How much is it worth? That's a pumpkin teapot, a unique piece in the world, worth over a hundred million!
At this moment, Xue Changrong found himself in a dilemma.
If he didn't give this item to Chen Fan, he would likely be unable to establish himself in the antique street in the future. After all, the antique trade hinges on integrity, let alone with so many customers watching.
However, if he gave it to Chen Fan, an item worth hundreds of millions, representing years of savings, his heart ached immensely.
Chen Fan, naturally, could see what Xue Changrong was thinking. A smile played on his lips, and he feigned a sigh, saying, "Alas, I didn't expect Boss Xue to be so unwilling to part with even a replica zisha teapot for me. You kept saying I could pick any valuable treasure. I truly don't understand what treasure Boss Xue is referring to. Is it not even worth as much as this replica?"
Instantly, everyone turned their questioning gazes towards Xue Changrong.
If what Chen Fan said was true, then it was highly likely that all the items in the entire Zhenbao Pavilion were fakes.
The prestige and trust he had just established were once again showing signs of crumbling.
Sensing the suspicious glances from those around him, Xue Changrong's face turned extremely grim. At this moment, he wished he could strangle Chen Fan to death.
After a moment of silence, Xue Changrong forced a smile onto his face, gritting his teeth, and said, "I just didn't want the young man to suffer a loss. After all, he found a fake in my shop. If he took a replica zisha teapot, people might say I was stingy."
Xue Changrong took a deep breath and said again, "Since the young man insists on this zisha teapot, then, then let him take it!"
After saying these words, Xue Changrong felt his heart bleeding. That was the pumpkin teapot he had acquired with years of savings, and it was being given to someone else. How could he be willing?
"Then thank you, Boss Xue." Chen Fan's face showed delight as he poured the tea out of the pumpkin teapot.
Seeing this, Xue Changrong covered his eyes, unable to bear to watch.
Then, Chen Fan gave Qin Shuran a look, and they both rose to leave.
"Boss Xue, congratulations! You managed to prevent a loss in time."
"You should hurry and find the seller of that porcelain you bought and demand a full refund. It's your good fortune that you were able to salvage your reputation and losses this time."
"That young man is truly remarkable, only choosing a replica zisha teapot. It's rare to find someone who doesn't like to take small advantages."
Xue Changrong almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Prevented a loss? His good fortune? And he doesn't like to take small advantages?!
He had just lost over a hundred million.
However, there was no way he could reveal this. He could only force a smile and say, "Yes, yes, everyone is right. I plan to go find the seller of that porcelain right away. Everyone, I won't be open for business today. I'll wait until I invite experts to re-authenticate the antiques here before I reopen. I want to guarantee that anything that leaves Zhenbao Pavilion is a genuine piece!"
Clap, clap, clap!
A round of applause erupted.
"Boss Xue, you're amazing! From now on, I'll only buy antiques from Zhenbao Pavilion!"
"Me too. When Boss Xue reopens, I'll definitely come to support you."
A moment later, Xue Changrong ushered the guests out of the shop, and his expression turned grim.
"Boss," a shop assistant walked over.
Xue Changrong asked in a deep voice, "Have you sent people to follow them?"
"They've been sent."
"I don't care what methods you use, that item must be retrieved!"
"Don't worry, I've already given the instructions. As soon as there's an opportunity, they will bring the item back."
A cold glint appeared on Xue Changrong's face. "And that kid, daring to scheme against me. Cut off his hands and let him know the consequences of offending me!"
"Yes! I'll contact them right away and make sure that kid doesn't get away!"
Chen Fan and Qin Shuran left Zhenbao Pavilion. Qin Shuran looked at the pumpkin teapot in Chen Fan's hand and asked with some confusion, "Why did you insist on taking his zisha teapot? Is there something special about it?"
"And I noticed earlier that Boss Xue seemed particularly nervous when you chose this zisha teapot."
Chen Fan handed the zisha teapot to Qin Shuran.
Qin Shuran took it and examined it curiously, finding nothing unusual.
Chen Fan replied, "This item is the most valuable one in that Zhenbao Pavilion."
Qin Shuran couldn't help but laugh, "Heh heh, you're truly wicked. No wonder Boss Xue was so nervous. He must have been almost driven mad by you!"
Then, Qin Shuran seemed to recall something, her brow furrowed slightly as she looked at Chen Fan doubtfully, "Hmm? That's not right. Didn't you say you don't understand antiques and can't appraise them? Then how did you know that porcelain was a fake, and how did you know this zisha teapot was the most valuable?"
Chen Fan then explained, "Open the lid and see what's written inside?"
Qin Shuran did as she was told. After opening the zisha teapot, she read out the three characters inside: "Chen Ziqi?"
Clearly, Qin Shuran didn't know much about zisha teapots and had no idea who Chen Ziqi was.
"He's an ancestor of my family, a very famous zisha teapot master. I can recognize my ancestor's work at a glance. As for that porcelain, I actually just guessed. It was only after I accidentally dropped it on the ground that I dared to be sure it was a fake."
Qin Shuran gave Chen Fan a look, "Go tell that to a ghost, I don't believe you."
She had been standing next to Chen Fan just now. When Chen Fan dropped and broke that porcelain, it didn't seem like an accident at all.
Qin Shuran looked Chen Fan up and down again.
Chen Fan felt a bit uneasy under her gaze, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Qin Shuran said, "I'm very curious now, what is there that you *can't* do?"
Chen Fan chuckled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject, "Aren't you looking for a birthday gift for your grandfather? This zisha teapot is quite nice, you can give it to him."
Qin Shuran refused, "I can't accept it. This is something you obtained."
Chen Fan said again, "I came with you to buy things, so this item is partly yours. Besides, I'm not interested in it, so just take it."
Seeing Chen Fan's insistence, Qin Shuran looked at the zisha teapot in her hand again and finally nodded in agreement to accept it.
However, at this moment, Chen Fan's brow furrowed slightly, and he stopped walking.
"What's wrong?" Qin Shuran asked.
Chen Fan glanced behind him and towards the side alley, "Trouble is coming."
"Trouble?" Qin Shuran looked around, finding nothing amiss.
But she didn't know that Chen Fan was now extremely perceptive. He could sense that someone had been observing them. Chen Fan held his breath and looked towards the corner behind them and the other side of the alley. About twenty people were approaching them.
There weren't many people in the antique street at this time, especially in this secluded street with less foot traffic. This made those people less hesitant.
Chen Fan looked at Qin Shuran, "You take the item and go to the parking lot first."
Qin Shuran looked at Chen Fan with a serious expression and asked, "What exactly happened?"
Just then, a voice also came, "The two of you, you probably won't be able to take this item with you."
Startled by the voice, Qin Shuran quickly looked and saw dozens of figures blocking their path.
Qin Shuran instinctively retreated a few steps into the alley. When she turned to look behind her, she saw dozens more figures emerging from the other side of the alley.
In an instant, Chen Fan and Qin Shuran were trapped in this narrow alley by these twenty men.