180: Chapter 18 Xu Ting acquires another plum vase

"5.5 million," Old Master Lei bid from the side.

"6 million."

"7 million."

Soon, the price of the Yuan Blue and White mei bottle had soared to 7 million.

Old Master Lei slammed his clenched fist heavily onto the table, shouting his bottom-line price through gritted teeth.

"9 million."

"9.2 million."

It didn't even last three seconds before someone else outbid him.

Old Master Lei sighed deeply and murmured, "It seems this national treasure is not fated to be mine."

He then looked at Xu Ting and asked tentatively, "President Xu, aren't you planning to make a move?"

In terms of antique appraisal, Xu Ting was not as good as him.

But in terms of financial resources, he was no match for Xu Ting.

Listening to the lively bidding scene, Xu Ting said leisurely, "Old Master Lei, no rush."

"I estimate the price of this mei bottle will be over 250 million; there's no hurry."

At the same time, he secretly rejoiced; getting that Ming Chenghua mei bottle for 5 million last time was truly a massive bargain.

Hearing this, Old Master Lei felt his face burn with embarrassment; did his previous bids look like a clown's performance in Xu Ting's eyes?

He stopped speaking and silently watched the auction proceed.

A moment later.

The price reached 200 million.

Xu Ting's squinted eyes finally opened, and he spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful.

"220 million."

...

"350 million."

Once this price was called, the originally calm Xu Ting felt his pressure double, and fine sweat appeared on his forehead.

After taking a deep breath, he continued to bid.

"360 million."

After two more rounds of bidding.

Xu Ting finally secured the Yuan Blue and White mei bottle for 410 million.

Old Master Lei clicked his tongue in praise; Xu Ting winning it meant he could also appreciate this national treasure up close.

The transaction between the two parties was completed.

Xu Ting treated it like a priceless treasure and quickly left the auction site with Old Master Lei.

The female host watched the two leave, then returned backstage and said in a sugary voice.

"Young Master Hu, you made quite a profit this time; you'll surely be praised by the family."

"I hope so," a young, handsome man said indifferently.

He showed no joy or sorrow, as if a transaction worth hundreds of millions was just a common occurrence to him.

...

On the other side.

After Chen Shaoping left the company, he went to Zhang Ying's fan meeting.

He waited until she finished signing for the last die-hard fan before taking her hand to leave.

After having a candlelit dinner out, they returned home after nine o'clock.

Zhang Ying immediately went to shower upon returning; she was too tired today and planned to rest early.

Chen Shaoping sat on the sofa, scrolling through videos, a goofy grin appearing on his face from time to time.

At this time.

At the Baiyun District Airport in Yangcheng, three old men had just walked out of the airport.

"Old Cai, since you said he lives right next door to you, let's go straight to your house."

"If it really doesn't work out, we'll just stay at your place tonight."

He Qixiang was truly anxious; he wanted to know the answer immediately.

"Mhm." Cai Guoqiang nodded. "Let's go."

Just as Zhang Ying was leaning on Chen Shaoping's shoulder, watching TV intently, the urgent ringing of the doorbell interrupted their cozy moment.

"Who is it at this hour?" Zhang Ying muttered and prepared to open the door.

Chen Shaoping pulled her hand. "Wife, I'll go; you stay seated."

He went to the door and looked through the peephole, seeing three slightly exhausted-looking old men standing outside, each carrying a luggage bag.

He recognized all three: Old Cai and Old He went without saying, and though he hadn't met Expert Zhao Meng in person, he had seen him on TV.

Their arrival was expected, but he hadn't guessed it would be this soon.

Chen Shaoping hurriedly opened the door, very enthusiastic. "Old Cai, Old He, Old Zhao, what wind blew the three of you to my house? Please come in, come in."

Sitting on the sofa, Zhang Ying heard the voices and hurriedly got up to head to the bedroom.

With guests arriving, it was impolite to be wearing pajamas.

"What wind? It's the wind of someone acting crazy!" Cai Guoqiang looked at Chen Shaoping resentfully, with a hint of blame.

"If you had just honestly told us about the fakes, would we, with our old bones, have needed to make such a tiring trip?"

Chen Shaoping gave an embarrassed laugh and invited the three inside.

Then he immediately set about brewing tea.

"Please sit, please sit. Calm down, you three."

Just as they sat down, Zhao Meng glanced at Chen Shaoping curiously a few times. "Old Cai, I never imagined the person behind you would be so young."

"I've disappointed Old Zhao! My apologies," Chen Shaoping said with a smile.

"No, it's a case of the new generation surpassing the old. Remarkable," Zhao Meng praised sincerely.

"Little Chen, if you know, then tell us. Or do you have some concerns?"

"The Palace Museum's collection is vast. Even if we only appraised paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, and bronzes, the three of us might not be able to finish in our lifetime."

He Qixiang's expression was serious. After appraising in the Museum for a few days, they realized this was an impossible task.

As for letting some young people help, he hadn't even considered it.

These were all national treasures; if they didn't find the fakes and instead damaged a batch of items, it would be a disaster.

That would be a grave sin.

Chen Shaoping put down the tea set. The water in the kettle nearby was slowly boiling, with tiny bubbles rising from the bottom.

"You three elders, especially Old He."

"What will you do after you know which ones are fakes?"

He had a faint smile on his face as his gaze swept over the three.

"Chen Boy, don't worry. Old He's son is a leader in the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. He will definitely conduct a thorough investigation."

Cai Guoqiang was outspoken and spoke very naturally.

"Old Cai, to be able to swap the Palace Museum's genuine articles for fakes—how powerful do you think these people are?"

"It's hard to guarantee that Old He's son isn't involved."

Chen Shaoping spoke bluntly. He believed that the passion of these three old men alone couldn't solve the real problem.

"Young Friend Chen, rest assured, I have absolute confidence in my son."

"As long as you tell us, I, He Qixiang, guarantee on my personal reputation that I will give the people of the whole country an explanation!"

He Qixiang spoke very calmly; it seemed he had considered it carefully.

"Count me in, Zhao Meng."

"Count me in, Cai Guoqiang."

The two seconded him, and the three looked at Chen Shaoping expectantly.

Seeing their stubborn looks, Chen Shaoping found them somewhat endearing.

Some things feel exceptionally warm because of these stubborn old men.

"Alright, in that case, are you three ready to hear the news?"

"I don't want to speak and have you all suddenly faint; that would be troublesome."

"How about we go to the hospital entrance and talk slowly?"

Chen Shaoping's serious manner made He Qixiang's heart tighten; it seemed the problem was more serious than he thought.

At this moment, the water in the kettle finally boiled.

He picked up the tea set and began brewing tea. Having work in his hands helped him stay stronger.

"Go ahead, Young Friend Chen. I can take it."

Chen Shaoping glanced at Cai Guoqiang and Zhao Meng. Seeing them both nod, he said solemnly:

"'court ladies fanning picture', 'Three Letters in Cursive Script'... 'Yellow-ground Famille Rose Lidded Bowl with Wan Shou Wu Jiang Pattern'... 'Seal of the King of Dian'."

With every item he named, He Qixiang's face grew a shade paler, and his body slowly slumped onto the sofa.

Cai Guoqiang and Zhao Meng looked at each other helplessly, suddenly thinking that Chen Shaoping's joke about 'going to the hospital entrance' was actually incredibly wise.

In the end, He Qixiang was practically carried out, supported by Cai Guoqiang and Zhao Meng.