TDDDMFM Chapter 23: Foolish People with Plenty of Money
"So, it turns out I'm the one with poor eyesight. Little brother, you're the real master here. You saw through this as a Jiaxuan painting early on. Admiration, truly admiration. Your insight is sharp, and I'm humbled!"
With great respect, Song Tianyu handed back the "Rain Washes the Mountain Roots" painting to Zhou Xiaobei.
There was a lot of admiration in his words.
Zhou Xiaobei didn't hold back either, pretending to be magnanimous and laughing, "Haha, who hasn't made mistakes when they were young? It's good to recognize and correct them. Hahaha..."
Song Tianyu: "..."
The most embarrassed were the staff from the antique appraisal company. They had boasted about their high-tech appraisal methods, claiming zero margin for error, only to end up with nothing. Their faces were smacked hard!
It could be imagined that once this incident spread, their company's reputation would be completely ruined. They wouldn't even need to continue their appraisal business, just wait for bankruptcy.
It was all because of Dong Tianming, that bastard, who kept insisting it was a fake, leading them to not even bother with a proper examination.
That jerk had caused so much trouble!
No, this matter had to be kept under wraps. It absolutely couldn't be allowed to escalate.
The manager of the appraisal company made a quick decision and secretly slipped a card into Zhou Xiaobei's hand.
Zhou Xiaobei instantly understood what he meant and pocketed the bank card, waving his hand with a smile, "Actually, a slight margin of error in high-tech appraisal is normal. After all, even Master Song missed it earlier. The main point is, this painting is a Jiaxuan, something most people wouldn't recognize!"
People nodded in agreement.
The manager of the appraisal company breathed a sigh of relief. After a few complimentary words, he left with his staff in embarrassment.
"It's actually authentic! Haha, we're rich now!" Bei Xiaoshuai grabbed Old Song excitedly, "Master Song, forgive my impudence, but how much is this painting worth?"
"Ten years ago, this painting might have been worth tens of thousands at most, not too much. But, in recent years, the calligraphy and painting market has been booming. Those neglected masterpieces and great artists have been lifted up. As for this painting, I dare not say for certain, but at any auction house in the country, it would start at least at ten million."
Song Tianyu held up one finger.
"Ten million, my goodness!"
The crowd erupted again.
A painting bought for fifty thousand had suddenly turned into ten million, increasing dozens of times in value. This was like hitting the jackpot, faster than robbing a bank.
"Gudong!"
The street vendor couldn't handle it; his blood pressure shot up, and he collapsed on the spot.
He couldn't help but faint; he regretted it deeply!
He thought he had made a bargain with fifty thousand, but it turned out the joke was on him.
Ten million just vanished like that, he couldn't survive!
"This is absolutely impossible!" Dong Tianming, like a mentally disturbed patient, grabbed Song Tianyu's hand, his eyes bloodshot as he yelled, "Master Song, you must be mistaken. This can't be real, can it?"
"He's just a country bumpkin, utterly clueless. How could he recognize a Jiaxuan painting? It must be fake!"
Song Tianyu's face turned dark, shaking off Dong Tianming's hand. "Young Master Dong, I can use my reputation as a guarantee. If it's fake, I'll tarnish my reputation, retire from the antique world, and never touch antiques again in my life."
"..."
Dong Tianming stared wide-eyed, speechless.
With Song Tianyu saying this, there was no doubt it was authentic, and there was no suspense left.
But...
He was really unwilling!
Losing two million wasn't a big deal; his Dong family wasn't short of money. The main thing was, he just couldn't swallow this humiliation!
Shen Yue felt the same.
Her teeth were almost ground to dust.
She wished she could tear Zhou Xiaobei to pieces right there and then!
"Why are you still standing there? Pay up!" Zhou Xiaobei glanced at the frustrated Dong Tianming.
This guy was just a joke.
"Hurry up and pay, what's with all the dilly-dallying? Can't handle losing?" Bei Xiaoshuai sneered with glee.
"Zhou Xiaobei, consider yourself lucky. I won't let it go just like this. Let's wait and see." Dong Tianming threw down a bank card without a password and left.
Shen Yue glared viciously at Zhou Xiaobei, her eyes as venomous as a black widow in heat. "Zhou, let's see about this!"
Zhou Xiaobei shrugged with a nonchalant smile, indicating he didn't care.
With Dong Tianming and Shen Yue gone, Bei Xiaoshuai put his arm around Zhou Xiaobei's shoulder, giving him a thumbs up. "Awesome, amazing! My little brother Xiaobei, you've turned the tables. You're forever my hero!"
Buying a painting for fifty thousand that turned out to be worth millions, plus swindling two million from Dong Tianming's side... this money was easier than winning the lottery!
The surrounding people were also envious.
"Cough, cough..."
Song Tianyu cleared his throat lightly and smiled at Zhou Xiaobei. "Young man, what's your surname?"
"My surname is Zhou."
"Zhou, let me tell you, I don't have many hobbies usually, but I love collecting, especially ink and wash paintings. I wonder if Brother Zhou would be willing to part with this 'Rain Washes the Mountain Roots' painting. If you are, I'm willing to offer eleven million."
Zhou Xiaobei's heart skipped a beat.
He hadn't expected this old man to be such a big spender, offering an extra million just like that!
Unfortunately, this was a precious artifact with great utility; he couldn't sell it!
"Sorry, this painting..."
Before Zhou Xiaobei could refuse, someone else spoke up.
"I'll offer fifteen million!" At that moment, a beautiful girl with big eyes stepped forward, boldly offering fifteen million.
This girl was the one who had recognized the "Daytime Brocade Hall Picture" earlier.
Song Tianyu was furious.
Who was this girl? How dare she bid so arrogantly!
He immediately said, "I'll offer sixteen million."
"I'll offer twenty million," the girl said without even furrowing her brows.
Oh my god!
Zhou Xiaobei felt like he was having a heart attack.
Another ten million increase in an instant. Why were people in this city so rich?
Wufu's words were right. The people in this city were truly foolish with plenty of money!
Song Tianyu remained silent.
Looking at the girl with a slightly angry expression.
Twenty million was too much; this "Rain Washes the Mountain Roots" painting wasn't worth that much. Was this girl deliberately causing trouble?
"Xiner, are you crazy!" At that moment, a tall, hot-tempered girl wearing suspenders and leather pants jumped out of the crowd.
The girl had a cool pair of sunglasses perched on her forehead, emanating a youthful vibe.
The girl called Xiner explained to the girl who had jumped out, "Zhizhi, I've told you before, I've had a master since I was a child. My master is a reclusive expert, and I plan to buy this 'Rain Washes the Mountain Roots' painting to give to her! But even so, twenty million is too expensive!"
The hot-tempered girl still seemed dissatisfied.
Twenty million was indeed a large sum; for ordinary families, it was astronomical!