from death today; perhaps it really was a matter of luck.

Huo Sining felt that she must check the old almanac when she got back from shopping to see if today was a day for good fortune in business and to be cautious about travelling.

Everyone could clearly sense the burning eagerness in the eyes of the man shouting offers, yet clearly, the owner of the jade cups—the vendor before them—did not believe that half a million yuan could secure his jade cups, so both of them stood their ground, neither willing to budge.

Huo Sining raised her head to take a closer look at the vendor—he was just in his twenties, his skin somewhat darkened but he appeared amiable, of course, if his face wasn’t shadowed with its current stern expression.

However, for some reason, Huo Sining felt that the vendor looked familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere before, yet she couldn’t recall his name.

”Mr. Song, I made it very clear to you at the market ten days ago. If it weren’t for our prior agreement, I wouldn’t have brought these cups out today. Without one million, I’m not selling these cups, so you might as well give up.”

Upon hearing this, Mr. Song’s face became extremely unsightly, a shadowy layer of gloom flashing across his eyes, but it was obvious he hadn’t given up:

”Young man, your cups are decent, but that’s the price they would fetch in a store. One million is really too much. Besides, it was your uncle who referred me, so in light of your uncle’s face, how about selling me a favor?”

The vendor’s expression turned impatient after hearing this, he snorted coldly, and retorted:

”What a joke. You reneged on the deal first, breaking your promise. Why should I do you any favors? Even blood brothers should settle accounts clearly—there are no fathers and sons in business, Mr. Song. Do you think my uncle’s face is of any use here?”

”As for your offer of half a million, do you really think I don’t understand market prices? This is a Song Dynasty Luminescent Cup, perfectly preserved. Just try to buy it at any auction house without spending one or two million. Do you think I would sell it to you for half a million if it weren’t for my uncle introducing you?”

”Song Dynasty Luminescent Cup?!”

The vendor’s words stunned many people around them.

Those who frequented Antique Street were somewhat knowledgeable and often came hoping to find undervalued treasures. Now, hearing that there was a pair of Song Dynasty Luminescent Cups available, they were abuzz with excitement.

Huo Sining couldn’t help but lower her head to look at the cups as well.

Even though she hadn’t touched them, she had a strong intuition that these cups were indeed genuine antiques.

The more she dealt with antiques, the more sensitive she became to the purple aura they emitted. Just crouching next to these jade cups made her feel as if the purple aura was about to overflow, freshening her breath and refreshing her considerably.

This was a phenomenon only centuries-old antiques would possess.

Moreover, in terms of the jade quality and appearance, the cups were very likely Lantian Jade Cups from the Song Dynasty.

Centuries-old cups, especially ones so well-preserved, could be bought for half a million and flipped for more than double that amount. What’s more, the price of Song Dynasty jade artifacts had been skyrocketing in recent years. Even just keeping them as collectibles at home had great potential for appreciation.

People around started to murmur among themselves, some with envy and greed in their eyes, and others with a calculating glint, pondering other possibilities.

Of course, there were also those who were itching to make an offer but refrained out of respect for Mr. Song, who hadn’t yet said he wasn’t interested.

This was also a rule in the antique world: Unless someone clearly indicates they don’t want an item, others cannot just jump in with their own offers.

It was obvious Mr. Song understood this rule, but he had only prepared half a million.

The price he had negotiated with the vendor was one million, but he thought the vendor did not understand the true value of the cups and tried to talk him down with some persuasive words.

Unexpectedly for Mr. Song, this young vendor neither cared for his face nor for his wits; the vendor revealed the secret of the cups and bluntly criticized Mr. Song’s character, leaving him feeling both embarrassed and angered.

Antique trading is like this: Prices are never certain, but a deal is only considered complete once silver exchanges hands.

Now, without batting an eyelid, the vendor had made it clear. Mr. Song needed to think twice if he wanted to secure this deal, and it was evident that the vendor was not one to be easily swayed.

After pondering for a few seconds, his eyes rolling around, Mr. Song finally spoke up:

”A Liang, antiques can’t be evaluated just by your saying so—the authenticity is not always clear. Your cups haven’t been authenticated by experts, so who knows if they’re genuinely from the Song Dynasty.”

”How about this, I’ll add another hundred thousand. As you should know, an antique’s true value isn’t recognized without an expert’s certification. That hundred thousand can be considered your cost for taking them to a testing center. What do you say?”

Mr. Song felt no shame in saying this, proposing that a one million yuan article was worth only half a million, which was understandable from someone looking for a bargain.

But the seller had already made the origin of the cups crystal clear, and he was still trying to drive the price down, even suggesting that even the cost of appraisal should be borne by the seller—he really had no shame!

Those around who understood Mr. Song’s words showed expressions of disdain. Huo Sining, listening on the side, also couldn’t help but curl her lip and express her contempt.

”If that’s the case, then there’s nothing more to discuss, Mr. Song. This deal is off, and I’m not selling the cups.”

With that, the vendor promptly placed the Luminescent Cups into a wooden box.

Then, in just a few movements, he folded up the oilcloth from his stall, packed everything into a backpack behind him, and without minding the spectating crowd, he stood up ready to leave.

”You!”

Mr. Song, not expecting the vendor to pack up and leave without further ado, was infuriated, his face turning an ashen shade of blue as the vendor caught his wrathful stare.

”Hmph, Zhao Yuliang, don’t blame me for not warning you; your cups, without expert validation, will never sell. Remember, your mother is waiting for that money for her surgery. I want to see just how long you can hold out!”

Zhao Yuliang? Hearing this name, Huo Sining froze.

She knew she had seen the vendor somewhere before—it was him!