As soon as the blue-and-white porcelain lantern vase with plum blossom, dragon and peony patterns came out, Ji Xiaoli caught a glimpse of Jack's expression and immediately knew what was going on.
Sure enough, Jack's attitude was no longer as nonchalant as before. Instead, his eyes were fixed intently on the vase in Ji Xiaoli's hand.
Tom sensed something was amiss. He pushed the vase in his hand a bit forward and said enthusiastically, "Friend, why don't you take another look at our blue-and-white porcelain lantern vase? The patterns on it are simply exquisite."
On a normal day, Jack would surely have continued chatting with him.
However, ever since Ji Xiaoli took out that vase, Jack's mind had been completely captivated by this ancient and mysterious piece.
So the excited Jack immediately turned cold and replied very perfunctorily, "Yeah, this vase is really nice. It's extremely exquisite."
As he said this, he didn't even glance at the vase. He was just talking nonsense with his eyes wide open.
Ji Xiaoli couldn't help smiling to herself. "Mr. Jack, could you please help me appraise my collection?"
Jack's eyes lit up. He couldn't wait to shake off Tom and then took out a magnifying glass with a trembling hand. "Oh, thank you for your generosity. This vase is simply too beautiful. The primitive and magnificent power it exudes is really fascinating."
After admiring it for a while, Jack immediately tried to suppress the shock in his heart and asked, "Miss Ji, your collection is really too beautiful. May I ask where you got it?"
Ji Xiaoli immediately replied with a beaming smile, "I just bought it at an auction. Although I don't know exactly what it is, I bought it because I thought the shape was very interesting."
Hearing this, Tom's face turned green.
He remembered clearly that this vase should have been his! But because of Ji Xiaoli, he had fallen into her trap again and had to give up this vase.
Moreover, Ji Xiaoli had bought it at a very low price.
If he had known that Jack would like this vase, he would never have given it up!
He was in a bad mood, but the other three were in high spirits.
Especially Jess. Seeing his old rival with a green face, he was itching to open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
It was only because he remembered that they were in Jack's house that he managed to restrain his desire.
Ji Xiaoli was the same. She even said to Tom with a smile, "I remember that Mr. Tom was also at that auction. But it seemed that he wasn't interested in this vase, so I managed to buy it."
When she said this, she deliberately emphasized the word "not interested" just to annoy Tom even more.
Just ask if you're angry or not!
Jack didn't notice the undercurrents among them at all. Or rather, he didn't care about anything except the vase in his hand.
The more he looked at it, the more he thought this vase was extremely exquisite. Its artistic value far exceeded that of the other porcelain.
Immediately, he looked at Ji Xiaoli excitedly. "Miss Ji, this vase is very likely a tribute item, and the inscriptions on it are also of great research significance. Could you please part with it and sell it to me?"
Ji Xiaoli was taken aback. She didn't expect that this seemingly ordinary porcelain would have such a background.
As a result, her previous idea of giving it directly to Jack vanished.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Jack asked politely again, "Miss Ji, don't worry. I'm willing to pay ten times the price to buy this vase. If you're not willing, please just name your price."
He, Jack, wasn't short of money. And as the saying goes, money can't buy what one really wants. If he could buy it, money would just be a number.
Jack liked this vase so much that he even managed to suppress his instinct as a profit - seeking businessman.
However, Ji Xiaoli slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry. I won't sell this vase."
As soon as she said this, all three of them looked at her in surprise.
Jack quickly added, "Miss Ji, I really like this vase. Just name your price."
Ji Xiaoli smiled helplessly. "Mr. Jack, it's not a matter of money. I plan to donate this collection to the national museum."
Jack was about to try to persuade her a few more words. But when he heard that it was going to be donated to the museum, he finally sighed and didn't force the issue anymore.
"Okay, Miss Ji. Maybe it's a better destination for these exquisite artworks to be placed in the museum of their own country."
Although he said so, Jack's eyes were still fixed on the porcelain.
Seeing this, Ji Xiaoli said, "Mr. Jack, if you really like it, I'll be staying for a few more days. If you like, you can come to my place to appreciate it."
Hearing this, Jack pondered for a moment. "How about this, Miss Ji. I'm going to hold a private exhibition in a few days. If you're willing to lend me this vase for a few days, then I'll agree to cooperate with Jess."
Afraid that Ji Xiaoli might not agree, Jack immediately added, "Don't worry. This exhibition will only invite a few of my friends. It won't be open to the public."
It would be stupid for Ji Xiaoli not to agree now.
She immediately nodded generously. "Okay, let's do it like this."
After the cooperation was reached, Jack immediately politely but distantly asked Tom to leave.
Tom left with a livid face. But he had no choice but to leave and even had to offer his blessings.
This made Jess' smile even more genuine.
Seeing his old rival unhappy, he was even happier.
As soon as Tom left, Jack immediately asked his secretary to print out the contract. The two of them signed it on the spot.
After signing the contract, Jack looked at the vase in Ji Xiaoli's hand. The meaning was self - evident.
Ji Xiaoli also handed it to him very generously. "I wish your exhibition all the best."
Jack didn't even reply. He couldn't wait to take the vase.
After he got it, he realized that he might have been a bit rude just now.
Ji Xiaoli didn't mind. She said understandingly, "It's okay. I understand how you feel."
It was not hard to understand the feeling of being tempted by something one really liked.
It would have been better if she hadn't said that. But once she did, Jack felt a bit embarrassed.
He thought for a while. "If you two don't mind, you can come to my private exhibition in half a month. I'll also invite some of my friends tomorrow. They're all very famous people."
People at Jack's level were definitely well - known big shots in the outside world. Ordinary people couldn't even dream of meeting them.
Although Jess was known as the stock god, his family background was actually not as wealthy as some real big entrepreneurs. And Jack and his friends were among the top - tier people in this pyramid.
So this was a great opportunity for both Ji Xiaoli and Jess.
Ji Xiaoli and Jess glanced at each other and agreed with a smile. "It would be our great honor."
After they left Jack's house, Jess said very seriously, "Xiaoli, I owe you a favor."