The two wandered around a few more stalls. Although there were many novel items, they were still far from the treasure worthy of being the museum's centerpiece that Lu Qi desired.
"Come and take a look at these precious treasures! From Tang tri - color glazed pottery to antiques from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, all are genuine!"
A hawker shouting the loudest caught Xu Qingqing's attention. There were indeed quite a few items on his stall, with a whole pile of jade bracelets on display.
Seeing such a large number of bracelets, Xu Qingqing casually picked up one and asked, "Boss, how much is this?"
"This is top - grade jadeite. I'll sell it to you at a discounted price. It's 50,000 yuan."
Xu Qingqing didn't even need to look. By just touching it, she could tell that it wasn't jadeite but dyed glass.
She was then attracted by another stall and put down the jade bracelet. There was no need to look further; it was definitely a swindler's stall.
Lu Qi, also drawn by the arrogant shouting, scanned the items and his gaze stopped at the statue of Lord Guan lying in a yellow brocade box.
The statue of Lord Guan was carved so vividly that his closed eyes made him look like he was sleeping peacefully. One couldn't help but suspect that if his eyes were carved open, it would be exactly like a real person.
As for its age, the jade looked pure and clear all over. It didn't seem to be artificial glass or resin. When it touched the skin, it had a slightly warm yet cool feeling, which met the criteria of real jade.
Seeing that Lu Qi was interested in the statue, the boss quickly began to extol its virtues. "This statue of Lord Guan is no ordinary item. It's made of the famous Hetian jade. And look at the carving technique. It's clearly the work of a master."
"Sir, if you buy this, you'll make a great deal!"
Lu Qi was skeptical. "If it's as good as you say, why don't you keep it for yourself instead of selling it?"
The boss rolled his eyes and started to play the victim. "I've lost everything in antique trading in recent years. I have a wife and kids to support at home, so I have to part with it reluctantly."
"Really?" Lu Qi felt the delicate texture of the statue. Putting other things aside, he quite liked the statue of Lord Guan, and the jade looked like the real deal.
"How much is it?" Lu Qi asked casually.
"I can see that you're sincere. I'll give you a discount. It's 500,000 yuan." The boss was smiling, but his asking price was quite high.
500,000 yuan was no small amount. He'd better go and ask Xu Qingqing first!
"Boss, I'll take it to show my friend."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in the boss's eyes. "Sure."
At this moment, Xu Qingqing and Tang Li were looking at some ornaments at a stall opposite.
Tang Li picked up a pink - and - white jade hairpin and held it up to Xu Qingqing's long hair. She would definitely look beautiful with it on.
Tang Li smiled faintly. "Qingqing, this hairpin really suits your complexion. Do you like it?"
Xu Qingqing liked the pink - and - white color, but when she saw that the head of the hairpin was two peach - colored flowers growing together, a twin - lotus, which symbolized marital bliss and everlasting love between a man and a woman.
It was obvious what Tang Li meant by giving her this.
Xu Qingqing coughed. "This color is too pink and too girly. I already have two kids."
Lu Qi walked over holding the statue of Lord Guan and quietly asked Xu Qingqing, "Qingqing, do you think this is real Hetian jade?"
Xu Qingqing glanced at it, and the system in her mind immediately started to identify it. The result of the identification played back in her mind.
Xu Qingqing pursed her lips. "The jade is real, and the carving technique imitates that of ancient times..."
"So, this jade is worth buying?" Lu Qi asked impatiently.
After searching for so long, he finally found a genuine item. It would be good to take it back to show the shareholders.
But Xu Qingqing shook her head. "I advise you not to buy it."
"Why?" Lu Qi asked in surprise.
Xu Qingqing explained, "Although it's Hetian jade, it's Korean - origin Hetian jade. The overall quality of Korean - origin Hetian jade is relatively low. It has a yellowish color, a loose texture, and very rough jade quality."
Lu Qi said embarrassedly, "I don't really understand..."
Seeing Lu Qi's confused expression, Xu Qingqing gave an example. "Let me put it this way. The jade bracelets that are often sold at discounted prices in live - streaming rooms are usually made of Korean - origin jade."
This time, Lu Qi understood. His face darkened instantly. That despicable swindler actually wanted 500,000 yuan from him. He must be crazy!
Lu Qi angrily put the statue back. "Sorry, I don't want it."
After saying that, he turned to leave, but the boss behind him let out a scream. "You've broken my statue of Lord Guan!"
"Stop right there! Don't you dare leave!" The boss stepped out from behind the stall, holding the brocade box, and tightly grabbed Lu Qi's arm, spitting as he shouted.
"You broke my statue and now you want to run away? Dream on! Pay up!"
"What?" Lu Qi looked down at the brocade box in the boss's hand. The head and neck of the originally intact statue of Lord Guan were broken.
"Ah? It was fine when I gave it back to you!" Lu Qi flatly denied it.
He had been very careful when holding it and was sure that he hadn't bumped or knocked the statue.
"You checked it and it was intact when I showed it to you!"
"You're lying. Who knows if you just put the head and neck together and gave it to me!"
"You took the statue away from the stall and broke it. You have to be responsible and pay up!"
The boss angrily grabbed Lu Qi, looking like he wouldn't let go until Lu Qi paid.
The boss's loud shouting attracted the attention of others. They all pointed at Lu Qi and whispered, thinking that Lu Qi was trying to be a scoundrel.
Afraid that the situation would get out of hand, Lu Qi had no choice but to admit his bad luck and took out his wallet.
"The jade of this statue is Korean - origin Hetian jade. It's not worth much. I'll only give you 500 yuan."
"You're talking nonsense!" The boss spat on Lu Qi's face again. "This is clearly Hetian jade. 500,000 yuan. Not a single cent less!"
Lu Qi wasn't one to be easily taken advantage of. He reasoned with the boss.
"Although it's Hetian jade, it's the Korean - origin variety. It's not worth much at all!"
"Is Korean - origin jade not Hetian jade? If you break something, you have to pay the full price. Without 500,000 yuan, you're not leaving!"
Looking at the cunning and shrewdness in the boss's eyes, Lu Qi finally realized that he had been set up.
Xu Qingqing walked over, frowned, and said to Lu Qi, "Don't you know that you're not supposed to take items away from the counter when examining them?"
Lu Qi sighed deeply. "I forgot just now."
He thought it was real Hetian jade, so he was very nervous and just forgot the rule.
Xu Qingqing was a bit speechless. Her eyes fell on the stubborn and deceitful boss, and her voice turned cold. "What do you think will happen to you if we take this statue to the police station and accuse you of fraud?"
"500 yuan at most. Do you sell it or not?"
As soon as Xu Qingqing finished speaking, the boss reluctantly agreed. "Fine."
500 yuan was already more than it was worth. The statue was broken and useless. It was just like buying a piece of junk.