Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1542: Chapter 1526: The Shadow of Light

Tang Jun was eager to hear the news that these experts couldn’t determine, and seeing Xie Daoyuan and Zhuang Xiangyang both at a loss, a gleam of joy flashed in his eyes, as he said urgently:

”I feel sometimes this stuff isn’t necessarily reliable; the antiquities trade is too mysterious with truth and falsehood intertwined. Since both teachers can’t spot the issue, then this coin is real!”

”That’s where you’re wrong, Little Tang. Fake things can never become real!”

Zhuang Xiangyang disagreed with Tang Jun’s opinion, sighed deeply, and slowly shook his head, saying:

”The essence and nature of antiques are not in the object’s intrinsic value, but in the historical spirit, energy, and essence it carries through time.”

”So, if the feeling is off, it’s actually sensing a difference in spirit, energy, and essence. Don’t be fooled by Huo Sining’s youth; her intuition in this aspect is sharper than us old folks.”

”If she can detect an issue with this ancient coin, there’s still doubt about it. I think it needs further verification, which aligns with my usual principles. Hence, I can’t issue a certificate for your item.”

Hearing Zhuang Xiangyang’s refusal, Tang Jun’s expression froze.

Zhuang Xiangyang’s face was very serious. Clearly, he didn’t think this was a matter to easily agree upon:

”No need to rush; if the item is genuine, you surely won’t lose by holding onto it. For now, keep it safe, and later, if I encounter an expert in copper antiquities, we’ll find a way to re-evaluate it.”

With that, Zhuang Xiangyang reached out to retrieve the two coins.

However, as he was preparing to place the coins back into the plastic case, the room’s light passed through the round square hole of the coin, casting a dim yellow shadow on the black tabletop.

The shadow flashed by but was caught by the sharp-eyed Huo Sining, triggering a sudden inspiration that left her stunned.

”Wait!”

Her eyes brightened as she abruptly shouted, stopping Zhuang Xiangyang’s next move.

”Professor Zhuang, could you please give me the coins?” Huo Sining’s tone carried excitement and uncertainty.

Zhuang Xiangyang didn’t know what Huo Sining intended, yet since she had asked, he obediently handed her the coins.

Huo Sining took the coin, pinching its edge between thumb and forefinger, aiming at the ceiling light source, raising her head to scrutinize.

After a few unsuccessful glances, she urgently called to Liao Song on one side: ”Big Brother Liao, I remember you carrying a flashlight, could you lend it to me?”

”Huh? Oh.” Liao Song clumsily retrieved the flashlight from his bag and handed it to Huo Sining.

Everyone was baffled about Huo Sining’s intentions, but she didn’t bother explaining to them. She eagerly turned on the flashlight, still holding the coin’s edge between thumb and forefinger, then directed the flashlight toward the upper round square hole of the coin.

The light source exactly cast onto the black coffee table, revealing a yellow circular blot.

Huo Sining adjusted the light source’s distance and rotated the coin’s orientation several times.

After some adjustments, astonishingly, the blot slowly became clearer, finally revealing a simplified Chinese character on the black table!

Zhong.

Seeing the character emerge, everyone present was dumbfounded.

One coin wasn’t enough to indicate a problem, so Huo Sining picked up another coin, replicated the method, and soon, the other coin similarly revealed a simplified Zhong character.

Seeing the Zhong character formed by the shadow, Tang Jun almost dropped his jaw in amazement.

”It’s really Zhong Fang; it’s Zhong Fang again!”

Zhuang Xiangyang’s eyes were full of shock, reaching out to pick up one of the coins, rubbing it for a long time before sighing heavily:

”It seems Old Zhou was right; if we don’t find the person making Zhong Fang quickly, the domestic antiques market might soon be ruined by Zhong Fang. This person’s counterfeiting skill has reached such a transcendental level; it’s truly frightening!”

Huo Sining was equally astonished; initially, she only drew inspiration upon seeing the shadow, thinking of utilizing light to test it. She never expected, upon verification, to genuinely reveal the simplified Zhong character.

That even ancient coins could harbor such ingenious tricks. This Old Mr. Zhong not only possessed extraordinary craftsmanship but also great ingenuity. How exactly did he achieve this?

Realizing the coins he purchased for three million displayed the simplified Zhong character, there was no need for further explanation from Huo Sining and Zhuang Xiangyang. Tang Jun knew he had been deceived.

His face darkened with anger, bitter towards the person who sold him counterfeit goods, grinding his teeth in hatred.

Meanwhile, Huo Sining inwardly shook her head. She didn’t sympathize with Tang Jun since, had he not been intent on taking advantage of others, he wouldn’t have been deceived.

He had such a mindset, assuming others were fools, thinking he alone knew the origin of the National Treasure Jin Kui Zhi Wan, eagerly purchasing the coins.

The relic vendor exploited the greed of collectors like him, successfully seizing the opportunity.

Now that the purchase was made, the individual who sold him replicas likely fled with the money. Retrieval chances seemed very slim.

”Boss Tang, in this antiquities trade, everyone suffers losses sometimes. Think of this as tuition fees.” Seeing Tang Jun’s eyes reddened with anger, Huo Sining couldn’t help comforting him.

However, her consolation was somewhat unpalatable to Tang Jun, for three million wasn’t a small sum. Huo Sining’s ease in saying so came from being able to casually gamble on a piece of raw material to earn multiple three million, but for people like Tang Jun, three million cost them nearly half a year’s labor.

”This damn Gao Yuyuan, he must be behind this! He suggested leading me to buy some bronze artifacts, but instead, I met a farmer wanting to sell ancient coins. Seriously, how could such a coincidence happen, where a windfall would drop on my head? Clearly, Gao Yuyuan had planned this to lure me in! Damn it!”

Tang Jun, filled with anger, calmed down gradually and reflected on the circumstances of purchasing the coins, slowly piecing it together.

Huo Sining, hearing him cursing and mentioning a key person, couldn’t resist asking curiously: ”Who is Gao Yuyuan? A friend of yours?”