"Hmph! What's with all the pretense? Don't end up making a fool of yourself and bringing shame," Meng Zhuqing snorted, her face filled with disdain.
Upon hearing this, Chen Mo tugged at Meng Zhuqing.
He signaled for her to say less, as Chen Mo didn't want to steal any thunder in the matter of appraising treasures.
Unfortunately, Qiu Wanliang, who was walking ahead, heard every word clearly.
He immediately stopped in his tracks, turned around indignantly, and looked at Chen Mo and Meng Zhuqing: "Where did this little brat come from, saying I'd make a mistake? When I was dealing with antiques, you two kids were probably not even born yet!"
"Is being older such a great thing? Gan Luo became Prime Minister at twelve, Cai Wenji could discern musical notes at six, and Mengchang Jun could speak to his father at five. Nowadays, there are plenty of people who are old but have achieved nothing," Meng Zhuqing, unusually serious, retorted directly at Qiu Wanliang.
"You! You're twisting logic! I'm talking about the antique trade, what do these people you mentioned have to do with our profession?" Qiu Wanliang questioned.
Meng Zhuqing scoffed, "Aren't they all ancient people?"
"You, you girl, are completely unreasonable."
Qiu Wanliang looked at Mr. Wang indignantly: "Mr. Wang, I truly don't understand how you can let such trash accompany us? Wouldn't it make us look incompetent if others saw it? And needing a young kid to appraise things?"
Meng Zhuqing's expression darkened upon hearing this: "Compared to my man, what are you?"
Qiu Wanliang's face turned ashen. Meng Zhuqing's words implied he was worse than trash!
"Please, both of you, calm down, calm down."
Mr. Wang stepped forward with a troubled expression.
He hadn't expected the two parties he invited to start arguing first.
"Mr. Wang, if it weren't for your esteemed reputation, I wouldn't have come. I absolutely cannot work alongside such trash. If they don't leave, I will take my leave first, and I will return your fees in full!" Qiu Wanliang said, cupping his hands with a stern face.
Mr. Wang's expression became even more displeased.
"Professor Qiu, why bother? They are just juniors. Shouldn't you show some magnanimity?" Mr. Wang tried to persuade him.
Chen Mo had helped him last time, and it was he who had invited Chen Mo. How could he possibly ask Chen Mo and his companion to leave?
"Magnanimity is for those I respect. They are not worthy!" Qiu Wanliang spoke without reservation.
"This!" Mr. Wang looked extremely troubled.
Although Chen Mo was skilled in porcelain, Qiu Wanliang was a renowned appraisal expert and a master of all trades in appraisal.
"I think you're scared, worried about losing face in front of my man," Meng Zhuqing said playfully, looking at Qiu Wanliang.
"Scared? Am I, Qiu Wanliang, afraid of you?" Qiu Wanliang let out a cold laugh.
Meng Zhuqing playfully asked, "Since you're not afraid, why don't we have a competition?"
"Compete in what?" Qiu Wanliang questioned.
Mr. Wang and Chen Mo also looked at Meng Zhuqing with confusion.
Meng Zhuqing smiled, "Since we're here, it's naturally to compete in appraisal. Whoever finds the most fakes wins."
"And what if someone loses?" Qiu Wanliang's lips curved into a slight arc upon hearing this.
"Whoever loses will take one hundred million to purchase antiques here and donate them to the country," Meng Zhuqing extended a finger.
One hundred million!
Hearing the amount Meng Zhuqing mentioned, Mr. Wang looked aghast. Even Chen Mo was startled.
He couldn't help but think to himself: Damn it! This is going to trap me!
Qiu Wanliang's eyelids twitched.
Although he was worth that much, most of it was the value of antiques and calligraphy he had collected over the years.
"What? Scared now?" Meng Zhuqing asked playfully.
Qiu Wanliang's face darkened, and after a moment of thought, he looked at Chen Mo's young age and smiled smugly, "What is there for me to be afraid of? Contributing to the country, I'm willing to play with you kids."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Wang still wanted to persuade them, "Professor Qiu, Miss Meng, you both..."
Before Mr. Wang could finish speaking, Qiu Wanliang's face turned grim: "Mr. Wang, this is a bet they proposed themselves. How could I refuse? Let's go. Today, I will let this kid know that antiques rely on experience, not blind guessing!"
With that, Qiu Wanliang walked towards the exhibition center without looking back.
"Alas, Miss Meng, why bother," Mr. Wang sighed again.
In his opinion, although Chen Mo had a sharp eye, it was impossible for him to win against Qiu Wanliang; it was simply self-inflicted humiliation.
Meng Zhuqing, however, was unconcerned. She put her arm around Chen Mo and said, "Mr. Wang, I have confidence in my man."
Chen Mo's forehead was covered in black lines.
He thought, you have so much confidence in me, but I have no confidence at all!
This was one hundred million! Although Chen Mo was rich, he would still feel heartbroken if he lost that much money!
"Alas, you are all too young," Mr. Wang also knew that further persuasion was futile and could only sigh helplessly again.
Soon, they arrived at the exhibition center's main hall.
After passing through multiple security checks, everyone entered the exhibition area.
It had to be said that upon entering the exhibition area, Chen Mo was also stunned by the scene before him.
Bronze wares, porcelain, and various precious paintings and calligraphy were countless.
Moreover, a huge poster was hung above.
The poster contained many high-sounding words, stating that Japanese philanthropist Taronohino hosted this exhibition to give participants an opportunity to experience the country's historical atmosphere up close, and also granted them the qualification to purchase and trade.
Chen Mo frowned slightly upon seeing this, his expression looking rather displeased.
This was simply a blatant slap in the face.
"They stole our things, then let us admire them, and want us to pay if we want them. These people are truly shameless!" Mr. Wang said indignantly.
He then looked at Chen Mo and Qiu Wanliang: "Gentlemen, I believe personal grudges are irrelevant. As long as you find any item problematic, I will sell everything I own to buy these items back!"
Qiu Wanliang gave a thumbs-up in admiration, "Mr. Wang, you truly impress me. Please rest assured, my competition with that kid will not affect Mr. Wang's plans."
It was clear that Qiu Wanliang was determined to confront Chen Mo head-on.
"Tch, afraid of you?" Meng Zhuqing linked her arm with Chen Mo's, her expression disdainful.
"Then let's begin," Mr. Wang naturally did not want the two to argue further, and then walked towards the bronze ware area in front.
Chen Mo followed slowly, but his expression looked somewhat grim.
Because he couldn't even tell the names or dynasties of the bronze tripods before him.
"Ancestor, Ancestor, save me! I'm in urgent need of help!" Chen Mo shouted urgently in his heart.
The Ancestor's leisurely voice slowly echoed, "Solve the mess you got yourself into. A mere hundred million, are you really afraid you can't afford to lose it?"